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Hey Dakka -

I have been away from 40k since 5th (Had BA Descent of Angels then) and wanted to know, of what models I have between CSM and Elder, which army needs less additional purchases to get to a functional list?

Here is what I have for Chaos:

Heldrake x 2 - Bale Flamers
Forgefiends x 2 - Auto Cannons and Ectoplasam

CSM x 22 - pistol chainswords
Cultistx x 11
CSM x 10 - Pistol Chain axes
CSM x 2 - Melta
CSM x 1 - Icon

Rhinoes x 2 - Bolters

Kharn x 1


Here is what I have for Eldar:
Farseer x 1 with singing spear
Spiritseer x 1

Wave Serpents x 4

Dire Avengers x 20
Swooping Hawks x 6
Wraith Guard x 5
Wraith Lord x 1
Warith Knight x 1
Death Jester x 1

Any help with fleshing out which army needs less to make a functional 1750/2000 list would be awesome! Whichever army is the "loser" I will try to trade away to pick up what is needs to finish a list for the other army.

Thanks for the help!

Strig

As much as it pains me to say it (filthy Xenos!) I'd go with the Eldar; the CSM army would be sub-par as a casual army, whilst the Eldar army is ok (mostly due to the Wraith Guard).

Though neither army is really one you could rock up to a tournament with, I'd suggest taking this opportunity to sell off all your 40k stuff and start a new army; you've been out of the mix for a while now - there's a whole load of new models and even some new armies out there.

If you want to do well at tournaments, play Eldar.

"CSM" work as a tournament army, but they don't look like the CSM you're thinking of. It's basically Cultists: the Codex. CSM troops are useless, the daemon engines aren't great, etc. The highlights of that codex are going to be the aforementioned Cultists (at least one ~40 man block), Slaaneshi Obliterators, Berserkers, Daemon Princes, and Abaddon. Much of Chaos' strength comes from taking allied detachments from the other Chaos factions, like Renegade Knights, Death Guard, and Thousand Sons, to fill gaps in any one pure Chaos faction.

Eldar are pretty great. Wraith units tend to be mediocre to poor, but most of the Aspect Warriors are solid, Wave Serpents are terrifying, and the Psykers are great. Alaitoc is one of the strongest faction traits in the entire game. Eldar have a multitude of great allies as well, between Harlequins, Ynnari, and DE.

Thank you both for your input!

I was kinda hoping Eldar were in a better spot as my CSM were already painted and I have improved my painting ability (slightly) so hopefully I can make a competitive, yet still themed army of eldar!

That is so disappointing that CSM are relegated to cultists, all well.

Off to read up on Eldar! If others have some insight please share too! Expecially about Eldar Lists!

Thanks,

Strig

Eldar and learn your stratagems.

Wave Serpents are once again excellent.

Paint everything up Alaitoc, as they have the strongest craftworld rules (-1 to hit over 12" if I recall?)

MSU Dire Avengers are fine as troops.

Wraith Lord is still rather poor, and the Wraithknight got utterly screwed this edition as an over-reaction to it being very OP in 7th. I'd sell them off (although it's possible the Knight may get a points drop in CA 2018, which it desperately needs).

Get a few Dark Reapers - they are superb, as are Shining Spears.

That is a shame about the Knight!

Thanks for the input as well, are wave serpents used as a transport or are they just gun platforms? (Leaving the DA behind to sit on objectives?)

If they are used to move around the DA, does 5 in each sound reasonable?

Dark reapers for some long range shooting and shining spears for mobility? Are the shining spears fighty enough or should I look into one of the melee aspects?

Thanks!