Took Dark Eldar to an 80 person Grand Tournament.

Crixalis wrote:

"If the unit has an ability that allows it to fight first in the Fight phase, it INSTEAD fights as if it did not have this ability." Keyword: instead, as in instead of fighting last.

uhm I think that that "INSTEAD" refer to "fight first in the Fight phase" not to the previous sentence

Hmmm how vexing...

Vexator mask allows a "first strike" enemy to attack first on the charge, or for you to attack first on the charge. In subsequent fight phases, (assuming ongoing close combat) then the "first strike" unit will act as a normal unit, allowing you to use the interrupt combat stratagem.

SO, here's the list of possibilites:
First Strike
Chargers
Normal
Last

and we've determined that when an enemy unit charges in...
First Strike -> Charge
Charge -> Last
Normal -> Last
Last.

Thanks for the detailed write up on the tournament. I think I will have to prioritise converting another four Grots and a couple of Talos. They sound like a fun and powerful unit to play with.

As for the Vexator Mask thing, I think it is ambiguous and could be interpreted either way. It clearly hinges on what the "instead" is targeting. We should all send a question to official FAQ email address asking them to clarify.

Honestly, I would never argue in a game that the mask makes an "always strike first" unit strike dead last. I think it is meant to remove that rule. When people were arguing that charging made a unit gain "always strike first", that is when I argued it the other way.

So, in my humble (and correct ) opinion-
the mask makes a unit fight last UNLESS it has the "always strike first " special rule, in which case that particular unit will fight as if it did not have that rule (I/E can still go first if charged, interrupted, etc...)

Skulnbonz wrote:

So, in my humble (and correct ) opinion-
the mask makes a unit fight last UNLESS it has the "always strike first " special rule, in which case that particular unit will fight as if it did not have that rule (I/E can still go first if charged, interrupted, etc...)

I humbly (and correctly ) agree.

Excellent write up - cheers

Ive been messing around with 9 talos and 10 grots -

but then ive also thought about the full 30 grots plus friends..

would like to see how they play

I hardly disagree on the Writ. Ravagers move at 14", Archon move at 7"+D6+6" Range. He doesn't really slow nothing in my games. And far than being a Tax, I use him actively (even charging sometimes). Ravagers are fast but their range is 36" and you don't wanna closing distances with them so it's really hard to figure out how the Archon will slow them down.

On Reavers, they don't need to charge on first turn and if they do that is because you want to engage some chaff units. So it's a win/win. The mistake here is to think that they will be able to charge something valuable: it will never happens (and they don't punch good enough for them anyway).

Wyches are totally competitve, expecially paired with Grotesques themselves, even if not necessary tho.

But i TOTALLY AGREE on Grotesques! These guys are crazy, seriously try them. And on the Vexator Mask of course.

Nice batreps mate!