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Post by sirsteve on Jul 10, 2020 21:27:50 GMT
Hi all,
so... I've started a Dark Elves army - my lock-down project - and I am looking for advice of there to take it next.
I currently have...
Fleetmaster
Sorceress
20 Dreadspears
20 Darkshards
20 Corsairs
5 Cold One Knights
Cold One Chariot
5 Doomfire Warlocks
War Hydra
Bolt Thrower
What do you kind folks think?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by sedge on Jul 11, 2020 7:18:58 GMT
If you're playing low points level games (up to 1,500) then what you have is sufficient to get a decent army (though I'd use the Fleetmaster as a regular Master, idealls a Battle Standard Bearer) as the Black Ark Fleetmaster is pretty poor in games. However, your combat infantry units (Dreadspears and Corsairs) are smaller than ideal - 8th edition favours infantry units of 30+ when possible, particularly if they are low toughness/armour save like Elves. You should look to expand both those units - an extra 10 of each should be sufficient. Other stuff to consider, if you're looking at it from a "commonly played / strong in-game" perspective: - Master on Dark Pegasus. You'd have to convert one yourself, and the old Bretonnian Pegasus models aren't around any more.
- Master, Battle Standard Bearer - either on foot, or on Cold One. Again, something that would have to be converted. The Corsair banner is a good one for modelling a BSB.
- A second Sorceress - it's common for people to play with both a level 4 Supreme Sorceress and a backup "scroll caddy" level 2 Sorceress. Potentially put this one on a Dark Steed - which again, requires conversion (the spare horses from your chariot work well to stick one on).
- Dark Riders. Very useful fast cavalry core unit. One of the best (if not the best) light cavalry units in WFB.
- Witch Elves - some people swear by a big horde of them, potentially with a Cauldron of Blood. If you like the look of the models, and the way they play, they're a good option.
- Executioners - excellent infantry unit, but you'd ideally need 30 of them as they die easily. They murder high toughness/armour save units.
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Post by sirsteve on Jul 11, 2020 9:00:07 GMT
Hi, thanks for the response.
We mostly play 2000pts.
That's fine. I was thinking about upping the dreadspears to 40 and getting another starter box. Thanks for clarifying.
For the mounted heroes I was thinking of getting a black dragon (partly because I really want to paint one). Any idea if I could build it and not glue the character and then use the spare horse from the chariot with added wings to make a Pegasus?
Thanks again
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Post by dannytee on Jul 11, 2020 11:40:47 GMT
Witch elves or executioners or black guard would be good adds imo. Roughly 20 strong. Those are the rank and file units that when I fight against dark elves that mess me up the most. And a second bolt thrower would be useful too.
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Post by sirsteve on Jul 11, 2020 12:30:22 GMT
Witch elves or executioners or black guard would be good adds imo. Roughly 20 strong. Those are the rank and file units that when I fight against dark elves that mess me up the most. And a second bolt thrower would be useful too. Thanks. That's good to know. |
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Post by sedge on Jul 11, 2020 15:16:19 GMT
I've got the Dreadlord/Sorceress from the Black Dragon kit magnetised so I can switch between them, and also use them on my Pegasi - but I have the Bret Pegasus models which are stockier than Dark Steeds. The Dreadlord/Sorceress have quite widely spread legs to fit over the Dragon's saddle and on one of the Chariot horses their legs will stick out more than ideal to the side.
It's workable, and the Black Dragon kit is worth getting anyway, but dry fit the model over the horse to check you're okay with how it looks.
Cold One Knight legs should fit better (they're not spread so wide). That doesn't help for a Sorceress though.
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Post by sirsteve on Jul 11, 2020 16:14:56 GMT
I've got the Dreadlord/Sorceress from the Black Dragon kit magnetised so I can switch between them, and also use them on my Pegasi - but I have the Bret Pegasus models which are stockier than Dark Steeds. The Dreadlord/Sorceress have quite widely spread legs to fit over the Dragon's saddle and on one of the Chariot horses their legs will stick out more than ideal to the side. It's workable, and the Black Dragon kit is worth getting anyway, but dry fit the model over the horse to check you're okay with how it looks. Cold One Knight legs should fit better (they're not spread so wide). That doesn't help for a Sorceress though. That's great. Thanks for the advice. |
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Post by strutsagget on Jul 11, 2020 18:11:46 GMT
It depends a little on you play group. DE is a strong army. Are you winning? Do you want more fluff or just more powerful/competitive? Good thing about the DE AB is that it is very good. Everything but Medusa is playable, and even that is fun to play  For me Doomlocks are the number one unit in the whole game. 125p for a level 2 that “can’t” miss cast and have perfect spells, M 10, fast cav and on and on about every stat you get it... and it is perfectly fine running two units and no level 4. Strong competitive aggressive list is usually based around: Level 4 Peg masters Dark riders Witch elves Executioners Bolt throwers Doomfire warlocks Then you can also play very defensive: Level 4 Pegasus masters Dark riders A lot of Crossbows Bolt throwers Doomfire Warlocks With that said, more or less everything in the AB is possible with some tweaking. |
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Post by sirsteve on Jul 11, 2020 20:48:59 GMT
It depends a little on you play group. DE is a strong army. Are you winning? Do you want more fluff or just more powerful/competitive? Good thing about the DE AB is that it is very good. Everything but Medusa is playable, and even that is fun to play For me Doomlocks are the number one unit in the whole game. 125p for a level 2 that “can’t” miss cast and have perfect spells, M 10, fast cav and on and on about every stat you get it... and it is perfectly fine running two units and no level 4. Strong competitive aggressive list is usually based around: Level 4 Peg masters Dark riders Witch elves Executioners Bolt throwers Doomfire warlocks Then you can also play very defensive: Level 4 Pegasus masters Dark riders A lot of Crossbows Bolt throwers Doomfire Warlocks With that said, more or less everything in the AB is possible with some tweaking. Thanks for the advice. Haven't played this yet as started just before lockdown. My group is mixed. We have a chaos and dwarf players who play but not hyper competitive, the other two are very competitive. I'm on the enjoy the game but nice to win side (my other army is ogres) |
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Post by knoffles on Jul 13, 2020 21:13:05 GMT
Strutsagget’s comments on aggressive list is pretty spot on but not the only way to go and if it’s something that bothers you, it’s a fairly standard DE list that you will face quite a lot. The joy of the DE book is that there are very few bad options. I think I’d field a master on manticore if I ever got a DE army. I just love the fluff around that 😁
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Post by strutsagget on Jul 14, 2020 6:50:54 GMT
Looking at what you got I would be tempted to take it in this direction:
This is not the most competitive build but still looks solid.
Level 4 with the spears for +1 S spell
If you prefer Corsair you can go more aggressive and swap spears for a horde of them and lower the amount of executions/bolt throwers.
If you prefer black guard over executions you can swap it too.
Supreme Sorceress: Level 4 Wizard; Lore of Dark Magic; Talisman of Preservation; The Sacrificial Dagger 290
Master: Battle Standard; heavy armour; great weapon; Sea Dragon cloak; Cold One; Dawnstone; The Other Trickster's Shard 161
Sorceress: Lore of Dark Magic; Dispel Scroll 105
39 Dreadspears: Lordling; musician; standard bearer 381
20 Darkshards: musician 250
5 Dark Riders: musician; shields; repeater crossbows 110
5 Dark Riders: musician; shields; repeater crossbows 110
Reaper Bolt Thrower 70
Reaper Bolt Thrower 70
Reaper Bolt Thrower 70
War Hydra: Fiery Breath 180
6 Cold One Knights: musician; standard bearer (Banner of Eternal Flame) 210
28 Har Ganeth Executioners: Draich Master; musician; standard bearer 366
5 Doomfire Warlocks 125
2 498 points
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Post by sirsteve on Jul 14, 2020 14:44:58 GMT
Thanks for the detailed response. Plenty to think about.
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westy
New Member
Posts: 43
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Post by westy on Jul 16, 2020 7:39:38 GMT
For me adding a rank of cold ones is a no brainer, especially as i love those models. Although I know cavalry blocks aren't particularly well regarded in the game.
I love witch elves too.
Executioners as well
Personally I don't see much value in the dreadspears. I think the dark elves have much better core choices than them (corsairs, dark riders, witch elves)
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Post by sirsteve on Jul 16, 2020 14:45:37 GMT
Looking on the baddice site at past tournament lists a lot are very cavalry heavy.
Could be a fun way to go
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Post by grandmasterwang on Jul 17, 2020 0:08:28 GMT
I would definitely recommend buying another bolt thrower. The models are ace and you'll easily be able to fit the extra one into many varied lists.
Currently you have very little shooting so another bolt thrower is a 'safe' purchase which would imo see a lot of tabletop use.
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