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Hi all,

I recently finished up a Dark Eldar army, and am considering adding some Mandrakes. I am looking at their unit entry and they seem to have some good rules. They are really cheap for the base squad as well.

What I am thinking of is using them to infiltrate and perhaps draw some attention in the early game away from the rest of my force. I have one 3 man squad now, and am thinking of adding a second (via wargear shuffles).

For those of you who have used them, or played against them. What do you think of this tactic? What other suggestions might be helpful?

When I use them it's to have a very specific purpose, first turn presence. If I have a lot of units in reserve or am using the Scalpal Squadron to perform *almost* null deployment I will use a unit of 3 Mandrakes manning an Aegis Defence line with a Coms Relay. A coms relay is the only avenue of reserve manipulation Dark Eldar can get without an Autarch. The Mandrake unit is very cheap and has a 2+ cover save when up against the wall, easily ignorable and surprisingly durable to ensure my army arrives when i need it.

I agree with using them for null deployment purposes. Another way I've found success with them is when I run an aggressive, assaulting army with a grotesquerie, reavers, and incubi. It's another unit that puts pressure on the opponent right from the start and they're great for eating an overwatch off a more fragile unit.

I certainly see their value for Null Deployment. At only 3 models they are very easy to hide out of LOS as well. And they are fast enough to move up the board and do something later in the game if needed.

I was wondering if anyone has used them as infiltrators, even out of LOS. They seem to have some okay shooting (better than bolters), and could have a mean number of attacks on the charge. Maybe good for harassing small squads on the flanks? Thoughts?

I never leave home without mine, min squad of 3 infiltrating onto an objective in cover. (and out of LoS if I've placed the objective right)

They're amazing value for what they are; 12 points for a 2+ cover save (AP4 shooting is just a bonus)

The way I figure, anyone that wants to remove them has to either assault or use Ignores Cover on them, and if they do, that's great, that's Ignores Cover not going towards my Raiders or Venoms.

I also sometimes Outflank with them if they'd just die turn 1 (like against Tau)

They don't shoot much, and they should never assault, they're just like everything else in our codex, a cheap pest unit

(that said, I have killed the final Necron warrior off an objective with the Soul Blaze that comes from their shooting, so now I never forget it)

That's what I was saying about deploying them far up when I know they'll be supported by other units flying into my opponent's deployment zone turn one. If they absorb any firepower it's a bonus because they're deceptively resilient against a lot of shooting. Their damage really isn't bad either, this past week I outflanked them against a mechanized IG player and got a few hullpoints off some leman russes by hitting rear armor whenever I got the chance. I was struggling for ways to deal with that much armor, so it ended up being pretty important that they were there.

they're great for filling up that extra 40 points on a list

This thread has sold me on getting some. I love the models too. Now just to make sure I can get some cheap metal ones on ebay. Not going for the finecast version.

They're definitely not the trash they used to be at least.