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Hey dakka, I'm thinking about starting Fantasy and I really like the Wood Elves. I have heard that they're suffering right now from having an outdated codex, is this true? Are they still viable? I like the look of Wood Elves, which is the primary reason why I choose the armies I play as I mainly just play for fun. Any suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

There's nothing wrong with wood elves, but there are two strong points you'll need to work around.

1) They're strength is the movement phase. Most people are not used to this, as the WEs can't slug it out nor can they really win battles in the magic or shooting phases. You have to pick your battles and pick how they're fought more then any other army.

2) Low strength on the elves. You'll hear a lot of people say "go for the forest critters", and they do provide higher strength. However there's nothing wrong with regular elves, just don't ask them to do something they can't (refer to point 1)

Other things to note

-you have no real "rank and file" troops (worth using). On the bright side, you have a rediculous number of skirmishers (see point 1)

-you need a spellweaver (lord) as the hero caster can only use WE spells, and they're sub-par. The hero caster is playable, and with a few dispel scrolls you're OK as a dispeller, but don't expect much else.

-magic items (I think) are above par. Lots of ranged options

-don't bother with eagles; not worth it (again, only my opinion).

-treemen seem to be one of the most hated individual models in the game without a lord riding it (re: dragons)

Woodies are a decent army.

Rumour has it that the book is not being updated in the near future - which is both a good and a bad thing.

Roger at the Point Hammered podcast has got some good insight into the army, and has been having success with them in tournaments, so that might be a good place to start any research.

The Glade Guard are the best archers in the game and they have some good supporting units in the form of Treekin and Dryads.

I suspect the perceived problem with the list is that the playstyle is so different to the 'go horde or go home' internet recieved wisdom that the army is automatically rejected.

Wood Elves are a great army and they're a satisfying one too, since victory is gained by a well-planned and skillfully executed force. I don't say this to put you off though - Wood Elves were my first fantasy army and, while they have a learning curve that's a little steeper than some of the other armies out there, they're still not too hard to get to grips with.

I'm not surprised the Treeman is hated, in my last game, he ate 20 marauders and 20 Warriors of Chaos on his own

I agree that the Glade Guard are the best archers in the game - stand and shoot with strength 4? Move and shoot with no penalty? Yes please. Dryads are the other core choice worth taking and for 12 points, a strength and toughness 4 fear-causing skirmisher with a ward save is awesome

Eagles are a waste of time though

Interesting, I'll definitely keep those things in mind. Thanks for the help. Would you guys suggest starting with the battalion or getting certain specific units instead?

Well, it does all depend on what army you want to make. I assume you have the army book?

Personally, I do like the battle force, if only because the extra 8 glade guard allow for me to have neat and tidy whole numbers in my regiments It does depend if you have a use for the glade riders though, if you're not going to use them at all, it may not be worth it.

Slaan wrote:-you need a spellweaver (lord) as the hero caster can only use WE spells, and they're sub-par. The hero caster is playable, and with a few dispel scrolls you're OK as a dispeller, but don't expect much else.

Err, aren't dispel scrolls 1 per army like any other magic item?