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In a semi-competitive meta, how would I build an allied Shining Spear unit when allying into DE? I was thinking a unit of 6 with Exarch w/ Star Lance lead by a Shard Seer (I want access to the Farseer for Guide on Ravagers) would be the best but I have had a lot of success with the Mantle Seer and I am thinking even with such a big unit around him it still a down grade in survivability. Would this unit be as effective without a Shard Seer, because the Spears biggest weakness is attacks and Prescience would really help them pack a punch and fearless is ALWAYS helpful. Are they effective without the Seer with just an Exarch?

Not that it over matters much, if I wanted super competitive I would pick WS but I just love the look of Shining Spears and want them to be effective.

Well, if you want a Jetseer with guide (prescience and psychic shriek) supporting your units, then give him a mantle and let her be on her own.
The shining spears are a mediocre unit and best supported by a Jetseer or/and an Autarch on jetbike.

Exarch with star lance is questionable. The exarch provides the absolutely needed hit & run, so you don't want the exarch in front of the unit. If he's not in front, there will be many instances when his Star Lance is out of it's 6"range. It's usually a wasted upgrade.

If this is your only CC unit, I would ditch the Exarch and take Baron Sathonix for hit and run instead.
If you want to make this unit kill stuff, it needs the farseer for prescience IMO.

 Nivoglibina wrote:
Exarch with star lance is questionable. The exarch provides the absolutely needed hit & run, so you don't want the exarch in front of the unit. If he's not in front, there will be many instances when his Star Lance is out of it's 6"range. It's usually a wasted upgrade.

If this is your only CC unit, I would ditch the Exarch and take Baron Sathonix for hit and run instead.
If you want to make this unit kill stuff, it needs the farseer for prescience IMO.

The Star Lance is absolutely worth it since it is S8 AP2 in CC too.

 warpspider89 wrote:

The Star Lance is absolutely worth it since it is S8 AP2 in CC too.

Sure, the unit will be more all-round with it. But for the points it's disappointing for me. For me the ap2 is largely useless as you don't want to run into TeQ anyway, I'd use them to hold up a speedy assault unit for a turn or go after backfield artillery/devastors/camping units or the odd side armour (where the star lance will help).

The exarch with hit & run, star lance totals 60 points. Make sure you have another character in the units because you dont want him fighting challenges; he's the one providing h&r.