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Nothing crazy about this list, I feel our core units are rather mediocre in utility and mostly exist to bunker casters. Haven't pulled the trigger on the PH or Sisters, so that's a $200 decision that I can still change if other units would be better.

Archmage, Lv 4. Book of Hoeth, Talis. of Pres. 320 High or Life Magic
Mag3e, Lv 2. Dispel Scroll, Khaines Ring of Fury 170 High Magic
Noble, Sword of Striking, Enchanted Shield, Talis. of End. BSB, Heavy Armor 149

CORE:
25 Spearmen, Command, BoEF 265 (BSB)
25 Spearmen, Command 255 (Archmage)
5 Reavers, Spear, bow, Mus. 105

SPECIAL:
5 Dragon Princes, Mus. 155
24 Phoenix Guard, Command, Razor Standard 435 (lv2 here)
14 Swordmasters, Command 212

RARE:
1 Great Eagle 50
1 Frostheart Phoenix 240
10 Sisters of Avelorn 140

Army total 2496

Would I be better off swapping the PF for something else?

I generally find that a new utility tool in the new book is a prince with the Giant blade. He provides the Strength to pop most things, and provides the LD10 bubble. And he isn't that expensive now.

Normally, I say don't take lore of life, but seeing as you're running a defensive list (No big units of lions, swordsmasters or princes.) that dwellers is the best route to go.

I've been finding that the 4+ ward is more useful on the BSB, as he isn't in the high magic bunker. So this means that the level 4 can increase her ward quite easily, but the BSB still maintains quite a good ward.

Out of the phoenix/sisters, I'd go for double phoenix or a lot of sisters. The reason for this is because the phoenix debuff syncs really well with the rest of the army. And two debuffs is better than one.

The sisters work really well as they can pop hydras and Abombs with ease. They work in small units if you have bolt throwers and archers, otherwise, you need a biggish unit to do anything.

I'd beef up the Swordmasters a little, or use the points on something else. At 2500, fourteen Swordmasters is too little to do much significant damage, but too small to act as chaff drops and the like.

I also agree with thedarkavenger's points, though I will say that I've still used a small unit of sisters with very little other shooting to good effect.

 thedarkavenger wrote:


The sisters work really well as they can pop hydras and Abombs with ease. They work in small units if you have bolt throwers and archers, otherwise, you need a biggish unit to do anything.

Ok.i.am new to fantasy.... can you tell me what makes sisters good for hydra popping?

Thanks in advance.

 keeblerpowell wrote:

 thedarkavenger wrote:


The sisters work really well as they can pop hydras and Abombs with ease. They work in small units if you have bolt throwers and archers, otherwise, you need a biggish unit to do anything.

Ok.i.am new to fantasy.... can you tell me what makes sisters good for hydra popping?

Thanks in advance.

High BS, flaming(and Magical) shooting which negates the Hydra's Regeneration rule, meaning it only get's an armor save which isn't all that good.

Sisters are a good answer to Regen and Ethereal units.

 Aerethan wrote:

 keeblerpowell wrote:

 thedarkavenger wrote:


The sisters work really well as they can pop hydras and Abombs with ease. They work in small units if you have bolt throwers and archers, otherwise, you need a biggish unit to do anything.

Ok.i.am new to fantasy.... can you tell me what makes sisters good for hydra popping?

Thanks in advance.

High BS, flaming(and Magical) shooting which negates the Hydra's Regeneration rule, meaning it only get's an armor save which isn't all that good.

Sisters are a good answer to Regen and Ethereal units.

my wife uses a unit of 20 sisters with a hand maiden of the everqueen with potion of strength and reaver bow.


It's one nasty unit

 keeblerpowell wrote:

 thedarkavenger wrote:


The sisters work really well as they can pop hydras and Abombs with ease. They work in small units if you have bolt throwers and archers, otherwise, you need a biggish unit to do anything.

Ok.i.am new to fantasy.... can you tell me what makes sisters good for hydra popping?

Thanks in advance.

S4 flaming bows that apply amour piercing to the hydra. So it only gets a 6+ armour.

I see. Thanks very much. That sisters unit was what led me to high elves. Kinda glad they are not horrible! Lol


I was gonna play them either way! Lol

They are pricey(both in points and dollars) but their utility is high which makes them quite useful depending on your enemy.

Sisters look pricey, but for the amount of threat they put out against some armies, they are worth it. And they're still only 1 point more expensive than White Lions.

I like the repeater bolt throwers over the sisters.
The extra range, and the option for the S6 D3 wound no save shot is pretty good.
10 shots wounding on 5's and saving on 6's, is almost the exact same thing as 2 shots wounding on 3's and saving on 4's (doing multiple wounds D3).
Likewise, the repeaters give you better results against heavy cav. It isn't until an enemy is within 12" that the sisters are clearly better, and considering the S3 T3 A1 6+ armor, I don't want them within 12".

HawaiiMatt wrote:
I like the repeater bolt throwers over the sisters.
The extra range, and the option for the S6 D3 wound no save shot is pretty good.
10 shots wounding on 5's and saving on 6's, is almost the exact same thing as 2 shots wounding on 3's and saving on 4's (doing multiple wounds D3).
Likewise, the repeaters give you better results against heavy cav. It isn't until an enemy is within 12" that the sisters are clearly better, and considering the S3 T3 A1 6+ armor, I don't want them within 12".

Sisters vs RBTs is certainly a tough choice and, really, I think it comes down to personal preference. However, the Sisters do have the potential to be so much more, in a larger unit with a Handmaiden.

HawaiiMatt wrote:
I like the repeater bolt throwers over the sisters.
The extra range, and the option for the S6 D3 wound no save shot is pretty good.
10 shots wounding on 5's and saving on 6's, is almost the exact same thing as 2 shots wounding on 3's and saving on 4's (doing multiple wounds D3).
Likewise, the repeaters give you better results against heavy cav. It isn't until an enemy is within 12" that the sisters are clearly better, and considering the S3 T3 A1 6+ armor, I don't want them within 12".

In a standard army of 2400, you can fit the 4 bolt throwers AND sisters. And that, in conjunction to 600 points of archers, is when the High Elf Archery is at its best. The sisters take off regen, The bolt throwers take off cav, and the archers remove the regenless monsters.

 The Shadow wrote:

Sisters vs RBTs is certainly a tough choice and, really, I think it comes down to personal preference. However, the Sisters do have the potential to be so much more, in a larger unit with a Handmaiden.

I'd take both. Sisters have some bad match ups (anything that they need to move and shoot at more than 12").
I'm not sold on the handmaiden. She's nowhere near as good as the 140 points that she costs. I'd rather have 10 more sisters or 2 more bolt throwers. With that said, if you've already maxed out on rares, and have the specials you need, I can see the value in taking her.

-Matt

HawaiiMatt wrote:

 The Shadow wrote:

Sisters vs RBTs is certainly a tough choice and, really, I think it comes down to personal preference. However, the Sisters do have the potential to be so much more, in a larger unit with a Handmaiden.

I'd take both. Sisters have some bad match ups (anything that they need to move and shoot at more than 12").
I'm not sold on the handmaiden. She's nowhere near as good as the 140 points that she costs. I'd rather have 10 more sisters or 2 more bolt throwers. With that said, if you've already maxed out on rares, and have the specials you need, I can see the value in taking her.

-Matt

The handmaiden is one of the best choices for the combo of Reaver bow + Potion of Strength. Yes, she is more expensive than a noble, but she also provides quick to fire to her unit. And in the list she fits well in, that is almost invaluable.

Yeah, I've had a few test games with the Handmaiden, and she has been very effective. She's certainly a viable choice and it's a refreshing change from loading up on tons of large, special units and only wizards and a BSB for characters.

Quick to fire is nice, but 5" of movement isn't exactly awesome.
If they had skirmish I'd jump on them in a heartbeat.

-Matt