Starting Dark Eldar

Hi all, looking to start collecting DE (and return to the 40k hobby) once the new start collecting box becomes available. I've listened to splintermind episodes 16, 24 as well as some of the earlier episodes reviewing the codex when it came out. I've also read over the 1d4chan info as well so hopefully I won't be making too many mistakes with my list building. I'll first post my target 1850pt list, and then an initial 500pt list using the start collecting box as a foundation.

1850 point list

Combined Arms Detachment (1436pts)

Succubus (115pts) [Archite glaive, Haywire Grenades, Splinter pistol, The Armour of Misery]

5x Kabalite Warriors (105pts) [5x Kabalite Warrior] w/Venom [Splinter Cannon]

Razorwing Jetfighter (155pts) [2 Dark Lances, 4x Monoscythe Missile, Nightshield, Twin-linked Splinter Rifle]

Reavers (146pts) [6x Reavers, 2x Cluster caltrops, 2x Heat lances]

Scourges (120pts) [5x Scourges, 4x Heat lances]

3x Ravager (125pts) [3x Dark Lances]

Formation: Grotesquerie (410pts)

2x Grotesques (160pts) [3x Grotesques] w/ Raider

Haemonculus (90pts) [Close combat weapon, Scissorhand, Sindriq's Sump, Splinter Pistol]

500 point list

Combined Arms Detachment (498pts)

Succubus (100pts) [Archite glaive, Haywire Grenades, Splinter pistol]

Kabalite Warriors (105pts) [5x Kabalite Warrior] w/ Venom [Splinter Cannon]

Kabalite Warriors (95pts) [5x Kabalite Warrior] w/ Raider

Reavers (73pts) [3x Reavers, Cluster caltrops, Heat Lance]

Ravager (125pts) [3x Dark Lances]



This list could be out together quite cheaply from the new start collecting box, using the archon model to count as a succubus, and picking up a venom and a ravager.

Let me know what you guys think of the lists for a beginner DE player to get a feel for the army without having too many complex rules interactions to think about at first ala freakshow.

The first list looks fine, maybe just a tad light on AT depending on your meta.

At 500 points though, I think a succubus is a bit expensive. I think you'd be able to do more with a court. Something like this:

Court of the Archon: 3 Medusae in dual cannon venom 140
1x Kabalite Warriors w/Sybarite with Blaster and phantasm grenade launcher in dual cannon venom 130
1x Kabalite Warriors in dual cannon venoms 105
1 Ravager w/3 dark lances 125

Thanks for the feedback BetrayTheWorld.

My goal with the 500 point list had been to require purchasing a minimum of extra stuff on top of the start collection box. Taking on board your feedback about the Succubus being too expensive for 500pts, here is a revised list (total 498pts):

Court of the Archon: 1 Lhamean in dual cannon venom (75pts)
5x Kabalite warriors in dual cannon venom (105pts)
4x Kabalite warriors, Sybarite w/ haywire grenades in raider (110pts)
2x Reavers w/ heat lance, cluster caltrops, Arena Champion (83pts)
Ravager w/ 3 dark lances (125pts)

With you list I would have needed to buy 3 medusae, 3 venoms and a ravager, and wouldn't be making use of the reavers.

With this list I would use the Archon as a counts as Lhamean, could still make use of the reavers, and would only need to buy 2 venoms and a ravager in addition to the start collecting box.

What do you think?

Maybe drop the Champion and Haywire grenade to make the Lhamean into a Medusa, since you're using the archon as a count-as anyhow. The AP3 Ignores cover template weapon will work really well against marines.

Thanks. I'll give both variations a try and see how I get on.

Cool, let us know how it goes.