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Wave Serpents got a little nerf with the new Eldar codex (thank goodness), but I will still be fielding mine (as I have been since 4th ed)

Just to recap the nerfs
-Scatterlasers no longer twin-link other weapons
-Serpent Shield shooting mode is 24" str6 2d6 shots One-use-only and after it is used the "shield" function also goes away for the rest of the game
-Holofields no longer give +1 cover, but instead give 5++ (arguably this could mean the Serpent does need to jink, but a 5++ is not the same a 3+ cover)

Even with those nerfs, the Serpent is still a good choice (maybe even balanced!), especially since they can still be ObSec. But assuming the weapons options cost the same and that Scatter lasers are not mandatory (and will probably be abundant on Jetbikes), do any of the other weapons stand out?

Leave the TL Shuricannons on the turrent and add the underslug Shuricannon could make a nice str6 bladestorming Gunboat. Once you have taken a hull point or 2, having the shield up is pointless, so you could unleash the 2d6 shots. All weapons having the same range and Str = Synergy.

Or you could add a TL Brightlance for anti-tank duty.

Thounghts?

-

Depends on what is being ferried around. For instance, Dire Avengers, Guardians, that sort of thing, I'd be surprised if Starcannons don't make a reappearance. AP2 might be very valuable and its only one shot less than the Shuriken Cannon with better range, but I know I'm keeping Shuriken's on when I slap my Scorpions in one. Reasons you mentioned. It will be a very aggressive unit now at very close range. Might end up being a very big kite or spear point for Bikes with more Cannons.

 Galef wrote:


Even with those nerfs, the Serpent is still a good choice (maybe even balanced!), especially since they can still be ObSec. But assuming the weapons options cost the same and that Scatter lasers are not mandatory (and will probably be abundant on Jetbikes), do any of the other weapons stand out?

Leave the TL Shuricannons on the turrent and add the underslug Shuricannon could make a nice str6 bladestorming Gunboat. Once you have taken a hull point or 2, having the shield up is pointless, so you could unleash the 2d6 shots. All weapons having the same range and Str = Synergy.

Or you could add a TL Brightlance for anti-tank duty.

Thounghts?

-

Quite honestly, I will live with the jetbikes as long as I have a better chance to blow up Wave Serpents. These things cost me so many games, I really don't like seeing them.

Which is exactly why I want to put close range guns on mine and shove it at the enemy, complete with Infiltrate. Nothing like a Serpent 6 inches away at the end of Turn 1 to be the main thing everyone wants to kill. The Distraction Carnifex just got an upgrade.

 Galef wrote:

Or you could add a TL Brightlance for anti-tank duty.

Thounghts?

-

Granted you wouldn't have obsec, but wouldn't walkers be better at anti-tank than WSs could ever dream of being?

True. And I suppose it is better to have a multi-shot weapon on the Serpent anyway, to take advantage of being twin-linked.

So far it looks like Shuricannon, Starcannon, or even just keep the Scatlaser are all the best choices

In my eldar experiments with the current codex, I used brightlances. I don’t shoot the shield for philosophical reasons, so the need for the laser lock didn’t dictate the scatters up top. I did find it a nice place to put some extra anti-tank fire into my list. While I did generally use a squad a fire dragons, I dislike having a single point of failure in my lists. Always have a backup plan. Heavy armor is one of those things that can turn a game into rock/paper/scissors if you can’t counter it, so I make sure I can.

I am a fan of keeping the scatterlaser on there since most of the time they are for objective grabs/defense.

Possibly a double shuriken cannon build would be interesting as well.

Heavy stubber. Definitely the heavy stubber

 luke1705 wrote:
Heavy stubber. Definitely the heavy stubber

Brain addled by Chaos, clearly.

It seems that the Missile launcher may come with all 3 modes as standard (including the skyfire version). Does anyone think that is worth it? It only costs 3 meltabombs

 Galef wrote:
It seems that the Missile launcher may come with all 3 modes as standard (including the skyfire version). Does anyone think that is worth it? It only costs 3 meltabombs

The brb is clear that missile launchers only come with frag and krak standard.

....not sure if sarcasm...

The "Eldar" Missile Launcher from their codex comes with 3 fire modes.

 Galef wrote:
It seems that the Missile launcher may come with all 3 modes as standard (including the skyfire version). Does anyone think that is worth it? It only costs 3 meltabombs

Then that's my pick. IMO, all ML's should get the flakk for free, it would make the ML worth taking again.

-Matt

It really depends what's embarked upon them, e.g. a unit with d-scythes may not want to kill the rhino so bring a lance so they can kill the bunched stuff inside, FD's won't need help killing a LR but you may want to bring a starcannon/Shurikan cannon to help deal with the troops that come out.

I think in most cases the Scatterlaser is still the optimal choice. It's highly effective against anything except heavy armor, beautifully multi-purpose, has a decent range, and still synergizes best with using the shield as a weapon.

The Bright Lance remains too specialized with too low a rate of fire for the platform as a whole, while the EML is more expensive, not actually much better at AA work, and largely only is superior against heavier vehicles. The Shuriken Cannon, while having Bladestorm, has fewer shots and shorter range and you can always take a Shuricannon underslung if you want. Starcannon just has too few shots and short range to justify the AP2 for the platform as a whole I feel.