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It seems unfair to me that my favorite aspect didn't get a pheonix lord and I'm sure people have come up with one before but I thought I would throw this version out there and see if people think its balanced and what changes they would make. I don't know much about the fluff for Eldar even though its pretty much the only army I play. It would purely be for fun pick-up games when I randomly decide to use warp spiders so I'm not going to try and write up some elaborate fluff story for why he exists.

|WS 7|BS 7|S 4|T 4|W 3|I 7|A 4|Ld 10|Sv 2+| Unit Type: Jump Infantry| Individual | 225 points

Wargear: Warp Jump Generator, Death Web, Latrodectus

Special Rules: Independent Character, Fleet of Foot, Fearless, Eternal Warrior, Desciples(Warp Spiders)
Surprise Assault, Withdraw, Master of the Warp

Death Web: Range:12" Str: 6 AP: - Assault 4, Rending (Improved death spinner)

Latrodectus: Powerblades that are 4+ poison. Any enemy model in base contact with the pheonix lord
loses one attack due to the venom in the blade.

Master of the Warp: The pheonix lord guides his squad through the warp. When using the Warp Jump Generators assault move, if doubles are rolled, no casualties are removed.

I was thinking of taking away the 4+ poison on the latrodectus and making it give +2 attacks instead.

Please let me know what you think and if you want to write any fluff or name it I'm open to it.

I think this should be in Proposed rules!

As for the Lord himself, it says in the Eldar codex that Warp Spiders don't have one, so I'm not sure whether making one is a good idea. However, I think you have a bit much in the way of wargear and rules for his points, I'd take away the poison and go with the +2 attacks and make the Death Web Assault 3.

Just my thoughts!

Yes, this is a Proposed Rule.

Moving thread...

Compared to some of the other special characters nowadays, the pheonix lords currently in the codex seem to be lacking in potency. The pheonix lord isn't a rule either so I didn't think it belonged there.

Assault 3 didn't make sense to me because it was supposed to be like the dual spinners the exarch has except better hence the rending.

I'll update the Latrodectus once I get some more opinions.

How is he wielding twin Spinners and powerblades at the same time?

You might want to combine them into one weapon, like the Maugetar.

Castiel wrote:How is he wielding twin Spinners and powerblades at the same time?

Quite easily, the Eldar codex makes a good number of references to the spinners being on other 'arms' with powerblades attached to the forearms of the Exarch. The Exarch even has the ability to take two Death Spinners (counted as an A4 weapon) in addition to powerblades.

Oh, so it does! I never noticed that before. Ignore me then!

Anyone have an opinion on whether its balanced or anything they think should be changed?

The only problem I'd have is that like many Phoenix Lords it suffers from a lack of an Invulnerable save. Just a small one would suffice, say 5++ so the points don't go through the roof. If I'm going to nitpick, I'd make 'Latrodectus' more simple too; just call it a set of powerblades which always wound on a minimum of 4+ to wound (poison).

Otherwise, a very grounded effort. Look forward to your Shinning Spears PL.

Greyish wrote:
Otherwise, a very grounded effort. Look forward to your Shinning Spears PL.

A PL that's even more useless, even more expensive and even more rigid than a regular shining spear

So the power weapon's venom can taint an enemy even before it actually attacks them?

As for the fluff, I'd say this guy got lost in the warp one day and thrown off into the unknown, which is why he's not around in M41. What would his name be? Sectraa the Unseen Invader?

Looks balanced and characterful to me; well done man.

I was thinking of giving him parry or dodge for a 5++. Should I add more points or take anything away if I do add it?

Thanks for the complements, its not too hard since they give you all the stats lol.

Well if you simplified Latrodectus as suggested, while adding the extra save I'd probably let you get away with the same cost. Both together - +10pts.

looks good to me, just no invul?

IIRC there is a spider phoenix lord of sorts that is so secret very few know who it is and every so often there is some kind of ritual where all the warp weavers,( not sure on the name) meet to confuse others of the true identity of the real leader or to pass leadership to another . I cant remember where i read this but there is some fluff to support the lord.

As for the rules i dont see any problem compared to 5th named HQs.

Make weapons poison 2+(since witch blade are 2+ and will fit the spider theme with poison)
you could give him a CC invul save like parry or dodge a 4 or 5++ wouldn't be terrible.

Master of the Warp: 3D6 and choose 2 dice (the lord can navigate the warp to avoid dangers )

just some ideas

I like your idea with master of the warp. It just still leaves the opportunity for people to die but that isn't too bad. Plus most the time you will get more inches. I think i'll change that


Automatically Appended Next Post:
|WS 7|BS 7|S 4|T 4|W 3|I 7|A 4|Ld 10|Sv 2+| Unit Type: Jump Infantry| Individual | 225 points

Wargear: Warp Jump Generator, Death Web, Latrodectus

Special Rules: Independent Character, Fleet of Foot, Fearless, Eternal Warrior, Desciples(Warp Spiders)
Surprise Assault, Withdraw, Master of the Warp, Parry 5+

Death Web: Range:12" Str: 6 AP: - Assault 4, Rending (Improved death spinner)

Latrodectus: Powerblades that are 2+ poison weapons.

Parry: The Phoenix Lord gets a 5+ invulnerable in combat

Master of the Warp: The phoenix lord guides his squad through the warp. Roll 3d6 and pick two dice. If doubles are chosen, a model in the squad is removed as a casualty.

I updated the latrodectus, master of the warp and gave him parry. Still, post any changes you would make to the phoenix lord

There is a Warp Spider Phoenix lord of sorts he is mentioned in Eldar Prophesy and is the lychosidae iirc (wraith spider) it seems its something to do with the shrine rather than the anything else and was more about close combat than webspinners. I'd be more tempted to make him into more of a close combat monster with powerblades and powerclaws in place of the exarch webspinners then add the claws as individual attacks plus the +1 for powerblades so gives him 7 attacks on the charge with 2 being powerclaw. I can't be the only eldar player who longs for something to worry other close combat specialists besides jain zar.

I don't think Goto-created fluff really 'counts' to be honest.