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.

Am trying to put together a list and am looking to add an effective assault squad. What are the pros and cons for the squads available to Eldar? I'm talking across the board too so Eldar, harlequins and dark Eldar.

So looking at:

Howling banshees
Striking scorpions
Wraithblades

Harlequin troupe

Unsure what's available from the dark Eldar codex

Thanks

So looking at the stats...

Scorpions:
S:3 WS: 4 A:1
Have a chain sword that gives S:+1 AP:6

Banshees
S:3 WS:4 A:1
Have a powersword that gives S: user so 3 AP:3

Scorpions save on a 3+ banshees on a 4+ Scorpions don't need a transport but banshees negates overwatch. However banshees 13 points per man scorpions 17 points. Scorpion exarch is mighty though


Automatically Appended Next Post:
That compared to harlequins that are

S:3 WS:5 A:2
Have a weapon that can give either kiss of death or embrace of death

No save but can take a shadowseer but are 20 points per man and 75 points for a shadowseer

Kaela_Mensha_Khaine wrote:
I personally like Shining Spears, because while they lost hit and run they gained an ap for the second plus round. They are also one of the few aspects that don't lose anything when joined by a farseer or Autarch.

Thanks for you reply. Not understanding how other units lose out and shining spears done. Can you explain? Sorry I'm a newb!!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 BlaxicanX wrote:
Comparing Banshees to Scorpions directly:

Banshees charging kill 4.5 MEQ on average, 6 with an executioner Exarch. Scorpions charging kill 4 MEQ on average, 6 with a scorpion's claw exarch.

Banshees charging kill 7 GEQ on average, 9 with an executioner exarch. Scorpions charging kill 9 GEQ on average, 11 with a Scorpion's claw exarch.

So the difference in damage between them is pretty negligible. However, the Scorpion exarch is just better in every way then the Banshee exarch, and not needing a transport compensates for the increased ppm of Scorpions. Overall, they're pretty much a better choice.

Great thanks great info. What about the scorpions compared with the harlequins?

Bharring wrote:
Lots of different units with lots of different roles.

Scorpions are like ASMs. Great bullies. But only pick on the weak.

Banshees will dice Marines, or anything overwatch-dependant. Hits fast, but not hard. Can't duke it out. Lightning/skirmishers.

Wraithblades are a dedicated CC unit. If they can't take a target in CC, the target is a death star (or tech'ed for Wraith killing). But you pay for that.

Storm Guardians are "oh gak throw something at that now". Their use matches their fluff. They aren't charging because they are good at CC. They charge because they are boned, and its a bad choice, but all other choices are worse. Don't take.

Yeah looks like striking scorpions are the way to go especially as they don't need a transport so in smaller points games can be vital. Looking at the data they sure are looking the best on paper. Like that they are more resilient too with the 3+ save. Would love to see some data on the scorpions compared with a harlequins troupe if anyone has it?!?

 HawaiiMatt wrote:
Reavers.
T4 3+ cover.
18 S3 attacks, 4 S4 rending HoW, and 2D6 S6 rending HoW.
On the mobility of an eldar jet bike.
With hit and run.
And combat drugs on top of the rest, with base Init 6.

We have a lot to like about reaver jet bikes.
A unit of 6 with 2 caltrops is pretty much the same cost as a minimum unit of scorpions w/exarch.

Of course, in a discussion like this, the problem becomes a single assault unit isn't an effective offense. You'll need more than 1 unit to make it work, and scorpions and reavers pair really well together.

If you only want a single unit, the answer is Wraith Knight w/Glaive.

Nice... Not having a dark Eldar codex I hadn't seen the reavers. They look good and you are completely right not looking just to run one unit (well perhaps at 1000 points)

Was trying to work out which close assault unit gets the best bang for your buck. Think scorpions nail it for Eldar considering they can survive very well without a transport and pack a good punch. Actually tempted by them deploying two squads in Falcons alongside a squad of fire dragons in a falcon and deep striking my opponent... Should be pretty destructive.

Now wondering though if we compared this

6 man harlequin troupe with kisses or embraces with 1 shadowseer = 180
Vs
6 man scorpion squad with 1 exarch with scorpion claw = 142

Could run either two harlequin squads, one of each or two scorpion squads at 2000 points. At one perhaps one larger squad on foot would be better. The question is which one?

From what I see the scorpions are far more durable but the harlequins pack and very hard punch