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Now at the moment I am trying to develop my own style 'Niche' within the High Elf community and this idea struck me, Level 4 on a Dragon - yes its a points sink but I think with a carefully constructed list that this may be worth playtesting.

So what are your thoughts on the units that I should try and include in the list, I'm not really interested in the NO DON'T DO IT comments but rather insightful comments into what you would think would support this 'unit' well, as obviously I will need to construct my list around him.

Stage 1 the Archmage Build
Things to consider

2500 Point Battles, he is most likely going to take up all my 625 points of Lords allowance
1.Survivorbility, he will be targetted by every damn warmachine that crosses his path as well as a high proportion of spells. And as there is only a certain number of things to hide behind on a generic table this is going to be the pinching point
2.Lore Choice, this is going to be important as he will be primary caster in the list with most likely a Level 2 caster in support. It definately isn't going to be fire because for that I may as well take a Dragonmage, and who knows maybe I will
3.Remember, this is useful positive idea's and advice that I am after and not take level 4 with life magic and leave the dragon behind to fit in with everyone else's high elves
I think that I will start there and after a collection and discussion of the idea's that I will hopefully gather from you all build the Archmage himself

Looking forward to this and remember, positive idea's for the time being.

Well he will need the Talisman of Preservation for a 4++ to protect him from the shooting (though his dragon will still be vulnerable), So with the remaining 65 points in wargear, maybe take the iron curse icon to give the dragon a chance to save (unless it has a ward save I am forgetting) Cannot really remember all the High Elf magic items but yeah, those are my two suggestions right of the bat for gear.
For Lore, Shadow or maybe Beasts?

Does a mount count as a unit for the purposes of Regrowth? I was tihnknig of Life for him as a Lore, as this might give a further chance for the Dragon to stay alive...

Otherwise, yes the Tali of Preservation for the 4++

Lore of life definately mate. Earthblood would be valuable. Look at Moon Dragon S6 attacks, stomp and a decent breath attack. As for equipment I think that watd/magic resistance is without a doubt best way to go. How about vembraces for the ward and trinket for a 3++ against magic.

By the way you clearly have more money then sense.

Right then, first steps taken

Archmage Build 595/625 points
Archmage, Level 4, Guardian Phoenix, Silver Wand
Moon Dragon

Lore of Life is definitely the way to go on this, Lifebloom (attribute) can recover a wound, Earthblood can give the Dragon 5+ Regen, Flesh to Stone on Dragon, Throne of Vines for all of the above.....I think I will abandon my current standing on Life in this list

So that's the current build, naked level 4 on Moon Dragon we have a grand total of 65 points to kit him out.

Ward save will only affect the Archmage so would rather not splash most of his available points on that. I'm thinking Guardian Phoenix as he'll have a 6+ then 5++ and the Dragon 4+, which isn't too bad and the spells that I need to get this unit to work will more then likely require the silver wand or the seerstaff of saphery

Brother Malleus wrote:

Archmage Build 595/625 points
Archmage, Level 4, Guardian Phoenix, Silver Wand
Moon Dragon

Consider taking Staff of Solidity not Silver Wand. This allows you to blow out on one miscast spell without consequences. Four spells will usually be enough to get what you want.
Ironcurse Icon gives an outside chance to save the dragon from bolt throwers and cannon for only 5pts.
As you are going to have to get into combat and have plenty of points left take Fencers Blades, your opponents will need a 5+ to hit the Archmage, the extra attack cant hurt either.

Brother Malleus wrote:
Lore of Life is definitely the way to go on this, Lifebloom (attribute) can recover a wound, Earthblood can give the Dragon 5+ Regen, Flesh to Stone on Dragon, Throne of Vines for all of the above.....I think I will abandon my current standing on Life in this list

I agree, take at least one other Magi, a level 2 Mage with Seerstaff and High Magic. You want Flames of the Phoenix, this will help you cut down the numbers you will be short of because of the dragon.

Take a large block of 30+ spearelves with full command, as cheaper troops to make back points and is a magnet for those nice Life spells you have. After that it all depends on which direction you want to go in.

Another way of getting cannon defense is to overload on things that cannons like to shoot. You could totally put your cojones on the table and go with a dragonmage as well- add chariots and eagles and see where you get. Maybe nowhere...

Another option is eagle rider heroes that can go charge into cannons and the like...

Also, I don't believe Regrowth can be used on the dragon as it's a mount and not it's own unit.

Not sure Regrowth can be used on single models at all really.

Fisrt of all thank you all for getting onboard, was more then I had initially hoped for

Lore of life definately mate. Earthblood would be valuable. Look at Moon Dragon S6 attacks, stomp and a decent breath attack. As for equipment I think that watd/magic resistance is without a doubt best way to go. How about vembraces for the ward and trinket for a 3++ against magic.

By the way you clearly have more money then sense.

That is true, I was considering the Foraliaths Robes, mean he can't attack but also means that only inhernat attacks (Ethereals, Daemons ect) can harm him.

Also, I don't believe Regrowth can be used on the dragon as it's a mount and not it's own unit.

Not sure Regrowth can be used on single models at all really.

Well units of 1 are still units, I'll have to have a look at the wording to see whats what

"the target unit instantly recovers D3+1 wounds worth of MODELS slain earlier in the battle (cavalry count as 2 models)."

That pretty much means that you aren't recovering actual wounds, but rather models. So you could use it on ogres to replace models, or monstrous infantry, but not character mounts as they are units of 1 model, and if it died then it can't be targeted by a spell.

I'm not sure if there is an FAQ that clarifies the spell.

Oh hello it has been changed

Reference Section - Lore of Life , Regrowth
Change "[...]models slain[...]" to "[...] wounds lost[...]" in the second sentence

Page 3. Warhammer Rulebook V1.5

Seems we're in business


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Red_Zeke wrote:Another way of getting cannon defense is to overload on things that cannons like to shoot. You could totally put your cojones on the table and go with a dragonmage as well- add chariots and eagles and see where you get. Maybe nowhere...

Another option is eagle rider heroes that can go charge into cannons and the like...

The idea of Double dragons and mages does seem appealing but I really want a level 2 High Mage at this level to make the opponants magic phase difficult. I'll be moving onto supporting characters and that once we have cememnted the Archmage on Dragon

I was at a GT last weekend and the Best High Elf army was using 2 dragons. So it's valid, and it looked awesome. Gear and load outs I'm not sure of. You can also use eagles and chariots to screen cannon fire