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How viable is this list in a semi-competitive setting? What changes would you make? I'd like to keep everything on foot because this is a biel-tan themed army. I am willing to incorporate one wave serpent though. Let me know what you guys think.

Avatar of Khaine … 195

Farseer … 115
Spirit stone of anathlan

19 Guardians … 206
Warlock; EML

10 Guardians … 125
Warlock; EML

10 Guardians … 90
Brightlance

3 Vypers … 150
8 Shuricannons

3 War Walkers … 180
6 Scatterlasers

2 D-cannon platforms 110

Aspect Host: +1BS
6 Warp Spiders … 144
Exarch w/ Powerblades

5 Warp spiders … 105
Exarch

6 Swooping Hawks ... 106
Exarch

Aspect Host: +1WS (+1BS if banshees are useless for some reason)
2 x 6 Howling Banshees … 196
Exarch w/ Executioner

5 Striking Scorpions ... 125
Exarch w/ Scorpion's Claw

Total: 1873
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I went for the 6'' run instead of having objective secured to make up for the mobility loss of being on foot

UPDATE: Switched the fire dragons with a squad of warp spiders to put the fire dragons into the +1 BS aspect host; and I changed the weapon of the 20 guardian squad to 2 EML's.

I don't see why being biel-tan means everything should be on foot. Biel-tan focus on the path of the warrior. As such I wouldn't expect to see any of the guardian hosts, they have so many proper warriors they don't need so many guardians. Also I don't see why they would be opposed to using transports to keep their aspect warriors alive.

From the biel-tan page on the wiki:

When the Eldar of Biel-Tan go to war they assemble a warhost known as the Bahzhakhain which means "Swordwind" or "Tempest of Blades". The Swordwind's tactic is a single, swift strike taking the enemy by surprise.[2a] This tactic works considerably well with the elite fighting skills of the many Aspect Warriors eliminating the enemy before they can respond. The Biel-Tan therefore make perfect use of the speed and maneuverability of the Wave Serpents and Falcon Grav Tanks.

I would say you should definitely consider transports a viable option for your elites, especially fire dragons. Then swap the banshee for scorpions, infiltrate them so youre not walking the board with squishy incarnate. To make up the points drop the squad of 20 to 10, drop power blades (you don't want to assault with spiders), consider 3 of 5 for the spiders, or two of 6 and move the fire dragons to that host for +1 BS then run a third assault unit. Additionally I would strongly advise ML on the guardians because you have no other opportunity for sky fire and they're actually really good when they're free. If you can jig the points around footdar benefit greatly from the avatar, fearless and way scarier to get up close too, generally your best protection when walking.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Sorry missed avatar first read through

 roflmajog wrote:
I don't see why being biel-tan means everything should be on foot. Biel-tan focus on the path of the warrior. As such I wouldn't expect to see any of the guardian hosts, they have so many proper warriors they don't need so many guardians. Also I don't see why they would be opposed to using transports to keep their aspect warriors alive.

From the biel-tan page on the wiki:

When the Eldar of Biel-Tan go to war they assemble a warhost known as the Bahzhakhain which means "Swordwind" or "Tempest of Blades". The Swordwind's tactic is a single, swift strike taking the enemy by surprise.[2a] This tactic works considerably well with the elite fighting skills of the many Aspect Warriors eliminating the enemy before they can respond. The Biel-Tan therefore make perfect use of the speed and maneuverability of the Wave Serpents and Falcon Grav Tanks.

Thanks for the helps. I know that biel tan use wave serpents, but I'm realllllly tired of using wave serpents after 4 or 5 years of constant abuse.



@Danny1995

I've had terrible luck with striking scorpions, plus they're way more expensive than banshees. You're right about switching the fire dragons over though, I'm gonna re-post the list with some of the changes you suggested.

You haven't payed for the second EML in the 20 man guardian squad. The formation only gives you one free weapon per squad.
Also drop the powerblades on the spider exarch, generally spiders don't want to see combat, or if you must take them to be WYSIWYG at least put that exarch in the WS host.

I have never had good luck with 20 guardian blobs. Every time I run them, you lose 4-5 in shooting, take a morale check - FAIL - and then run off the board with such a big footprint. If your farseer is in there...yikes. Even at ld10 that's a big loss. Scorpions are awesome. Basically you take 5 with a claw exarch in there. The 4 regular guys are just extra wounds to get the exarch in there to smoke whatever you charged. CHALLENGE when he gets in combat. The higher your initiative over your opponent the more attacks you get. I charged a 5 man drop pod assault squad of blood angels and the exarch killed all 5 before they swung. Crazy good dice (6 attacks, 6 hits, 6 wounds - I had 3+ to hit and 2+ to wound) for sure, but still he's a monster in a challenge and needs to be center stage.

I second the point about dragons on foot. Any competent player will kill them right away. You don't like very mobile infantry that all carry melta guns live. Worried about serpent abuse? Run falcons! You can squadron now, and the cloudstrike special rule would be very Biel-Tan like.

Just because you get EML's for free I still would be hesitant to get them. With all your scatter laser and shuriken cannon fire you can hit/glance out flyers with a little help from guide. 24 scatter laser shots rerolling to hit on 6s should get you 1-2 hp a turn. Throw in 24 more shuriken cannon shots? Good to go. I actually really like starcannons with my guardians. 36" range, good strength at 6 and definite awesome with ap2. Pairs nice when the enemy get close enough to open up with your guardians.

my 2 cents man

I usually vote for EML just because I hate directing shots that are significantly better at glancing light armour (scatter lasers) or neutering infantry of all sorts (shuriken) to hope and pray for 6s against a flier. Also EML provides an opportunity to pen AV13 or less and glance AV14 fantastic capability. And its a template that neuter other Eldar in anything but heavy aspect or bikes, guard, orks, and tau infantry. As far as I'm concerned we're not guard, single shot weapons can still be our friends. Also, +1000000000000 to scorpion ex arch, have him challenge a cultists champion, then enjoy. ..

If you don't want transports then I'd suggest not using units that rely on them. Which means dropping the Fire Dragons and Howling Banshees in favor of Striking Scorpions and Swooping Hawks.