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Inspired by this thread here's an 1850 list revolving around maximum Ld modifiers and Ld-based attacks. At 1850 this is an increadibly streamlined list encorperating the units with Ld based debuffs or attacks and enough others to make it battle forged.

Essentially, the two Archons and the Farseer join the large Kabalite unit (who act almost soley as meat shields) and non-scatter DS in where you want them (due to WWP). Ideally the Shadowseer would join here too but he has to run solo due to the formation he's in - infiltrate should keep him close enough though. With the Armour of Misery, CTC, and Mask of Secrets, you're looking at -5 Ld base for all units in range. You can then pour on phantasm attacks, the archangel of pain, mirror of minds (if the Shadowseer manages to roll that power), shots from the Jester, and Psychic Shriek.

Obviously this isn't going to work against fearless armies or those with wide-spread stubborn or ATSKNF, but I think it'd be fun to run. I'm considering dropping down on the Kabalites and instead running the Archons/Farseer in the CTC. Turn after arriving, the ICs could split off, allowing the pain engines to charge and do their thing. This would free up points and ensure the CTC's -1 Ld bubble stays with the fear bomb.

What are your thoughts? How would you change it at this level, and how would you expand the list up to higher point values?

(1846)
Dark Eldar CAD
HQ
Archon - Armour of Misery, phantasm, WWP (125)
Archon - Archangel, phantasm (100)

TROOPS
20 Kalabite - 2 blasters, sybarite, phantasm (210)
5 Kabalite Warriors (40)

Haemonculus Coven Corpse Thief Claw
• Talos - TL haywire, ichor injectors (140)
• Talos - TL haywire, ichor injectors (140)
• Talos - TL haywire, ichor injectors (140)
• Talos - TL haywire, ichor injectors (140)
• Talos - TL haywire, ichor injectors (140)

Harlequin The Hero's Path
• Shadowseer - ML 2, Mask of Secrets (100)
• Death Jester (60)
• Solitaire (145)

Eldar AD
HQ
Farseer (100)

TROOPS
3 Windriders - scat lasers (81)

FAST ATTACK
Hemlock (185)

I was messing with this sort of list for quite a while, a couple of things I found:
The cast of players is a waaaay better bomb unit, exepcially sinc enough can control where you place that -4ld bubble, you Shriek, veil then shoot two mini shrieks in the form of Phatasm grenade launchers. The talos look too slow to keep up and I think youd find more use in 2 of the scalpel squadron (for more Ld shenenigans, mobility and anti infantry galore).
The farseer is a huge help in the bomb, and Eldrad definitely is as he can more reliably snag a good power.
Either way good luck!

Looks fun!

Archons: Where did you plan on putting them? I assume the warrior blob? My only concern would be that the blob is so large that it would impact the Archangel's area of effect. When I bomb guys in I prefer grots as the unit to attach my HQs to (especially from a Covens formation/detachment, since I get another -1).

Farseer: Does the Farseer go in with the Archons, too?

Corpsethief Claw: The CTC is one of my FAVORITE formations. I think it's totally worth it to include! Personally, I prefer the Heat Lance to the Haywire Blaster, but that's an issue of personal preference more than anything else.

Heroes' Path: All the units are great, but I haven't tried it yet since BB were banned from starting in each others' vehicles. (I used to buy them each a Venom.) Let me know how it works out!

PGLs: Given that all armies which are Fearless or ATSKNF are immune, I find PGLs to be just so many wasted points. If your local meta has very few of these armies though, then rock on!

If it were me, I think I'd dump the PGLs (and the Sybarite upgrade that I assume was bought only to get another PGL) in favor of a bike for the Farseer (I'd put him with the scats to divide up my HQs into fewer targets).

Anyway you want to slice it, looks good! I'd love to see it in action!

Alrighty, thanks for the feedback guys! I was a bit iffy on the Kabalite blob as a delivery system so I'm taking hiveof_chimera's suggestion and running with a maxed out Cast of Players. This lets me ditch the Solitaire tax, cut points, and put the Seer where I want him (with the Archons and Farseer). Talking about the Farseer, I ditched him and took Eldrad instead. Not only does the extra power help but if I'm going to run a cc unit, I may as well take a Farseer that can to do something in combat.

I also decided to ditch the CTC for a couple of Scalpel Squadrons giving me two -1 Ld bubbles instead of one, and greatly increasing the list's mobility (something which sorely lacked previously). While I was at it I used the additional left over points to grab the Kabalites a Venom each and to squeeze in an extra scatbike unit.

With so much mobility I think this is a much improved list. The only thing I'm worried about now is lack of anti-tank that can deal with higher AVs.
Thoughts?

Edit: I also don't have a clue what I should be running the Troupe with - figured 1 upgrade for every 2 Players seemed fair, but idk. hiveof_chimera?

Edit 2: Oh and I forgot to mention that the Scalpel Squadrons will allow me to null deploy; mitigating some of the army's fragility

(1848)
Dark Eldar CAD
HQ
Archon - AoM, phantasm, WWP (125)
Archon - Archangel, phantasm (100)

TROOPS
5 Kabalite Warriors - Venom, 2 splinter cannons (105)
5 Kabalite Warriors - Venom, 2 splinter cannons (105)

Scalpel Squadron
• Wracks - Venom, 2 splinter cannons (115)
• Wracks - Venom, 2 splinter cannons (115)

Scalpel Squadron
• Wracks - Venom, 2 splinter cannons (115)
• Wracks - Venom, 2 splinter cannons (115)

Cast of Players
• Troupe - 12 Players, 2 neuro disrupters, 2 embraces, 2 caresses, haywire (251)
• Shadowseer - ML 2, MoS (100)
• Death Jester (60)

Eldar CAD
HQ
Eldrad (195)

TROOPS
3 Windriders - scat lasers (81)
3 Windriders - scat lasers (81)

FAST ATTACK
Hemlock (185)

I like this version a lot more, Eldrad runs as warlord and gives scout to kabalite units so everything can be on objectives quite easily, the only thing that mine had was a unit of shadow spectres from FW if your meta uses them as they make units take LEADERSHIP tests on 3d6 meaning that your grenade launchers are even more capable of wiping a unit a turn. You've got a lot of posion shots and still heaps of Str 6 shooting to rid yourself of light transports, and your hemlocks shooting is not to be underestimated when it comes to heavy duty AT as well as the extra shriek a turn. I'd like to hear how it goes, good luck!

Edit: your harlequin units should never be using neuro disrupters as you alread have a jester and 2 mini shooting psychic shrieks so they're almost always useless. I find that caresses are useless as they're at the front so they die to over watch first, and you already have a ridiculous amount of attacks, so swap them for kisses, embraces are only better with troupe masters as they have more arracks, so take all kisses with points from caresses, embraces and disrupters for quite a punch against anything.

X

hiveof_chimera wrote:
I like this version a lot more, Eldrad runs as warlord and gives scout to kabalite units so everything can be on objectives quite easily, the only thing that mine had was a unit of shadow spectres from FW if your meta uses them as they make units take LEADERSHIP tests on 3d6 meaning that your grenade launchers are even more capable of wiping a unit a turn. You've got a lot of posion shots and still heaps of Str 6 shooting to rid yourself of light transports, and your hemlocks shooting is not to be underestimated when it comes to heavy duty AT as well as the extra shriek a turn. I'd like to hear how it goes, good luck!

Models would be expensive but I like this idea (plus FW is on the cheaper side atm w Brexit and all). Think I will run the list w/out the Spectres for now but may well add them in later. Looove their models and my Eldar are Ghosts of Mymeara already so that works extra well

Edit: your harlequin units should never be using neuro disrupters as you alread have a jester and 2 mini shooting psychic shrieks so they're almost always useless. I find that caresses are useless as they're at the front so they die to over watch first, and you already have a ridiculous amount of attacks, so swap them for kisses, embraces are only better with troupe masters as they have more arracks, so take all kisses with points from caresses, embraces and disrupters for quite a punch against anything.

Good to have feedback on the Troupe! This'll be my first time running harlequins, so that's all good to know. Don't see how an embrace would be better on the Troupe Master... Did you mean the Caress? I think you mixed the two up - Embrace is the D6 HoW. Will ditch the disrupters and embraces for kisses, and run the unit with 5 kisses and 1 caress (on the Troupe Master).

daveh974 wrote:As silly as it is you might consider a Blood Angel detachment with a IC with Crown Angelic and/or sanguinary guard with death masks. It's dumb but might add to the LULZ.

Expanding the list later on I may well do this. Also considering adding the Crimson Slaughter formation (not sure what it's called) that provides -1Ld and/or that Bell from the Daemon codex. May as well go all out right

Thanks for the feedback guys

I love the look of this list, and I hate to rain on the parade but...

Lets say you field this list. And then *plonk* I set my Imperial Knight down on the table. Uh oh....

I personally would dial back a tad on the freak side of the list and maybe include a waveserpent with either some fire dragons or wraithguard just as a little insurance unit.

Oh there's plenty more than just a Knight that could ruin this list's day haha. As mentioned previously a predominantly fearless or stubborn army or an army with ATSKNF would each severely limit this list's potential. It's just a bit of fun.

But yes, at the same time you do raise a good point - a concern I voiced earlier - lack of AT. Especially against heavy armour such as AV13/14 and SHVs. Whilst the Hemlock can do its fair share, but it's pretty fragile.

On where to free up points for more anti-tank stuff, there isn't much room to wiggle. With Eldrad as the Warlord, the Eldar CAD can't be reduced to an allied detatchment, nor can the DE CAD due to wanting both Archons. I could reduce the size of the Troupe but then the whole unit will get wiped in one round of focused fire, so I need the bodies. Oh I could also drop one of the scalpel squadrons but that severely reduces the list's flexibility, mobility, and it's ability to null deploy (even if only used rarely, taking only one SS makes it completely non-viable).

If you do have any specific ideas on where to drop points and what to take please let me now. Feedback is always much appreciated