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.

I have been planning on fielding an allied detachment of elysian drop troops, but browsing around, found they are in 2 different Imperial Armour books. Can anyone here fill me in on the Regular Elysian Drop troop choices in IA 3 and the D-99 Elysian Drop troop choices in IA 4? Just trying to figure out which one i should get for them. Naturally i would go with IA 3 since it seems to have all the standard options, but i don't play tau, i do however have a tyranid army that could also benefit from IA 4. I'm just trying to determine if the D-99 Option can cover what i want the Elysian Drop troopers for.

From what I understand, the D-99 are (model-wise) identical in what you'll be buying to play a standard Elysian army list. Their choices would all use Elysian models. They just happen to have some nifty and fluffy (and very odd) rules that change how they play a little bit, but not so much to warrant buying a completely different set of models to play either army.

Take a look at the link below, this section of the page will tell you what few things are different for the D-99. Everything else is considered to be the same as standard Elysians.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CEEQygQwBA&url=http%3A%2F%2F1d4chan.org%2Fwiki%2FWarhammer_40%2C000%2FTactics%2FImperial_Guard%2FElysian_Drop_Troops%25287E%2529%23D-99&ei=gURxVJ6iEInroAStzIH4Bg&usg=AFQjCNFOCnc1bideJjUrhVM0Bzw3waQ92w&sig2=x-Ih0WbcGye2cL2bTxnLdA

IA3 = the "standard" Elysian list, essentially codex IG with dedicated transport Valkyries instead of tanks.

IA4 = the "elite" Elysian list with a much smaller number of options and everything upgraded to BS 4 (along with some other special rules).

Which one you want depends on your preferences. If you like the D-99 units and don't feel like you'll miss things like Vendettas or melta vets as troops then get IA4. If you want a wider range of options and an army that is a little closer to the comfortable old codex IG then get IA3. If you really like the army get both books.

I play IA 4, D-99 Elysians and they are a massive glass cannon in my opinion, kinda like playing Imperial Dark Elder.

Each unit has to have a very specific role and purpose and must be tooled out for that job to be effective with certain squads being able to take all plasma, melta or flamers etc.
Everyone also packs a near marine stat line, having good WS, BS and I plus stubborn and DS, including one of the best IG characters ever. But each trooper is very expensive and I rarely place more than 40 models on the table in a 100 point game. The whole army can get PE against Xenos armies for some drawbacks too, making them very adaptable game wise.

Essentially the list is a scalpel; it can cut deep and fast, but one mistake and you've in real trouble.
Its pretty cool and very fun play though and I love every minute of it.

IA3 Elysians on the other hand are basically normal Imperial Guard that can all deepstrike, take more flyers and have some unit restrictions, while having no tanks.