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Hi

I'm toying with the idea of starting DE, does anyone have any tips? Not looking to be super competative, but maybe kinda tough (I feel like this is maybe too big of an ask given DE's glass cannon nature, so I appreciate if there's no middle ground between cannon-fodder and venom-spam w. Eldar allies or something)

Ideally I'd like to base my army around some kind of core of Raiders/Ravagers, maybe initially around 3? (I just really like the models). With regards to infantry-stomping as I understand it, pretty much all our infantry is reasonably good in close combat, with the Kabalites being the army's backbone, and I really like those models, so that's a bonus.
I'm also tempted to take an Archon, just as a central figure to hold together the fluff of my army, so recommendations on how to field one of those would be cool please.

As like a side note I'm thinking of taking some Eldar allies (though not getting super-shennanigans-y about it), because I quite like the wraithguard/wraithlord models. Are Eldar Rangers an awful idea as a troops choice? I'm not very keen on guardians...

Cheers!

Dark Eldar are a fun and rewarding army to play and if you don't mind a little bias they are also one of the best model ranges GW has ever released. A full Dark Eldar army, skimmers painted up along with all the tag along bits looks spectacular, theres a sense of movement in the models that simply isn't present in other armies.

Troops can be run in 2 effective ways, Large units (ranging from 7 to 10 with SC) in Raiders with Nightshields splinter racks. In casual environment these guys have reasonable reliable punch are a 3+ jink save makes a Raider actually a rather hard opposition, although each troop choice sets you back 200pts. Not competitive due to Tau and Eldar either ignoring out blitzing your cover save, but I still use this unit. It rolls so many dice, with re-rolls, it's just fun passing over 12 dice for the opponent to try armour save. Or of course smaller units (with or without Blasters) in Venoms. Cheaper, will only set you back 120pts and has longer range fire power with 2 splinter cannons. But is hella fragile. Either work, I prefer Raiders because the model is nicer and I get to roll more dice.

Our HQ's kinda suck. It's a sad fact, but they do. They are expensive for what you get, give very few buffs around, aren't particularly survivable and lack decent punch. Despite this i still take an Archon to friendly games because as you said, he binds the army together. In for a penny in for a pound, kit him up with a Shadowfield and Husk Blade and Soultrap and go hunting for...things without a 2+ armour save. I run mine in a unit of Incubi in a Venom, it's easy to hide and turbo boost outta sight until i can set up an optimal charge.

Ravagers aren't bad, but they aren't great. It's not a problem with Ravagers, Dark Lances in general aren't effective AT, being a Las cannon with less range and less strength against all but AV 14. Consider running a Disintergrator Ravager, there is precious little AP 2 in our army and this thing pumps out 9 Str 5 shots. He is quite cheap and will force enemy battle suits or Jetbikes to either kill it or jink. Our best AT by far is Scourges with Haywire Blasters, they are very reliable and if the opposing vehicle has no save they are likely to destroy a 3 hull point vehicle in one volly. 5 Scourges 4 Haywire Blasters are 120 pts, take 2.

Eldar allies are a slippery slope. They can do so much so much better than us that taking them sometimes feels like the Dark Eldar are holding the Eldar back. But if your doing it for the fluff, then an Autach with Banshee Mask makes an excellent addition to a Reaver unit or a Beastpack. Any Eldar assault unit benefits from an Open topped transport (think Banshee's and Scorpions and Wraithblades). Wraithlords are kinda lack luster, but that's because everyone compares it to a WK so perhaps my view is skewed.

If you want to ruin someones day you can also amp up the 'Shennanigans'. Webway portal Archon makes D-Scythe Guard an utter death sentence for anything on the board, Armour of Misery+Haemonculus coven Grotesque Spectacle+Hemlock Wraithfighter creates an immensely powerful Psy-Shriek.