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I decided to build a list based on what I percieved as strengths and what GW emphasized with the codex. I decided because of all the cries of cheese I would forgo the Heavy Support choices.(Falcons and Wraithlords) Thier seemed to be an emphasis for cheap shurrican cannons on vehicles so I went with it. Since I kept it aspect related I also decided to go without a Farseer (lunacy I know) and no Avatar because of his lack of mobility to keep up with the rest of the list. I originally wanted and Autarch but without the bike version with lance he really lacks punch so I went with Yriel. (see tactics thread as to why) So here goes.

HQ
Yriel 155

Troops
10 Dire Avengers 120
Wave Serpent 2XShuricats one twin link 110

Same as above 230

Elites
10 Banshees 160
Wave Serpent 2Xshuricats 110

10 Scorps Exarch Claw Stalker 192
Wave Serpent 2Xshuricats 110

6 Dragons 96
Wave Serpent 2Xshuricats 110

Fast Attack
Vyper Shuricat 50
Vyper Shuricat 50

Total 1493

I think the trap I have been seeing with a lot of Eldar players is they are tooling out thier squads with exarchs and all thier abilities. After paying the points IMO you really are not adding a whole lot of punch to any particular squad with the exception of maybe Scorpions. I will drop Avengers in cover on objectives when possible. Engage with Scorps, Yriel, and Banshees using the Wave Serps mobility to engage were they can do the greatest good. Dragons of course hunt heavy armor and with all the strength 6 shots I can put out with Serpents hunt light armor and go for mass hits on infantry. Vypers are for contesting quarters and turbo boosting for rear armor shots were available. I may still drop a vyper for two Vectored engine/Star engine upgrade for the two assault serpents later after I play test a few times.

I think you're underestimating DA Exarchs. For 32 points you increase your potential shooting from 20 shots to 32 shots. The equivalent of adding 6 more DA's for less than half the points. Granted you lose a turn of shooting, but in a mech style list I'd rather maximize one turn of shooting, then redeploy the next (meaning I wouldn't shoot anyway).

But if you intend on sitting on objectives, then I can see why you wouldn't take an exarch.

So you intend to get your ass handed to you?

Screw the whiners complaining about cheese.

You don't have to play "I deny you any VP's by not playing to win but by playing to not lose". I don't. I do just fine.

You really need the heavy choices so there's something resilient in your army list, that can put a hurt on the other guy.

That's really only in HQ and Heavy for the Eldar.

The list looks weak. Close to no way to deal with vehicles, so will lose to standard mech Eldar with Falcons. It has little to stop typical Nidzilla. Serpents are weaker against proper shooty marine armys...

Your type of list is rarely seen for a reason I guess. Nonetheless Im interested how it will do in real games. Keep us updated.

It is hard to deny that one Falcon to put the Dragons in. I am thinking cheap with 2 Serps almost equaling one Falcon with 5th on the horizon btw. Cheap skimmers may be a good thing when thier just about as easy to pop as each other. Spirit stones won't be worth thier price to me anymore when a 3+ on two dice are all you need to bring down a Falcon on a penetrating hit if I am understanding things correctly(although these are rumors).

Wave Serpents aren't cheap.

Serpents are not that great.
Mine tend to get immobilized or destroyed as soon the enemy targets them.
Playing games with the 5th ed in mind is pointless at the moment.

@wuestenfux: Buying and building models with 5th in mind is not pointless, though. For those of us who paint one army every 3 years, that's not a trivial consideration.


Back on topic: Inflammatory statements notwithstanding, the other posters are correct in their criticisms. Ubermosher in particular: a DA exarch at the very least is a good idea.

Serpents aren't bad with VE. They're purchased to deliver troops- 20 more points to make sure that happens (half as likely to crash) is not a bad investment. Without them, your CC units won't reach CC, and your single anti-tank unit is even less likely to make it to a useful target. Just adding these would make your list half again as effective. Star engines I'm less hot on. Maybe in 5th if you concentrate on assault units, but they're simply not necessary for the most part. 24" and drop or even 24"+12" and drop (no assault) is plenty for my style. VE are just a better buy.

Yriel rocks. If you have to take a CC Autarch, he's your man. He'll do better alongside a unit that can possibly survive in CC but are okay to kill en masse if you have to use the Eye, though. Putting him with DAs and giving the DAs an Exarch with PW/SS will improve his effectiveness. If that unit has Fortune, they may even survive use of the Eye. Giving DAs PW/SS is important for skimmer assault IMO- it will also give your Banshees and Scorps more of an anvil too. I like two DA units in 1500.

For points to do the above, dump the Vypers. They're redundant with your Serpents in weapon loadout, and after dumping troops they will all be worth about the same.

Me, I would switch the Banshees to a Dire Avenger unit, add exarchs to both DA units (PW/SS and Bladestorm), add VE to all the Serpents, add a Farseer, and cut both Vypers if necessary.

Finally, I understand why you're not taking a Farseer, theme-wise. I also see that either Doom or Fortune would make your life a whole lot easier. Heck, in 5th Fortune will not only help your squads, it will help your Serpents survive too. It's the new holofield, and applicable to all skimmers. Too good not to include, IMO.

Nice information and something I was already starting to consider (VE). Nice post with valid points is a nice change of pace instead of the list just sucks. I will build it and win a few tournaments with it like I always do. I am definatley building it with 5th in mind since that's only a half a year a way and have it ready for the fall GT. I do like your idea on another Venger squad over Banshees also because of troops holding objectives factor and adding a Exarch to each squad.

Dire avengers with SS and PW are very nice, and rather survivable, especially if they have support or counter charges (Scorps). Use the avengers as bait to pull in enemy units, then unleash the scorpions into them.

But yeah, add VE onto the Wave Serpents, and make sure you load out at least one with a brightlance - marginal impingment on theme and gaining at least some AV firepower. Just my thought.

Good point about the brightlance Vyper, lords2001. If you have the points Lemartes, it's a good idea. It also encourages opponents to shoot your transports to save their poor little landraider- which is much better than having them shoot somtheing that actually scores like infantry.

Glad to hear the advice helps, and that you're designing with 5th in mind. What GTs are you going to?

Las Vegas as it will be the cheapest and closest for me to attend in Sept.

See you there, then! Vegas and Necronomicon for me this year, sadly no more.