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I've noticed that many on the boards seem to prefer all of the other VC rares (save the blood knights, which I don't think I've seen taken yet) over the wraiths and banshee. Is there a specific reason? I was thinking it might be damage output or survivability, but I figure on either count the wraiths would be competitive, no? 12 attacks at str 5 with a shriek from an etheral unit isn't exactly a bad thing.

I also figured it might be because of the spirit hosts; they do less damage but bog a lot better with double the wounds and are specials and not rares.

Wraiths and Banshees are far better as a character as you can hide them in units and deny attacks with them and they will not crumble as fast.

Varghulfs, IMO, are the best VC rare choice. Wicked fast 5x ws4 st5 rerollable attacks followed by Tstomp. 2 of these bad boys operating in tandem is just a nasty flanker and can help generate some awesome combat res

The Black Coach is getting back in my good graces now that it powers up without sucking up my power dice.

I enjoy my blood knights in 2-2.5k but they attract a lot of attention from shooting, spells, and chaff units.

One disadvantage of Wraiths is that pretty much any hero with a magic item will turn combat against them. Most will be 3+ WS4+ attacks at S4+, meaning a dead Wraith / turn. Add in the static combat resolution, and the Wraiths need to get 6-7 kills / turn to win combat by a few points (while competing against Steadfast). Worse, units that have default magical attacks (Dryads, some Skaven units, Daemons, etcetera) will just mulch them then-and-there since the Wraith's are ASL WS3 T3 no-save.

They can work harassing cavalry, small MI / MC units, and so-on, but for the most part they aren't as dangerous as other Rare choices. Worse, they're Magic Missile bait: A Hero Wraith has meatshields in the form of Skeletons / Ghouls / Zombies. A unit of Wraiths? Not so much. Ethereal is a great deal harder to counter in a formation than it is a unit of Ethereal models.

What's the big drawback to Blood Knights I keep hearing about?

Most the issues I hear about Blood Knights besides the price tag is that theyre a fire magnet and have a hard time attacking big blocks of troops due to combat res. I personally I like using them at 2500 +.

Also I would rather take a dread sock to the jewels than pay for a box