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I'm trying to think of a new army to start! Which one would you choose and why? My main army I'll be fighting is Tau!

Glutton for punishment eh? ...uphill battle with either but I think Orks would be more fun.

If you're already going to be made of paper, make it lethal paper. Dark Eldar are pretty cool, and very unique on the table top! Plus, there's a fare amount of "scary!" in the army that can really hamper the low leadership Tau.

That depends. Both armies are gonna have a hard time against Tau (rely on cover saves, weak armor, fragile), but both play very differently.

Orks are more blunt and definitely are a "Charge straight at them" army.

Dark Eldar are more complex and more a "sneak/run around them, then strike when their back is turned" army.

If you're looking to ally (especially with Eldar), Dark Eldar.
Otherwise, the Orks are miles ahead.

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder it's clear to me at least that Dark Eldar has one of the best model ranges GW has ever produced. Orks are perfect for conversion fodder but if you want to put the time in to making an army look fantastic Dark Eldar are certainly the way to go.

And while I'd agree Orks would find the match up easier straight out of the codex, Dark Eldar edge past Orks when you include Covenite and Harlequin allies (ignoring Eldar, allying Eldar in just feels dirty while Harlequins feel...right).

Also something to consider is that Tau are one of the few races in the game that actually suffer from Leadership and Dark Eldar (w/ possible Harlequins and Covenites) are one of the only armies to exploit that weakness. It may be a little presumptuous to say as well but i feel Dark Eldar play style might be more rewarding to play then Orks due to their fragile and specialised play style, but that's just my opinion.

 Yarium wrote:
If you're already going to be made of paper, make it lethal paper. Dark Eldar are pretty cool, and very unique on the table top! Plus, there's a fare amount of "scary!" in the army that can really hamper the low leadership Tau.

Tau have a bad time against Freakshow tactics.

In a straight shooting match, tau are going to be better than dark eldar. Might as well get in there and exploit the tau weakness with some good ol' fashioned KRUMPIN'

Orks are also tons of fun and the models wont snap and break in transport. You ever try to transport a fully assembled raider with all the sails and guns and guys hanging off?

Battlewagons move much easier.

Oh and if you do go with orks. get battlewagons. Battelwagons front AV14 is hard for tau to break. they have a lot of shooting, but not much at s8 or higher.

I own both.

Dark Eldar have lost their soul since the codex got savaged by the cretins at GW. As you have no previous experience with them, then you likely won't know the difference and may think they're entertaining enough as they are now without any sense of loss.

Gorgeous models, need to rely on Eldar to make them effective.

Orks have lost a bit of flavour over the years and much of the humour, but are still entertaining. If modelling is something you enjoy, then I'd recommend Orks for the modding and scratch building options. My Orks have become a kitbashing project for pleasure rather than any serious army.


Neither Dark Eldar or Orks are particularly competitive unless you're playing the following: Dark Eldar, Orks, Chaos, Tyranids, IG (some builds) and Blood Angels. If you play anything else then I expect it'll be less enjoyable.

As an opportunity to paint however, Dark Eldar by far.
As an opportunity to kitbash, Orks by far.

In short, choose for painting or modelling. Otherwise, I'd strongly suggest something else if it's the game you enjoy

 Wulfmar wrote:
I own both.

Dark Eldar have lost their soul since the codex got savaged by the cretins at GW. As you have no previous experience with them, then you likely won't know the difference and may think they're entertaining enough as they are now without any sense of loss.

Gorgeous models, need to rely on Eldar to make them effective.

Orks have lost a bit of flavour over the years and much of the humour, but are still entertaining. If modelling is something you enjoy, then I'd recommend Orks for the modding and scratch building options. My Orks have become a kitbashing project for pleasure rather than any serious army.


Neither Dark Eldar or Orks are particularly competitive unless you're playing the following: Dark Eldar, Orks, Chaos, Tyranids, IG (some builds) and Blood Angels. If you play anything else then I expect it'll be less enjoyable.

As an opportunity to paint however, Dark Eldar by far.
As an opportunity to kitbash, Orks by far.

In short, choose for painting or modelling. Otherwise, I'd strongly suggest something else if it's the game you enjoy

I agree with the painting and kitbashing part, but dark eldar are quite good unless you're playing some tfg cheese or are going to be fighting the more ridiculous codexs (vanilla Spess mureenz, eldar, tau)

As long as his opponent isnt running a super competitive list it might lead to some fun DE vs Tau, loads of movement, and if he runs them as part of the corsairs (new favourite army by far!) Then he gets some really nice buffs and lighting speed!