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Hi,

I have a friend that is new to 40k and is interested in getting his own army. I myself am new to the game and only barely eclipse his knowledge and experience of it. We currently battle SM and Orks (I have a small contingent of both). I tried to do a little internet research on this and have determined that the Eldar and Chaos SM armies are popular choices for the uninitiated, too. My friend read in the 40k rulebook about the superior initiative score of some Eldar units and liked that (he's usually the Orks). So has been looking at pre-assembled, pre-painted Eldar armies on Ebay (he, unlike me, has zero interest in the "modeling experience" aspect of the game).

I would like to know if anyone has a solid recommendation on which armies would be good to consider for a new player. Also, if you wouldn't mind, include your reasons, and what points I should keep in mind when making recommendations to him.

Thanks!

Biel-Tan - 1466pts

HQ:
Farseer -
Singing Spear -
Runes of Witnessing -
Spirit Stones -
Doom -
Guide -


Troops:
Dire Avengers (9) -
Exarch -
Power Weapon and Shimmershield -
Bladestorm -
Defend -

Troops:
Dire Avengers (9) -
Exarch -
Power Weapon and Shimmershield -
Bladestorm -
Defend -


Elite:
Striking Scorpions (4) -
Exarch -
Scorpion's Claw -
Shadowstrike -
Stalker -


Fire Dragons (4) -
Exarch -
Fire Pike -
Crack Shot -


Howling Banshees (9) -
Exarch -
Executioner -
Acrobatic -
War Shout -


Wave Serpent -
Twin-linked Brightlances -
Shuriken Cannon -
Spirit Stones -
Star Engine -
Vectored Engines -


Heavy Support:
Wraithlord (w/flamer and shuriken catapult) -
Wraithsword -
Brightlance -


Falcon -
Star Cannon -
Holo Fields -
Spirit Stones -
Star Engine -
Vectored Engines -



Points cost edited out, in future please do not post the individual cost of each and every purchase. Thanks

Reds8n

Tadashi, can you edit your post to not show individual pricing for upgrades? Think its against forum rules

Wow, maybe I should have requested help like this, toast to Tadashi for being one of very few willing to help someone without requiring complete specifics first! (completely serious if only most forum members were like you)

I often hear that the Eldar don't fare well with new, inexperienced players. I think they require a good deal more strategy than other armies and are generally less forgiving than most. Just somethings that I have heard, I have never played as or against Eldar, personally.

That's my prospective army list for Biel-Tan...

Tadashi wrote:Biel-Tan - 1466pts
(lots of stuff)

Thanks for the response, Tadashi. If he goes the Eldar route, this will be very helpful.

I was looking for more of a top-level perspective, though. E.g., Orks are good b/c you can't go wrong with numbers and they're easy to upgrade, Tyranid are good b/c they thrash you in assaults, that kind of thing.

Any other suggestions?

atreyu wrote:

Tadashi wrote:Biel-Tan - 1466pts
(lots of stuff)

Thanks for the response, Tadashi. If he goes the Eldar route, this will be very helpful.

I was looking for more of a top-level perspective, though. E.g., Orks are good b/c you can't go wrong with numbers and they're easy to upgrade, Tyranid are good b/c they thrash you in assaults, that kind of thing.

Any other suggestions?

Tau would be best if you want a shooty army, and Space Marines for general reliability. Chaos Space Marines have great close combat options, but Imperial Guard/Orks if you want to take advantage of numbers.

One thing i REALLY like about eldar is all there rerolls! If your freind is a terrible roller like me definitally grab 2 seers they will help big time. Other than that if you are trying to find EASY armys to play for noobs, i would advise against eldar (unless of course you like there look/fluff, in that case GO FOR IT! to many people play armys that are just good not because they actually like there fluff). Eldar are very finesse (kinda like dark eldar but i think a little bit more forgiving) you have to hit at the right time AND HARD. If not, you are just going to be eaten by power armor spess maweens. Playing eldar since ive started the game, i have been beaten plenty of times, (my friends play nids, spess maweens, blood angels, and newcrons) so i have the disadvantage of having the oldest codex. Though eldar are AMAZING if played correctly and very rewarding when you unsuspectingly drive your opponent in the dust. (Ahh the look on your opponents face when you pick up all the dice for blade storm, and start re-rolling....... awesome.)

Good Luck!!

Well Nids aren't all specifically like that now. Unfortunately due to the recent FAQ I'd say the best way to play the CSM for a beginner would be to run them with the SM codex.

Eldar are a nice mobile specialist force that don't usually lend themselves well to beginners. That's not to say they should steer away from them, but that they should expect a steeper learning curve than if they were to go with the standard beginner armies (SM, Orks).

There is a reason why SM and orks are in the starter set. I am just starting orks, my daughters first army, and find they are easy to learn. SM just are a good all around army, not doing one thing well, but good enough in all areas.

Squidmanlolz wrote:I often hear that the Eldar don't fare well with new, inexperienced players. I think they require a good deal more strategy than other armies and are generally less forgiving than most. Just somethings that I have heard, I have never played as or against Eldar, personally.

That's interesting, Squidman. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Tadashi wrote:

atreyu wrote:

Tadashi wrote:Biel-Tan - 1466pts
(lots of stuff)

Thanks for the response, Tadashi. If he goes the Eldar route, this will be very helpful.

I was looking for more of a top-level perspective, though. E.g., Orks are good b/c you can't go wrong with numbers and they're easy to upgrade, Tyranid are good b/c they thrash you in assaults, that kind of thing.

Any other suggestions?

Tau would be best if you want a shooty army, and Space Marines for general reliability. Chaos Space Marines have great close combat options, but Imperial Guard/Orks if you want to take advantage of numbers.

Now that is something I can sink my teeth into, thanks, Tadashi!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Foid wrote:One thing i REALLY like about eldar is all there rerolls! If your freind is a terrible roller like me definitally grab 2 seers they will help big time. Other than that if you are trying to find EASY armys to play for noobs, i would advise against eldar (unless of course you like there look/fluff, in that case GO FOR IT! to many people play armys that are just good not because they actually like there fluff). Eldar are very finesse (kinda like dark eldar but i think a little bit more forgiving) you have to hit at the right time AND HARD. If not, you are just going to be eaten by power armor spess maweens. Playing eldar since ive started the game, i have been beaten plenty of times, (my friends play nids, spess maweens, blood angels, and newcrons) so i have the disadvantage of having the oldest codex. Though eldar are AMAZING if played correctly and very rewarding when you unsuspectingly drive your opponent in the dust. (Ahh the look on your opponents face when you pick up all the dice for blade storm, and start re-rolling....... awesome.)

Good Luck!!

Man, that's another strike against the Eldar for n00bs. Still, my friend has a penchant for detail and is a very fast learner, so this may actually be a good choice...still thinking...


Automatically Appended Next Post:

martin74 wrote:There is a reason why SM and orks are in the starter set. I am just starting orks, my daughters first army, and find they are easy to learn. SM just are a good all around army, not doing one thing well, but good enough in all areas.

Yeah, my friend and my son and I are all having a good time learning our way with the classic SM/Ork Last-Man-Standing blood bath. Like I said, he is used to playing the Orks, and, while they're not the most sophisticated bunch, they look good doing it, and there are an awful lot of them. But he's a chess player, very keen on strategy, so I'm beginning to think that the Eldar are actually a pretty good fit. Thanks for responding.

I recommend he read some battle reports with Eldar. Eldar require coordinated attacks such as using doom on the squad you want to shoot and guide on the squad that shoots it and maybe another to assault and finish it off.
Be warned that the Eldar are out classed by the new 5th edtion upated armies like Marines with a Vulkan list, Blood Angels, Grey Knights and Necrons and others.

Tadashi wrote:

atreyu wrote:

Tadashi wrote:Biel-Tan - 1466pts
(lots of stuff)

Thanks for the response, Tadashi. If he goes the Eldar route, this will be very helpful.

I was looking for more of a top-level perspective, though. E.g., Orks are good b/c you can't go wrong with numbers and they're easy to upgrade, Tyranid are good b/c they thrash you in assaults, that kind of thing.

Any other suggestions?

Tau would be best if you want a shooty army, and Space Marines for general reliability. Chaos Space Marines have great close combat options, but Imperial Guard/Orks if you want to take advantage of numbers.

aha! I can speak!

anyways nids are better for close combat and taking advantage of numbers. 180 gaunts at your sisposal! mwuhuhuhahaha. they are generally quite forgiving aside fromm the little synapse creature thing. thats just a pain in the neck!

rzsanguine wrote:I recommend he read some battle reports with Eldar.

That sounds like an excellent idea. Do you have links to some?

Eldar require coordinated attacks such as using doom on the squad you want to shoot and guide on the squad that shoots it and maybe another to assault and finish it off.

Are doom and guide special Eldar skills, then? We don't have the Eldar Codex, yet, it's on the way.

Be warned that the Eldar are out classed by the new 5th edtion upated armies like Marines with a Vulkan list, Blood Angels, Grey Knights and Necrons and others.

I have the 5th edition SM Codex, but I have no idea what a Vulkan list is, so he's probably safe going up against me, anyway.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

kshaw2000 wrote:
aha! I can speak!

anyways nids are better for close combat and taking advantage of numbers. 180 gaunts at your sisposal! mwuhuhuhahaha. they are generally quite forgiving aside fromm the little synapse creature thing. thats just a pain in the neck!

So Tyranids are a bit like Orks in that regard, then? In your opinion, what are the biggest differences b/t them?