A New Eldar Army List: Eldar Corsairs In IA 11

Well the move back to Lansing is going slowly. Returning to the path is going to be rough. By path I mean the hobby. I have been playing, but my painting and model building has been almost non existent. Dark Eldar, Eldar and Orks are all on my plate. I even have added High Elves to the mix. I look forward to the hobby jump start after I am done moving. The FLGS will be there and of course the other Craftworld authors and the Dark Future Boys.

I digress though. I have been reading through Imperial Armour 11 and I have to say I am pretty impressed. Not only does it have every Forgeworld Eldar unit in it, it also gives us a new army list to play. The Eldar Corsair army list.

Since I have been on a Footdar kick as of late I was very excited to see this army list. It lends itself very well to foot lists. In fact I have been toying with the list making a few different foot lists and they seem to work better than my Craftworld Footdar lists. You are limited to Venoms and Falcons for transports so small units, kinda an expensive razor spam for Eldar, seem to be encouraged. Larger units are forced to g on foot, but are not handicapped by it. The one glaring omission form the list though is the Avatar. The fearless bubble is the glue that binds the Craftworld Footdar list together. This is because of my heavy use of Guardians. The Corsairs benefit form an actual squad leader with a leadership value of 9. This is a major upgrade. Throw in a BS of 4 and that you can make them jet pack infantry you have a mobile force with a nice array of weapons. Having Relentless troops with Eldar missile launchers is very nice.

Since we have better leadership values with the corsairs the Avatar is not really needed. The army really is a hybrid of Dark Eldar and Craftworld Eldar. IN fact you can take Kabalite Warriors and a single fast attack or elite choice from codex Eldar as an Elites choice.

I think the thing I love the most about the Corsairs is the Heavy and Fast Attack choices. Night Spinners and Nightwings  are a fast choice while Phoenix Bombers are heavy choices. I hope this carries over a bit in the next iteration of the Eldar codex. Dark Eldar really set a precedent with flier units in the Xenos codex’s. These Units are fast and pack some serious punch. More so than a Void Raven or Razorwing. They are even about the same points cost. The real advantage though is they both have Eldar Titan Holo fields, or I should say an equivalent rule that generates the same save.  I still with they had missiles like their dark kindred though.

So for the Corsair lists I am experimenting with the core units are the Corsairs themselves. In fact I have 40 Headless and Armless Guardians ready to accept the Corsair conversion kits once I get them and finish my 1000 point bike army for the Adepticon Team tournament. This is bolstered by Nightwings and Night Spinners. Leading the force is the Corsair Prince and the Corsair Void Dreamer.

The Prince is a a mix or Autarch and Archon. The prince has wargear from both as well as some of his own, topped off with a Harlequins Kiss. I am looking forward to using this guy in combat. Being able to take a shadow field, jet pack, haywire grenades, melta bombs, a sword that boosts strength to 4 is powered and rending is pretty cool. So is the one time use orbital strike. The Void dreamer is what I wish warlocks were. A good mix of 3 powers that they have access to every turn. Not just single power. When they take spirit stones you get 2 powers a turn. They have a good mix of weapons as well, including witchblades.

I will cover the Craftworld Forces next time. We have the new Aspect warriors, the Shadow Specters, a new Phoenix lord for that Aspect and a Farseer that has a bubble than makes units stubborn. We also have the Wraithseer as well as all the new super heavy goodies. I am most intrigued by the Corsairs as I have all the units already, minus the Nightwings and Phoenix bombers.

So look for a battle report soon as I whip the corsairs out and continue to rediscover Eldar and foot lists in general. Just in time for a new rules set this summer.

Until next time

Blood Runs, Anger Rises, Death Wakes, War Calls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The 6th Editon "Leak": Seek's Take On The Rules

Well thanks to one of the denizens of the Craftworld, thanks dude, I have been able to start reading over the supposed leaked rules of 6^th Edition. I have been slowly reading the rulebook in all its rough drafty goodness for the past week. I have been holding off making comments and throwing in my 2 cents about them, mainly because I wanted to get a decent grasp of the fundamental changes in how things work.

Overall I like the new edition. This is the Warhammer 40K I want to play. It has elements from just about all the previous editions. I have played since the tail end of Rogue Trader with a slight break, skipping 4^th but still familiar with it, and I see elements from 2^nd edition on. I like the changes and additions.

The real big difference is the turn order. Movement, Assault, Shooting and Consolidation. This is a major departure from the traditional turn for pretty much any edition of 40K. It bears resemblance to Warhammer Fantasy. Charging before shooting. It would also appear, if I read the rules correctly, the ban on assaulting after a deep strike is gone. These things combined really changes the dynamic of the game.

The example I used to describe it while talking with OST, The Judge and Samsquatch Monster referred back to my Dark Eldar Webway list. Flee models add 2 inches onto their moment. This gives them a run or charge move of 16 inches. Granted this is shy of the possibly 18 inches possible in 5^th edition, but it gives you a static distance. A unit of Wyches coming out of a webway portal can just charge strait into combat in a radius of 16 inches around the portal. I am sure there will be revisions in the final version and I may be interpreting the rules wrong, but that’s what happens when a new edition comes out.

I really like how shooting has changed. The addition of the Evasion value makes fast moving armies hard to hit and despite vehicles being tough to kill makes your shots count on stationary targets more. Shooting can be very devastating as well, so shooting armies like the Tau are back in the game. You don’t need a insanely good ballistic skill anymore to hit things effectively. The balance is back, at least at first glance. The game is much more tactical. The reintroduction of reactions is nice. Overwatch, my favorite rule from 2^nd edition, is back. Elements like this add depth and give armies a chance to go down with a fight rather than getting wiped from the table after one assault phase.

I will be talking more about this rule set in the coming weeks as I read through them. I personally think they are pretty legit. OST and I have been discussing how legit they are and gleaning information from multiple sources points to this st being very legit.

I am also looking forward to the update coming in February for the Tyranids. Phil Kelley has eluded to a new unit and kit for the Nids. Finally a tervigon that also shares a kit with a new unit the Nids have needed. A transport. More on that later

Until next time.....................

Blood Runs, Anger Rises, Death Wakes, War Calls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just The FAQ's Ma'am: FAQ Updates Across The Board

Well it looks like GW has gone on a FAQ bender. Necrons, Eldar, Dark Eldar, Tyranids among other have all received some FAQ updates. No real big changes for the Eldar. There seems to be an across the board change to psychic powers that although were a shooting attack did not require a roll to hit. This has changed. Many of the powers now require a roll to hit.....except Mind War.

There is some wording changes on Runes of Warding and Runes of Witnessing. This makes sense as they threw Tyranids a bone and changed Shadows of the warp. Librarians and psyker battle squads beware. No more hiding in vehicles. Shadows of the Warp now works like Runes of Warding. The only other slight tweaks are pretty common sense.

Dark Eldar Got hardly anything as most of the new additions are also common sense. They do specify that Flicker fields only can work against glancing and penetrating hits. I don't know who was using them against dangerous terrain, but they threw that out the door. This does give you wording though if your opponent calls shenanigans against hits in close combat, which I have run into a few times. The wording specifies only glancing and penetrating hits so it will defend against close combat as well as shooting.

Orks got no real update. They clarified some wording on profit of the waaagh! and firmly stated Boss Snikrot cannot bring vehicles onto the board using his special rule. Tyranids got the real help. Besides Shadows of the warp Impaler cannons got very nice as only the terrain a unit is in or touching count for cover. Basically this means Smoke launchers and Conceal, and like abilities or powers will not protect you. A hive Tyrant also no only counts as one kill point when with tyrant guard. Thats pretty big as now the tyrant guard are worth taking. You can really tie up a unit when those guys are equipped with lash whips.

So some good changes. Hopefully this breaths a but of life into the nids. They need it.

I have been having some talks over the 6^th edition rumors and apparent leaks with OST lately. I have yet to find a copy of the leaked rules. Apparently I did not move fast enough or I am just not looking in the right spot. If anybody want to point me in the right direction I want to give them a read. I have read about a few test games and so far people are liking it. SO help old SeerK out and email the blog or send me a link.

Until next time.............

Blood Runs, Anger Rises, Death Wakes, War Calls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Road To Adepticon: Team Deathstars Display Board Issue

Its been a slow blog month as you can see. Despite having 3 other authors on the site, life in general seems to be sapping all of the life out of our leisure activities. I am in the process of moving so all of the modeling equipment and projects are packed. Some of them are already in their new home in Lansing waiting to be unpacked and worked on. I have a feeling the hobby bug is going to bite again. Bite as in tear off my head like a horrible radioactive monster from the deep. I will be living with The Judge and Samsquatch Monster. This means having a large hobby area in the man cave, the basement, and an actual table dedicated to 40K play.

This has me thinking about terrain. Besides the mountain of models that need to be finished and painted, terrain making is going to also be in my future. It is a good distraction from model painting and helps break up the hobby tedium. This has also got me thinking about our team display board for Adepticon.

Given out team theme is “Death Stars” team Death Star needs a good display board. We have four very different armies to showcase. My Eldar Bike army. We have an ork bike force. A contingent of Black Templars and our 4th member is deciding between imperial guard and space marines. Granted there will obviously be some Star Wars references, but we have not discussed what we are doing for a display board yet. Our theme is pretty flimsy, but we are in it for fun so points for a unified force are not really a big deal.

So I ask what do we do. I am open to suggestions. As is I have a vision of a board segmented into 4 quarters with a model of a Death Star hovering in the middle. I would also like to ask what my readers want to read about. I have had writers block as of late with all the moving and such. I hope this clears up once I am immersed in 40K once again. Well back to the packing.

Until next time...................

Blood Runs, Anger Rises, Death Wakes, War Calls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Thoughts On Footdar: Basic Deployment Concepts

Sorry for the pause the week of New Years. Its been crazy this week. I never realized how much stuff I had. It really piles up over a year. As I pack and get ready for my move back to Lansing I have been continuing my experiments with the Footdar. I have gotten in 3 games with OST playing his Death Wing, his Iron Warriors and His new Orky horde. The first two games were against my now evolving standard footdar list. I tried an all Aspect Warrior version when Farseer Re-Rolls dared me to try a list not involving the Avatar. Needless to say versus an Ork army not a good idea.

The Avatar is actually a lynch pin in the whole list. You have to keep your troops in the fight and making them fearless helps a whole ton. The placement of the Avatar is pretty crucial. All of your units, especially the Guardian units must have at least one member of the unit within 12 inches of the Avatar. I usually place the Avatar in the literal center of the army. The Guardian units are to The Avatars fore and wrap around the left and right. If you are using Harlequins they go ahead of the Guardians. I also use Storm Guardians instead of Harlequins as it presents a target twice the size and with a raw ton of attacks. The Warlock in the unit has the Enhance power so they hit like Aspect warriors.

Now the only units that will not be able to take advantage of the fearless aura of The Avatar are your rear guard and deep striking units. The Warp spiders and Dark reapers , as Aspect Warriors, have a good leadership and although may take a lot of fire should be able to hold up. The guardians are the main force and need the most bolstering.

Setting up the army in a pitched battle can be very difficult. This is especially true with a massed horde of Guardians. It also makes it difficult for the Harlequins to act as a screen. That said you have to choose what you screen carefully. The Harlequins will not be able to screen both Guardian units so you should place them in the front of the Avatar. This puts them in the middle of the two Guardian masses flanking the Avatar. The Seer Council will fit in behind the Avatar to bolster the Guardians Avatar and the Harlequins. The Support units, artillery and long range support, should be kept in cover on the left or right flank. In a pitched battle you still want to establish a kill corridor with your long ranged support. This is difficult given you are spanning the whole long board edge. The real key is making sure you have a kill zone established where your forces are marching.

Spearhead style deployment makes your job pretty easy. Support in the back and the Guardians surrounding the Avatar. The Harlequins up front strung out in a ling can usually screen the whole force. The kill corridor is very established since you will be squaring off corner to corner. Besides suppressing the main enemy force you will have to use your long range support to guard the flanks of your army. This is especially true on the flank facing your opponents table edge. Reserve units can hit the side of your army hard. You must also be weary of outflanking units. Genestealers and boss snikrot can wreck some havoc in your back field and cut out your long range support. I usually have the seer council hang back a bit, stretching the unit out so the seer maintains fortune range on the Avatar . You can only do this for a turn or two though. Deep strikers are no as big an issue as you can spread your force out to deny your opponent the ability to land units. Any drop zone that is viable is unappealing as its an instant kill zone. You must only be weary of units that can assault on the turn they land.

Dawn of War style deployments are a mixed bag. You can start very far forward but you only have two units on the table. This means an advanced force pretty far forward of the main force. One would think its preferable to start with nothing on the table and walk on. This has its advantages if you do not have first turn. It hampers your ability to deploy your army properly though. Units will be out of position due to space constraints. So its actually good to place a couple of units on the board. I usually go for a unit of Guardians and a Unit of Pathfinders. You have the protection of night fight and a 5+ cover save with the Guardian unit. This is where Eldrads power to redeploy units comes in handy. You can optimize your position based on what your opponent does if you are forced to set up first. Heavy weapons fire will be at a minimum. This will also allow you to get optimal firing position for the Pathfinders so they can start trying to pin units from turn one. Your opponent will see them as a target of opportunity and possibly dedicate an excess amount of resources to destroy them once he sees how hard they are to take out with shooting. I prefer buildings just because you get a get out of jail free card when it comes to indirect fire ordnance as long as you are as high as you can be without being on the top floor. Choice of HQ can be tough. I usually start with the Avatar on the table since the Farseer will not be able to deploy with the Warlock unit. Just be sure to put him in a spot that will keep him safe.

So there ya go my thoughts on the 3 basic deployment types. I would also like to announce that the Second “Test Of Khaine” tournament will take place in April. I will be bringing more details in the coming weeks on here and DarkFuture Games. It will again be at Evolution games and tentatively scheduled for the 14^th of April, which also happens to be my birthday.

Until next time.............

Blood Runs, Anger Rises, Death Wakes, War Calls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!

Well I am recovering from the party last night.  Old Seek Partied like an Archon last night and much fun was had. 2011 was a good year for Craftworld Lansing.  Our first tournament "The Test Of Khaine" was a rousing success.  I hope its equally as big this coming year.  We also added authors besides myself.  I hope they will be posting more in the coming year.
We had a great time at Adepticon and this year is looking to be an awesome time as well.  Craftworld Lansing and Dark Future Games will be running another, "buy us a drink!" raffle this year again. 
I was also added to Dark Future Games as a contributor this past year.  I look forward to bringing you coverage both here and on DFG in the coming year on all things Eldar and Xenos.  I am also looking forward to moving back to Lansing next month.  My time on the path of the Outcast is done.  Time to take up the full mantle of Seer again.  Happy New Year!


Until next time....

Blood Runs, Anger Rises, Death Wakes, War Calls!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!