New Dark Eldar Apocalyptic Formations

[Julian Sharps]

I'm sure that most of you are aware that the Dark Eldar have very little on the way of Apocalyptic formations and units (even the freaking Toasters got more than we did in Reload), and all of those are a codex out of date. With that in mind, I've concocted a few more that my mortal nemesis actually thinks are good ideas (plus, I've updated the one that really needed an update).

Flying Dagger Pack - 200 + Models

Formation: 1 Reaver Jetbike Squadron with an Arena Champion and 2-5 Reaver Jetbike Squadrons

Special Rules:
- Strike Force: All units in the Flying Dagger Pack must enter the table within 6" of the squadron with the Arena Champion.

- Screaming Jets: The Flying Dagger Pack always begins the game in strategic reserve. When the formation becomes available, all models in the formation move onto the table in the same manner as Flyer units (minimum move 36", no maximum), and each Jetbike squadron that ends its move within 12" of the formation leader may make their bladevane attacks on every enemy non-vehicle unit with a model on a line between the unit's starting position and end position, with no armor saves allowed on the turn they do so.

Additionally, each unit benefits from a 3+ Invulnerable save. Units that do not end their movement within 12" of the formation leader still benefit from the Flyer move and Invulnerable save, but may only hit one enemy unit with their bladevanes, with no armor saves allowed. The effects of this special rule end at the start of your turn after the formation comes on the table.

- Strategic Redeployment: The models in the Flying Dagger Pack get a single Strategic Redeployment asset.

Striking Shadows - 100 + Models

Formation: 3-6 Mandrake Squads

Special Rules:
- Strike Force: All units in the Striking Shadows formation must enter the table within 6" of another unit in the formation.

- Strike From the Shadows: All models in the Striking Shadows formation always begin the game in strategic reserve. When the formation becomes available, each unit may be placed anywhere on the table, except for impassible terrain or within 1" of another unit, with no roll to scatter or mishap of any kind required. Each unit may not move on the turn they arrive, but may assault if possible.

- Strategic Redeployment: The models in the Striking Shadows formation get a single Strategic Redeployment asset.

Kiss of the Rapier - 150 + Models

Formation: 1 Succubus and 5+ units from the following list:
- 0-3 Hekatrix Bloodbrides
- 0-3 Beastmasters
- 0-3 Reaver Jetbike Squadrons
- 1+ Wych Squads

Note: The Succubus, Bloodbrides and Wyches may be mounted on Raiders/Venoms, provided that they have the option to do so.

Special Rules:
- Strike Force: All units in the Kiss of the Rapier formation must be deployed within 12" of the Succubus or, if coming on from reserve, enter the table within 12" of the Succubus.

- Bloody Caress: All units in the Kiss of the Rapier formation may use their consolidation move to assault an enemy unit within range. The combat will be resolved in your opponents' Assault phase, and the units in the Kiss of the Rapier formation count as charging if they do so.

- Outflank: The models in the Kiss of the Rapier formation have the Flank March strategic asset.

The Legion of Terror - 150 + Models

Formation: 1 Archon and 5+ units from the following list:
- Court of the Archon
- 0-3 Kabalite Trueborn
- 0-3 Incubi
- 0-3 Ravagers
- 1+ Kabalite Warriors

Note: The Archon, Trueborn, Incubi and Warriors may be mounted on Raiders/Venoms, provided that they have the option to do so.

Special Rules:
Strike Force: All units in the Legion of Terror must be deployed within 12" of the Archon or, if coming on from reserve, enter the table within 12" of the Archon.

Cunning Master Plan: The Legion of Terror may distribute these Strategic Assets among the controlling player's units: Flank March, Hold at all Costs, Strategic Redeployment, Replacements. Only one of each kind of Asset may be granted, and no single unit may be granted more than one.

Master of the Raid: All units controlled by the player using this Legion of Terror that are within 12" of the Archon are Relentless.

Splinter Raid Force - 100 + Models (updated from Apocalypse)

Formation: 1 Archon in a Raider and 3+ units from the following list:
- 0-1 Court of the Archon
- Kabalite Warrior Squad in Raider
- Reaver Jetbike Squadron

Special Rules:
Death From the Skies: The units in the Splinter Raid are not deployed or kept in strategic reserve. Instead, in the MOvement phase of the player's first turn, the Archon's Raider is placed anywhere on the table, then all of the other units in the Splinter Raid are placed within 12" of the Archon's Raider. All units in the Splinter Raid count as Flyers until the beginning of their second turn, when they revert to their normal rules.

What do you think?

[Hetfiltrator]

Kiss of the Rapier. I'd say Strategic redeployment instead of flank march.

[Julian Sharps]

That would mean that all of the formations I have devised would have the ability to either strategically redeploy or allow another unit to do so. Kinda dull, don't you think?

[Walrus]

I like the Flank March idea... but I don't understand Bloody Caress...

[Empirespy]

When they win an assault they get to make they're consolidation move which normally doesn't let you move into another assault, instead this formation allows you to do that.
Hope that's clear enough...

[Walrus]

I get that, but not 'The combat will be resolved in your opponents' Assault phase, and the units in the Kiss of the Rapier formation count as charging if they do so.'

[Empirespy]

It effectives means that you don't resolve the combat when you do it but the next player turn, counting as you assaulting and tying up the unit until the assault phase (correct me if I have read this wrong)

[Julian Sharps]

That is correct, Empirespy. Otherwise you could end up with a completely insane situation where a single Wych squad rolls up half of an enemy's gunline in a single Assault phase, jumping from unit to unit until there's no one else in range, all before your turn ends.

[Empirespy]

That would be quite cool though!

[Walrus]

However, if you wipe out a squad in their assault phase, would you not be able to initiate combat with another squad, given you are in range, and that combat would then be sorted?

[Hetfiltrator]

May 8, 2011 10:04:24 GMT -5 Julian Sharps said:

That is correct, Empirespy. Otherwise you could end up with a completely insane situation where a single Wych squad rolls up half of an enemy's gunline in a single Assault phase, jumping from unit to unit until there's no one else in range, all before your turn ends.

No. That's just broken. I'd say if they destroy/overrun an enemy unit they may assault again but only once per turn. I don't want you to become Matt Ward.

[Julian Sharps]

Hetlan, I think it's amusing that you look at that same conversation I did and came to the completely wrong conclusion. The reason why that last sentence in the Bloody Caress special rule is in there is to explicitly forbid such an action, as it specifies that the combat with the unit you consolidate into is resolved in the next Assault phase, not the current one.

Perhaps the rules need a slight re-wording: All units in the Kiss of the Rapier formation may use their consolidation move to assault an enemy unit within range. The combat will be resolved in the next Assault phase, and the units in the Kiss of the Rapier formation count as charging if they do so.

[Hetfiltrator]

Ooooohhh... Sorry about that. I need to read more carefully. I'd suggest re-wording them anyways for my sake if anything...

I really like the Legion of Terror force. Clarification. Would Flank March apply to a single unit in the formation?

[Julian Sharps]

Each of those Assets would apply to any one unit the Dark Eldar player controls. Since formations don't count as units, the Flank March asset the Legion of Terror grants would only apply to one unit in that formation.

[Walrus]

Thanks for clearing that up, it makes more sense with 'next assault phase'