Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hi all,

I've been contemplating starting Eldar for awhile, and think it's about time to get started. What would you recommend buying to start a very basic army? I'm thinking core units that would be taken more often than not. I learned long ago buying new armies based on gut, unless I've been watching enough games I know exactly how every part of them work, is a poor choice. Let's say two price points: under $200, and under $400(not including codex)

Thoughts so far:
Battleforce box
Eldar Start Collecting box
Not sure on a good general purpose HQ yet.

Any advice is appreciated.

Troa

Honestly, that’s a pretty solid core. Eldar, being on the powerful side, have a lot of flex in how you put them together if you just want to play fun games at the FLGS.

I’d also look into getting one of the new armored assault boxes (WS, 5xDA). That plus the start collecting and battleforce should net you approximately an 850 point army. You could probably stretch it up to 1k with some upgrades (Just using rough numbers here)

Farsee on bike

3 jetbikes
10 DA in a WS
10 guardians in a WS

vyper

Fire Prism

Very mobile, themed Eldar force, but not spamming any of the broken stuff. Should do fine as a TAC list.

Start collecting is $85, Armored assault is $55, Battleforce ran at $115 IIRC. Assuming a reasonable discount, that’s in your price bracket.

Now if you want to make a more competitive list, you probably want to build differently. Lots of bikes, warp spiders, and wraithknights. The start collecting box is not a bad deal here, you want all the bike units, and get the prism for only a little bit more.

 troa wrote:
...Not sure on a good general purpose HQ yet...

It's the Farseer. Always the Farseer. If your compulsory HQ slot is anything else you're either in a format/event/environment that frowns on psykers, working on such a limited points budget that you need a cheaper HQ selection, or trying to do something themed or wacky.

Start Collecting plus the armoured assault box ($140) is a great beginning; you get effective mobile Troops, some armour to haul the big guns around, and a Farseer to be in charge and toss buffs about. If you're looking for a basic, solid core that can function in competitive or casual settings I'd say another three jetbikes, another mechanized infantry squad, and either War Walkers or the Support platform to expand to; you get mobile ObSec units with a good amount of firepower, and a selection of flexible and easily-magnetized big guns to point at hard targets.

Of course, if you're sitting in a massively competitive environment feel free to ignore all of that and gather as many Jetbikes as you can behind a Wraithknight or three and call it a day. It won't win you friends in a casual setting but it will certainly win you games.

Thank you both for the suggestions! Ultimately I want to keep my friends, but certainly with the ability to go competitive. Given the WK cost, I'll wait to buy any of those for now.

Any suggestions on things to add/remove from the list below? Is the Battleforce ($115 with shipping) actually worthwhile, or could I spend money better elsewhere? Are warp spiders worthwhile if there are only 5 of them?

Current buy list (comes out to $390)
Eldar farseer/Warlock Skyrunner
Eldar Start Collecting (4 bikes, fire prism)
Eldar Windriders (3 bikes)
Eldar Dire Avengers Skyblade(armored assault box) (WS and 5 DA)
Eldar Battleforce (viper, WS, 10 guardians, 5 DA)
Eldar Warp Spiders (5 warp spiders)
2 Warwalkers

Total units in above:
7 bikes
1 Fire Prism
1 Viper
2 WS
10 DA
10 Guardians
5 Warp Spiders
1 Farseer/Warlock on bike
2 war walkers

Warp Spiders are absolutely worthwhile with only five.

As for the Battleforce I'd say swap it out for another Skyblade box and an extra War Walker or more Warp Spiders. Redundancy and more effective units are going to be more helpful than Guardians and a Vyper.

The battleforce may not be worth it if they plan on releasing more of the "newer" battle forces which were much more of a deal than the old ones. However the latest set is sold out so it might be a very short term offering.

I think what you're not recognizing (or maybe you did, I could be off base) is that the start collecting box has a Farseer. So unless you're wanting a Warlock or a second Farseer on bike, you don't need to buy a second Skyrunner Farsee/Warlock.

So that's another $33 you can drop from it.

Phill kelly just announced that he did what he does best: buffing the eldar race :\ So you might want to take a look at the new book first before you buy any models.

oldzoggy: I'm guessing they'll have some interesting formations, but I'm not 100% on getting the book quite yet. I'm okay with just a core that will (probably) be useful for editions and years to come.

Jathom: I did not realize that, thanks for pointing it out! I'm going to magnetize, so until I want two Warlocks or Farseers, I don't need the extra one.

New list. Removed the battleforce and extra HQ, added one more skyblade force, another war walker, and another 5 warp spiders, so it looks like this. With codex comes out to $411 if things stay in stock.

Current buy list
Eldar Start Collecting (3 bikes, 1 Farseer/Warlock on bike, fire prism)
Eldar Windriders (3 bikes)
2 Eldar Dire Avengers Skyblade(armored assault box) (2WS and 10 DA total)
2 Eldar Warp Spiders (10 warp spiders total)
3 Warwalkers

Total units in above:
1 warlock/farseer on bike
6 bikes
1 Fire Prism
2 WS
10 DA
10 Warp Spiders
3 war walkers

 oldzoggy wrote:
Phill kelly just announced that he did what he does best: buffing the eldar race :\ So you might want to take a look at the new book first before you buy any models.

Link please.

I am an idiot, move along.