Updated 1000 starter list

So I have love the fluff and models of the DE for a long time but have always pretty much been an imperium or craftworlds player. I am looking to jump into DE with 2 start collecting boxes and have this drawn up:
archon - blaster & PGL
archon - blaster & PGL
4x5 Kabalites w/blaster and sybarite w/blast pistol
6 reavers w/2 blasters and 2 grav talons
2x raiders w/shock prows
2x venoms w/splinter cannons

So I would need to get the venoms extra but they are suprisingly inexpensive for a transport. I think I can get both start collecting and then the venoms for the sale of my spare models.

Please let me know where you think I could cut cost and improve. Suggestions on purchases that are a bargain are always welcome!

Just a couple things, Archons come with melee weapons, either power sword, huskblade or agoniser (recommended), and Raiders come with disintegrator cannons or dark lances.
If you're needing to shave points, the general opinions is that the second splinter cannon on the venom is unnecessary as it's 15 points for essentially 2 more splinter shots and the twin splinter rifle is good enough (and free)

I agree with Gorgon...I always drop the Splinter Cannon on the Venom if I need to shave points off. In fact I don't see me using the Splinter Cannon on the Venom unless the points are lowered in the codex.

Also what I would suggest is that all those Blast Pistols could be 2 Dark Lances instead. I would change up to 10 man squads and take a Dark Lance. I understand some people like the MSU method, but without a Ravager or a Flyer you are lacking enough Dark Lances.

Otherwise your list is great. People will tell you that Reavers are weak right now, they are right, but don't give up on them just yet. The codex will, I'm sure, bring them back into the fold.

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I appreciate the feedback. I am thinking I am going to do the Broken Sigil Kabal with their metallic green-ish armor with bone accents. Should look pretty cool. Black weapons. Do you think red eye lenses on helmed figs? Yellow could work cool as well.

I have gone for a purple theme on mine, and chose yellow for the eye lenses...but I did start with dark green and had a massive failure because I am colour blind so I just could not work with dark greens against a black undercoat.

For the eyes I just painted them white and then used a yellow wash and this worked well. It should work just as well for red so just a thought.

One day when I have enough of mine painted up I might share a few pics on here.

Dig it boss! That must be tough being color blind. I couldn't imagine. Speaks to your commitment and skill in the hobby to be able to paint though! Good stuff!

I am not totally colour blind but struggled big time with dark green...I have to say in the end I enjoyed the purple theme. I got lucky as well as the Kabal of the Last Hatred is purple and I like their background.

I wouldn't say I am a good painter but I like to keep things neat. Picking the right colours is key for me.

I would have to say that as happy as I am with the purple, I regret that my army won't look really dark and nasty which Dark Eldar suit so well!

So I came up with another 1000 list that'll make better work of darklight (I think) and works with 2 start collecting boxes + 2 venoms.

2x archon w/balster & PGL (though it seems like a bad idea cuz they can't fire both right?)
3x5 kabalites w/blaster and sybarite w/blast pistol (might move PGL's here)
5 trueborn w/4 blasters
4 reavers w/blaster and grav talon
ravager w/3 lances
2 venoms stock
raider w/lance

So the kabalites take 1 venom, half the raider and 1 squad is huffing it on foot, while the archons ride in the raider with 1 kabalite squad. That's 14 lance shots from 18" & 36" and 2 venom's worth of splinter fire on top. I thin that's decent a decent amount of fire for 1000 points. What do y'all think?

Castellan Alaric wrote:

2x archon w/balster & PGL (though it seems like a bad idea cuz they can't fire both right?)

The Archons can fire the PGL as well as their blasters. This edition everyone can fire all non-pistol weapons at the same time (or all pistols). Did you remember to pay points for the Archon's melee weapons? They have to take something.

Another thing you could buy if you want to run reavers (even if people say they are crap play them and see if you like them) is the Gangs of Commorragh box ... I think it comes with 10 hellions and 6 reavers for the cost of roughly a box and a half of reavers so you get the hellions for free ...