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I have have been fortunate enough to procure a Wood Elf battalion. What do you think of that? Wasn’t even on my list of things to do, but there seemed to be a good deal on an set on eBay so I snagged it. I had you guys debating skeletons, vampires, and chaos warriors for my planned armies and I went and did this. Mix it up, that’s what I do.

It was the Dryads that got me honestly. Even tho my little army list can only afford 5.

Commander 65
Mage 65
Glade Riders (5) 95
- Champion 15
- Standard 15
- Musician 15
Glade Guard (10) 80
- Champion 10
- Standard 10
- Musician 10
Archers (10) 120
- Champion 10
- Standard 10
- Musician 10
Dryads (5) 155

Total: 685

Not sure how I will spend the leftover 15 points yet. This is using Ravening Hordes. It looks like I would have a lot more options with Core units in their Army book but I am a long ways away going that route.

So what do you think, suckas?

Also, these batallion boxes seem to contain more points than my starter set armies so it looks like I might have to some day go back and pick up an extra unit of some of my earlier armies. I thought about selling some of the extras, but I have the feeling I will regret it some dozen years from now.

What? No one likes the Wood Elves?









I WILL ENSLAVE YOU ALL!!!

I vaguely remember playing against them years ago, but from what I remember, glade guard are good against ranged units because of the hit modifiers, wild riders are mobile little buggers and dryads are cool.
What's interesting is that a lot of their army seems to be skirmishers, which means that they are a bit more flexible and adaptable than most other armies.

Anyway, good find. Now that GW has gotten rid of square bases its getting harder and harder to add to WHFB army or start a new one. I guess they really want to push sigmarines and co.

At this point I will wait until you have enough Getting Started or Battalion boxsets for all the armies in WHFB.

Because then you will start buying a second one and your potential armies will be big enough to sink teeth into.

I dont really know wood elves well enough to comment.

Command on archers is wasted points, use the points you save from that to maybe either bulk out the Glade Guard or to add more Dryads.

Also, the Glade Guard in Ravening Hordes are armed with Spears and Shield, are there even models in the Battalion to do that with? If not, you'll have to look for matching Spear arms somewhere as well as some Elven Shields.

I know I'm going to catch flak for this, but in my mind it'd be in your best interest to lose the combat Hero and bulk your mage up to Level 2. Wand of Jet also comes in really handy for that guy.





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 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
I vaguely remember playing against them years ago, but from what I remember, glade guard are good against ranged units because of the hit modifiers, wild riders are mobile little buggers and dryads are cool.
What's interesting is that a lot of their army seems to be skirmishers, which means that they are a bit more flexible and adaptable than most other armies.

Anyway, good find. Now that GW has gotten rid of square bases its getting harder and harder to add to WHFB army or start a new one. I guess they really want to push sigmarines and co.

Bear in mind that he's going by Ravening Hordes exclusively for now, so some of those Wood Elves rules don't apply.

Agreed with getting rid of the command from the archers, been a while since I played Ravening Hordes but remember both the Hail of Doom arrow (given to a champion) and the Bow of Loren given to a character on eagle to be pretty common.

Ehhhhhhhhhhh, with as pricy as Elves of all varieties are, focusing on magic doodads wouldn't be wise at his chosen point level. When he ups it to 1,000, then we'll talk.

Well I took his question to mean what to do with the models he has? If asking about how to expand then I would say lots more archers, some wardancers and waywatchers/scouts.

But with what he has I would definitely say strip out the command group from the archers (at least the banner and musician) which leaves 35pts, with no more models to add then the trusty hail of doom fills in nicely. Its been years since I looked at the list but recall its 25pts and 3d6 longbow shots, one use only.

Edit; to clarify I mean keep the unit at 10 hippies just don't pay for the upgrades to standard and musician.

I know, and by limiting himself to the boxed set he's going to be behind the eight ball a bit. It's built around Glade Riders being Core, and in Ravening Hordes they are still Special. That there is a hiccup in getting a "legal" 700 point force. If memory serves there are spear arms on the Glade Rider sprues, he may be able to whip up some RH Glade Guard fairly easy, provided he can find enough Spear bits. The biggest issue would be making sure it has enough models to be combat effective.

It is a very melee orientated list which is a problem for WE (well outside of WD and walking trees). As the whole T3 and no armour thing really sucks... Cant find my copy of Hordes (actually found my 1987 version though!) but I thought sub 1000pts you had to have 2+ core and 0-3 special? With both archers and GG as core? Why 700 anyway?

Okay, here's the low-down:

The OP is basing his army building around the starter sets, and those forces came in at about 700 points each, roughly. The current plan is that he's building each army at that point and will be hosting 6th Edition games. From there, we're wagering he'll lean towards 1,000 points for each.

Next, per 6th Edition composition rules, any army less than 2,000 points needs a general and 2 Core regiments as a requirement. Specials are 0-3, but not mandatory, and Rares are 0-1.

Also, though he has the Battalion box, he'll still have to buy his characters, so adding to the box is still a possibility.

Like I said, I'd snag the Spear arms from the Riders, build the Riders with bows, and then go from there.

He could also get an Eagle - very useful for both Wood and High Elves!

 Just Tony wrote:
Okay, here's the low-down:

The OP is basing his army building around the starter sets, and those forces came in at about 700 points each, roughly. The current plan is that he's building each army at that point and will be hosting 6th Edition games. From there, we're wagering he'll lean towards 1,000 points for each.

Next, per 6th Edition composition rules, any army less than 2,000 points needs a general and 2 Core regiments as a requirement. Specials are 0-3, but not mandatory, and Rares are 0-1.

Also, though he has the Battalion box, he'll still have to buy his characters, so adding to the box is still a possibility.

Like I said, I'd snag the Spear arms from the Riders, build the Riders with bows, and then go from there.

Ahh cool. That makes sense. Agree with you on the riders with bows and also a musician as you need one for reform in 6th. So he has two heroes, two core and two special... Well hero character on eagle, with bow of loren is a good shout if he has to buy it. Otherwise I would be taking as many bow armed hippies as possible and keep any melee stuff for counter attacking when the oppo reaches your lines, was one of the wonders of old wardancers, especially for the dance that means you cannot be hurt for a turn. Does the RH list include the free mobile forest?

 Just Tony wrote:
Command on archers is wasted points, use the points you save from that to maybe either bulk out the Glade Guard or to add more Dryads.

Yeah, I know. The same thing with Empire handgunners and Orc Arrer boys, but I have already started doing that as the later box sets included them in all the units, and I had the extra models. So at this point I might as well add them. To be honest, I love how they look. But you are right, it is a waste of points.



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 Just Tony wrote:
Okay, here's the low-down:

The OP is basing his army building around the starter sets, and those forces came in at about 700 points each, roughly. The current plan is that he's building each army at that point and will be hosting 6th Edition games. From there, we're wagering he'll lean towards 1,000 points for each.

I am the OP and can confirm. I initially bought the 6th edition set ages ago, with some extra Orcs and Empire. Then bought the 7th and 8th sets, and decided to just build around the starter army sizes. I like variety and its been fun trying out the different flavors. So I have decided to expand and collect some of the other armies released during 6th, and found the Battalion boxes are a great way to do that. In some cases not even using all the models either.

And Tony is prob right, in some cases I have extra models if I just settle with 700 armies, but this also means I I might extend the size to 1000 points at some point, but for now its more about building a nice plate of appetizers than settling on one main course.

And I have to be honest, I am hooked.

 CthuluIsSpy wrote:


Anyway, good find. Now that GW has gotten rid of square bases its getting harder and harder to add to WHFB army or start a new one. I guess they really want to push sigmarines and co.

This is only really an issue if you want official GW ones. There are other makes that might not be identical but work just as well. Still if you know anyone from 6th edition they usually have boxes of spare bases. Back in the 'good old days' the packaging usually included spare bases as they would pack in them 4's regardless of how many you needed.

 KTG17 wrote:

 Just Tony wrote:
Command on archers is wasted points, use the points you save from that to maybe either bulk out the Glade Guard or to add more Dryads.

Yeah, I know. The same thing with Empire handgunners and Orc Arrer boys, but I have already started doing that as the later box sets included them in all the units, and I had the extra models. So at this point I might as well add them. To be honest, I love how they look. But you are right, it is a waste of points.

I feel your pain, I add command groups to goblins for the look and feel. Even though it adds 50% to the cost of the unit to do so.
I love 6th edition starter sets, the miniatures are simple and unbusy and the contents are good. However I recommend getting your hands on at least two so you have decent sized units anda command group for each, both human and orc. Yes that will take you above 700pts, but swaps yes.

 KTG17 wrote:

I am the OP and can confirm. I initially bought the 6th edition set ages ago, with some extra Orcs and Empire. Then bought the 7th and 8th sets, and decided to just build around the starter army sizes. I like variety and its been fun tryign out the different flavors. So I have decided to expand on some of the other armies released during 6th, and found the Battalion boxes are a great way to do that. In some cases not even using all the models either.

It would help to know what Wood elf boxset you have. Because Glade Guard changed its definition. Frankly I prefer the old nomenclature. Glade Guard sounded better as a melee unit.

Suggest you IGNORE THE ADVICE TO: scavenge Glade Rider spears to make elf spearmen. The Glade riders should be assembled with spears, you need them. Though can buy a boxset of Eternal Guard for spearelves. Frankly with armies this small I would rely entirely on skirmish archers, evade combat with them, and whittle down while using dryads to harass and the cavalry for the knock out punch or to ride down opposing skirmishers. I think with your small flavour lists going for a denial focus for Wood Elves would be a good way of having something different. You have several micro-armies so each can afford only one or two themes at most, and it helps to go with the tropes. In this case wood elves are annoying bow flingers that wont stand still and face you toe to toe. Laterwhen you add to these armies you can think about adding melee units.

 KTG17 wrote:

And Tony is prob right, in some cases I have extra models if I just settle with 700 armies, but this also means I I might extend the size to 1000 points at some point, but for now its more about building a nice plate of appetizers than settling on one main course.

For now. You carry on believing that.

 KTG17 wrote:

And I have to be honest, I am hooked.

We call it plastic crack for a reason.

TIP: Unless you are already lucky and have some completely write off the Tomb Kings and Bretonnians factions. You will be lucky to get them without paying through the nose or getting old messed up miniatures. If you dont even begin to collect them there is no loss. I would add Chaos Dwarfs to that list but Forge World do sell the current range. Also if Forge World's prices dont appeal you can buy a very nice Chaos Dwarf army from Mantic.
Beastmen are returning very soon, and you should be able to get a good starter force from the upcoming Getting Started beasts of Chaos boxset, with maybe box of gors or ungors.
Ogre Kingdoms have a lot of items missing from the line, get lucky online or leave this faction be.
All other factions can be sourced from Games Workshop or retailers, though you will need to hunt down units under their new names.

Wood Elf archers in Ravening Hordes didn't skirmish, if memory serves. You had to have Rangers or Waywatchers to get skirmishers.

Nah they couldn't, Dryads, Scouts and Waywatchers could.
Edit; and of course War dancers.

Arent archers and scouts one and the same, you just paid extra to upgrade. Or is that from the 6th army book only?

 Orlanth wrote:
Arent archers and scouts one and the same, you just paid extra to upgrade. Or is that from the 6th army book only?

That was from the 6th AB where Archers became Glade Guard and Glade Riders got both spears and bows as standard.

ingtaer wrote:

 Just Tony wrote:
Okay, here's the low-down:

The OP is basing his army building around the starter sets, and those forces came in at about 700 points each, roughly. The current plan is that he's building each army at that point and will be hosting 6th Edition games. From there, we're wagering he'll lean towards 1,000 points for each.

Next, per 6th Edition composition rules, any army less than 2,000 points needs a general and 2 Core regiments as a requirement. Specials are 0-3, but not mandatory, and Rares are 0-1.

Also, though he has the Battalion box, he'll still have to buy his characters, so adding to the box is still a possibility.

Like I said, I'd snag the Spear arms from the Riders, build the Riders with bows, and then go from there.

Ahh cool. That makes sense. Agree with you on the riders with bows and also a musician as you need one for reform in 6th. So he has two heroes, two core and two special... Well hero character on eagle, with bow of loren is a good shout if he has to buy it. Otherwise I would be taking as many bow armed hippies as possible and keep any melee stuff for counter attacking when the oppo reaches your lines, was one of the wonders of old wardancers, especially for the dance that means you cannot be hurt for a turn. Does the RH list include the free mobile forest?

The Acorn of Ages was introduced in the Wood Elves list that premiered in White Dwarf, and can also be found in Warhammer Chronicles 2003. That was the closest it had to plopping forests down until the Army Book came out.

Orlanth wrote:Arent archers and scouts one and the same, you just paid extra to upgrade. Or is that from the 6th army book only?

Archers in Ravening Hordes AND in the WD Wood Elves list were ranked units, Scouts were a separate entry in the Special column that could scout and skirmish. Waywatchers could do both of those and also had a "Hidden" rule applying to being in woods and the enemy needing a 4+ to spot them.



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EDIT:

One quick browse through ebay and GW's website tells me that you CAN'T get Eternal Guard online through GW currently, and the cheapest I saw on ebay was 40 shipped for 10 models. I didn't attempt to look for spear arms as I figured a plastic regiment would be good enough as is, as Orlanth said. If I have time to browse more while I'm supposed to be working, I'll give that a look.

 Just Tony wrote:


One quick browse through ebay and GW's website tells me that you CAN'T get Eternal Guard online through GW currently, and the cheapest I saw on ebay was 40 shipped for 10 models. I didn't attempt to look for spear arms as I figured a plastic regiment would be good enough as is, as Orlanth said. If I have time to browse more while I'm supposed to be working, I'll give that a look.

All you need for wood elf spears are a decent selection of elf heads.

You could add those to historical army human miniatures. Gripping Beast arabs would do. They are historical not heroic scale but wood elf archers are likely to be lithe. Make cloaks for them or use Fireforge games templars for the cloaks. Check out the above sprues online, then once you see what I am on about look for other sprues from fantasy and historical ranges to use.

Actually, if the Wood Elf heads fit on High Elf Spearmen well enough, you have your answer right there.

Think he would be better served getting more bowmen than spears, personally.

First off, he said he wants variety. Second, the Archers in the Ravening Hordes list don't have the perks that make their shooting as effective in the Army Book list. Third, his list that he made himself calls for Glade Guard, which are Spearmen under Ravening Hordes. So yeah, not more Archers.

Did he? Only in a post about more armies. So is this the box he has;

That is the box.


But, yet again, you need to look at the Ravening Hordes list for Wood Elves. Glade Guard in that list are Spearmen, which is a holdout from 5th Edition. Glade Guard were renamed Archers renamed in the Wood Elf book to give the Eternal Guard or whatever some validity. If you want Spears in your regiments post RH/WD supplement army list, you need Eternal Guard. What he wants is a pure Ravening Hordes list for now. Later, maybe he'll change his mind, but for now he's sticking to Ravening Hordes.





EDIT: Realized I made a massively stupid misordering of words...

Well, I wasn't sure what this Eternal Guard was peeps are talking about, and I went on eBay and spotted bitz for them to buy spears, and found box sets to the Eternal Guard. They are gorgeous models. Rather than just track down bits of shield and so on, I am going to just buy a box set of 10 of those guys and just refer to them as Glade Guard.

If I ever move beyond Ravening Hordes than I have the real deal.

 KTG17 wrote:
Well, I wasn't sure what this Eternal Guard was peeps are talking about, and I went on eBay and spotted bitz for them to buy spears, and found box sets to the Eternal Guard. They are gorgeous models. Rather than just track down bits of shield and so on, I am going to just buy a box set of 10 of those guys and just refer to them as Glade Guard.

If I ever move beyond Ravening Hordes than I have the real deal.

They are one and the same. When 'Eternal Guard first came out they had twinblade staves, the plastic kit you see still do. However the twin blade staves in 7th had the ability to give +1 armour save and +1 rank in combat.
It was explained that some warbands used simpler spear and shield instead, a throwback reference to the old 5th edition models.

As a result there are a lot of different loadouts that combined mean "Wood Elf spearmen".

The kit you are after has two builds. You can build the eternal Guard or you can build elves with great axes, a unit called the Rangers and available in the 8th army book.
You might take interest in this because you can make a hero with great axe out of this kit.

Yeah, grab that boxed set. It's pretty much what you want as far as Glade Guard, and can then be Eternal Guard if you decide to move up to the army book version of the list.