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I know that Wych cults are meant to suck this edition but I figured why not? I've always liked the idea of them and had planned to do one at the end of 5th but budget issues stopped it then.

HQ

Total: 270

Lelith Hesperax

Succubus with Electro Corrosive Whip, Venom Blade and Haywire Grenade

Troops

Total: 480

4x Venom (Splinter Cannon and Night Shields) with 5 Wyches with Haywire Grenades. Hekatrix with Blast Pistol

Elites

Total: 554

2x Raider (Night Shields) with 9 Bloodbrides (1 Hydra Gauntlet). Syren with Power Weapon, Phantasm Grenade Launcher

Heavy Support

Total: 295

Cronos with Spirit Probe and Spirit Vortex

Razorwing with Splinter Cannon, 2 Necrotoxin Missiles, Night Shields, Flickerfield


Total: 1499

So Lelith goes in one Raider and the Succubus in the other. Haywire Wyches take out whatever vehicles they can and act as suicide squads to absorb overwatch before the Bloodbrides charge. Cronos legs it up and starts to hand out pain tokens. Razorwing comes on and does whatever it needs to do, be it dropping missiles on squads to lancing enemy fliers or vehicles.

Succubus could probably do with just 1 of the weapon upgrade, you'd likely not get to use both in the same game, and there is always that chance(rather high for DE) that you'd lose the unit before they get into combat.

Likewise with Hekatrix and the blast pistol, it's 6"... And those units don't really need any extra help, considering you throw one haywire during shooting, which has a chance at causing a glance, then you throw 5 in combat either against WS0 or WS1, either way, you should be able to strip 3-4 HP with one unit, so the blast pistol, I'd say is rather wasteful. I'd rather have the hekatrix with venom blade should you have dealt with all the vehicle threats, they could help in assault.

Bloodbrides, hmmm... have a read at this, Mushkilla has a rather interesting take on unit size for wych/bloodbride.

Cronos is probably better to go with only the vortex, it likely won't make it into close combat while it matters, well, getting into range with vortex while the wyches and bloodbrides are alive will be a challenge enough.

Razorwing could do without splinter cannon and likely nightshield. Splinter cannon is out because of the flyer rules: it comes in earliest turn 2, limited movements, and you only get to fire 4 weapons a turn, so you should be aiming to fire all your missiles as soon as it comes on the field, while there is stuff to shoot at and all. In all likelihood, in a 5 turns game, you'd be looking at firing those splinter cannons once. Nightshield, well, I think most skyfire weapons have crazy range anyway? As for necrotoxin, mm.. since S6 already wounds most enemies on a 2+ anyway, I'd probably go for shatterfield if you want to get missile upgrades. You already have venoms for your MC dealings.

Baronyu wrote:
Succubus could probably do with just 1 of the weapon upgrade, you'd likely not get to use both in the same game, and there is always that chance(rather high for DE) that you'd lose the unit before they get into combat.

The venom blade is there for 2+ save models, whilst one wound from the ECW will keep her alive in challenges against anything but a S5/6 MC using smash to double it's strength, same strength wih a power fist or ID weapons.

Likewise with Hekatrix and the blast pistol, it's 6"... And those units don't really need any extra help, considering you throw one haywire during shooting, which has a chance at causing a glance, then you throw 5 in combat either against WS0 or WS1, either way, you should be able to strip 3-4 HP with one unit, so the blast pistol, I'd say is rather wasteful. I'd rather have the hekatrix with venom blade should you have dealt with all the vehicle threats, they could help in assault.

Fair point about the Blast Pistol. The range isn't that much of a big deal though, when you think that a thrown grenade is 8" range. I put it in there because it'd give me a chance to take out a 3HP vehicle through shooting with two units who could then charge any passengers and tie them up in combat. Killing the vehicle in combat means the unit inside can get out (unless I manage to surround it) and possibly act normally on its turn (unless it fails a pinning test). But if I drop them down and get Venom Blades instead I'll be able to get Flickerfields on the Raiders. Hmmm...

Bloodbrides, hmmm... have a read at this, Mushkilla has a rather interesting take on unit size for wych/bloodbride.

Interesting. But if 5 wyches and a succubus is as good as 10 wyches and a hekatrix then 8 hekatrixes, a syren and a Succubus should be pretty lethal. As long as the Hydra Gauntlets survive I should be able to pump out plenty of attacks on the charge, even with casualties from explosions/overwatch.

Cronos is probably better to go with only the vortex, it likely won't make it into close combat while it matters, well, getting into range with vortex while the wyches and bloodbrides are alive will be a challenge enough.

That's a fair point.

Razorwing could do without splinter cannon and likely nightshield. Splinter cannon is out because of the flyer rules: it comes in earliest turn 2, limited movements, and you only get to fire 4 weapons a turn, so you should be aiming to fire all your missiles as soon as it comes on the field, while there is stuff to shoot at and all. In all likelihood, in a 5 turns game, you'd be looking at firing those splinter cannons once. Nightshield, well, I think most skyfire weapons have crazy range anyway? As for necrotoxin, mm.. since S6 already wounds most enemies on a 2+ anyway, I'd probably go for shatterfield if you want to get missile upgrades. You already have venoms for your MC dealings.

That's a fair pont. Would keep the Night Shield though, last thing you want is your expensive flier brought down by rapid firing Fire Warriors. That 6" loss of range equals Fire Warriors needing to be within 12" rather than 15" which gives me more wiggle room. See the reasoning on the Splinter Cannon and the Missiles, will probably switch out the Necrotoxin for Shatterfield, as they could be used as anti tank weapons against low AV vehicles.

Interesting stuff.

As an FYI, the Razorwing cannot shoot all 4 missiles at once. Can only shoot 2 missiles and 2 other weapons per turn, so splinter cannon is definitely of value, given that we can't split fire and the missiles will likely be fired against infantry blobs.

Also, what do you think of replacing Lelith with The Duke? He is pretty effective in close combat AND he gives your druggies a re roll (you pick which you take I think) on combat drugs... Better chance of getting a free pain token. Finally, he gives you the option of deep striking some of the wyche barges into enemy territory on turn 2. Not bad to get them close with a raider and dark lance.... On entry you can maybe get a glance or pen with a lance, then next turn drop off the girls. Your opponent won't know where to focus fire.

Also, do you think night shields are worth the cost if your goal is to move your tank hunters TOWARDS the enemy?

These suggestions may save you a whack of points too.

Actually a very sound list, if you had the points, I would throw in drazhar with some incubi, if you could drop the HQ and a squad. However its just a personal preference and your set up is probably more effective.

Good luck

Dark eldar elite wrote:
Interesting stuff.

As an FYI, the Razorwing cannot shoot all 4 missiles at once. Can only shoot 2 missiles and 2 other weapons per turn, so splinter cannon is definitely of value, given that we can't split fire and the missiles will likely be fired against infantry blobs.

Also, what do you think of replacing Lelith with The Duke? He is pretty effective in close combat AND he gives your druggies a re roll (you pick which you take I think) on combat drugs... Better chance of getting a free pain token. Finally, he gives you the option of deep striking some of the wyche barges into enemy territory on turn 2. Not bad to get them close with a raider and dark lance.... On entry you can maybe get a glance or pen with a lance, then next turn drop off the girls. Your opponent won't know where to focus fire.

Also, do you think night shields are worth the cost if your goal is to move your tank hunters TOWARDS the enemy?

These suggestions may save you a whack of points too.

Night shields help mitigate fire on turn one if I don't get the initiative and also potentially the opponent might not be able to bring their full firepower to bear from some of their forces if they are spread out. I think they're worth 10 points for that. It's a lot easier to deploy out of range of the enemies guns but within range of getting up to them for your guns on your turn if their range is shorter, after all. So because of that I do think it's worth the points.

Not gonna change Lelith out, sorry (wouldn't really be Cult of Strife without her ). If I were to add Sliscus then I'd also need Trueborn or Warriors as he has to deploy with them. The Duke might be someone to add at 2000 points when the second FOC is available though. As for Deep Striking, could add Retrofire Jets to the Raiders but having them just sitting there for a turn is a bit risky I think. High chance of them getting popped and then the Bloodbrides get shot to death.

Hmmmm... All good points.

I am currently looking to attempt a full wyche army... Currently I run a wrack and warrior army with some success.

I do love Lelith.

So, I guess the goal is to hide and use shields, then flat out across the board and be in wyche delivery position for turn 2?

Yup, that's the plan. Get over there and start laying down some fire on anything not in a transport with the Venoms whilst the lances on the Raiders get to work stripping Hull points.

Turn 2 hopefully the Razorwing arrives and starts dropping missiles. The Wyches start hitting tanks and whatever transports they can and the bloodbrides assault whatever they can as they're safer in combat with that 4+ invulnerable save than out in the open with 6+ armour and maybe FNP (if I'm lucky)