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Hi dakka,

I've been fooling around with the idea of MSU high elves lately, it worked surprisingly well! I've searched up on the internet some of the high elves MSU builds (Ulthuan.net was a good source) I think I still need some work on synergy between all my units, but for now I am pretty happy with this list. MSU seem to have a lot of negative feedbacks in 8th because of all the steadfast and horde benefits, I understand why but I think there are a lot of ways to overcome that. Here's my list first:

Archmage w/ High magic, Book of Hoeth, Talisman of Preservation

BSB w/ Golden Crown

15 Archers w/ Musician. Champion

15 Archers w/ Musician, Champion

10 Archers w/ Musician, Champion

(I am thinking banners for the archers might be a better idea, but so far champs are pretty useful)

5 Reavers w/ bows

5 Reavers w/ bows

10 Phoenix Guards

10 White lions w/ Musician, Banner

10 White lions w/ Musician, Banner

10 Swordmasters w/ Musician, Banner

10 Swordmasters w/ Musician, Banner

Lion Chariot of Chrace

5 Dragon Princes w/ Musician, Banner

5 Dragon Princes w/ Musician, Banner

Great Eagle

Great Eagle

5 Sisters

5 Sisters

A little trick I've tried to do is circling around with the faster units and then take the charge with an eagle or one of the white lion units depending on what is coming at me. So I want to know what you think of this list and what kind of tricks MSU armies can run, thanks in advance!

As a general rule I hate High magic on lvl 4's, also I don't think a BSB with just the Crown is a great build.

Also how on earth are champions useful in the archer units.

Otherwise it's a pretty fun list. I've run a similar one with lots of Reavers and 10 man archer units for core, 2-3 6 man DP's and 14 man sword master units in special, and then basically BT's and eagles for rare.

I've ran shadow for a while; yes it works and when archers wound ogres on 2s it is an amazing feeling but I find the casting value just way too high to be realistic sometimes. A few low winds of magic and I can't effectively debuff my opponents. Meanwhile High magic I can get a reasonable amount of spells off to keep the ward up. And against most armies soul quench is NASTY!

Champions to take challenges so the unit don't die too fast.

Valid point, but I can't see the ward save buff being effective here as it can only protect one unit, and with so many others your opponent will just target them instead and bypass the ward save. Soul Quench is a great MM though.

Champions in the archer units taking challenges... Why? What are they doing in combat given how many units you have to manipulate the movement phase?

You are absolutely right about the archers. I think having units of 15, 15, 10 with just a musician saves me a bunch of points and they are still effective enough. I think initially I had full command just to fill the core points, I will add spears or even a harbringer to the reavers if I need points. Reavers are amazing in MSU too, good chaff and/or flankers.

The ward save protects a single unit, and most of the time the most important unit...my mage and his phoenix guard buddies. If my opponent ignore them that's exactly what I want, and if they focus on them I have a great save. And if I play it correctly my PG SHOULD never see combat unless against a depleted easy target.

After burning 30 Chaos warriors over 3 turns, I've sold my soul to fiery convocation

Looks pretty good.
You seem to have enough shooting to help clear out enemy chaff (which is critical). With the reach of the dragon princes and lion chariot, you can get into a stand off contest against enemy chariots.

Chariots, will be the bane of MSU. If an opponent shows up with a lot, you're going to have an uphill battle.

I'm not sold on the sisters though, you might be better off with 2 bolt throwers instead of 2x5 sisters. The S6 no save shots could pay off more.

I'd be tempted to consolidate a few of your elite infantry units into groups of 15, to take advantage of martial prowess, and save points on redundant unit command.

Then I'd spend points saved to make your BSB a little more useful: either geared for melee, or a ranged threat of some sort.

I've reviewed my list, and here's my new list:

Lords (pt):
-Archmage w/ lvl 4, book of Hoeth, talisman of Endurance, Lore of High Magic

Heros (pt):
-Noble w/ BSB, Golden Crown, Khaine's ring, Enchanted Shield

Core (630pt):

-15 Archers w/ Musician

-15 Archers w/ Musician

-10 Archers w/ Musician, Banner

-5 Reavers w/ bows and spears

-5 Reavers w/ bows and spears
Special(pt):
10 Phoenix Guards w/ Musician

10 White Lions w/ Musician, Banner

15 Sword Masters w/ Musician, Banner of Eternal Flame

10 White Lions w/ Musician, Banner

10 Phoenix Guards w/ Musician

5 Dragon Princes w/ Musician, Banner

5 Dragon Princes w/ Musician, Banner

Rare(pt):
-Great Eagle

-Great Eagle

-Bolt Thrower

-Bolt Thrower

So still many units to out move just about any opponent. I am even considering having a large spearmen block to break steadfast, is that a good idea? The chariot doesn't do too much for me in the games I've played, so I think I'll bench that and the sisters for bolt throwers. Having eternal flame on a banner should be amazing against regen units since SM have so many attacks.

Any other suggestions?