Eldar, options conundrum

[Michael Moser]

The shimmershield is a fantastic upgrade for the Dire Avenger's Exarch. For 20 point he gains a power weapon and the entire unit gets a 5++ invulnerable save. You have to sacrifice your ranged attack to get it, though.

The Holo-field is a fun upgrade for the Wave Serpent. It increases their cover saves from Jink by 1. It cost 15 points.

Now, the question: should I drop the twin-linked avenger shuriken catapult (-5 points) and a holo field (-15 points) to give the squad of Dire Avengers whom my farseer is hanging out with the 5++?

[Alex Hagerman]

Do you mind to post the whole list? Secondly to get the shimmershield you say they sacrifice their ranged attack, meaning the bladestorm, or they lose all their guns?

[Michael Moser]

Only the exarch would lose his ranged attacks (sacrifices his avenger shuriken catapult).

Here is the list as is:

Mobile Infantry (1495)

Primary Detachment — Codex: Eldar

HQ

Farseer — singing spear (105)

Troops

Dire Avengers — 10 men, exarch, twin-linked avenger shuriken cannon (145)

        Wave Serpent — twin-linked scatter lasers, shuriken cannon, holo-field (140)

Dire Avengers — 10 men, exarch, twin-linked avenger shuriken cannon (145)

        Wave Serpent — twin-linked scatter lasers, shuriken cannon, holo-field (140)

Dire Avengers — 10 men, exarch, twin-linked avenger shuriken cannon (145)

        Wave Serpent — twin-linked bright lance, shuriken cannon, holo-field (140)

Fast Attack

Vyper Squadron — 1 jetbike, scatter laser, shuriken cannon (70)

Vyper Squadron — 1 jetbike, starcannon, shuriken cannon (65)

Warp Spiders — 5 men, exarch, spinneret rifle, marksman’s eye (130)

Heavy Support

Fire Prism — shuriken cannon (130)

Fire Prism — shuriken cannon (130)

The question was whether to drop one of the holo-fields (protection while in transit) for an invulnerable save for the farseer and his dire avengers when he's disembarked.

[Alex Hagerman]

Do the wave serpents have firing points? Tough call I think. If you plan on keeping the farseer in the wave serpent them definitely don't give up the 4+ jink. Statistically you're going to get better rolls on a 4+ cover than a 5++ invulnerable. It's kind of your call. The main thing I'm seeing with this list is your farseer is going to be moving up the field I'm guessing being with the avengers. Also outside of the Fire Prism's are any of these using a AP2 regular shooting attack? I know the 6's for the spiders, but just checking.

[Michael Moser]

No firing points, the Farseer and squad will disembark after moving (usually in turn 2). The starcannon on one of the Vypers is AP2. I was thinking about switching out the scatter laser on the first vyper for another starcannon, and using the 10 points (had 5 left over, gain 5 for switching) for some exarch upgrade.

[Alex Hagerman]

Does bladestorm make your shots AP2 or rending for the Avengers? I'm not sure on the Shimmershield, really depends on how you plan to run the seer and if you think it will increase your longevity for 20points. The main thing I'm seeing here is a hard time dealing with terminators, or other 2+ save units if your prisms go down.

[Michael Moser]

Bladestorm, on a 6 to wound, wounds automatically at AP2. Makes it useful against terms and monstrous creatures. With two starcannons (I decided to make that switch) I can put down 4 S6 AP2 shots from 36" away. Perfect? No, but I think its workable.

[Alex Hagerman]

Agreed it is. A couple questions, how much is a wraithlord or wraithknight, and I know you have told me but how much is a wave serpent and how much is a fire prism? Thanks.

[Michael Moser]

A wraithknight with the standard two wraitcannons and an optional extra scatter laser is 260. Wave Serpents as equipped are 140, 125 without the holo field, fire prisms are 130 base.