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So a friend of mine who's getting out of 40k recently offered me the remnants of his old eldar army plus the current codex. I was wondering what sort of things I should look into getting, and what units to stay away from.
I received:
1 Autarch w/Fusion Gun and Warp Jump Generator
3 Warlocks
1 Eldrad (will probably just use as a regular farseer)
25 Guardians (no heavy weapons platforms unfortunately)

The area I play in is fairly casual, so I would prefer to stay away from scatbike spam and wraithknights (although I'm not opposed to eventually picking up some bikes or a wraithknight). In addition, I was looking to make this into a Craftworld Iybraesil themed force, so I was looking into building towards a Craftworld Warhost. For the core formation I was thinking a Guardian Battlehost, backed up by an Aspect Host (w/Howling Banshees & Scorpions). As I continue building I might add a Crimson Death Formation.

Any and all help and advice is appreciated

Good to know that you don't plan on being That Eldar Player (TM). It gives me hope that there are more out there than the army list forum on DakkaDakka would suggest.

As you might have noticed from reading through the Eldar codex, apart from the obviously OP units the book is incredibly internally balanced. The only units to avoid are Shining Spears, as they are still terrible at their supposed role. Rangers are okay as cheap troops, but apart from pairing them with Illic you have better options.

If you are planning to go the route of the Eldar Warhost, you will need Vypers, War Walkers, and Vaul's Wrath Support Batteries to fulfill the formation requirements. These are sadly rare, so you will either have to special order them from you FLGS or get them from GW directly. Weapons platforms for the Guardians are a must, as they come free in the Guardian Battlehost and give the unit needed flexibility.

Melee Aspect Hosts work best with a Phoenix Lord to accompany them. If you are planning on using Howling Banshees, get Jain Zar as she is one of the best Phoenix Lords and makes Banshees much better as well.

Shooty Aspect Hosts can work in a casual environment, as long as you don't spam Warp Spiders or Fire Dragons in all three slots.

The Crimson Death can be very nasty in environments where there are not a lot of flyers. If flyers are rare in your local meta, consider another expensive formation like the Engines of Vaul or a second Aspect Host.

Autarchs work best when joined to a squad of Aspect Warriors with similar equipment. A unit of Warp Spiders would go a long way toward making your Autarch more effective. Another popular build is to pair the new plastic Autarch with wings with a unit of Swooping Hawks.

Hope this helps you out. Don't let people discourage you; Eldar can in fact be played in a way that isn't ridiculously overpowered.

Thank you for the advice. The main reason why I was looking into Banshees was because I wanted to do a Craftworld Iybraesil themed force. In the codex they are noted to have a higher proportion of female warriors (such as banshees) so I wanted to include them in an effort to stick to my theme. It's a shame about the Support Batteries though. Might it be better than to just run a regular CAD and just add t some of the formations such as the Aspect Host?

War Kitten wrote:
Thank you for the advice. The main reason why I was looking into Banshees was because I wanted to do a Craftworld Iybraesil themed force. In the codex they are noted to have a higher proportion of female warriors (such as banshees) so I wanted to include them in an effort to stick to my theme. It's a shame about the Support Batteries though. Might it be better than to just run a regular CAD and just add t some of the formations such as the Aspect Host?

If you are running melee Eldar, you want the Warhost. That six inch run is very important, especially for Banshees, as they depend on speed to get into CC and take cover from incoming fire.

You can go CAD + double Aspect Host, but if you repeat too many of the same units you open yourself up to accusations of spam. CAD Eldar also has some negative connotations as people usually use a CAD to spam jetbikes as much as possible.

I see. Thank you for the advice. I'll probably just revert to my original plan of building towards a craftworld warhost.

Sweet! Another Iybraesil fan! I'm planning on painting up my first batch of Iybraesil storm guardians and banshees this weekend.

People have already presented most of what I wanted to say, so I'll mostly just echo them.

*Do the guardian host! You're already so close with the number of guardians you have! Attach the warlocks to your guardian squads, and give the guardians heavy weapon platforms. Let the guardians give your banshees some ranged support while using the automatic 6" run and your warlock's Conceal power to stay alive! Consider using D-cannons for your vaul support battery (when you get one) to give yourself a potent defense in your own deployment zone OR(!) take vibro cannons for a cheap, long-ranged half-decent anti-tank option that becomes all the more cool when you picture its sonic blasts echoing around the battlefield alongside banshee screams! Vypers may not look like much fun, but they also aren't bad really. Just less good than other options we have.
Edit: Ah, no heavy weapon platforms. Wave Serpents are also a good choice (probably a better choices really) provided you have money (or papercrafting supplies)for them.

* Definitely take Jain Zar. Banshees are no longer bad (as they were in the previous book), but you still kind of have to build your list around them to make them work. Jain Zar in a Craftworld Warhost (with Jain as your warlord) lets them move something like 18" a turn when they run. Not only is this ridiculously fast for a unit on foot, but it also lets you dash into and behind cover if you aren't able to assault that turn. Jain is also great at tanking wounds (Look Out Sir the Ap 2 stuff onto her friends) and is probably one of the best characters in existence when it comes to challenges. Keep in mind that she and a large unit of banshees *can* be overkill, so don't be afraid to split her off on the turn you're ready to assault to go bully a separate unit by herself. Also, beware of dreads. Jain will make a unit be unable to "Our Weapons Are Useless" against dreadnaughts.

*So the Avatar is kind of cool. Another second-stringer unit, but he's really not bad if you can keep him alive. Plus, he go awfully well with the army you're thinking about doing. The warhost bonus makes it easier for him to cross the board and dip his toe in cover for a cover save. His aura will make each of your banshees *much* more effective by her lonesome, and you won't have to worry about your squishy units getting scared and running away.

*Farseers are snazzy, and so is Eldrad! Consider putting a squad of Banshees that isn't running around with Jain into a wave serpent. Doom and Fortune are great boons to your banshees, Guide and Doom are nice for helping your ranged units take out vehicles, Eldritch Storm will help you thin out large units, and Mind War & Executioner are handy for dealing with any MCs you stumble across.

*I'm not sure what to do do with your Autarch really. She would fit well in a squad of Warp Spiders if you wanted to sprinkle some in! You could also give her the Phoenix Gem and try to make her an annoying, if expensive, harassment unit.

A lot of what you have and what you want to do isn't really a top-tier competitive list of options. Fortunately, one of the great things about having one of the most powerful books with the best internal-balance is that you can take a "weak" list and still have a good time against most other friendly lists.

Thank you for that advice, I'm still trying to piece together exactly what my friend gave me, some of it is still in pieces or just unrecognizable. I'm just mostly annoyed that I didn't receive any heavy weapons for the guardians when I got the models from my friend, hopefully I can still find some for them as I go forward with the army. I'm going to work towards a warhost, with the battlehost at it's core, then a melee aspect host, with banshees (maybe some scorpions as well). I will most certainly look into Jain Zar. I just looked at her rules and her rules seem quit nice. I'll also look into picking up the Avatar eventually, but finishing off the battlehost and aspect host takes priority for me. And yeah, that was one of the factors that finally pushed me into starting Eldar was that I could run a fun themed list and still have a great time against other lists.

Sounds like you are starting to get a plan!

I have one small suggestion:

Don't buy a weapon platform. Build one.
I made a couple for my guardians (since they were really old and had none) with the simplest move ever. A weapon (star cannon) on a part of a shurican cannon and slapped that on a base. With some metal plates to get it to look like it is hovering. Worked great. And cheap.

Also, don't be afraid of putting melee and ranged aspects in the same Aspect Host. Sure it won't be as good, but it's a really nice way of getting more different aspects in.

War Kitten wrote:
So a friend of mine who's getting out of 40k recently offered me the remnants of his old eldar army plus the current codex. I was wondering what sort of things I should look into getting, and what units to stay away from.

The area I play in is fairly casual, so I would prefer to stay away from scatbike spam and wraithknights (although I'm not opposed to eventually picking up some bikes or a wraithknight). In addition, I was looking to make this into a Craftworld Iybraesil themed force, so I was looking into building towards a Craftworld Warhost. For the core formation I was thinking a Guardian Battlehost, backed up by an Aspect Host (w/Howling Banshees & Scorpions).

Definitely start with the Guardian Battlehost core - Formations are here to stay, so you should be prepared for that. That means you will need a War Walker and Vyper, along with AGP weapon platforms.

If you're hunting the Crone Worlds, you will need at least 1 unit of Rangers for theme, but don't put a lot of points here, as they kinda suck.

The +1 WS Aspect Host is a good choice, although Scorpions are categorically better than Banshees. Consider adding Reapers or Avengers as the 3rd Aspect unit just for variety.

The Wraithknight is a cool model, and you will have enough "bad units" (Guardians, Rangers, & Banshees) that nobody should be giving you gak for taking the big guy or fielding a Jetbike Host if for variety.

I myself am a fan of the Guardian Battlehost and also refuse to field Wraithknights or mass bikes.......No Skill= No Fun!

Dont let yourself be fooled about the Vaul Weapon Platforms, they are surprisingly good as Shadowweavers for dirt cheap S6 troop harassment, but also provide a very safe place for the Farseer to hide and cast powers from. Nothing discourages people from shooting at your Farseer than 12 T7 wounds with 3 small blasts for less than 100 points. The easiest way to get rid of the squad is to assault it, but you are already leaning toward an assault army so you should be fine!

That being said, get Dark Reapers. One of the Codexs that give us trouble is the new Dark Angels book. Their speed and toughness plus rerollable cover saves mean that we get a single round of shooting before we are in combat......But Reapers shut those bikes down instantly with the ability to ignore Jink saves.

That and Warwalkers, dear god Warwalkers are fantastic now!!!!

 JohnHwangDD wrote:

War Kitten wrote:
So a friend of mine who's getting out of 40k recently offered me the remnants of his old eldar army plus the current codex. I was wondering what sort of things I should look into getting, and what units to stay away from.

The area I play in is fairly casual, so I would prefer to stay away from scatbike spam and wraithknights (although I'm not opposed to eventually picking up some bikes or a wraithknight). In addition, I was looking to make this into a Craftworld Iybraesil themed force, so I was looking into building towards a Craftworld Warhost. For the core formation I was thinking a Guardian Battlehost, backed up by an Aspect Host (w/Howling Banshees & Scorpions).

Definitely start with the Guardian Battlehost core - Formations are here to stay, so you should be prepared for that. That means you will need a War Walker and Vyper, along with AGP weapon platforms.

If you're hunting the Crone Worlds, you will need at least 1 unit of Rangers for theme, but don't put a lot of points here, as they kinda suck.

The +1 WS Aspect Host is a good choice, although Scorpions are categorically better than Banshees. Consider adding Reapers or Avengers as the 3rd Aspect unit just for variety.

The Wraithknight is a cool model, and you will have enough "bad units" (Guardians, Rangers, & Banshees) that nobody should be giving you gak for taking the big guy or fielding a Jetbike Host if for variety.

Pretty sure war war walkers aren't mandatory for the guardian host. I'm also not sure why he would need rangers for an Iybraesil theme. I mean, they aren't a bad fit (you can say they found some important trinket on a crone world for instance), but nothing in Iybraesil's fluff especially calls out rangers as being important. Banshees are really more their thing what with the emphasis on matriarchy and their ties to the Morai Heg (the mother of actual banshee spirits in 40k).

Totally agree about considering adding in reapes though. They'll give you some much-needed long-ranged anti-vehicle support if you give them the big missiles, and the little missiles can help against a number of targets that banshees struggle with (like bikes).

Wyldhunt wrote:
Pretty sure war war walkers aren't mandatory for the guardian host. I'm also not sure why he would need rangers for an Iybraesil theme. I mean, they aren't a bad fit (you can say they found some important trinket on a crone world for instance), but nothing in Iybraesil's fluff especially calls out rangers as being important. Banshees are really more their thing what with the emphasis on matriarchy and their ties to the Morai Heg (the mother of actual banshee spirits in 40k).

Totally agree about considering adding in reapes though. They'll give you some much-needed long-ranged anti-vehicle support if you give them the big missiles, and the little missiles can help against a number of targets that banshees struggle with (like bikes).

War Walkers are mandatory because no one except a few people were suing them with the last codex. Fortunately, War Walkers are great long-range weapons platforms. Dark Reapers can work wonders, but struggle more against heavy armour as they can't take Lance weapons.

Rangers are good as cheap scoring units or a bodyguard for Illic. You have better options in most other cases.

Scorpios are better than Banshees in most cases. Howling Banshees need Jain Zar to work well, preferably with support form an Avatar.

One thing to consider when equipping stuff if to make sure you have enough anti tank fire in your list. Massed shurcat fire can deal with anything resembling troops, and if you go with CC aspects, that’s more killing on top of that.

If you do build towards the host, tossing some brightlances on the walkers/vypers/etc might be a good call.

Wyldhunt wrote:

 JohnHwangDD wrote:
Definitely start with the Guardian Battlehost core - Formations are here to stay, so you should be prepared for that. That means you will need a War Walker and Vyper, along with AGP weapon platforms.

If you're hunting the Crone Worlds, you will need at least 1 unit of Rangers for theme, but don't put a lot of points here, as they kinda suck.

The +1 WS Aspect Host is a good choice, although Scorpions are categorically better than Banshees. Consider adding Reapers or Avengers as the 3rd Aspect unit just for variety.

Pretty sure war war walkers aren't mandatory for the guardian host. I'm also not sure why he would need rangers for an Iybraesil theme. I mean, they aren't a bad fit (you can say they found some important trinket on a crone world for instance), but nothing in Iybraesil's fluff especially calls out rangers as being important. Banshees are really more their thing what with the emphasis on matriarchy and their ties to the Morai Heg (the mother of actual banshee spirits in 40k).

Totally agree about considering adding in reapes though. They'll give you some much-needed long-ranged anti-vehicle support if you give them the big missiles, and the little missiles can help against a number of targets that banshees struggle with (like bikes).

1 War Walker and 1 Vyper are mandatory for either Guardian Host, per Codex.

His craftworld goes to the Crone Worlds. That means exploring, which is a Ranger job. For theme, he needs 1 unit. It's not a major part of the Craftworld, as Rangers are, by definition, Outcast. But he definitely needs 1 unit.

Yeah, Reapers are a pure synergy pick, to provide cover fire for the assault Aspects.

I have a fair bit to think about now I see, I'll definitely take all of this to heart. As for the Aspect Host, I'm still planning on taking one unit of Banshees to fit the theme of Iybraesil, and for the other two choices either scorpions or reapers, maybe both, although I'll keep the avengers as a possibility when I get around to building the aspect host. For the war walkers and vypers, is it better to just run one or run a squadron of em? I figure the walkers are better in squadrons, but the general consensus on vypers that I've seen is that they're considered a tax unit.

While my experience with Eldar is more theoretical then practical, as I’m still painting them up, I enjoy my vypers. The last time I took the field with them it was a squadron of two with double ShurCannons each. For their points they put out a crazy amount of dakka. My other thoughts on fielding them was as a singleton just flitting about the backfield with a brightlance taking pot shots at things. Depends on how much other AV you have in your list. As I tend to field a pair of falcons, I feel I’m generally OK for it. YMMV.

War Kitten wrote:
I have a fair bit to think about now I see, I'll definitely take all of this to heart. As for the Aspect Host, I'm still planning on taking one unit of Banshees to fit the theme of Iybraesil, and for the other two choices either scorpions or reapers, maybe both, although I'll keep the avengers as a possibility when I get around to building the aspect host. For the war walkers and vypers, is it better to just run one or run a squadron of em? I figure the walkers are better in squadrons, but the general consensus on vypers that I've seen is that they're considered a tax unit.

For the Aspect Host, you want either all melee or all shooty. If you need a mix, consider a CAD or a second Aspect Host.

War Walkers are great, especially in squadrons of three. They put out a lot of firepower for their points, and are agile enough to stay out of trouble.

Vypers can be good in small squadrons of two. As others have pointed out, their cheap enough to where they cna do good work with their right positioning. They're best used as a harassment unit, flanking vehicles and mowing down infantry.

The points add up fast when you're working with Hosts vs FOC. I'd start with 1 Walker & 1 Vyper, and just Banshees, Scorps & Reapers (yes, the WS5 Reapers are non-optimal). Then add to it.

Buying big blocks of stuff gets expensive, especially if you don't field them.

Alright. My final plan is build up to a guardian battlehost, then add on an aspect host with banshees, scorpions, and reapers (non-optimal ftw!). After that I may pick up some flyers, the crimson hunter has some very nice rules

Sounds like a good plan! Have fun!

The Crimson Hunter is great, in more than 1 role. The Exarch can be a sniper and can get 6 shots a turn.
Vector Dancer helps to keep them out of AA range.

Having to take 3 though, that's harsh.

 Skinnereal wrote:
The Crimson Hunter is great, in more than 1 role. The Exarch can be a sniper and can get 6 shots a turn.
Vector Dancer helps to keep them out of AA range.

Taking 3 though, that's harsh.

You can always just take a CAD and fly one.

The CH formation is one of those I looked at and went “That’s neat, but how many <blank> do I need in a normal game” Which is more common now that it seems you get a nifty bonus for squadroning 3 of something. (I’m getting this a lot on the SM side of the hobby, but that’s off topic here in an Eldar thread) It might be fine if you are playing a 3,000 point game, but at the 1,500 -1,850 level, one or two flyers is probably all you need.

Things like the squadron of Falcons strike me the same way. Looks cool, some nasty tricks to be had, but how many points is it? What percentage of my army?

I’d rather field a little bit of everything then spam the same thing hard. That’s one nice thing about the aspect host. You can mix and match, but still get some nice perks.

I would probably only take 1 in most games, as I play in a mostly casual environment, it would just probably be nice to be able to field that formation if need be. Most of the people I play against are great guys, and I wouldn't dare be that mean by taking 3 Crimson Hunters, but against a few of the people I play.. taking 3 Hunters would actually be the least cheesy thing on the board.