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With the Eldar codex around the corner and new Eldar concepts surely near at hand I started thinking what would make a really great Eldar codex?  I was originally going to post a thread called Eldar wishlist with some minor concepts but instead thought I'd post this concept instead, for doctrine Eldar, it being the best idea IMO of the many I had.  <?

Clearly debate for years about the Eldar codex includes modifications to many unit types and even specific weapons, I entirely agree there are many topics for those kinds of changes and hopefully we will see a lot of them with the new dex this fall. Instead of debating the merrits of a Shuriken, Starcannon  or a jetbike what about a more dynamic paradigm shift in their strategic structure?

In the spirit of the Marine and Imperial Guard codex and their respective army type modifying structures why not write a similar system for the Eldar?  Eldar Doctrines, perhaps called Eldar Host Law?  In the same Vein as the IG there could be a 5 point system, with traits (hosts and restricted units) in addition to a default list, which pretty much follows the same structure as the old codex with elite aspect warriors but leaves the option of the following doctrines with a bare bones troops choice list:

Restricted Troops: Seer Council, Aspect Warriors (on foot), Jetbikes, Pathfinders (like Alaitoc, not Rangers), Wraithguard, Eldar Support Weapon Platforms

Doctrines (Host Law):

Spirit Host: May take Wraithguard as troop choices

Wind Host: May take Jetbikes as troop choices

War Host: May take Aspect Warriors as troop choices

Exodite Host: May take Pathfinders as troops, allows for pre game sniper table, warwalkers become fast attack or elite choices, (maybe an exodite troop choice for dragonrider cav, like roughriders)

*Only one host law may be chosen they are all mutually exclusive.

Traits:

Court of the Young King: May take the avatar, accompanied by a unit of exarchs from any sept, jetbikes and hawk wings are lost.

Spacebourne of the Craftworld: All units must be mounted (or jetbikes) all units gain the ability to select a required Falcon or a Waveserpent transport, Heavy Support Choices include Space Barrage, units in transport vehicles may deepstrike.

Black Sorrow: Guardian based units (Storm, defender, jetbikes and Vypers) become BS4, Aspect warrior units become 0-1 each, *takes 2 choices.

Followers of the New Path: Allows Allies, Kroot Squad, Imperial Guard Platoon, Tau Firewarrior as Elite Choices, *Incompatible with followers of the Old Path.

Followers of the Old Path: Allows Allies, Chaos cultist squads, Daemonettes, Mounted Daemonettes, Furies and Chaos Hounds, and Eldar Guardian Units with the mark of Slanesh led by chaos champions all as troop choices. *Incompatible with Followers of the New Path.

Heros of Old: Army may take a Phoenix Lord(s) as an HQ, Aspects Warriors from his sept count as troop choices or elites. (2 Phoenix Lords could be taken)

Fated Children: Army is required to take a Seer Council HQ and gets +1 to the roll to go first from the council's fortelling.

Keepers of the Gate: Army is permitted to use the warpgate rules from the Dark Eldar codex, including method and wargeer.

If the new codex were configured like this wouldn?t that present a myriad of army lists and competitive new options? (Of course assuming there are many housekeeping type rules updates as well regarding unit types etc.)

What say you?

well, besides the fact that those rules are unlikelyto find their way into the new 'Dex, they sound like a good Idea. for keepers of the gate, I would use the rules for an Utlwe Strike force from EoT

I like the concept, but one thing I am always leary about is messing with the force organization chart. Most of the time it just ends up being abused (all aspect warrior armies and the like). If there are some really good checks in it, it can work though...its just a process of balancing it out.

Anung Un Rama > besides the fact that those rules are unlikelyto find their way into the new 'Dex

Yes, I know, this was all hypothetical anyway.

they sound like a good Idea.

Hey thanks, I really enjoy the broader based doctrine style of the new Imperial Dexes, I wish they would carry the concept over into more codices, obviously.  I think it could work for every race given a little play testing, but not even that much.  For example the tyranids could have had a seeding swarm drop pod style list, with different force org restrictions and drop pods, and the the genestealer infiltrator list could have been a variant as well, ah well.

Phoenix>I like the concept, but one thing I am always leary about is messing with the force organization chart. Most of the time it just ends up being abused (all aspect warrior armies and the like).

I disagree, I dont think the all aspect warrior lists are abusive at all, the all reaper list is extreme, but they are so easy to kill in Hth or with regular fire, and so expensive that I think their PV acurately reflects their worth (rare in the Eldar army).  Furthermore I think the variant dexes with doctrines for modifying army structure are the best ones in the game.

If there are some really good checks in it, it can work though...its just a process of balancing it out.

Balancing it out, of course, there should be some drawbacks in addition to some benfits, I agree, maybe some of my proposals are to beneficial?

The problem is that there are no completly useless Doctrines and traits to choose from, and it would not be a true GW ruleset with out at least a couple.

Shadow of Death: For 30 points per unit, Each eldar unit may re-roll night fight distances this must be applied to all Eldar units in an army.

Swift as the wind: For and extra 10 points per unit, the unit may re-roll any fleet roll. On a re-roll of 6 the unit takes d3 wounds that can be saved as normal.

Eldar Charm: For 25 points per unit Eldar guardians, and only guardians may re-roll any failed armor save.

foil7102> The problem is that there are no completly useless Doctrines and traits to choose from...

Ah, cynicism, beautiful!

I have another doctrine, its a replacement for the Avatar, KaelaMenshaKain the Eldar god...

KaemtaMaekyaKry, his power is the sweeping hand of adolecence that pushes over all opponents of the Eldar...

On a more somber note, I agree some of the IG doctrines are silly, but I always put them in the forgeworld category (cool looking and stupid but I like it anyway).  That is to say not everything is written for the tourney player (which I am, and wholehartedly support airtight rules, if possible).  But I think it's ok, if they are going to write fluffy, purposeless stuff, to put it in a context like an optional doctrine, where competative players can ignore it, and modelers, or campaign writers or whomever can go explore it if they would like.  That's why the doctrine settup of the IG codex is such a good one.  I actually think it has won over a lot more IG players in the last few years I have seen airborne drop armies, infilitrating light armies, gunlines, various themed mechanized forces and Armored Companies (a stretch I know not really in the IG dex, but should have been).  It's a format (doctrine style) that inspires creativity and unique gameplay, vs a codex like Necrons that really only have 1 play style, seen one seen them all, the only questions being Nightbringer or not, and how many Monoliths...

I actually agree with you completly Augustus. I like the fact that you can go to in a million directions with Guard and all of them can be fluffy and several of them fairly effective. It is just that an option should be both effective and fluffy, a prime example would be Iron Warriors, where the fluffier you go, the cheesier the cries. But,back on topic, I like the suggestions you made for the eldar.