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.

(Thought about putting this in the army list section, but since it's not a proper list with points and such I'm putting it here)

I'm a long time 40k hobbyist who is using the new edition as an excuse to finally start playing and also to start an Eldar army. I initially wanted to go with a themed wraithguard/wraithlord army, but I'm having second thoughts now that I have the index and am looking at all of the cool Eldar models and units. Plus, I think it will pretty damn hard to win with a themed army given my lack of experience playing. So instead of the themed approach I am changing direction and am now heading in a more balanced direction, not super competitive, but good enough to win some after I gain some experience. Here's what I have bought and am in the process of assembling/magnetizing:

10 wraithguard
2 wave serpents
1 wraithlord

I'm not too far invested yet so there are still a lot of directions I can go. I don't find the Eldar troops that interesting, so I was thinking of going for a vanguard and/or spearhead detachment. The models that look interesting to me are Stinging Scorpions, Howling Banshees, War Walkers and Swooping Hawks.

As far as HQ go I have no idea where to start.

Any input on what units a new player might add to make up a decent starting force? I'll be starting a group with some other new players in the fall and I can't imagine out battles going too far past 1000 points.

Thanks for any input.

(grain of salt, I’m just dusting of my Eldar and don’t have a lot of games with them, YMMV)

It’s hard for Eldar to go wrong with some psychic shenanigans for a HQ. Or in general. The autarch is less powerfull, but solid re-rolls and some decent combat power is nothing to sneer at.

Of the units you mention liking, the only one I’ve used are the hawks. They do OK. I’ve heard mixed things about the CC aspects, and walkers seem decent.

Wraithguard seem to be in a pretty solid place right now. A pair of them will make a rock solid core to your army. While they might make for a themed army, it’s not a bad one. Just consider your issues

Slow
Low model count
Short range.

Now the slow part you have mitigated with the WSs.
Not much for model count if you are not a big fan of out troops. But you should get some more boots out there on the ground.
Range can be had from the guns on the WS.

I’d probably reccomend some sort of seer on foot as a HQ, stick him in with one of the WG in a WS. (unless you like bikes, that works as well the start collecting box is decent for that.)

I’d probably grab a pair of walkers next. Magnetize the guns, what you want will probably shift with the rest of your army composition as you grow. But they look like a pretty decent platform to build on.

To help with the speed some hawks can fill that role, if you want something besides meched up wraiths. Or bikes.

Hemlock is a very solid aircraft and fits well with other wraith units. Dark Reapers are a very good unit that can always hit anything on a 3+.

elder will benefit from psykers.

If you are not into a fluffy list, the razorwings of the DE are the spam of choice at the moment (4 wounds for 7 points)

If you want to stay in theme, try a Spirit Seer and more WraithGuard with Wave Serpents.

Think about how your army will move or not move.

Think about how you will fight an advancing horde or get into range of a gunline.

Last thought is how you will get to objectives and then hold them

Practice. Losing is the best teacher. play and find your own strengths. I know players who are masters with certain units but that is all they know. So find what you like.

Thanks for the input.

I didn't realize how close I was to 1000 points after I add in an HQ or two. I'm leaning towards a small unit of swooping hawks, I think they're really cool looking models.

 Nevelon wrote:
(grain of salt, I’m just dusting of my Eldar and don’t have a lot of games with them, YMMV)

It’s hard for Eldar to go wrong with some psychic shenanigans for a HQ. Or in general. The autarch is less powerfull, but solid re-rolls and some decent combat power is nothing to sneer at.

I run my former Corsair Prince as an Aeldari Craftworld Autarch for the time being (and likely for the forseeable future). If I have the points in the list, I kit him out with a fusion gun and star lance, and stick him with a 3-person "command squad" of sorts (3 Shining Spears with Exarch). He absolutely wrecks face!! Often the MVP of my games.

Dark Reapers are particularly strong in this edition. Expensive, but very good shooting wise. The key being that they ignore all shooting modifiers.

Moved w/ your heavy weapon? Doesn't matter.
Shooting at Raven Guard marines? Doesn't matter.
Shooting at a flyer? Doesn't matter.

Expensive and low model count (will be targeted quickly) but if they get off their shots - pretty damn good. The exarch can take some kind of launcher which needs no LOS and does 2D6 hits against hordes - not a bad choice.

Rangers are always something to consider. Placed in terrain they might last long enough to get off some shots - and can hurt almost anything with their chance at rolling additional mortal wounds.

The only units which are really tough to justify are those which carrying Shuriken catapults (Dire Avengers and Guardians). The change from 2nd to 3rd is still making them pay the cost "Hey run your toughness 3 infantry with light armor up to within 12" of your opponent, it'll be great!".

They should have kept lasguns as an option for Guardians even now.

3 Warwalkers have always performed well for my friend. Either with Lances or Scatter lasers. They might seem fragile but keep them in the back. You have two Serpents that are more pressing targets to anti-tank fire. You'll have Fortune to make them more survivable and Doom to make sure what they shoot is going to get hurt.

Discodoggy wrote:

10 wraithguard
2 wave serpents
1 wraithlord

Get a Farseer.

Hawks might look tempting now, but they fill a niche role, very specialized, maybe focus on a solid core first.
You need HQs anyway for most (or all??) Detachments and you cant go wrong with a Farseer, even in smaller games.

Depending on playstyle you can choose a Bikeseer or Footseer, i usually run one of each in my lists. Footseer supports your backline, hiding somewhere. The Bikeseer goas with the mobile Part (your wave serpents+ Wraithguard i guess) and focuses on Doom'ing priority targets.

/edit: After that i would go for maybe Dark reapers, as they are very versatile, making them an always good pick in small games. They can provide you with firepower against MEQs, elite units and vehicles, that way you have more choice on how you kit out your serpents and the wraithlord (they are really the best units we have this edition imo)

I'm in a similar boat, I've had three games so far and have basically gotten my teeth kicked in every single time.

I have:

Farseer
Warlock Skyrunner
10x Guardians w/Heavy Weapon Platform (modular so I can swap weapons)
10x Dire Avengers
5x D-Scythe Wraithguard
3x Windriders w/Shuriken Cannons
6x Strking Scorpions
Fire Prism
Wraithlord (haven't built him yet)

I also have a Harlequin Troupe (2x embrace, 2x caress, one that I could use as a Troupe Master w/Power Sword, and one regular mook) and Starweaver, and an unassembled Kabalite Skysplinter box (Warriors + Raider) that I probably won't use after the FAQ because I don't want to buy the Triumvirate of Ynnead to be able to run Ynnari.

I'm not sure at all which direction to go with the army, as I was trying fluffy and just feel totally outgunned and not able to take a punch at all. My last game I played 50 PL kill point game (i.e. no mission) versus Necron immortal spam (3x 10 immortals, 2x lords, monolith, annihilation barge, tomb blades) and conceded bottom of 2.

The Fire Prism is a very poor tank as it is over-costed, under-powered and has no transport capacity. Most of your infantry are fairly fragile (apart from the Wraithguard who are slow instead) and are short-ranged. You really need a couple of transports to get your infantry where they are going.

You are also a bit light in the heavy firepower department. I would build that Wraithlord and consider investing in a squad of Dark Reapers.

 Karhedron wrote:
The Fire Prism is a very poor tank as it is over-costed, under-powered and has no transport capacity. Most of your infantry are fairly fragile (apart from the Wraithguard who are slow instead) and are short-ranged. You really need a couple of transports to get your infantry where they are going.

You are also a bit light in the heavy firepower department. I would build that Wraithlord and consider investing in a squad of Dark Reapers.

I plan on building the Wraithlord with (hopefully) modular weapons, so I can do like 2x missile launchers, glaive and maybe flamers, not sure. I think I have two wave serpents I got in a trade (I recently moved so they are in a box), but both were glued with scatter lasers so I am trying to budget buying some more money to buy a serpent I can make modular. I think I also recall seeing a war walker (same trade), but I have to find the weapon sprue

10 wraithguard
2 wave serpents
1 wraithlord

From here, I'd add two Spiritseer. They work very well with Wraithguard.
As said, a Hemlock Wraithfighter would be a good investment.
The rest depends on how far you want to go with the Iyanden theme.

Wayniac wrote:
I'm in a similar boat, I've had three games so far and have basically gotten my teeth kicked in every single time.

I have:

Farseer
Warlock Skyrunner
10x Guardians w/Heavy Weapon Platform (modular so I can swap weapons)
10x Dire Avengers
5x D-Scythe Wraithguard
3x Windriders w/Shuriken Cannons
6x Strking Scorpions
Fire Prism
Wraithlord (haven't built him yet)

I also have a Harlequin Troupe (2x embrace, 2x caress, one that I could use as a Troupe Master w/Power Sword, and one regular mook) and Starweaver, and an unassembled Kabalite Skysplinter box (Warriors + Raider) that I probably won't use after the FAQ because I don't want to buy the Triumvirate of Ynnead to be able to run Ynnari.

I'm not sure at all which direction to go with the army, as I was trying fluffy and just feel totally outgunned and not able to take a punch at all. My last game I played 50 PL kill point game (i.e. no mission) versus Necron immortal spam (3x 10 immortals, 2x lords, monolith, annihilation barge, tomb blades) and conceded bottom of 2.

If you want to win more games:
-get Reapers
-Dire Avengers,as much as i like them myself,are out, they are totally overcosted. You can swap them for another Guardian squad.
-Fire Prism, it is probably the worst Tank in the game right now(iam especially sad, because my GF bought me one as a gift, i put a lot of work and love into it, and now it sits on the shelf all the time for competitive games.. ), swap for a Wave Serpent which can transport the D-sycthes
-get another Serpent for the guardians
-keep the windriders
-Scorpions are.. well Harlequins with embrace/caress have much more punch, i prefer them over any other Craftworld melee units right now (expect maybe Wraithblades). In this edition you want to do as much damage as possible on your charge, because units can easily fall back.
-build the wraithlord, hes fine, i would run either a Brightlance or Shuriken build depending on what you are lacking


vs. Necrons:

-Reapers are basically the best anti-Necron unit we have. the S5 AP2 D2 rockets are awesome against immortals, warriors, lychguard. Use the S8 D3 rockets not only against vehicles, they are also very effective at destroying .. destroyers (hahah) any other high Toughness, 3Wound units.
-dont waste brightlances/fusion guns and other 1D6 damage weapons on quantum shielded vehicles, bring down Ghost Arks etc with D-scythes, Shuriken cannons, starcannons, reapers, melee(shining spears, wraithblades) anything medium-high Strength, low damage
-shoot your lances and other high damage weapons, at elite infantry, characters, destroyers and monolith instead, anything with high wound count and no quantum shield
-Doom is your best friend, you should do everything possible to successfully cast doom every turn on priority targets, re-rolls from commandpoints or Farseers special abilty helps. It is very important against Necrons that you then focus down the doomed targets one by one to deny Reanimation and render Reanimation + bubbles of characters useless. Even your guardians can be very dangerous with doom support for most targets.

I've played a handfull of games with my Craftworld Eldar-type list now and consistent MVPs have been (in no particular ordeR):

- Wave Serpent (Spirit stones are a must)
- Wraithguard w/ D-scythes (too good!)
- Fire Dragons (need a transport)
- Farseer Skyrunner (mobility + Doom & Guide <3)
- Hemlock (too good!)

I've also heard Dark Reapers are strong, I've not tried them.

Things I've been playing with and are fun, but not overly competitive:

- Shining Spears (if they charge, monsters and vehicles will die, but they're glass cannons)
- Swooping Hawks (I don't bother with an Exarch)

Go with your gut.
Swooping hawks.
Walker squadron.
Scorpions are cool.

See how you do and go from there.

Dark Reapers seem to be a crowd favorite, something I didn't consider at all.

I ended up getting a couple of War Walkers (might kick myself that I didn't get the squadron later), another Wraithlord and a Farseer at the local GW.

Ordered a box of Swooping Hawks and Dark Reapers.

I couldn't find a Spiritseer at any of the hobby stores around here and they're sold out online. I'll pick one up when they become available again.

Ended up with way over a 1000 points, oh well, I have a lot to experiment with.

Thanks again, I see a lot of magnetization in my future..

Discodoggy wrote:

I ended up getting a couple of War Walkers (might kick myself that I didn't get the squadron later).......

You will. I did. You have to buy them one at a time, and the max size is three, so when you want more, you have to buy the first squad up to three in singles. You save a ton of cash by just getting the squad.

This army has been a blast to play.

Here's what my models are up to now:

1 Farseer
2 Spiritseer
3 Ynarri HQ
2 WS
1 Wraithlord
10 Wraithguard
3 War Walkers (yeah I got the third)
Swooping Hawks
Dark Reapers
Hemlock Wraithfighter

Wraithlord, Wraithguard, WS, War Walkers and Hemlock are all magnetized.

With all of the new stratagems in the codex I'm looking to up my CP. In games so far I've only had 4 CP, the starting 3 plus one for a Spearhead Detachment. I still don't have any troops, and with troops being cheaper now I really should go for a Batallion, and with two units of Wraithguard I would only need one more elite unit for a Vanguard detachment.

I'm not too concerned about the elites. Fire Dragons, Banshees or Scorpions would all be fun and useful.

I'm just not sure how to fill the troop slots. Rangers, Dire Avengers, Guardians or Kabalite Warriors?

Kabalite Warriors would be the cheapest option, but that would always require to use Yvraine. I'd probably want to put some in a Raider, so they might not be all that cheap after all.

3x5 Rangers seems like a better choice than 3x5 Dire Avengers for the same cost since the Rangers can sit back and snipe, while the DA would have to get closer.

3x10 Guardians is a hefty chunk of points.

I'm leaning towards Rangers. Anything I'm missing or not thinking about?

I would look at the new bonesinger too


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Rangers got way better with codex but still die quick