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So, as the new codex is around the corner, how do you guys equip your wraiths? I have never played with necrons before, and have never been against wraiths, so what is their purpose? Rumours indicate that their points are going up, up to 55, so are they any good? I was about to field them as a counter melee unit, with nihilakh doctrine.

I keep them naked, personally. None of their extra stuff is very good and now that they can fall back and charge the pistol is even more unnecessary than it was before.

While their points are going up they're also much more lethal with an extra AP and damage. Still a very good unit.

Naked is probably the best. Whip coils aren't really needed as wraiths are damn hard to kill in CC with multiple wounds and 3++ plus they are generally charging into combat especially now that they can fall back and charge so the whip coil isn't needed.

The pistol is cheap with decent str so an argument can be made there if you have a few extra points, but it's not needed and the wraiths will probably perform the exact same without it.

The beamer is way over-costed. It looks sweet but it isn't worth the cost. The fact that it's heavy makes it not synergistic (as they are always going to be moving reducing your hit rolls and generally you want to advance meaning you can't shoot it) and you don't get enough shots to reliably inflict mortal wounds.

So you'll want naked wraiths with maybe a couple pistols thrown in to eat extra points.

Naked all the way. They're a good assault unit - fast, durable with a punch. Adding shooting dilutes their combat power too much and whip coils don't seem worth the points.

I'd still consider the pistol *IF* you had extra points in the list to spare. Being able to fall back, shoot and then charge is a really good ability.
The pistols could allow you to pepper a weaker chaff unit to break through to a better melee target.

If you are looking for versatility: take the pistols
If you want pure melee efficiency: take no upgrades at all

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Well, I played Wraiths in each of my tournament lists in the 6th and 7th ed.
They were foremost durable stalling enemy units while the other units went for the enemy throat.
This worked pretty well.

In the new ed, I often lost Wraiths due to smite.
Moreover being not choppy enough and too expense due to the cost hike, they seem to be less useful atm.
I’ve shelved my Necrons and look forward to better days.

I'm really disappointed they didn't change whip coils into something more thematic, ie. Unit engaged can't fall back (... because they're tied up in the coils, making it impossible to escape).
Then would truly be the ultimate tarpit unit.

 skoffs wrote:
I'm really disappointed they didn't change whip coils into something more thematic, ie. Unit engaged can't fall back (... because they're tied up in the coils, making it impossible to escape).
Then would truly be the ultimate tarpit unit.

Indeed, I also see Wraiths in an exposed cc role.
Giving them pistols is unfluffy.
But GW has no idea - as often.

My unit of wraiths was built back in 5th Ed so 4 out of the 6 have whip coils. I was considering removing all the coils with 8th Ed but have actually started liking them now. Yes they cost a bit extra but always being able to strike even when killed first is a nice bonus (more so, now with the damage buff from the codex)

It varies by dynasty,

Sautekh - Transdimensional beamers seem to be the choice here, as you can get a lot of work done with shooting. The combination of relentless advance and wraithflight, means you'll fall back, add an average of 12 s4 ap -3 shots that hit on a 3+ to your output, and then charge right back into combat. The numbers are not bad, for 14 points (a 25% increase in unit cost) you get you get a 50% bump in effectiveness against TEQ, and a118% increase in damage against MEQ. If you manage to stay in CC on your opponent's turn (unlikely since the units you want to be in CC with are not the units that will stay in CC with you), you halve those values since you'll get to attack in CC twice for every one time you get to shoot. So at the low end it's always worth it to take the beamer against MEQ, and neutral vs TEQ, but a more likely application of the math says you should always take them on sautekh.

CC (TEQ)
2/3 * 2/3 * 1/2 * 3 * 2 = 1.3 wounds per wraith

CC (MEQ)
2/3 * 2/3 * 1/2 * 3 = .65 wounds per wraith

Shooting (TEQ)
(2/3 * 1/2 * 2/3 * 2) + (2/3 * 1/6 * 2) = .66 wounds per wraith

Shooting (MEQ)
(2/3 * 1/2 * 2/3 * 2) + (2/3 * 1/6 * 2) = .77 wounds per wraith

It's worth noting that the numbers for other dynasties will be worse by about a third, so it ends up iffy against MEQ and not worth it vs TEQ.

Mephrit - Necrons favorite shooty boyz are probably best off taking the particle caster, it's a low risk low reward kind of thing since it only cost 8% of the base units cost, and adds 10% to the units effectiveness against TEQ, and 30% against MEQ, halved of course if you can manage to stay in CC.

CC TEQ
2/3 * 2/3 * 1/2 * 3 * 2 = 1.3

CC MEQ
2/3 * 2/3 * 1/2 * 3 = .75

Shooting TEQ
2/3 * 2/3 * 1/3 = .14

Shooting MEQ
2/3 * 2/3 * 1/2 = .22

If you are not one of those two dynasties, I'd probably take a pass on upgrading wraiths wargear.

Sautek for T.Beamers.
Mephrit for P.Casters.
Novokh for W.Coils.
Nephrekh for naked w/ 6" advance.
Nihilakh for ... don't do Nihilakh Wraiths.