Trial by Drukhari

Well, since I am such a nice guy, when not wearing my mantle and pretending to be an Archon,
I promised some guys to show them a little more than just the basics written in the core rules.
After some chatting, we decided to play a couple of 1k5 matches. They know how to play theoretically
and they know how to build a list, but are far away from competitive builds, let alone playing dirty tactics.
They know the rules and have bright heads on their shoulders, but lack in experience.
So I want to give them, well, a challenge. It shouldnt be too easy.
They have to sweat, but I dont want to obliterate them.

So I came up with a RSR list, that allows them a nice learning experience, I hope.
They could learn about effective trade, threat assessment and what a distraction carnifex is.

Here comes the list:


++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari - Drukhari) [80 PL, 9CP, 1,500pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost

Gametype: Matched

Obsession: Realspace Raid

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Alliance of Agony [-1CP]

Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]

Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, 95pts]: Blast Pistol, Hatred Eternal, Huskblade, Kabal of the Obsidian Rose, Raid Mastermind, The Djin Blade, Warlord
. Splintered Genius (Obsidian Rose): Splintered Genius

Haemonculus [5 PL, 90pts]: Poisoner's Ampule, Stratagem: Alliance of Agony WLT, The Prophets of Flesh, Twisted Animator
. Alchemical Maestro (Prophets): Alchemical Maestro

Succubus [5 PL, 95pts]: 1 - Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Dancer's Edge, Precision Blows, Stratagem: Alliance of Agony WLT, Wych Cult of the Cursed Blade
. Blast Pistol & Archite Glaive
. Show Stealer (Cursed Blade): Show Stealer

+ Troops +

Haemoxytes [4 PL, 65pts]: The Prophets of Flesh
. 3x Haemoxyte: 3x Wrack Blade
. Haemoxyte Acothyst: Electrocorrosive Whip, Hexrifle
. Haemoxyte w/ Special Weapon: Ossefactor

Hekatrix Bloodbrides [4 PL, 90pts]: 1 - Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Wych Cult of the Cursed Blade
. Hekatrix: Blast Pistol, Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Power sword
. 4x Hekatrix Bloodbride: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol

Kabalite Trueborn [8 PL, 145pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. 6x Kabalite Trueborn: 6x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Heavy Weapon: Dark Lance
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Trueborn Sybarite: Splinter Rifle

Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 50pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. 3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Sybarite: Splinter Rifle

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Klaive

+ Fast Attack +

Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: 1 - Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Wych Cult of the Cursed Blade
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods

Scourges [5 PL, 120pts]
. Scourge with Special / Heavy weapon: Dark Lance
. Scourge with Special / Heavy weapon: Dark Lance
. Scourge with Special / Heavy weapon: Dark Lance
. Scourge with Special / Heavy weapon: Dark Lance
. Solarite: Shardcarbine

+ Heavy Support +

Talos [6 PL, 100pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Talos: Chain-flails, Macro-scalpel
. . Two splinter cannons

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 110pts]: Disintegrator Cannon, Grisly Trophies, Kabal of the Obsidian Rose, Phantasm Grenade Launcher

Raider [6 PL, 110pts]: Disintegrator Cannon, Grisly Trophies, Kabal of the Obsidian Rose, Phantasm Grenade Launcher

Venom [5 PL, 85pts]: Kabal of the Obsidian Rose, Splinter Cannon, Splinter Cannon

Venom [5 PL, 85pts]: Kabal of the Obsidian Rose, Splinter Cannon, Splinter Cannon

Venom [5 PL, 85pts]: Kabal of the Obsidian Rose, Splinter Cannon, Splinter Cannon

++ Total: [80 PL, 9CP, 1,500pts] ++

I have some MSU ObSec with vehicle support, some nice close combat asskickers
and a distraction, well, Talos. The Scourges could hit hard, when ignored, and the Trueborn, uh, are Trueborn.

I think, its a nice beer&pretzel list that allows a newbie player to learn a lot.
What do you guys think? Too hard? Too soft? Any suggestions? Ideas? Critic maybe?

Over all, I think you are on the money. A little bit of everything to get the feel of the army (and learn what you can/cant expect from your units).

My suggestions would be mostly around complication:
-Stay with units of Wracks over Haemoxytes, also less unit upgrades for the unit.
-Combining warrior/Haemoxyte points into one big blob of one unit. Just to keep things simpler
-Probably no Grisly Trophies/PGLs, just in the interest of keeping things simple.
-Talos with Heatlance/Scalples, just to make the units role clear and simple
-Maybe leave Showstealer/Alchemical Maestro out, just to keep those units a little simpler

In fact, I would probably start at 500 or 1k and move up after 3-ish games. But you know your player group better than I

Well, all good points. I will think about it. ... ... Tomorrow. Today I watch Sci-Fi oldies.
Buck Rogers, Captain Scarlet, V and the old Battlestar Galactica.

I will tell you then, what we decided. Thanks a bunch for your feedback.
So much to think of, when playing with newcomers. Man, where we ever that green?

So, sorry for the wait. We discussed it and agreed to 1k.
The prologue is interesting though:
The first of those players brought me to 40k in 4-5th edition. Ever since then I played ESE only.
He paused after 6th and now he wants to make a comeback.
He is a Black Templar player and his favorite HQ has always been a Terminator Captain.
I am sure he will use him again. Maybe with a plasma pistol chaplain.
I foresee at least 5 Terminators with an assault cannon and maybe some assault marines.
Also , he is no big fan of Primaris.

I want to challenge him , but not humiliate him without a chance.

Sounds like a fun match up.

My suggestion would be to keep things somewhat similar:
-Only take Raiders or Venoms, dont mix and match
-Have units with only 1 role, so he knows that "this unit is Anti infantry, that unit is Anti Tank"
-Dont take too many Incubi.
-Take a few weaker units that will bounce off his Power Armor (looking at you, Wyches).

Haha, we sure have come a long way. I remember back in the day thinking that the Attack profile on the unit meant how many times you fired their guns XD

When I got my first codex, my priorities lied on units with multiple wounds.
They seemed to be much more durable than the others.
Man, it took me quite some time to really understand the mechanics.
Back in 3rd even Archons had only 3. And every weapon did only 1D.
We sure came quite a loooong way.

Btt: Tonight, I build a 1k list. I got mostly MSU in mind in some Raiders, backed by Reavers or Scourges.

Should be fun to play around at 1K.

Have fun and share the learning experience with us so we know more about bringing new players into the hobby!

This is my first attempt. Maybe I swap a Kabalite squad for some more Wracks
and/or the Reavers for DL Scourges and additional gear...


++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari - Drukhari) [53 PL, 3CP, 1,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [6CP]: 2. Incursion (51-100 Total PL / 501-1000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost

Gametype: Matched

Obsession: Realspace Raid

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Alliance of Agony [-1CP]

Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, 85pts]: Agoniser, Consummate Weaponmaster, Kabal of the Poisoned Tongue, Raid Mastermind, Soulheim, Splinter Pistol, Warlord
. Splintered Genius (Poisoned Tongue): Splintered Genius

Haemonculus [4 PL, 70pts]: Fear Incarnate, Stratagem: Alliance of Agony WLT, The Dark Creed

Succubus [4 PL, -1CP, 80pts]: 1 - Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Quicksilver Fighter, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Triptych Whip, Wych Cult of the Red Grief
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive

+ Troops +

Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 50pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. 3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Sybarite: Splinter Rifle

Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 50pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. 3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Sybarite: Splinter Rifle

Wracks [3 PL, 50pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Hexrifle, Wrack Blade
. Wrack w/ Special Weapon: Ossefactor
. 3x Wracks: 3x Wrack Blade

Wyches [3 PL, 60pts]: 1 - Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Wych Cult of the Red Grief
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Klaive

+ Fast Attack +

Reavers [6 PL, 140pts]: 6 - Splintermind (Combat Drug), Wych Cult of the Red Grief
. Arena Champion: Heat Lance
. 4x Reaver: 4x Bladevanes, 4x Splinter Pistol, 4x Splinter Rifle
. Reaver with special weapon (up to 1 for 3 models): Heat Lance

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 110pts]: Chain-snares, Disintegrator Cannon, Grisly Trophies, The Dark Creed

Raider [6 PL, 110pts]: Chain-snares, Disintegrator Cannon, Grisly Trophies, The Dark Creed

Raider [6 PL, 105pts]: Dark Lance, Wych Cult of the Red Grief

++ Total: [53 PL, 3CP, 1,000pts] ++

Looks about right to me!

Units appear to be pretty straight forward and simple to grasp.

Hopefully your New Players will get a kick out of eating a bunch of Reavers once they come out to play. Be sure to tell them how many points they cost

I want to see their faces, when my Raiders charge them. -3Ld means, I get +1 to hit against Ld10 or lower.
In turn3 my Raiders have 6 S7 AP-1 D1 attacks with Blade Artist hitting on 2+.