This weekend I will be taking my Kabal to an invite only, friendly tournament taking place at the heart of GW, Warhammer World. Six games will be played over the two days by each player and everyone has been instructed to write up a 1500pt list which they must use for every game. So being well rounded is going to be key.
My normal lists fits the bill nicely with a decent mix of anti-tank and anti-infantry:
HQ
Archon (Reaver Jetbike, Punisher, Combat Drugs, Haywire Grenades, Shadow Field, Tormentor Helm, Plasma Grenades)
Dracon (Agoniser, Splinter Pistol, Plasma Grenades)
5 Incubi (Plasma Grenades)
Raider
Elites
7 Wyches (Wych Weapons, Plasma Grenades) inc. Succubus (Agoniser)
Raider
Troops
5 Warriors (Dark Lance)
Raider (Horrorfex)
5 Warriors (Dark Lance)
Raider (Horrorfex)
5 Warriors (Splinter Cannon)
Raider (Horrorfex)
5 Warriors (Splinter Cannon)
Raider (Horrorfex)
5 Warriors (Splinter Cannon)
Raider (Horrorfex)
Heavy Support
Ravager (3 x Disintegrators)
Ravager (3 x Disintegrators)
Ravager
However! I've been thinking of changing things up a little for some intensive experimentation. Inspired by a rude awakening in my last game whereby my Jetbike Archon was insta-killed by a Lascannon before reaching close combat. I've been thinking about how much he'd benefit from a few Reaver Jetbikes to take any nasty S6+ shots.
To achieve this I could drop (very reluctantly I should add) the Wych Squad, and for the same points get:
5 Reaver Jetbikes (2 x Blaster) inc. Succubus (Agoniser)
It's an interesting trade off as I gain a little more anti-tank but lose a good 'tarpit' unit to tie up some of the nastier enemy units. The Wyches survive a little better in combat but the bikes survive a little better against shooting. I'll also lose a Raider (though it always seems to get wrecked immediately before or just after dropping the Wyches off anyway).
Alternatively I could just take out one RJB and the Succubus leaving me 86pts to spend elsewhere...
In anycase I'll let you know how my finalised list looks before the weekend. When I get back I'll be sure to do a full report on how I got on, so keep an eye out for that. As always I'd love to hear your thoughts on my list and how you'd improve it so be sure to post a comment below.
Happy Raiding!
I am really digging the color scheme on your models. I started up some Dark Eldar a few weeks ago and went with a white/blue theme. My blue starts off real dark and is then shaded up to Ice blue so it is a much bolder blue that what you are using.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see one of your army shots I am just really impressed.
I'll second praise of your army paint scheme again. I love the contrast of the blues and whites - and oddly enough your skin method is very similar to what I use.
ReplyDeleteAs far as running your Archon solo like you have been - I never do, because it takes balls the size of casaba melons to run around alone with a T4 model that expensive without eternal warrior...and I do not have those balls. I always pair him with RJBs
A RJB retinue like you discuss is something I run semi-regular when the mood strikes me. It's pretty darn killy (though personally i run a T.Helm and Punisher combo on the Succubus instead of an Agoniser - it synergizes better with the RJB Str boost and if you happen to roll +1 Str for your bikes it is total win).
The thing to remember is that the RJBs are much more fragile then the Wyches and will also generally be better at attacking different sorts of targets (Wyches are for tarpitting elite units, RJBs are for picking on regular troops). I'm not sure if I'd want to give up Wyches for assault RJBs, Wyches are a lot more adaptable and able to deal with different threats.
A cheaper backup option for your Lord is to just buy 3 RJBs with 2 Blasters. Turbo boost on Turn 1 to get close to the enemy and get cover saves, then split off the Lord to assault and the bikes to hunt tanks.
I'll also throw out the thought that you may wish to seriously consider Blasters on your gunboat squads. It allows them to help pop transports if the lances are struggling and a single Blaster shot will help you rip up infantry better then rapid-firing with a splinter rifle anyday.
If I was running that list I'd probably drop the bike lord (who feels a little tacked on) in order to buy some Destructor armed Haemonculi to ride with either the Wych boat or in Gunboats, since a flamer with potentially AP3 or lower is pretty solid.
Are we going to get to see bat reps from this tournament? (he asked subtly)
@Thor. If I wanted to fit both the Wyches and the small RJB squad in and Blasters for my Gunboats I'd have to drop a Raider Squad. Worth it?
ReplyDeleteYou are indeed going to see some form of BatRep. I'm not sure how detailed they will be because the games have a 2 hour time limit so taking lots of pictures and notes might be difficult. I will at the very least write a summary of each game.
Generally I never really advise switching up your army too much right before walking into a tournament simply because I feel one needs time to adjust to new methods.
ReplyDeleteLooking at your army overall - I would not advocate dropping to 4 Troop choices. Five is pretty bare minimum in my opinion (and of course 6 is best). I probably would advocate dropping the Archon in order to buy Blasters and a mini RJB squad, however. As I noted earlier - the Archon feels a little tacked on to the list and his survivability is a touch risky running around on his own.
If you really want to keep the Bike Lord I would advocate dropping one Wych from the squad and dropping the Haywire grenades off the Lord (3 Str 3 attacks won't make a big difference to how tough the Wyches are, and the Lord can be Str 6 when fighting vehicles and hit on rear armor - and should avoid Dreds in any case even if he has Haywires)
That will give you the points to slip Blasters into your Gunboat squads. With Blasters they'll have a high Str and low AP weapon that will help them a lot when shooting MEQ infantry and will also be able to shoot at vehicles to help pop transports or disable Walkers/Tanks. That makes the gunboats a more universal threat and will also increase the ability of your army to deal with Armor while not weakening them in any way versus infantry hordes.
I look forward to your battles and wish you good luck.
I would love to have Blasters on my gunboats but I haven't actually got any models for them. I converted some for my RJB's but I don't have the time to do it for this event.
ReplyDeleteI take your point on the Archon though. He is ultra-killy but he is vunerable. I'm conisidering taking him out of the list and putting a 3 man RJB squad with 2 x Blaster and Succubus with Punisher & Tormentor Helm. This leaves me with points spare to give the wyches Goblet of Spite and still have 10 points left over.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteAt first I'll say that I'm sorry for my bad english (because I'm Austrian) but I hope you understand what I mean =)
Your Dark Eldar Kabal looks really nice. I think that's one of the coolest Dark Eldar armys i've ever seen. And here is my first question. Have you dipped them with FAP (FanaticArmyPainter) or washes of the company vallejo?
And now a question to your armylist. Why do you always equip your Raiders with Horrorfex? In the newest errata they are no devensive weapons so you only could use the Fex or the darklance. In my opinion the Lance is always the better choice. What do you think?
Greets