Quick thumb through Eldar book

Gave the Eldar codex a quick review and was pretty shocked by a few rules, guns and stuff. This is all good for Eldar, bad for opponents and some is a bit confusing.

We are all Black Guardians now!

The change to WS 4 and BS 4 for all the Eldar is big! The lowly Guardians, jetbikes, and all vehicles now fight and shoot as well as their evil counterparts and all Marines. Being hit on 4+ instead of 3+ also helps the lowly Guardian in close combat. They still are not world beaters, but this can help them survive a bit better.

The rise from 50% to 66% is a big jump for shooting. It makes Guide not such a must have power. It is still super useful, but with BS 4, it isn’t as necessary.

Everyone has Bladestorm?

The Shuriken weapons of the Eldar have become more deadly. The basic gun is still 12” S4 AP5 and assault 2. However, now all Shuriken weapons have the Bladestorm rule. If a 6 is rolled to wound, then it is resolved at AP 2. Yeah they get a cool non-vehicle sort of rending on all their basic guns. Throw in better accuracy and these guns just became deadlier to non-vehicles. Now, people are crying due to the lack of range, but boo-frakin’-hoo! The WS 4 and AP 2 wound potential balance the short range. Some people just want everything, or are never happy.

Scatter Lasers are better?

The humble scatter laser was great before. Now when it fires if it hits, it gives the additional guns (if there are any) the twin-link ability. This makes any two plus weapon unit pretty damn effective. Then add in the multiple shots the weapon has and BS 4. Well you get it. The scatter laser is much better.

War Walkers!

These guys were the bomb before. The amount of doom they could spit out hasn’t changed. Sure they have gone up in points, but they retain their scout ability and now have a 5++ save. They look open-topped, but still are not which helps their armor 10. Even better is the weapons are dirt cheap and they can still take multiples that fire separately. These guys still look to punish units with fire power.

Cheap-o guns!

A lot of the gun upgrades are super cheap. I’m looking at 5 point star cannons and 5/10 point bright lances. War Walkers with double Star Cannons or Bright Lances are pretty damn cheap and scary. Throw these on War Walkers or Vypers and they are cost effective and deadly. Yes they are fragile, but this is a war game and these are glass hammer type units. They should cause damage, but not take a lot in return. Cheap deadly guns with BS 4 on mobile units is pretty damn scary.

What would be my personal favorite?

The Shadow Weaver heavy support platform. I wouldn’t leave home without unit of three. They are dirt cheap and can do some damage. The Shadow Weaver is a S6 AP6 large blast, barrage and pinning weapon. The large blast is fantastic as it is on the mobile and artillery version. Even better is the ability to cause AP 1 wounds if a 6 is rolled to wound. Wait! Even better is that a unit that is initiative 3 or less will take a strength 7 hit instead of a strength 6 hit. Holy crap these will neuter Guard, Necrons, Orks, Tau and Tyranids. People are so concerned with the Wraith stuff and they seem to have missed this. Throw in the artillery rules and they can fire without line of sight; along with the other rules and this weapon rocks!

Wait......there was an FAQ to this already......yeah small blasts. Hmmm....well it pulls some teeth out of this and means I would take six instead of three. I still love the idea of this weapon!

What was lame before…is sill lame.

Banshees, Hawks, Lance bikes, the Avatar and Harlequins are still suck piles in my book. I have never been a huge believer in them and now I still am not. I still see no viable use and would have no fear if they were heading my direction.

Now these are better!

Striking Scorpions have been upgraded! Their Mandibalsters now cause an auto S3 hit at the beginning of close combat. A free hit before swings is never bad. Sure it is only strength 3, but it auto hits. Then throw in the move through cover they get standard without needing an Exarch power. They still are strength 4 in close combat, have 3+ armor, fleet, are initiative 5, have sharp ninja star pistols and have plasma grenades. Wait, the Scorpions Claw is a ton better as it is a power fist ( strength 6) but it goes at initiative. Screw you Astartes! Our fisting is weaker, but faster. Yeah I just said that out loud. These guys don’t need a transport to get to where they are going and can do some damage when they get there.

Stuff costs more?

The Fire Dragons have gone up in price. If any Eldar player didn’t see this coming or disagrees, then they might have some problem or are in denial. They were dirt cheap prior and even with the points increase they are still pretty tough. Hell, they even got a boost with a 3+ armor save.
Also there are point increases to War Walkers and Wraithlords, but they seem worth the extra cost.

Master of Psykers….yes and no.

Farseers are now psy level 3 to start. No need to buy the extra levels they get them base. They also generate powers randomly. Who didn’t see this coming? Their psy defense is a bit lame now, but it needed to be after what it was. Gone is the whole board “Screw you psykers!” Runes of What-have-you. Now they get a one shot deny the witch bonus. Hell, even their ghost helm is lamer now. Look out Space Wolves….your rune weapons might be next.

Psy powers are multi-purpose.

Having two lists of psy powers is a thing. Right? What stands out is the fact Eldar psy powers that buff a unit can be used to de-buff the enemy. That is a nice twist and a good bit of versatility.

AHHHH GHOSTS!

The loss of Wraith Sight will make players happy. The fact the only issue with Wraith units now is cost. I see mo other downside. The Wraithlords keep their toughness 8. I thought would change as this ignores so many weapons. These big guys stay nigh invulnerable. The big Wraith thing is a mess, and people will hate it like the Heldrake I’m guessing.

This is what I gleaned from a quick once over of the codex. I only take issue with the changes to WS and BS. I guess every butcher, baker and candlestick maker in the Eldar society is as well trained as an elite warrior. I think that pulls a lot away from the game, but makes players happy. This just leaves Guard, Orks, Bugs, Sisters (they exist still) and Tau (well kind of) as below BS 4 armies. A bit disappointing, but G.W. cares not for that kind of stuff. Will Guard get a boost to BS 4? They should since they are a trained army. It would make sense there. I'll miss army exposition matching the game, but whatever.

The same goes for Wraith stuff. I guess when space elves die, they all become wraith thingies. Seems these once honored and rare units will soon be everywhere. At least they are finally plastic. I guess that is an upside. Plus they get their own mini-codex. Well that is nice and why the name of the gods won't they do this for other factions? We get it, buy the new wraith stuff to use with the new wraith codex. 

Good news for poncy space elves. You have your new codex. Now you can shut-up and the Orks and Black Templars can start to whine.