I never know exactly which models my opponent will field, but I know all the models he could possibly field, and how he plays (he is my dad, so I've played against him for years, thus I can predict his army selection more often than not ).

Regarding the rules, this will be my fourth game with the Eldar, so I am starting to get the hang of them now, but it's just remembering some of them which continues to cause problems.  One of these days I might get them as well ingrained into my brain as the Warhammer 40,000 rules, one day...

I am expecting a list which is very similar to that which you suggest, so taking that into account, and your earlier suggestions, here is a revised list:

Avatar: N/A

Aspect Warhost 1: 6 Dark Reapers, 2 Fire Dragons, 4 Wave Serpents: 500
Aspect Warhost 2: 6 Dire Avengers, 2 Dark Reapers with Exarchs, 4 Wave Serpents: 550
Aspect Warhost 3: 6 Striking Scorpions, 2 Fire Dragons with Exarch and Autarch, 4 Wave Serpents: 600

Guardian Warhost 1: Farseer, 7 Guardians, 2 Wraithguard, 3 Wraithlords: 425
Guardian Warhost 2: Farseer, 7 Guardians, 4 Wave Serpents: 350

Swords of Vaul Troupe: 5 Falcons, 1 Firestorm: 300
Ranger Troupe 1: 4 Rangers: 100
Ranger Troupe 2: 4 Rangers: 100
War Walker Troupe: 6 War Walkers: 200
Windrider Troupe: 6 Jetbikes: 200
Engines of Vaul Troupe 1: 1 Scorpion: 250
Engines of Vaul Troupe 2: 1 Scorpion: 250

Warlock Titan: 850
Nightwings: 300

Total: 4975

I don't have any more than eight Rangers, so I cannot take a ninth stand, so any ideas where I could spend the remaining points?

I am expecting to face Whirlwinds, so I agree with keeping infantry inside Wave Serpents where possible.

I'm still a bit worried about small Ranger formations being too easily neutralised, but I suspect deployment is going to be the key to this.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, if you have any more please let me know.

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Well it is usually worth putting at least one Exarch with any aspect formation, two is better, to give them an edge in assaults (which is their prime strategy afterall). So use the 25 points for this.

The Warwalkers need to be set up as garrisons where they cannot be shot at without the shooters doubling, and preferably in cover as well. The same is also true for the Rangers (though if they are on OW they are considered to be in cover). Try to do this in such a way to prevent 'clipping assaults' on the end of the line, and intermixed with one set of Rangers as Spectrar Ghost suggests to make the line more robust. Most important is to make sure they are not too far forward. If placed 30-35 cms ahead of the army, enemy formations that assault them can in turn be assaulted by your forces.

The other thing that is most important is the initial deployment of your formations. Given the two THawks and probably some Terminators, you should anticipate the Marines trying a pre-emptive air assault on your main position. This can be inhibited by using the second formation of Rangers as a screen for the weaker formations in your army (Scorpions).

The main thing is to play to your strengths:-
1. Hit-&-Run for shooting, but especially after assaults
2. Speed to switch and concentrate formations
3. The Guardians, Warlock and Avatar to command joint assaults
4. The third activation to press home a significant advantage, or to withdraw the army
5. Good positioning of the Guardians so you can make use of the Avatar

And try to restrict or remove the Marine advantages:-
1. Try to destroy the smaller enemy formations to remove his activation advantage
2. Remember to marshall your rangers and Warwalkers to maintain their viability
3. Be prepared for the Marines to move first with their higher strategy rating

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So try keeping the army together, make sure that any enemy assaults will meet at least two of your formations. Remember that troops inside Wave Serpents can be killed by MW weapons - but they have an assault range of 50cms, which can be used to devastating effect; especcially if the Warlock is already nearby to assist in the assault . . . . .

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"Play up and play the game"

Vitai lampada
Sir Hemry Newbolt

Thanks for all the continued advice, this is just so useful for me.

The battle is now underway (we started earlier than anticipated), and while I will post a full report with photos at a later date, I thought I would give a progress report.

I didn't deploy the War Walkers garrison style because I thought that they moved to fast for this to be allowed, but I did garrison the Rangers, and then deploy the War Walkers with them, which certainly help to block the Space Marines attack on that flank.

The problem was a Thunderhawk Gunship zoomed over their heads, surviving AA flak from the Warlock Titan and Firestorm to land behind my lines, although I was lucky that the Devastator formation which disembarked did not cause any damage, and was promptly shot to pieces by my War Walkers.

I fluffed the flyer rules, as I forgot to put the Nightwings onto CAP to intercept the Thunderhawk, and they failed their action test later in the turn to boot, so they have had a miserable start, so hopefully they should redeem themselves in turn two.  What I don't understand about CAP, however, is when the Nightwings intercept.  Do they just sit on my board edge after passing their action test until I want them to intercept, or am I misunderstanding the rules?

My left flank assault has gone better, although my Dire Avenger and Dark Reaper formation only scored five hits from sixteen shots, managing to kill one stand and a Rhino in an assault against a Tactical formation, and would have lost had the Warlock Titan's supporting fire not wiped out five Tactical stands by itself!  The Warlock Titan is very nasty when providing supporting fire!

My big problem now is that while I have the Guardians, and two Aspect hosts still mounted in Wave Serpents ready to engage next turn, as well as the disembarked Aspect warhost in the ruins near an objective, supported by the Warlock Titan, I have no way to stop the Warhound Titans and Reaver Titan swinging over from the other flank to gang up on my Warlock Titan, so I think I have problems next turn, but we shall see.

The army list has certainly worked better than I hoped, thanks to the help I've received from both of you, and increasing the number of activations certainly has benefited me.

Now, if only I could teleport you here, so that you could see the table, and give me some suggestions about stopping those pesky Warhound Titans .

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You are correct in your interpretation of the CAP rules, they are similar to an airborne overwatch. As to the teleporting, I'm working on that...

SG

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SG

Ghost's Paint Blog, where everything goes that isn't something else.

I managed to win, and the army list worked well well, especially my flank attack with the Aspect Warriors and Warlock Titan, so thank you so much to both of you for all your help.

There will be a battle report with photos posted in the appropriate forum soon.

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