2000 Point Realspace Raiders

So I've been messing around with the idea if getting into Dark Eldar for a while now, as I've always loved the fluff, models, and play style of the army. I decided to give a crack at making a list using the various models I like, and would like to know if such a list would he any good or not. Anyways, onto the list:

HQ:

Archon w/Blaster @ 140
-Venom w/ Splinter Cannon

Troops

Six identical units of the following:
5 Kabalite Warriors w/ Blaster x1 @125
-Venom w/ Splinter Cannon and Chain Snares

Fast Attack:

5 Scourges w/ 4 Heat Lances @ 120

Two Identical units of the following:
Razorwing Jetfighter w/ Night Shield, Dark Lances, and Splinter Cannons @ 165

Three identical units of the following:
-Venom w/ Splinter Cannon and Chain Snares @ 70

Heavy Support:

Three identical units of the following:
Ravager w/ 3 Dark Lances, Nighshields, Chain Snares, and Enhanced Aethersails @ 150

The idea of the list is to put out a ton of shots (Venoms), while still having the tools to deal with tanks (Ravagers, Blasters, and Scourges), and fliers (Razorwings). Mostly, the intention is to build a list more akin to a TAC list, as there's a wide variety of armies I might face at my local store. Anyways, C&C is much appreciated.

I am still pretty new to Dark Eldar, so take my comments with a grain of salt, but I see a couple things in your list that I question.

Chain snares allow Tank Shock. I am not sure why you would want those on any of your vehicles. Death or Glory seems like it could ruin your day very quickly.

You seem to be running your Archon solo. Do you have a reason for that? If not and he is just a tax, why not just run someone from the Court. Or drop the blaster.

I don't see any CC, but I may just be missing it. Have you thought about incubi or grots? Or even a Pain Engine as a distraction?

Also, I think your points tally is off (i.e 5x Kabies w/ blaster and venom w/ cannon is 120 pts).

EDIT: I forgot to factor in the chain snares so you are right.

I didn't really think about CC...might wanna take a look into that. Incubi seam good. I know Wyches/Bloodbrides aren't all that amazing, but they could be cheaper alternatives in my less competetive meta. I'm not so much a fan of Grotesques, or the Haemonculus stuff that is, model wise though, so I'd rather avoid them unless absolutely necessary.

Archon is solo, yes. I could run the court, and was considering that, but the fluff-bunny inside of me can't bear to stand the sight of a list without an Archon leading it. That said, I'm not the biggest fan of the plastic Archon model...so perhaps the court might not be such a bad idea.

As for Change Snares...I sorta forgot that DE vehicles were paper boats when I thought about adding the Chance Snares. I was just more thinking about having the option to Tank Shock. Now that I remember that our things die when anything looks funny at us...yeah...maybe not such a good idea. That then saves me, what, 60 points? That's a nice chunk to spend on some buddies for my Archon, alongside some points shuffling.

I agree about the Archon model. The one on the cover of the codex is so cool and yet you cannot find it anymore. I finally caved and ordered a new one, just going to modify it heavily.

After I posted the point tally comment I realized I forgot to add in the snares. I edited it but yeah, you are right.

I have also read about not taking blasters with the kab squads to keep them as cheap as possible. I have yet to run my DE army, my first game is in 10 days, but if you drop those, it should free up some more points for other things.

Reavers with caltrops can be useful, again I am speaking from a theoretical position here, in CC and threaten light vehicles.

One more thing, with RSR you don't have any Objsec. I don't know how your meta works but you might consider going with a CAD and RSR as allies. Objsec can be a nice thing to have.

My meta is fairly varied, with nearly every army having at least some showing. And we'll play anything, so ObSec isn't a HUGE deal, though it could be helpful.

I also did hear about not running Kabalites with special weapons, which I find weird. But then I'm coming from Marines... Dropping all Blasters thought grants me a whopping 90 points to work with. Alongside the points rom dropping the Chain Snares, that's 150 points to play with.

As for HQ, I could go to a Succubus, perhaps accompanied by some Incubi. That'd give me a solid combat unit to throw against some more troublesome units.

And if I wanted to get in some Reavers, I'd either need another CAD, or drop a Venom to make space, but they are some awesome models and a strong unit from what I here that I wouldn't mind including them.

The issue with the blasters in the Warrior squads is that you'd likely be shooting them at armor, which essentially wastes the other 4 shots coming from that unit.

Instead of a RSR, why not do two CADs?

A Succubus is a decent HQ choice. I use one (archite glaive, splinter pistol, sometimes armour of misery) pair it up with a squad of two Incubi and a Klaive, throw the whole thing in a venom with dual cannons. That unit is killer at eating troops due to the small squad size and the Klaivex having rampage. I've had great fun in the past with it.

Alright, here we go...a modified list based on all your suggestions:

CAD 1:

HQ:

Succubus w/ Archite Glaive, Splinter Pistol, and Armour of Misery @ 110

Troops:

Four identical Kabalite Warrior squads (5 man) in Venoms w/ Splinter Cannon @ 105 ea.

Fast Attack:

Two identical Raizorwing Jetfighters w/ Dark Lances, Splinter Cannon, and Nightshields @ 165 ea.

5 Scourges w/ 4 Heat Lances @ 120

Heavy Support:

Three identical Ravagers w/ 3 Dark Lances, Enhanced Aethersails, and Nightsheilds @ 145 ea.

CAD 2:

HQ:

Court of the Archon: 1x Medusae in a Venom w/Splinter Cannon @ 90

Troops:

Two identical Kabalite Warrior squads (5 man) in Venoms w/ Splinter Cannon @ 105 ea.

Fast Attack:

Two identical Reaver squads (3 man) w/ 1x Cluster Caltrop and 1x Heatlance @ 73 ea.

Total: 1996

That is looking pretty good (love the spicy one of Medusae). Two suggestions:

1. I would ditch the sails on the Ravagers

2. Razorwings are tricky. The Dark Lance is anti armor and the cannon is anti infantry, so as they are now, they are some what at odds as to what they would be targeting. I would either leave the Dissies and take the cannon upgrade or upgrade to the lances and leave the cannons off.

That would give you 35 points to invest elsewhere. Many an extra model in the court or something along those lines.

Another thing people point out is that Reaver squads are going to be jinking most of the time, so upgrading weapons on them may not be the best use of points. Personally, the only upgrade I've taken is the caltrop, so I can't really speak to that, but I can see where they are coming from.

1. My thought on the Sails was to allow for quick re-positioning, but I can see why it might not be the best choice.

2. The idea of the Razorwings was to allow them to be there to target enemy fliers (hence the lances), or ground troops (hence the cannons). That said, I can see where you are coming from. Having never played them, I don't really know how effective they would be in a split role, and it would likely be better to specialize them. That said, this is intended as a TAC list, so I am trying to cover all my bases. I don't want to show up to a game with Dissie fliers and be facing AV 12 fliers like the Stormraven, and likewise I don't want to show up to a game without fliers and only be putting puny D-lance shots into things... Its a tough decision.

3. That something I didn't see anyone talk about. However, again, I get where you are coming from, so yeah, it might be better to drop the H-lances.

Just dropping the sails and H-lances grants me 35 more points....drop either the cannons or D-lances on the Razorwings and I can end up with another 55 points...for 59 points remaining. Just find another 4 points and I could get another 3 Reavers with 1x Caltrop.

Noted with regards to the Razorwings. Maybe have one kitted for AA and one kitted for ground troops? Alternatively, they shoot those pie plate missiles, so even if they are kitted out for AA (lances, tl rifle), they can still do some damage to troops on the ground. Just something to consider. List is looking good though, I think the double Razorwings could be really fun.

StreetsAhead wrote:

Noted with regards to the Razorwings. Maybe have one kitted for AA and one kitted for ground troops? Alternatively, they shoot those pie plate missiles, so even if they are kitted out for AA (lances, tl rifle), they can still do some damage to troops on the ground. Just something to consider. List is looking good though, I think the double Razorwings could be really fun.

Lol. XD Forgot about the missles! Definitely think I'll have them both kitted for AA then, and make the missles be their offense against the ground.

Another option could be to drop one Razorwing and use the remaining points to get a Voidraven bomber? It's another model I quite like, and I hear it's pretty good. I'd need a few more points though, due to the massively increased cost, if I want the thing seems with missles too...

Haha, can't forget about those missiles!

I think the Voidraven model looks awesome as well (like most of the DE line). Never used one in a game though, so can't speak to the effectiveness. From what I've picked up on this site, the bomber seems to be over priced for what it does.

Then probably not a good idea to take the Voidraven. I could then drop the Armour of Misery on the Succubus (as she'll have a 4++ in combat anyways, and the -2 LD might be detrimental at times) to get the extra points I need to field another 3 Reavers, and that leaves me with 10 points. So Grisly Trophies on the Incubi Venom? That's about all I can do to full those last few points.

That would work. Once the Succubus gets into combat it has a 4++ save anyway, just need to watch out for those overwatch.

I'd put the Incubi in the front, probably, if overwatch was going to be a considerable problem.

One thing to consider with your Razorwings. If you are kitting them for AA you might stick to the Dissies anyway. That gives you volume of shots against someone who will probably be jinking. A lance weapon isn't going to be a ton of help against flyers anyway since most of them don't pass AV12.

I agree about the Void Raven beeing overpriced. I own two of them. They look cool as hell but just sit on my shelf.

There are a few really good posts about reavers. I see them split on taking lances and not. There are good arguments on both sides. I guess it depends on how you plan to use them.

I think your list looks great!

The only problem with the Dissies I see is the occasional chance when I might fight one of the AV12 fliers. And considering the disproportional amount of Marine players in my area (due to a recent Badab War campaign, of which I was a part of, hence me coming from Marines). Otherwise, I understand your point.

As for the Reavers, I think they'll be good for distraction units, screens for my Venoms, and semi-objective-clearing combat troops.