Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey guys, Looking for some input on a somewhat TAC DE list coming around 1000-1500 points? I love the army but no idea where to start... I'd like a shooty/assault mix of a force. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance.

I tend to stay away from the net lists so I wont post anything resembling a venom spam you'll see quite often. Browse other peoples lists they have already posted though in this forum, also reading some battle reports of how other people fare actually using some things in game help a lot.

I prefer in my list though x2 squads of 9 reavers bikes, they dont look like much on paper but in the right hands are deadly and a HUGE nuissance most people tend to focus on once they know what they can do. that in turn leads to less shooting at your other units. Stay away from witches though as you'll just get a headache trying to get them to perform properly. Some people do but it is rare and they are dedicated to making them work.

Top tip get raiders. You can have a firebase of squads with d-lances but warrior and wyches in raider will out perform a static firebase any day. Not sure where shadowblades coming from but i always run 2-3 units of raider wyches in 1500points. Lelith is a good option. Incubi for an archon body guard work but not at full strength. I've seen 6 and an archon along with a master w/blood stone and onslaught take out 9 tyranid warriors and a winged hive tyrant and just keep running.

Main tips, keep mobile. Anything that can't move atleast 12" and assault is dead weight, exceptions: Talos and grotesques in raiders.

1500 points this is my usual run
Archon
Lelith
6incubi w/ archon and raider
9 Bloodbrides w/ lelith and raider
2x10 wyches and raiders
1x 10 warriors and raider
2x 6 reavers
2 ravagers

Do you have any idea of a theme you might want to use? Kabalite, Arena or Coven or a mix and match. A good shooty army will go one of two ways, Venom spam or Gunboats, both are effective but fit different play styles and tastes.

Gunboats are however many (I prefer 8 sometimes with a Blaster) Kabalites in a Raider with splinter wracks and nightshields. Likes to hover at the 24'' mark where they shoot at the closest model, killing it and putting the unit out of range for return fire.

Venoms are simply 5 warriors (added blaster to taste) in a Venom with Extra Cannon. Comes in at a very calculable 100pts are has handy fire power at long range.

Assault Elements come in 3 optimal units. Incubi, Beast Masters and Grotesques. Both Incubi and Grotesques form an effective strike force while Beast Masters fair fare better as a combat deterrent then a strike force, as they have an effective charge range to counter assault units very hard.

Cults best unit is the Reaver Jetbike. Take in units of 6 with special weapon of choice and an arena champ, take a unit of 9 if you are feeling frisky but I recommend starting with 6.

Ravagers. Get them.

This is a good approximation of how to plan your list.

Great! Thank you for the input, here is what I picked up today.

Archon (Can proxy as an HQ for now)
Kabalite Warriors
Incubi
2 Venoms
Ravager
Raider

What would be my best bet for now? Keep in mind the HQ can be anything.

Archon is a hq, so no need to proxy

Archon with incubi in raider.

Split the kabalite warriors in 2 and stick 5 in each venom. Add a blaster to each squad.

Archon needs shadowfield, huskblade as a minimum. Dark Lances on the ravager.