So after the Emergency! Army Development for the Eldar my brain really started going, trying to get ideas formulated for Scorp to help him with his Eldar. While I’ve recently started working on non-Eldar armies, they are my primary concern and when my Eldar struggle EVERYTHING else hobby related stops until I find a solution. So Scorp with his many, many armies including awesome new ones like the Harlies, the Secret Army etc and makes it extra hard to fine tune the Eldar so hopefully we can all help generate some ideas for him.
I honestly think a single mono-faction Saim-Hann force could very well work, but in my opinion its going to be Stratagem dependent. I think the issue Scorp has faced with his Eldar is damage denial. The easiest way to damage denial is probably with Alaitoc Eldar. Yet that would require diverging from the theme he wants and I would still recommend having an “attack wing” of Saim-Hann either way. This also raises the question of how to differentiate between Craftworlds… while I have a “split scheme” for my Eldar… my Alaitoc themed force is in all black, while my attack wing is in red and gold, I dont think this is practical. So I recommend a single mono-faction Saim-Hann army.
Like I said though, the most important issue is “damage denial”. To do this WITHOUT Alaitoc requires heavy use of Stratagems. Luckily the FAQ just gave Scorp a boat load of Stratagems for battalions and brigades. I would STRONGLY recommend a double battalion if possible. A single battalion will do, but against armies with massive shooting potential like James’ Imperial Guard you’ll be burning through those limited CP’s from a single battalion.
Double Battalion: 1942 Points
BATTALION 1: 982
(108) Autarch Jetbike Laser Lance, Shuriken Catapults
(135) Farseer Jetbike: Guide, Doom, Smite
(152) Striking Scorpions x10- Claw
(60) Dire Avengers
(60) Dire Avengers
(60) Dire Avengers
(252) Jetbikes x9- Scatter Lasers
(155) Shining Spears
BATTALION 2: 960
(70)Warlock Jetbike- Conceal/Reveal
(70) Warlock Jetbike- Protect/Jinx
(200)Wraithguard
(80) Guardians
(80) Guardians
(60) Rangers
(200) Hemlock
(200) Hemlock
(My math is terrible so you might want to check those points! lol)
Damage Denial: Now this list has a few things going for it in terms of damage denial. With 13 command points you can easily pop Lightning Fast Reflex on that big unit of Jetbikes granting a -1 to hit. That means Imperial Guard will be hitting on 5’s. If you get first turn you can have a Warlock cast Conceal on them for an additional -1 to hit. So they'd be at -2 after both abilities. Meanwhile you can have your second Warlock cast Protect on the Shining Spears upping their armor to 2+ with a 3+ Invulnerable save.
You can keep one of the Hemlocks in reserves using Cloudstrike, then deepstrike it to deny any kind of alpha strike from taking them out because they will be your big-time anti tank. If your Jetbikes avoid attention you can use Lightning Fast Reflexes on the Hemlock which starts on the board if it attracts attention. But typically most armies will be hitting on 4’s or 5’s against the Hemlock that starts on the board.
However you may want to start both of them on the board and just rely on their natural -1 to hit because if you use Cloudstrike you wont be able to Webway in your Wraithguard.
Webway Strike is a natural fit for the Wraithguard. These guys will be heavy hitters in your list so I'd definitley deepstrike them in which fits perfectly with the aggressive Saim-Hann style attack
Units Stratagems and Psychic Powers on Offense: This army is also geared up to deal some serious hurt. 9 Scatter Laser Jetbikes with Guide and Doom from the Farseer on Jetbike is blasting out 36 shots a turn re-rolling to hit and wound (and your Farseer can re-roll one psychic test per turn with his helm for no CP’s to make sure you get them off). If you use your Warlock to Jinx their target their armor save and invuln save goes down a point. At that point even Mortarion better look out because thats some face melting firepower. Furthermore after dealing out that firepower you can use the Fire and Fade Stratagem to fall back 7” hopefully getting a good deal of those bikes out of line of sight, or at the very least out of the danger zone of enemy return fire.
Forewarned is another great Stratagem to keep an eye with your Jetbikes, so long as your Farseer is within 6” of them. Because if anything deepstrikes or outflanks within line of sight of the Jetbikes the ENTIRE unit can shoot as if it were shooting phase before your opponent can even fire a shot. That is blistering firepower and will really deter outflanking or deepstriking anywhere within LOS of your jetbikes.
While I prefer Alaitoc Crimson Hunter Exarch’s the Hemlock is excellent alternative. Each Hemlock has 2d3 Stregnth 12 AP-4 Damage 2 AUTO hits per turn. Each of them can also Smite and with your Farseer mainly using Guide and Doom it wont be hard to get off. So both of them together will be chucking out 4d3 Strength 12 AP -4 Damage 2 AUTO hits. That is some serious anti-tank firepower. Tag teaming with Deepstrike Wraithguard is a strong anti-armor wing that should be very reliable. The Shining Spears can pitch in as well.
You’ll also have TONS of anti-infantry with the Dire Avengers, Jetbikes, Shining Spears, Guardians and even a little anti-character with the Rangers.
Also the combat power will be good too with the Scorpions, Autarch and Shining Spears. Even the Wraithguard can get into the action.
I think this combination all operates in the same “flow” being aggressive, forward moving and bringing the fight to the enemy.
I also did up a variant Detachment with the Wraithguard, Wraithblades, Scorpions Avatar and Wraithknight that clocked in at around 1300 points. You could easily squeeze a battalion in there around that, but you’ll be pressed to get in any of the other stronger units that you like in there as well. However it does operate more aggresivley but I think you’ll be pressed for the anti-tank you may need with all those elite choices and only the Wraithknight and Wraithguard for anti-tank duties. With Guide and Doom the Jetbikes should be able to pitch in too.
Anti-tank against SOME Guard lists may still be a problem in the long run. However you can assault vehicles to take them out of the fight... but you may want to think of re configuring things to get that Alaitoc detachment in there for Dark Reapers and Crimson Hunter Exarchs. Thats what I've been relying on and its been beastly.
Regardless of whatever list you take Scorp, I think the key is to double down on the efficiency of your Stratagems. I’d take bigger units that can take advantage of both psychic powers and stratagems all in a single go. I'd avoid re-rolls and save them all for big stratagems.
Hope this isn’t too long, but I just thought I’d get my thoughts out all in one big go. Hope it helps! I hope the other subscribers comment too because I’d love to know what they think. Anyway thanks as always for the great videos Scorp, especially Army Development. They are such an inspiration. Keep rocking and Long live the Eldar!
Comprehensive stuff! All sound advice and at a minimum I'll use atleast a few of these ideas if not more. Double battalion is tempting for sure...and doube craftworld as well. I think it is all about trying to outwhit and out skill the opponent with the Eldar...to make an army of trickery is the key! This info is helpful for sure!:)
No prob Scorp! Hope it helps. We're all rooting for the Eldar, can't wait to see what you cook up!
I'll run this list past you and see what you think...
Desperate to retain some key units like Wraithknight, Scorpions etc, and yet give the army the best chance of some victories.
Crafworld: All Alaitoc. The -1 to hit across the ENTIRE army I think is strong.
Battle forged, Battalion, Vanguard = 9CPS.
HQs:
Avatar 250pts
Autarch Skyrunner 108pts
Farseer Skyrunner 135pts
Spiritseer 45pts
Spiritseer 45pts
Troops:
5 Rangers 60pts
5 Rangers 60pts
5 Rangers 60pts
Elite:
Scorpions 152pts
Wraithguard 200pts
Wraithblades 225pts
Fast:
Shinning Spears 157pts
Wrathknight 502pts
Total I have is 1999pts
Key units kept, better craftworld, heathly command points
Extras:
Path of Command for Autarch
Pheonix Gem Relic to Avatar????
Shimmerplum Relic to Autarch skyrunner for further -1 to hit
Warlord trait Eye on distant events to Autarch = no overwatch!
Tried to squeeze in that second battalion but struggle to swapped in the skyrunner farseer...a very useful unit.
See what you think:)
I meant...'...struggled, so swapped in skyrunner...'
Hey Scorp. Always happy to offer feedback. Yeah the Alaitoc Craftworld trait is super, super strong. In my regular list I have an Alaitoc detachment with a Farseer, Spirit Seer, 3x5 Rangers, 9 Dark Reapers (and 2x Crimson Hunter Exarchs (reapers and crimson hunters are huge heavy hitters). The key is though, I’m keeping them way far the entire game and they are always maintaining that -1 / -2 to hit. My Dark Reapers with psychic support go to -3 to hit!
I then either run a SUPER aggressive wing of either Saim-Hann, Iyanden or Flayed Skull + Red Grief Drukhari that operates at mid-range maintaining a buffer between my opponent and my Alaitoc or is totally in my opponnets face, while my beefy long range Alaitoc detchment sits back and pounds them at distance.
The issue I’m seeing with your proposed list is that besides the Wraithknight and Farseer/Spiritseer all of your stuff wants to be in melee or at 12” range with their guns like the Wraithguard and so they wont be getting the Alaitoc advantage. Also you’ll be relying very, very heavily on the Wraithknight and Wraithguard to be your primary anti-tank which is a heavy burden, especially against Imperial Guard. My primary opponents are ALL Imperial Guard players and I’ve found I have to have a LOT of anti-tank… which is where Eldar struggle.
The issue I see occuring is support fire for your units as they get into melee. Especially against James’ Imperial Guard or Ultramarines. You’ll need some ranged support as they go in and since the FAQ you’ll have to wait till turn 2 get the Wraithguard and Scorpions into position and the Wraithknight will be your only long ranged option. Even with the Alaitoc rule only 5 Shining Spears and 5 Wraithblades will be put to the ultimate test making their attack run against a gunline.
What I would suggest is to stay with Iyanden to get maximum bang for your buck with your Wraithknight as I can see you are dedicated to making him work. I’d throw Prince Y’riel back into the force as he pairs extremely well with the Wraithblades have him and a Spirit Seer with the Psytronome of Iyanden which will bump them up to 4 attacks per Wraithblade (check the artifact) and load them up into a Wave Serpent.
I’d then consolidate all your Jetbikes in a single unit supported by your Farseer casting guide. With his helm of the Farseer he’ll get free re-rolls to psychic powers to make sure you get off Guide, so while they are not Saim-Hann, they will be very, very good nonetheless and give you the ability to inflict damage on your opponent while you wait for the Wraithguard to arrive from the Webway and the Wraithblades to get into combat.
Paired with the Wraithknight who will be hanging tough at maximum ballistic skill till he’s down to his last handful of wounds with the Iyanden trait, this’ll give you solid board presence but the ability to hide out of line of sight and use your stratagems on just a few key units like the Wave Serpent and Jetbikes.
(1945pts) Iyanden Battalion Detachment
(100) Prince Y’riel
(65) Spirit Seer: Protect/Jinx
(135) Farseer Skyrunner: Guide, Fortune, Smite
(60) Dire Avengers
(60) Dire Avengers
(60) Dire Avengers
(225) Wraithblades x5 Axe and Shield
(134) Serpent- 3x Shuriken Cannons
(200) Wraithguard x5: Cannons
(152) Striking Scorpions x10- Claw
(252) Jetbikes x9- Scatter Lasers
(502) Wraithknight
Also if you drop a single Jetbike and the underslung Shuriken Cannon (perhaps downgrade Spirit Seer to a Warlock) you could squeeze in that Bonesinger so you can be healing the Wraithknight with his ability, using Tears of Isha to additionally heal him, have Fortune to shrug off additional wounds and make him last as long as possible.
What I like about this configuration is that you are fast, mobile, durable and are attacking on turn 1 with solid volume of offense.
The downside is there is no Avatar which I know you are dying to get into your list… but I think having the Avatar and the Wraithknight in there just makes the points too tight… Even still I think this list will be challenging especially against James IG. The Wraithknight eats up so many points and requires a lot of support. You could get a 10 man unit of Dark Reapers a conceal/reveal Warlock in his place and have a ton more firepower that you could keep elusive with lightning fast reflexes + conceal reveal, But if anybody get the Wraithknight to work I’m sure its you. I was amazed how well you did with the Wraithlords during 6th and 7th edition. I’d just give the list a good number of playtests and see how it does.
Anyway good luck Scorp! Sorry to ramble on so much I hope this all makes sense. Regardless of what direction you go, I’ll know you’ll get the Eldar back into fighting form! Let me know what you think, can’t wait to see what you do with them!