How do we deal with flyers?

Zanais wrote:

I see this as a unit transported as pod or flayer is not counted "for these purposes", these purposes are "working out how many other units may do so". So yeah whole army in drop pods is possible, even with no models on board.

This is what most people read on instinct. Just remember a unit and DT "count as" one unit "for the purposes of determining how many other units can be held in reserves" (paraphrase). So they are not one unit in actuality, and are not required to function as a single unit, just that they "count as" one "for these purposes". However, the entire unit is not required to be held in reserve, and therefore do not benefit from the "units that must be started in reserve are ignored" language.

But back to this topic at hand. A little bit of math. Not counting the missiles (no real way to look at that over the entire length of a game), a squadron of valkyries (more dangerous to us than vendettas IMO), comes up with about 11 wounds on average against T3. Against a unit of mandrakes in a forest, that kills 5. Against a unit of turbo-boosting reavers, that kills 4. Against Harlequins in a forest, that kills 2. And that's 330 points worth of shooting.

Letting them expend almost 1,000 points to go about dropping 15 models/turn (maybe 20 on the first turn with missiles)? Fine with me. That size game (assuming 1850 or more) I'll have a good 70+ models. Take into account maneuverability, the difficulty of moving fliers, etc. And they will only be hitting to full effect one a few turns per game.

What about necrons? It's even less points effective. Avg. about 3 hits, 2+ to wound, and cover saves... Doom scythe, in my experience, won't hit more than 3 or 4 infantry models with proper placing, even given them the benefit of the doubt, a DS is dropping 3 or 4 infantry per shooting phase. Even worse if your cover is better than 4+ (which is not difficult in a Dark Eldar list).

I really look forward to the first time I face a flier-heavy list. From the DE players I've had discussions with (including the one I mentioned in my last post, I am extremely heartened by my ability to counter-- even says flier-- possibly even better without a flyer! (don't give the DS the chance to drop 165 points in one go).