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This thread is for what it says on the tin.

I've pretty much decided on Dark Elves as my second army, after Lizardmen. I like how they can be played as a fast, vicious, and aggressive, rather than plodding, tough, and reactive. I like how they can also be played very shooty, rather than dependent upon melee. I like how they can still participate in the magic phase, but aren't quite as magic-focused as your typical Slaan list. I've been noodling around with the army book, and I think I've got some good ideas, but I'd like to learn more.

I have some specific questions, though of course I'm curious to hear whatever you have to say:
1) Who are the winners and losers of the Dark Elf army book, in terms of units and upgrades?
2) There seem to be several sub-armies in the Dark Elf book - the Cult of Khaine, the armies of the noble houses, the elite forces of the Witch-King, the corsairs - how well do they play together? Should an army list be heavily seated in one faction, with the others as supporting elements, or equally distributed between them?
3) How should I begin? Is the battalion box a good get?

1) Clear winners? Hydras, cauldrons of blood, wizards. All three work so well that adding them into any type of build makes the army stronger.
Losers? I'd say there aren't any. All the units can be at least decent. Repeater Bolt Throwers, Black Guard and Executioners seem to get some flak, but others will immediately jump in with the "I use them and they work".

2) Only real limitaion is not being able to put characters (other than assassins and witch elves) into units of Executioners and witch elves.

3) Set one, decide how many models you want to paint. Dark elves can work great as a horde army (60 spearmen blocks are awesome), or as elite shoot and scoot force.
Best to pick a few of the models you like the look of, and go from there.

-Matt

I know Ben Curry is devoted enough to self promotion that he probably doesn't need this plug, but there's a 15 minute down and dirty review of recommendations for Dark Elves on one of the latest Bad Dice daily podcasts.

He's at his best when he's talking tactics, and this was a pretty good one.

Hawaii Matt has good points, though. I'd add pendant wearing pegasus riders to the list of winers too. As for losers, I think the book as a whole is pretty spoiled for choice. Not any absolute turkeys in the lot.

And to answer your question on the battalion box set, yes it is a great deal. Everything in that box you will use!

furbyballer wrote:
And to answer your question on the battalion box set, yes it is a great deal. Everything in that box you will use!

Well, you're less likely to use the CoK compared to the Corsairs, RXB, and Spearmen without tailoring your list to make them work.

But that's mainly a problem with 8E 'Infantryhammer' in general than with the DE battalion in particular.