1000 Point Eldar

[StillANoob]

So I've decided that after I finish my Space Marines I'm going to start an Eldar army. This is just a 1000 point starter list. It will be a close combat force, with my Aurtarch hanging with a squad of Shining Spears. The 3 Shining Spears squads will zoom across the table basically shielding the banshees as they foot slog it. The Dire Avengers will cap objectives or be used as fire support.

Eldar 1000points

HQ
Aurtarch w/ Eldar Jetbike, Laser Lance

Elites (374)
10 Howling Banshees w/ Exarch, Mirrorswords, War shout

10 Howling Banshees w/ Exarch, Mirrorswords, War shout

Troops
5 Dire Avengers w/ Exarch, 2xAvengers

5 Dire Avengers w/ Exarch, 2xAvengers

Fast Attack
3 Shining Spears w/ Exarch

3 Shining Spears w/ Exarch

3 Shining Spears w/ Exarch


Total=999

C&C much appreciated

[magg]

That is really a close combat army. I think that it will be not easy to play it, since Eldar are very fragile, but interesting nevertheless.

Here are my 2 cents.

The Autarch is fine. Actually, I think that it is one of the few combination that is playable.
One problem I see is that the Shining Spears are too fast for the Banshees. They will be in close combat while the Banshees are at the middle of the battlefield and, although Shining Spears are great in close combat IF they charge, a unit of “only” three will not last long against a more resilient enemy.

The way I see it, you will split your army and allow your opponent to deal with each wave separately, or you will try to hold it together and be taken apart from ranged weapons.
Maybe you should consider taking a Wave Serpent for one of your Banshee squads. You do not have to equip it with anything fancy, twin-linked shuriken cannons as main weapon and (maybe) a spirit stone would be enough.

You could also reduce a Banshee squad to six models and use a Falcon. This way you will also increase your anti tank capability. I know that Shining Spears can destroy a tank, but therefor they have to be in close combat with it. At the 1000 point level you will have to deal with tanks (even LandRaiders), so I think that you should keep this problem in mind.

The Exarch power “Skilled Rider” is also very useful if you want to slow your Shining Spears a little down, because they can hug every piece of cover they can find without risking taking too much damage while doing it.

I also prefer the executioner. The bonus on strength often helps to deal with more resistant enemies, but that is surly a matter of taste .

The only other tip I can give you is to stay away from open terrain (very obvious tip, though ).

I hope this helps. Please let me know how this army works out
-Magg

[StillANoob]

Thanks for the help.

My Eldar playing mate is coming over today so I'm going to chat with him about this list and get his opinion. But what I'm thinking, is change the 3 Shining Spears to one big squad of 6 which frees up some points. Drop the points into getting transports for my Banshees, and maybe changing size like you said and getting the Falcon. I'll update hopefully later today with a revised list. Thank you for your help.

On a side note, I've decided I want a snow scheme army. If anyone has seen any good snow scheme Eldar, knows any good paint combos or has any pics please gimme a shout.

Cheers,
SaN

[StillANoob]

So my mate came over. Won 2 games against his Eldar with my Marines.

We had some talks about tactics and such, with me finally deciding to do a short range firefight type force. This ended up in me writing a completely new list, which is below. Basically the Avengers and War Walkers will walk up field, with the Walkers acting as fire support for the Avengers. When they get into range Bladestorm, which will hopefully drop the numbers down enough to make an assault successful. I'm fiddling with this list to try and fit in a Farseer with Doom and Fortune, but so far no luck (I got lucky ). The Farseer will chill with either Dire Avenger squad. The Banshees will sit in reserve and hopefully come on at a good time. They will zoom up which ever flank is weakest and then jump out and just slaughter their way across the enemy army, being supported by my Avengers and Walkers. Or they will hit a target of opportunity (Single Gaurdsmen squads on objectives, lone HQ units like Captains etc.) and just wreak havoc. They are basically my ace in the hole, ready to take on just about anything and kill it. Their Wave Serpent also acts as a small Anti-Tank unit. The War Walker loadout will vary from game to game eg vs Nidzilla More Brightlances, vs Green Tide more scatter lasers.




HQ
Farseer w/ Spirit Stones, Guide, Doom, Singing Spear

Elites
10 Howling Banshees w/ Exarch, Executionor, Acrobatic
Wave Serpent w/ TL Bright lances, Spirit Stones

Troops
10 Dire Avengers w/ Exarch, 2 Catapults, Bladestorm

10 Dire Avengers w/ Exarch, 2 Catapults, Bladestorm

Heavy Support
2x War Walker w/ 2 Scatter lasers, 2 Eldar missile launcher

2x War Walker w/ 2 Scatter lasers, 2 Eldar missile launcher

Total=999

Again C&C much appreciated

EDIT1 Changed Aurtarch to a Farseer
EDIT2 Gave Farseer Singing Spear

[magg]

This army list is really more balanced than your previous one.

The only thing I would not use, is the Exarch power Defend. In my experience, Dire Avengers do not survive a serious fought fight anyway and it makes the unit needless expensive, but right now I have no idea how you can spend the points in a better way (I do not have my codex ready to hand right now).

Do not forget that the weapons on a War Walker are NOT twin linked. A friend of mine tends to forget this every game …

For the colour scheme: I think that you can paint them the way you want … it seams that Eldar are not bothered about camouflage, but I think that a bony or grey tone combined with a more contrasty colour (red or turquoise) would look nice. The bony/grey colour would also set the miniature a little apart from the white snow base.

Cheers
-Magg

[StillANoob]

Thanks. I only chucked in both Exarch powers because there really wasn't anything else to do with the points, and I thought 'Why not?'.

With the War Walkers, each model will have one Scatter laser and one missile launcher. I like the flexibility of the Missile launcher and the Scatter laser has potential to bust tanks side and rear armour.

It's not that I wanted them to 'camoflague' as such, but I would like their armour to tie them into the base, not just some random scheme and oh hey there's my snow flock. So I'm pretty sure (if I can work it right) that they will be white on the under armour, with shadow grey (possibly lighter, we'll see) on all the plates, a black helmet with a red and black fur thing on the helmet. Black on the guns and stuff. More boltgun metal for detailing than gold, and of course purples for the stones and such. I'm going to use my Dire Avengers as test models and fiddle around with the exact tones later.

Cheers,
SaN

Edit: I found a cool online painter so I'm putting up a pic of roughly what i want them to look like.

[magg]

If I am not mistaken, you COULD exchange the Autarch for a Farseer (with Doom, Guide and Spirit Stones) if you drop the Exarch power Defend on both Exarchs.
Your Dire Avengers and War Walkers would profit tremendous from the abilities of the Farseer.

Although I have an Autarch in my army, too, I am not very positive about him. The problem is that the best options, like the Biting Blade or the Executioner, are restricted. Maybe this will be corrected in the new codex. I only have one in my army as an attachment for Striking Scorpions and for fluff reasons (we had a nice campaign a while ago), but most of the time, the kill rate of my Exarch is better, though. (He likes to slice orks into pieces with his Biting Blade)
I think that I will also exchange him for a second Farseer soon, but to have him for some variety is nice, too.

Nice colour scheme, although I would probably use a darker purple tone for the spirit stones (Liche Purple would surly look nice). I think that a white base coat could be advantageous (It does not have to be the expensive can from GamesWorkshop ... the cans from Armypainter for example are cheaper and the quality is at lest the same). I think that the turquoise parts may even turn out better on white base coat.

Cheers!
-Magg

[StillANoob]

I'm going to include both a Farseer and an Autarch once I take this too 1500. I'm just not totally good with all the rules on psyker powers and that stuff yet. Being a Gaurd player then SM I haven't really had units with those abilities (yes I know about the primaris psyker and librarian. They just didn't suit my playstyle).

Also I already have a model for the Aurtarch and he is probably the coolest posed model I've ever made. It just seems fluffy for me too have an Aurtarch rather than a Farseer, because the general fluff I have stewing about in my head is something like Biel-Tan, in that its a very military craftworld, with huge amounts of Aspect warriors (I dislike gaurdians). So it would make sense to have it led by an Aurtarch. Also the Aurtarch was going to be leading the army from the front. Is the Farseer capable enough in a fight??

Also I've given up on the white idea. I just can't make it work. So the new paint scheme is the same, except the White parts are black and the Black parts are white.

Cheers,
SaN

[StillANoob]

I'm going to include both a Farseer and an Autarch once I take this too 1500. I'm just not totally good with all the rules on psyker powers and that stuff yet. Being a Gaurd player then SM I haven't really had units with those abilities (yes I know about the primaris psyker and librarian. They just didn't suit my playstyle).

Also I already have a model for the Aurtarch and he is probably the coolest posed model I've ever made. It just seems fluffy for me too have an Aurtarch rather than a Farseer, because the general fluff I have stewing about in my head is something like Biel-Tan, in that its a very military craftworld, with huge amounts of Aspect warriors (I dislike gaurdians). So it would make sense to have it led by an Aurtarch. Also the Aurtarch was going to be leading the army from the front. Is the Farseer capable enough in a fight??

Also I've given up on the white idea. I just can't make it work. So the new paint scheme is the same, except the White parts are black and the Black parts are white.

Cheers,
SaN


EDIT Changed Aurtarch to a Farseer w/ Spirit Stones, Guide and Doom

[magg]

Dec 6, 2010 23:38:51 GMT -5 StillANoob said:

]I'm going to include both a Farseer and an Autarch once I take this too 1500. I'm just not totally good with all the rules on psyker powers and that stuff yet. Being a Gaurd player then SM I haven't really had units with those abilities

Ahhh … hate the witch! I see you have learned you lessons well.
It is not as complicated as it is in Fantasy. The only thing you should remember is not to forget the benefit the psychic powers grants you. I recommend a little marker … it saved my live more than once.

Dec 6, 2010 23:38:51 GMT -5 StillANoob said:

Also I already have a model for the Aurtarch and he is probably the coolest posed model I've ever made.

That makes me curious. I demand pictures! ;D
It is not that I want to talk you out of using the Autarch. The Farseer is, in my experience, better than the Autarch. Both models cannot compete with most of the other HQ choices in close combat, so I pick that one that grants me the most benefit.
AND as you see, you easily can switch him back without changing the core of your army list

Dec 6, 2010 23:38:51 GMT -5 StillANoob said:

]It just seems fluffy for me too have an Aurtarch rather than a Farseer, because the general fluff I have stewing about in my head is something like Biel-Tan, in that its a very military craftworld

I won't argue with that … fluff always wins , but (and I only say this to calm down the voice in my head) Farseers forges the future of the Eldar, and they even do it on the battlefield

Dec 6, 2010 23:38:51 GMT -5 StillANoob said:

EDIT Changed Aurtarch to a Farseer w/ Spirit Stones, Guide and Doom

You won't regret it

In the end, I hope that the new Codex will make the Autarch more competitive and grants him more variety. I like the fluff and the whole idea behind this character, since they embody the character trait of the Craftworld Eldar.

See you!
-Magg

[StillANoob]

I have a huge bitz box (IG does that ) so I'll see what I can knock up (any ideas would be helpful.).

I'll try and get some pictures just for you . Might even make a blog about it. But it will be slow going if I do (christmas time means less money to spend on warhammer).

Yeah, i realized that i can interchange easily. Also I'm sure my mates would allow me to use the Model I made as a Farseer.

I do realize this. It is a good point. And I thought why not? This also gives me a reason/excuse for using the model i already made (Out of the Dire Avengars box). And I'm sure I can justify the 'but he looks like a fighter not a spell dude' by saying something fluffy about him. I'll make it up later

I should be heading to my local GW tommorrow for Games Night. Hopefully I will get a game or two in. Might see if I can borrow some Store Eldar. That way I can play test this list.

Cheers,
SaN

EDIT Gave the Farseer a Singing Spear. The model I made has a Spear thingy and its only 3 points. WYSIWYG.

[magg]

Dec 7, 2010 23:18:40 GMT -5 StillANoob said:

I have a huge bitz box (IG does that ) so I'll see what I can knock up (any ideas would be helpful.).

Are you looking for an idea for your Farseer or generally for Eldar?
If you want to create some variety, I recommend 2 mm plastic card to create Eldar typical shapes like I have done here (they are not finished yet):



You can also create a new crest for your Dire Avengers click (I have to re-do them. They are a little too thick for my taste)

At the moment I also re-Eldarnize some of the weapons (you will get plenty of them, too, if you buy a Serpent … )



For a Farseer, High Elf Mages and/or Archers are a nice basis to work on. High Elf players usually have a lot of spare archer legs, since there are also some legs for a kneeling archer in the box, so if you know one ask him

Dec 7, 2010 23:18:40 GMT -5 StillANoob said:

I'll try and get some pictures just for you . Might even make a blog about it. But it will be slow going if I do (christmas time means less money to spend on warhammer).

Yeah!
You should deferentially make a blog. It does not matter if it goes slow (I am so slow, I think that I am moving backwards), but it is a incentive to go on.
Hmmm … money? I am a student … money is always short, regardless what season it is

Dec 7, 2010 23:18:40 GMT -5 StillANoob said:

EDITGave the Farseer a Singing Spear. The model I made has a Spear thingy and its only 3 points. WYSIWYG.

It won't do any harm and I am a huge fan of WYSIWYG. If you get the chance, throw it at a tank ;D

Dec 7, 2010 23:18:40 GMT -5 StillANoob said:

I should be heading to my local GW tommorrow for Games Night. Hopefully I will get a game or two in. Might see if I can borrow some Store Eldar. That way I can play test this list.

How did it go?

-Magg

[StillANoob]

I meant to make markers for the different spells. Like putting two chest pieces on a base to represent the 2 chances you get for an armour save for fortune, a gun with no magazine to represent a squad that bladestormed, two guns for to represent re rolls to hit with doom, etc. Also those look pretty sick. I'm digging the helmets.

Im pretty sure my little sister is getting a camera for christmas so I'll borrow that and probably start a blog on here. I have to warn you guys though. Im not the best painter.

A space Elf throwing a spear at a tank. Now thats a fun thought.

Games Night was awsome. I played 2 games with store Eldar and one Hero Survival match.

I had a minor loss on the first game. I played against a Deathwing army. Objectives game. At the end i held 1 he held 2. Problem was my Obj. was being held by 2 Dire Avengers and an Exarch. Which were the last models I had on the table.

The second game I won. Annihilation against Space Wolves. He got first turn and the end of my turn 5 saw 3 Long Fangs in combat with 2 Striking Scorpions and an Exarch. 6 inches away from this combat were 5 Pathfinders, 16 Dire Avengers (1x10 man and 1 with 6 left both had Exarchs), a wave serpent, a Farseer, 4 Gaudian Jetbikes and a Wraithlord. So I won. Yay.

The Hero Survival was awsome fun. The staff made the rules up as we went along but basically there where about 50 orc boys with sluggas and ccw around the edges of the table. In the middle was that Marine Statue thingy. Everyone got to select a character under 250 points. I had Eldrad, and there was Marneus Calgar, Mephiston, that last librarian dude, the Doom of Malantine, A Chaos Lord and Sorcerer and some new Dark Eldar dude. I think it was the Master Hemonculus (he was pretty awsome, regenerated one wound every turn and had clone fields.). Every Orc boy was an individual model (not individual character) and every character was independant. No teams as such although alliances were allowed. The winner was the last one alive. At the end of every turn all the dead orcs came on from a random direction (roll a scatter dice). Me and the Dark Eldar allied for a while. Mephiston kept physic hooding me. I wanted to stab that guy. He ended up getting into combat with 30 Orc Boy on his own. Just him in the middle of this huge circle. So i dropped Eldritch storm on him and took his last wound (as well at 16 orc boys, not bad for one shooting attack). That taught him. Then the staff decided to use the giant apocolypse template and basically it represented the orc warboss throwing asteroids at the planet. That killed everyone in one turn.

I also used a totally different list to my origional one (available models) which i have somewhere. I have decided to change my list to that one. I thought it was very effective.

[magg]

Dec 11, 2010 6:40:21 GMT -5 StillANoob said:

I meant to make markers for the different spells. Like putting two chest pieces on a base to represent the 2 chances you get for an armour save for fortune, a gun with no magazine to represent a squad that bladestormed, two guns for to represent re rolls to hit with doom, etc.

Ahh ... sorry, but I misunderstood you. Your ideas sound good, though. To be honest I do not have special markers for my Eldar, I only use different coloured glass drops, but after reading your post, maybe I have to make some

Dec 11, 2010 6:40:21 GMT -5 StillANoob said:

Im pretty sure my little sister is getting a camera for christmas so I'll borrow that and probably start a blog on here. I have to warn you guys though. Im not the best painter.

No excuses in advance . Do not be shy and just post some of your miniatures. I think here are a lot of gifted painters around, who are willing to give you some advice if really needed. You will see, that your skills will improve a lot through C&C given in your thread.
Always keep in mind that it is your army and you do not have to listen to every advice given, though

Congratulation to your first win with Eldar ;D It sounds as if you had a lot of fun at Games Night. I like the Hero Survival and I think that I have to try this eventually …

It seems to me that the staff wanted to go home and were looking for a quick way to end the game. An asteroid of ending killing power … that might do the trick

-Magg