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.

Recently my girlfriend has been wanting to paint models with me (thank god) but she tells me that Space Marines are boring, and Orkz are ugly. -_-

So I thought of showing her the Eldar minis and to no surprise, she thought they looked great!

I've been wanting to start an Eldar Army for the past month, I just don't know where to begin. All the models look cool imo, but stat and tactica wise.. Which boxes should I purchase?

I've been a fan of Warp Spiders since the Soulstorm video game, and of course the Guardians and Dire Avengers are cool, too.

As for HQ's, I think I just want a Farseer to lead a solid 500-1000pt army. I think an Avatar might be a little too much. Points-wise I may be lacking on a number of strong elements.

What do Eldar vets think about this?

The battleforce is a decent start. (and the Codex... duh)

Contents:
5 Dire Avengers & 10 guardians - Both Dire Avengers and Guardians are good troops. They're similar but serve different battlefield roles.
Wave Serpent - The only dedicated transport in the army. It also happens to be one of the best units in the game currently, so that's a plus.
Vyper - The battleforce also comes with a Vyper. A slightly over-costed unit, but still can be very effective on the table.

From there I would invest in a farseer (or convert one on a jetbike). I often use an Autarch for my HQ, but a farseer is complete boss, especially on a bike, with the mantle of the laughing god.

You asked about warp spiders....? Warp spiders are great, so feel free to grab a box or two of those as well. These have been my favorite aspect for 20 years. They are your swiss army knife, as they can effectively shoot down 90% of the targets you'll see on the battlefield, and they're tremendously fast!

With the Eldar, unless you're just Serpent Spamming, you really need to figure out the battlefield role of each unit (how you're going to leverage it) and combine these specialized units into a symphony of destruction, so some play-testing and experience is required. There are some good resources on youtube as well as some forums.

Now there is a lot of heat on the Eldar right now because the codex is very powerful. This will cause some people to just tell you to buy wave serpents and wraith knights, and dire avengers and spam to your hearts delight. While they have a point, this will create an effective competitive army. It will be a very boring one, and one which really lacks the flavor of the Eldar., not to mention it will be one which every competitive player is gunning for.

So far:

HQ
Farseer - jetbike, MotLG, Singing Spear

Troops
10 Guardians - Bright Lance
5 Dire Avengers - Wave Serpent - Scatter Laser, Ghostwalk Matrix

Fast attack
Vyper
5 Warp Spiders

This brings you to about 610 points, give or take equipment choices. Now that's a decent start to any Eldar force, from here decide on what you like best and where you'd like to go from here. Personally, I'd recommend 2 units of 3 jetbikes for cheap scoring, and then some type of Heavy choices, or Hornets (Forgeworld)

that farseer that GW does with the singing spear pointed at the ground and the other hand pointing is a very fine looking model. and available in plastic!!

 Gangrel767 wrote:
The battleforce is a decent start. (and the Codex... duh)

Contents:
5 Dire Avengers & 10 guardians - Both Dire Avengers and Guardians are good troops. They're similar but serve different battlefield roles.
Wave Serpent - The only dedicated transport in the army. It also happens to be one of the best units in the game currently, so that's a plus.
Vyper - The battleforce also comes with a Vyper. A slightly over-costed unit, but still can be very effective on the table.

From there I would invest in a farseer (or convert one on a jetbike). I often use an Autarch for my HQ, but a farseer is complete boss, especially on a bike, with the mantle of the laughing god.

You asked about warp spiders....? Warp spiders are great, so feel free to grab a box or two of those as well. These have been my favorite aspect for 20 years. They are your swiss army knife, as they can effectively shoot down 90% of the targets you'll see on the battlefield, and they're tremendously fast!

With the Eldar, unless you're just Serpent Spamming, you really need to figure out the battlefield role of each unit (how you're going to leverage it) and combine these specialized units into a symphony of destruction, so some play-testing and experience is required. There are some good resources on youtube as well as some forums.

Now there is a lot of heat on the Eldar right now because the codex is very powerful. This will cause some people to just tell you to buy wave serpents and wraith knights, and dire avengers and spam to your hearts delight. While they have a point, this will create an effective competitive army. It will be a very boring one, and one which really lacks the flavor of the Eldar., not to mention it will be one which every competitive player is gunning for.

So far:

HQ
Farseer - jetbike, MotLG, Singing Spear

Troops
10 Guardians - Bright Lance
5 Dire Avengers - Wave Serpent - Scatter Laser, Ghostwalk Matrix

Fast attack
Vyper
5 Warp Spiders

This brings you to about 610 points, give or take equipment choices. Now that's a decent start to any Eldar force, from here decide on what you like best and where you'd like to go from here. Personally, I'd recommend 2 units of 3 jetbikes for cheap scoring, and then some type of Heavy choices, or Hornets (Forgeworld)

Thank you for this!

Will definitely get Warp Spiders, as well as Swooping Hawks. The mobility they offer seems too fun not to play on the board and eventually, I'd want to cover a lot of Eldar units and mix it up with strategy and narratives.

I have a question though.. Are Jetbikes necessary? I know that they're amazing and all.. But will I be missing out on a lot of Eldar functionality and strength if I don't get them?

I do remember fighting against an Autarch(?) on a Jetbike who had 2+ saves and X number of Wounds, high WS.. My opponent basically used him as a fire magnet, absorbing every bolter round I fired at him...

Jetbikes aren't essential, but they're troops, score anywhere you want them to be, and are tougher than most non-wraith Eldar. They can take a Shuri-cannon for every 3 bikes.
As long as you can get to objectives when you need to, drop the bikes. Hawks will fill that role well.

The relics for HQs are quite good, and the mantle is great for giving saves. An HQ on a bike with the mantle is going to draw fire, and probably last all game.

 entityreign wrote:


Thank you for this!

Will definitely get Warp Spiders, as well as Swooping Hawks. The mobility they offer seems too fun not to play on the board and eventually, I'd want to cover a lot of Eldar units and mix it up with strategy and narratives.

I have a question though.. Are Jetbikes necessary? I know that they're amazing and all.. But will I be missing out on a lot of Eldar functionality and strength if I don't get them?

I do remember fighting against an Autarch(?) on a Jetbike who had 2+ saves and X number of Wounds, high WS.. My opponent basically used him as a fire magnet, absorbing every bolter round I fired at him...

Glad to help!

Swooping hawks are wonderful. I think you're going to love them. They can really give you some great board control, as no one wants to see their vehicles go down to the haywire grenades. Not to mention pinpoint deep strike is the bees knees.

Jetbikes are not mandatory. I take them for two reasons: One, they are just one of my favorite units, and two, for all the reasons that have been mentioned above. Troops, Mobility, decent firepower, CHEAP. One key thing to remember is the Eldar have speed. With this speed comes the ability to lay down firepower in the right location, but also to out maneuver your opponent, and put them in a position of vulnerability. Jetbikes are ideal for this.... but again, not necessary.

That autarch was probably the internet named "Mantarch" - He is an Autarch, on a jetbike, with the mantle of the laughing god (which combined with jinking gives you a rerollable 2+ cover save), and usually a reaper launcher or a fusion gun... sometimes I run him with a laser lance. He is very useful, very utility, but honestly for my play-style, I prefer the Farseer version (with the spirit stones) as I like to have a touch of psychic support/summoning.

 Gangrel767 wrote:

 entityreign wrote:


Thank you for this!

Will definitely get Warp Spiders, as well as Swooping Hawks. The mobility they offer seems too fun not to play on the board and eventually, I'd want to cover a lot of Eldar units and mix it up with strategy and narratives.

I have a question though.. Are Jetbikes necessary? I know that they're amazing and all.. But will I be missing out on a lot of Eldar functionality and strength if I don't get them?

I do remember fighting against an Autarch(?) on a Jetbike who had 2+ saves and X number of Wounds, high WS.. My opponent basically used him as a fire magnet, absorbing every bolter round I fired at him...

Glad to help!

Swooping hawks are wonderful. I think you're going to love them. They can really give you some great board control, as no one wants to see their vehicles go down to the haywire grenades. Not to mention pinpoint deep strike is the bees knees.

Jetbikes are not mandatory. I take them for two reasons: One, they are just one of my favorite units, and two, for all the reasons that have been mentioned above. Troops, Mobility, decent firepower, CHEAP. One key thing to remember is the Eldar have speed. With this speed comes the ability to lay down firepower in the right location, but also to out maneuver your opponent, and put them in a position of vulnerability. Jetbikes are ideal for this.... but again, not necessary.

That autarch was probably the internet named "Mantarch" - He is an Autarch, on a jetbike, with the mantle of the laughing god (which combined with jinking gives you a rerollable 2+ cover save), and usually a reaper launcher or a fusion gun... sometimes I run him with a laser lance. He is very useful, very utility, but honestly for my play-style, I prefer the Farseer version (with the spirit stones) as I like to have a touch of psychic support/summoning.

It was that exact autarch that I fought! 2+ cover save against DA is painful.

Hmm, I'll get on with this Eldar force as soon as I finish up finalizing my Ork list. If Eldar works in a way that speed outperforms strength, then I probably should get Jetbikes.

Or would having Jetbikes, Warp Spiders and Swooping Hawks be redundant? It might not give me enough room for basic troop choices like Avengers or Guardians.

As for the Heavy Support choices.. I'll eventually want to have a Wraithlord. Wraithknight, probably a squad of Reapers and a Falcon or two. Either one of these set ups, depending on what speedy units I would already have.
Although, would the Wraitgknight need certain support units to prove effective? Such as Wraithguards/blades etc.

Windrider Guardian Jetbike squads ARE basic troop choices.

 entityreign wrote:
It was that exact autarch that I fought! 2+ cover save against DA is painful.

Hmm, I'll get on with this Eldar force as soon as I finish up finalizing my Ork list. If Eldar works in a way that speed outperforms strength, then I probably should get Jetbikes.

Or would having Jetbikes, Warp Spiders and Swooping Hawks be redundant? It might not give me enough room for basic troop choices like Avengers or Guardians.

As for the Heavy Support choices.. I'll eventually want to have a Wraithlord. Wraithknight, probably a squad of Reapers and a Falcon or two. Either one of these set ups, depending on what speedy units I would already have.
Although, would the Wraitgknight need certain support units to prove effective? Such as Wraithguards/blades etc.

I am just speaking from my personal experience, so take the appropriate amount of salt with any of this.

Redundancy is good. You also have to see that those units do fill different roles, even though they're all very mobile. They have different targets and different usages on the table top, though there is a great deal of overlap. In most of my lists there are 2 units of 3 jetbikes, and a single unit of 6/7 warp spiders, and a single unit of 6 swooping hawks. Great Synergy there.

oh yea, and jetbikes are CHEAP! (Points Wise)

Heavy Choices -

Wraithlords are good. Especially at lower point value games. Once you hit higher point value games, you may find that they run short on their wounds and die fairly quickly. With experience though, you can really get your points worth out of these units.

Wraithknights are the bees knees. This unit can become a big point sink if you do not use it preoperly, but it should soak up a TON of firepower (some exceptions apply). These are great bully units and are the one of the best units in the game for board control. I love them with 2 Heavy Wraithcannons, but also love them with the Suncannon and Scatter Laser. Not many units in the game have ranged STR 10 AP 2 weapons on such a hearty chassis. It does not require any support on it's own, but with Eldar you should always be thinking about how each unit is going to support each on the table top any way. Most units are so specialized that without the proper syergy and support, they'll die without being effective.

Dark Reapers - Solid unit, but in my experience their job can be done with many different tools in the codex. Don't get me wrong I have 30 of them, but rarely have more than 5 hit the table top. they can be a bit of a points issue if given the upgraded missiles and not used properly, but they can also be absolutely devistating. Especially when you start to consider the possibilities of starting in a Wave serpent, moving 6", disembarking 6", and still being able to lay down a hellstorm of firepower with a 48" range. Awesome. Some great combos in here using the exarch and his abilities. I would consider a Spiritseer for shrouding, or some other way to get them a cover bonus if you're going to sit them in cover. This unit greatly improves with Farseer help, too.

Falcons - The classic 6th & 7th edition answer for this unit is "why bother" - This is mostly because the Wave Serpent fills many of the battlefield roles of the falcon, and at a better price point. also, the Wave Serpent is a dedicated transport with a larger capacity, so things quickly swing in favor of Wave Serpents, BUT I still love the Falcon. This may be nostalgia, but I find the falcon can still serve a good battlefield role. Especially if equipped with a bright lance, it has 3 str 8 long range shots, and the ability to have some fire dragons inside for ultimate tank busting. I have also run units of scouts inside, to put some scoring in there, or a Dire avenger squad. The falcon is a good tank, but with the amount of solid heavy choices and competition with the Wave Serpent, it kinda comes up a little short. If you love this unit however, do not dispair, as they can be used to great effect on the table top and still can be a cornerstone unit. I just want you to understand the internet rage when falcons are brought up.

Really every Heavy Choice in the book is solid, so pick your favorite, practice and you should be good. lol

Id let yo GF pick what she wants to paint

"Happy wife happy life"

 Argive wrote:
Id let yo GF pick what she wants to paint

"Happy wife happy life"

That couldn't be any more true! And that is why I'm picking Eldar.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Gangrel767 wrote:

 entityreign wrote:
It was that exact autarch that I fought! 2+ cover save against DA is painful.

Hmm, I'll get on with this Eldar force as soon as I finish up finalizing my Ork list. If Eldar works in a way that speed outperforms strength, then I probably should get Jetbikes.

Or would having Jetbikes, Warp Spiders and Swooping Hawks be redundant? It might not give me enough room for basic troop choices like Avengers or Guardians.

As for the Heavy Support choices.. I'll eventually want to have a Wraithlord. Wraithknight, probably a squad of Reapers and a Falcon or two. Either one of these set ups, depending on what speedy units I would already have.
Although, would the Wraitgknight need certain support units to prove effective? Such as Wraithguards/blades etc.

I am just speaking from my personal experience, so take the appropriate amount of salt with any of this.

Redundancy is good. You also have to see that those units do fill different roles, even though they're all very mobile. They have different targets and different usages on the table top, though there is a great deal of overlap. In most of my lists there are 2 units of 3 jetbikes, and a single unit of 6/7 warp spiders, and a single unit of 6 swooping hawks. Great Synergy there.

oh yea, and jetbikes are CHEAP! (Points Wise)

Heavy Choices -

Wraithlords are good. Especially at lower point value games. Once you hit higher point value games, you may find that they run short on their wounds and die fairly quickly. With experience though, you can really get your points worth out of these units.

Wraithknights are the bees knees. This unit can become a big point sink if you do not use it preoperly, but it should soak up a TON of firepower (some exceptions apply). These are great bully units and are the one of the best units in the game for board control. I love them with 2 Heavy Wraithcannons, but also love them with the Suncannon and Scatter Laser. Not many units in the game have ranged STR 10 AP 2 weapons on such a hearty chassis. It does not require any support on it's own, but with Eldar you should always be thinking about how each unit is going to support each on the table top any way. Most units are so specialized that without the proper syergy and support, they'll die without being effective.

Dark Reapers - Solid unit, but in my experience their job can be done with many different tools in the codex. Don't get me wrong I have 30 of them, but rarely have more than 5 hit the table top. they can be a bit of a points issue if given the upgraded missiles and not used properly, but they can also be absolutely devistating. Especially when you start to consider the possibilities of starting in a Wave serpent, moving 6", disembarking 6", and still being able to lay down a hellstorm of firepower with a 48" range. Awesome. Some great combos in here using the exarch and his abilities. I would consider a Spiritseer for shrouding, or some other way to get them a cover bonus if you're going to sit them in cover. This unit greatly improves with Farseer help, too.

Falcons - The classic 6th & 7th edition answer for this unit is "why bother" - This is mostly because the Wave Serpent fills many of the battlefield roles of the falcon, and at a better price point. also, the Wave Serpent is a dedicated transport with a larger capacity, so things quickly swing in favor of Wave Serpents, BUT I still love the Falcon. This may be nostalgia, but I find the falcon can still serve a good battlefield role. Especially if equipped with a bright lance, it has 3 str 8 long range shots, and the ability to have some fire dragons inside for ultimate tank busting. I have also run units of scouts inside, to put some scoring in there, or a Dire avenger squad. The falcon is a good tank, but with the amount of solid heavy choices and competition with the Wave Serpent, it kinda comes up a little short. If you love this unit however, do not dispair, as they can be used to great effect on the table top and still can be a cornerstone unit. I just want you to understand the internet rage when falcons are brought up.

Really every Heavy Choice in the book is solid, so pick your favorite, practice and you should be good. lol

I'll take your word for it and reconsider getting Dark Reapers (not for now, at least) because it seems like there are other Heavy Support options that would work well for the list in mind.
I don't know much about Eldar yet, but funny to see that there are "no-no" units with them as well.. Much like the DA's Nephilim, which ultimately is never a good buy points-wise.

I really appreciate your help, any further assistance will be gladly received as well.

Now on to creating a 1000pt list! This might take me a while, though. I have to get the codex first.