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I've been wanting to start Eldar for a long time now but i was wondering about the assault side of the army.
Seeing that most units (only been glancing the new codex as i don't own it yet) have 1 attack how do Eldar manage a more assault themed list?

I would like half or two-thirds of the army to be mobile and shooty like regular Eldar but would also like to have a portion of my army being able to assault. Mostly because i like a little assaulting

Do i do that with Eldar or do i ally in some assault oriented models? Or is Eldar a bad choice for an army when wanting to dedicate that many points into assault?

Eldar have some of the best assault units in the game!

While you are correct that most units have 1 attack, the assault units typically have more than 1 CCW, special rules and weapons as well as mobility buffs to make sure they charge.

Striking scorpions have the extra attack from 2 CCW, plus the mandiblaster attack, good save and infiltrate plus fleet along with stealth and potentially shrouded. They have S4 making it higher than the typical elder model as well.

Banshees loose a point of armour to the scorpions but pick up a better CCW in the form of a power sword, a buff to their run distance and the immunity to overwatch plus the virtually guaranteed strike first bonus. They have a lower S and less attacks than scorps but are potentially better VS their preferred targets - Marines.

Wraith blades are slower than both without a transport but pack a higher T, good save and rage to boot so when they do charge - they bring the pain! Packing either 2 CCW with AP3 or a ++ save with an Axe, they hit hard but typically take longer to get there.

Shining spears are great, very mobile assault troops with good AP but lack the volume of attacks of the other choices. The fact the other 3 are elites while the SS are fast makes it an easier call (unless like me you already filled your FA slots!). Very pricey but marine durable they are an assassin style assault unit - picking on smaller squads and killing them dead on the charge.

Craftworld Eldar can definitely assault!

Sticking with battle brother allies, Dark Eldar bring Incubi as an option though they again are a very specific type of killer - marines and terminators - but lack grenades. They do access fast open topped vehicles though which is great for any assault unit.

Your other option is harlequins - again battle brothers. These can be problematic to get into an army due to the restrictive nature of the FOC they have as well as limited formations. They die easily, having the worst save (5++) and low T of 3. They do hit light a freight train when loaded up just right and will blow through just about any target when supported right. The Cast of players formation is your best option to keep it small and easy to add.

hope that helps!

 Massaen wrote:
Eldar have some of the best assault units in the game!

I'm sorry, wut?

In my honest opinion, Eldar are not an assault army. They have some units that can do decently. Wraithblades aren't bad now, and Striking Scorpions are pretty nifty. But they aren't fantastic in assault, I've seen it first hand. Not to let you down, but this is just from what I've seen.

Scorpions have 1A on the statline, but 2 close combat weapons. So they hae 2 attacks. Also mandiblasters.

Banshees also have 2 CCW.

They are also cheap. Not sure if they are cheap enough to make an assault army work.

It would be fun to try loads of assault options buffed by an avatar.

The obvious assault option in the book is the ... (whispers) ... wraithknight.

EDIT: much ninjering while I checked my codex...

 krodarklorr wrote:

 Massaen wrote:
Eldar have some of the best assault units in the game!

I'm sorry, wut?

In my honest opinion, Eldar are not an assault army. They have some units that can do decently. Wraithblades aren't bad now, and Striking Scorpions are pretty nifty. But they aren't fantastic in assault, I've seen it first hand. Not to let you down, but this is just from what I've seen.

There's a difference between having some of the best assault units, and being an assault based army

Compared to most other assault units, the Eldar options are pretty damn good

 krodarklorr wrote:

 Massaen wrote:
Eldar have some of the best assault units in the game!

I'm sorry, wut?

In my honest opinion, Eldar are not an assault army. They have some units that can do decently. Wraithblades aren't bad now, and Striking Scorpions are pretty nifty. But they aren't fantastic in assault, I've seen it first hand. Not to let you down, but this is just from what I've seen.

I never said they were an assault army. I said they have some of the best assault units - and point for point they do.

Striking scorpions have infiltrate and while in cover a 2++ save until they shoot or fight and when they do charge, they have grenades plus 3 attacks each PLUS the mandiblaster attack which is an auto hit and wounds on a 4+ not to mention move through cover and the exarch with his S6 Ap2 fist that fights at initiative 6 and stats that (with the exception of T) are equal to or better than a MEQ.... and the whole unit of 10 is only just 210 points. 40 attacks from these 10 eldar with all the buffs they have for 210 points. Not many units like being charged by scorpions and the lower your save, the worse off you are. Not a unit I would call 'nifty'. Running them in the Aspect shrine formation with the WS boost makes them even more deadly.

Banshees are so cheap that for the cost of a single banshee - most other armies can't even BUY the power sword these models carry. That's before you factor in the solid stat line, the bonus to run, the bonus on the charge and immunity to over watch.

The main issue eldar suffer is getting these units to assault intact.

As long as they can function decently i'm happy with it. I had an idea that doing a list with a Wraithknight, with sword, a Hemlock, a few units of wraithguard (which will probably also incluse wraithblades now), a group of rangers, some bikes and farseer/spiritseer. Probably won't be winning any tournaments but seems to fit me rather well.

So now to buy the codex so i can start to stat out an army before buying. Really happy with your replies Thank you

zaible wrote:
As long as they can function decently i'm happy with it. I had an idea that doing a list with a Wraithknight, with sword, a Hemlock, a few units of wraithguard (which will probably also incluse wraithblades now), a group of rangers, some bikes and farseer/spiritseer. Probably won't be winning any tournaments but seems to fit me rather well.

So now to buy the codex so i can start to stat out an army before buying. Really happy with your replies Thank you

Dunno sounds like a tournie list Wraithknight and hemlock are both looking rather strong, while wraithguard aren't exactly a poor choice But yeh the aspects have really been improved this codex.