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.

I am a complete noob to 40k. I have been watching battle reports, but still haven't decided what I want to play. I know I want Eldar, but I can't decide between between Craftworld, Dark Eldar, or Harlequins. I have read the fluff and lore, but that makes me like all of them more.

What are some strategic differences between the three armies? I know there similarities, but what are some differences between the Craftworld, Harlequins, and Dark Eldar?

I also found the Ynnari which is an army comprised of all the Eldar, but how well are they?

I am mostly asking because I haven't bought any of the books or models yet, and want to make sure I make the right choice that is fun for me.

CWE probably have the largest number of options for units and playstyles. They have both slow and heavy wraith units and more rapid attack. Their army rule (Battle Focus) is probably the weakest of the set. They have the most psychic and superheavy options.

Harlequins are fast and hit very hard short-range in melee, have the fewest options for units, and aren't as effected by very heavy weapons (due to army-wide invuln saves). They have army-wide advance & charge, too. No flyers.

Dark Eldar are somewhere between the two and more have more shooty options than harlequins. They also have more "shoot out of vehicle" options and access to poison weapons.

Alternatively, Ynnari or playing Eldar united (a mix of all 3) is also an option if you want to dabble in all 3.

But more importantly than all of this...play the army that you find interesting. Lore/hype/interest count a lot more long-term than just tactics. Hope that helped.

Craftworld Eldar: Have the widest variety of units available to them. Many craftworld units are hyper-specialized, meaning they're amazing against one type of target, and inefficient against others. Aesthetically, their line is one of the oldest in the game (I mean the miniatures) so DE and Harlequins will tend to have better looking sculpts. They can play many different styles, but tend to focus on shooting.

Dark Eldar: Very beautiful, 90% plastic model range. Dark Eldar for the most part are highly mobile and highly fragile, and come in two flavors: Stab you super fast and shoot you super fast, leaning a bit on the side of shooting for the most part. Their low durability can make them tough to learn, but their speed makes them an army you can count on performing for you when you improve with them.

Harlequins: Biggest con is their limited model range, if you want to go solely harlequins. They are like Dark Eldar, but more elite and very melee focused.

Personal recommendation: Dark Eldar. highly rewarding army to play, paint, and learn, even if your first few games might be frustrating.

You can play them all with Ynnari.

Hm...Interesting.
All of the strategies appeal to me, but I really like the Craftworld's idea of "having an answer for everything". So I think I will go for them to start out, and maybe get into the other 3 when I become more experienced.
I do like painting a lot. I once helped my friend paint his D&D miniatures, so I am excited to paint some DE.

The only one I'd suggest not playing, at least as a sole army, is harlequins. Tiny range, very difficult to play well - small army list, not a lot of options. Just not a great beginner army.

The most versatile force is definitely Craftworld Eldar (perhaps Ynnari, but they're kinda weird).

 Elbows wrote:
The only one I'd suggest not playing, at least as a sole army, is harlequins. Tiny range, very difficult to play well - small army list, not a lot of options. Just not a great beginner army.

The most versatile force is definitely Craftworld Eldar (perhaps Ynnari, but they're kinda weird).

This is true, but it's also worth noting that Harlequins are, at least for now, the strongest rules-wise of the three Aeldari armies. The limited model range is also countered by the fact that the kits they do have are spectacular and allow for a huge amount of customization. I have about 40 troupers in my army and no two look the same.

If you are a "complete noob to 40K", none of the Eldar are a great start. But of the three options, Harlequins are most likely the worst. Limited range of models, difficult to paint to a good standard, even more difficult to play well.

Having said that: if you like a factions models and background, there is always a way. My humble suggestion would be to try the CWE. They have the widest range of models and tactics compared to DE and Harlequins. They also have a wider variety of playstyles in case you find that certain CWE units are not for you.

In the end it comes down to "do you really like these models?" - if the answer is "yes", you will find a way to make them work on the battlefield.

 Darnok wrote:
If you are a "complete noob to 40K", none of the Eldar are a great start. But of the three options, Harlequins are most likely the worst. Limited range of models, difficult to paint to a good standard, even more difficult to play well.

Having said that: if you like a factions models and background, there is always a way. My humble suggestion would be to try the CWE. They have the widest range of models and tactics compared to DE and Harlequins. They also have a wider variety of playstyles in case you find that certain CWE units are not for you.

In the end it comes down to "do you really like these models?" - if the answer is "yes", you will find a way to make them work on the battlefield.

The only thing of note with Harlequins is that they are, bar none, *the* cheapest 40k army to start moneywise, thanks to the Death masque sets you can still get floating around on ebay.

You can easily fill a 1500 point army with 250$ of death masque ebay models, and they're the full kits. Hard to learn, somewhat limited range? Yes and yes. But sometimes people are on a budget.

 Amishprn86 wrote:
You can play them all with Ynnari.

Not all the units available though. Mandrakes and the coven stuff can't be part of an ynnari army for example.

I'd recommend dark eldar since I love the models and also because they're not as common as the shining cousins.

Harlequins are also amazing and not common, but pure harlequins armies are not suited for beginners IMHO.

Dark Eldar. Because it's a joy to play and to master, and no one will ever call you a scrub for using them, even if you totally bend them over backwards over the gaming table (figuratively and, if you wish, literally).

 Blackie wrote:

 Amishprn86 wrote:
You can play them all with Ynnari.

Not all the units available though. Mandrakes and the coven stuff can't be part of an ynnari army for example.

I'd recommend dark eldar since I love the models and also because they're not as common as the shining cousins.

Harlequins are also amazing and not common, but pure harlequins armies are not suited for beginners IMHO.

Right but until the DE codex if out you can take a Detachment of Mandrakes and Coven beside Ynnari with 0 negatives.