1000 points novice DE player

Hi guys,

I mostly played WFB before this, so I'm kind of new to the 40K-thing. I've chosen Dark Eldar for my army because of the fluff and the strategy involved in playing. I'm about to order my first models and have composed an army list based on beginner-guides, the codex I bought and a few army lists I've seen. I definitely want to start with the battle force, it just seems like a lot of bang for my buck so the army I've composed is kind of based on what's in there. Can you guys tell me what you think of it? (I exported it from BattleScribe and removed all the points as per the guidelines. If the format still isn't correct, please say so and I'll edit my post)

Archon, Huskblade, Shadow field, Soul-trap

10 Kabalite Warriors, Raider, Nightshield, Sybarite

5 Kabalite Warriors, Venom

9 Wyches (Archon joins this unit on the raider), Haywire grenades, Hekatrix, Raider, Nightshield

3 Reaver Jetbikes, Heat Lance

3 Reaver Jetbikes, Heat Lance

Ravager 115 points, Nightshield

Ravager 115 points, Nightshield

Total cost: 976 points

Caveat- If you don't like any suggestions or points, ignore them.

-You actually have a lot of points left over that you play with. CC-drugs on the Archon, a venom blade for the Hekatrix, blaster for the warriors in the venom, aether sails for the wyche raider and/or whyche weapon for the wyches.

-unit sizes of 3 are too fragile; losing just one model forces a morale check. Also for DE reavers they are just harder to play... e.g., to get Feel No Pain on the Reavers you need to earn two pain tokens whereas as a single unit of six you only need one. (while two casualties will still for a morale check, your more likely to pass one morale check than to pass two).

-Sybarite character; this give a bonus to your Ld that's it. Ignore his extra attack because warriors should not be assaulting or being assaulted. There may be some merit to the character for a larger squad that is not in a raider; however, your points would probably be better spent with a splinter cannon.

-Venom. It needs its second splinter cannon.

-heat lances vs. blasters on the reavers. People are on both sides of the fence for this and there is merits to both sides so whichever one you prefer is fine. Just know that there is more risk to using the heat lances because you must be within 9" to realistically threaten vehicles. (Personally, I tend run heat lances when using a webway portal or in armies which are more assault oriented).

I agree with Athalkar. Try putting splinter racks on the raider with the kabalite warriors, it gives them a handy re-roll on their to-hit rolls.

Thanks for answering, both. I have to add that I'm planning on buying this list since I'm starting, so if you have any tips on swapping out units I'll gratefully take those aswell. I'm primarily going to be up against Tau, SM and IG if that helps.