D.R.A.I.C.H. - Druchii for the beginner
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:04 pm
Welcome to you, new Druchii general.
This thread is designed for new DE players (including former ones who want to resume), who play already Warhammer with another army.
If Dark Elves are your first army and you are discovering the game Warhammer, you should better read:
D.R.A.I.C.H. For true beginners: Druchii for the Newbii
It is created in order to replace a collection of a dozen of threads, each of them telling a couple of interesting opinions, which links are resumed at the end.
Most of the texts below were not written by me, but by other helpful D.netters, I just copy/pasted, mixed & sorted them out below for convenience.
1.Welcome!
In Druchii.net, you will find a lot of advice to help you get the most of the DE.
First, you can ask some specific advice by crating a specific thread, there are usually a lot of friendly and useful answers.
Second, the D.R.A.I.C.H. is a collection of past helpful threads, including some well written comprehensive articles, in which you will find a lot of experience.
This helpful spirit was vital in the times of the previous army book, when the DE were not competitive compared to most other armies.
Fortunately, this helpful spirit has survived with the coming of the refitted DE, with which victory has become easier to obtain.
With you, the site is getting one more member, hopefully soon you'll be one more helpful hand for future newcomers.
Keep that spirit alive!
2.What is the feeling of the 7th ed Druchii?
One new Druchii player noticed:
Black guard. Hm. Tricky. They have good profile and are fine elite troops, but just die too quickly due to low toughness and AS.
That is actually the idea behind (Dark) Elves in general. Low toughness, low armor saves. Fragility is keyword here. We don't like to get hit on. Shot at. Targeted by the forces of magic. In fact, we don't like it at all when we get the same treatment that we reserve to our enemies.
In other words, your strengths as a Druchii are : mobility (high Movement), speed (high Initiative), impact (chariots, cavalry, hydras, Black Guards, Executioners, Corsairs). Be it in close combat, shooting, or magic, it applies to all categories. Hit, but don't get hit back. Long-lasting combats are your worse nightmare.
We are fragile, but that is why we have Core units (!!!) like Harpies, Dark Riders, and Corsairs (in small units) with RHB. Screening, redirecting, frenzy-pulling, harassing, march-neglecting, mage-hunting, the list goes on!
Be aware that Dark elves are not an easy "plug & play" army. They can be very powerful, but only if you have the skill to make the best of them.
1.Versatility.
Everyone knows that Bretonnians charge with their heavy cavalry, dwarves shoot with their cannons, Vampires Counts raise undeads. What about Dark Elves?
Versatility is key with Dark Elves. You can pick up almost any playstyle, there will be a DE army for you. We can shoot and run around like a wood elf, or alternatively build much more 'in your face' combat armies. The Druchii offer potential that no other army can - we are excellent at every phase, you just have to play nasty to make sure your opponent knows this!
However, not anything will work without some careful balance and clever tactical skill. DE either win big or lose big. Overall the army is fragile (barring the hydra) but with great options.
2.Strengths
Base model: Base Ld is 8 and our base BS and WS is 4, which is a lot better than most.
Army composition: We have special to rival the HE, and much better core troops...
If you want a balanced list with a mix of magic, shooting and close combat, then DE do that naturally, with only Demons of Chaos being potentially better at it.
If you like lots of small units and cunning plans, then DE do that better than anybody.
Magic: We have the best non chaos magic. If you like magic, then a heavy DE magic list will be able to overpower just about anybody.
Shooting: We have the best core shooters. Nice warmachines.
Agility: Our units are faster than most, with M5 infantry and M9 cavalry. The beauty of DE is their speed and manoeuvrability. We have the best fast cavalry, which is also core. We have core flyers.
Psychology: We have more terror causing monsters than anybody else
Melee: Although with the appearance of Warriors of Chaos, we are not the premier close combat army any more, hatred and BS4 makes this army very good in quick melees. You'll actually find that fast hitting DE armies are probably the best out there
3.Weaknesses
Not resistant: T-3 so we are weedy.
Not strong: Mostly S-3 but many of our special choices and characters are S-4.
Not ITP. Only the BG are immune to psychology and stubborn normally. Witches are frenzied and Khainite become stubborn within range of the cauldron.
4.Nasty play
Do you know Nelson's ship tactics "never mind the tactics, just go straight at 'em"? You'll find out that it's hard to play a "Geronimo style" army with DE, but it's not impossible though! Be aware that you will have trouble playing Dark Elves that way.
Instead, never fight fair, never accept unfavourable charges/challenges, and if you don't have advantage - don't fight the opponent's fight.
It often boils down to a single thing - never be afraid to say "flee" as charge reaction.
5.How long to get the feeling of the army?
Ages... Players have been playing for more than 7 years and still learn with every battle fought... Druchii are the most enjoyable army to use because there always are new things you discover...
The better you know the rules, the better you are at playing. Just keep reading the rulebook until you dream about the rules non stop... its worth it (even though the dreams are annoying).
6.An overview of DE, by Khel
The Dark Elves are a difficult race to play with at some moments. Not because of their rules, but because of the armies they have to face and how they must rapidly adapt their lists and units to counter enemy lists. It may feel at some points as if you'll never win with Dark Elves, but once you start thinking strategically and get your charges and flees going in the right order, you'll think you're unstoppable.
One thing you must get use to when playing with any elf army is that they will be expensive point wise, and extremely squishy. But in my opinion, their elite side outweighs the expensive, squishy points. They are designed to completely break units on the charge and aren't always built for pro-longed combat.
Shooting and Magic is great with Dark Elves, we can produce a large mass of shooting throughout our core with Dark Elf Warriors, Corsairs and Dark Riders. Our magic is another story however.
With our magic, you either have to go full force into the magic phrase or not at all. We can produce one of the largest amounts of PD (power dice) in Warhammer Fantasy with items such as the Sacrificial Dagger. So in essence, magic wise, Dark Elves brutally crush enemies in the Magic phrase by making them spill their Dispel Dice without any effect. And I haven't even gotten started on our magic defence!
Units which are most common in Naggaroth would definitely be Black Guard. The 7th edition Black Guard are killing machines combined with a few odd assortments such as the Banner of Har Graef (which gives us ASF). Another common item to go with the Black Guard is the Ring of Hotek. This nifty little bugger makes a 12" bubble of magic defence around your unit which also covers fellow Druchii units within the 12" radius. Any magic that is cast or targeted within the 12" miscasts on the roll of any double. This effects Friend and Foe however, so you must be careful with your own Sorceress who are casting around the Ring of Hotek. But due to our great mobility and positioning we have access to, this is rarely a problem once you get to grips with the Ring. It has actually become quite a notorious item and our enemies have already caught onto the RoH.
I'm not sure what else to say about what is most common in the Dark Elf lists, seeing as lists are quite varied. If I was to say another unit however, I'd say Dark Elf warriors and/or Dark Riders.
If you're wanting to get started with Dark Elves, I suggest you read the army book first and see how you like them and if they're your style. If they are, I'd suggest buying lots of warriors and corsairs to start with. They'll be your main part of your core army list.
Dark Elf warriors make many things. E.g. Crossbowmen, Flankers, Screens, Tar Pits (slowing down enemies), march blockers, your good old fashion spearmen and much more!
For special, I'd suggest strongly to invest in some Black Guard and BG command. Next would be some Cold One Knights for our hard hitting (stupid) cavalry. Next would be up to you. You'd have choices such as if you're going to buy Reapers or Hydras. Executioners or Witch Elves etc.
This thread is designed for new DE players (including former ones who want to resume), who play already Warhammer with another army.
If Dark Elves are your first army and you are discovering the game Warhammer, you should better read:
D.R.A.I.C.H. For true beginners: Druchii for the Newbii
It is created in order to replace a collection of a dozen of threads, each of them telling a couple of interesting opinions, which links are resumed at the end.
Most of the texts below were not written by me, but by other helpful D.netters, I just copy/pasted, mixed & sorted them out below for convenience.
1.Welcome!
In Druchii.net, you will find a lot of advice to help you get the most of the DE.
First, you can ask some specific advice by crating a specific thread, there are usually a lot of friendly and useful answers.
Second, the D.R.A.I.C.H. is a collection of past helpful threads, including some well written comprehensive articles, in which you will find a lot of experience.
This helpful spirit was vital in the times of the previous army book, when the DE were not competitive compared to most other armies.
Fortunately, this helpful spirit has survived with the coming of the refitted DE, with which victory has become easier to obtain.
With you, the site is getting one more member, hopefully soon you'll be one more helpful hand for future newcomers.
Keep that spirit alive!
2.What is the feeling of the 7th ed Druchii?
One new Druchii player noticed:
Black guard. Hm. Tricky. They have good profile and are fine elite troops, but just die too quickly due to low toughness and AS.
That is actually the idea behind (Dark) Elves in general. Low toughness, low armor saves. Fragility is keyword here. We don't like to get hit on. Shot at. Targeted by the forces of magic. In fact, we don't like it at all when we get the same treatment that we reserve to our enemies.
In other words, your strengths as a Druchii are : mobility (high Movement), speed (high Initiative), impact (chariots, cavalry, hydras, Black Guards, Executioners, Corsairs). Be it in close combat, shooting, or magic, it applies to all categories. Hit, but don't get hit back. Long-lasting combats are your worse nightmare.
We are fragile, but that is why we have Core units (!!!) like Harpies, Dark Riders, and Corsairs (in small units) with RHB. Screening, redirecting, frenzy-pulling, harassing, march-neglecting, mage-hunting, the list goes on!
Be aware that Dark elves are not an easy "plug & play" army. They can be very powerful, but only if you have the skill to make the best of them.
1.Versatility.
Everyone knows that Bretonnians charge with their heavy cavalry, dwarves shoot with their cannons, Vampires Counts raise undeads. What about Dark Elves?
Versatility is key with Dark Elves. You can pick up almost any playstyle, there will be a DE army for you. We can shoot and run around like a wood elf, or alternatively build much more 'in your face' combat armies. The Druchii offer potential that no other army can - we are excellent at every phase, you just have to play nasty to make sure your opponent knows this!
However, not anything will work without some careful balance and clever tactical skill. DE either win big or lose big. Overall the army is fragile (barring the hydra) but with great options.
2.Strengths
Base model: Base Ld is 8 and our base BS and WS is 4, which is a lot better than most.
Army composition: We have special to rival the HE, and much better core troops...
If you want a balanced list with a mix of magic, shooting and close combat, then DE do that naturally, with only Demons of Chaos being potentially better at it.
If you like lots of small units and cunning plans, then DE do that better than anybody.
Magic: We have the best non chaos magic. If you like magic, then a heavy DE magic list will be able to overpower just about anybody.
Shooting: We have the best core shooters. Nice warmachines.
Agility: Our units are faster than most, with M5 infantry and M9 cavalry. The beauty of DE is their speed and manoeuvrability. We have the best fast cavalry, which is also core. We have core flyers.
Psychology: We have more terror causing monsters than anybody else
Melee: Although with the appearance of Warriors of Chaos, we are not the premier close combat army any more, hatred and BS4 makes this army very good in quick melees. You'll actually find that fast hitting DE armies are probably the best out there
3.Weaknesses
Not resistant: T-3 so we are weedy.
Not strong: Mostly S-3 but many of our special choices and characters are S-4.
Not ITP. Only the BG are immune to psychology and stubborn normally. Witches are frenzied and Khainite become stubborn within range of the cauldron.
4.Nasty play
Do you know Nelson's ship tactics "never mind the tactics, just go straight at 'em"? You'll find out that it's hard to play a "Geronimo style" army with DE, but it's not impossible though! Be aware that you will have trouble playing Dark Elves that way.
Instead, never fight fair, never accept unfavourable charges/challenges, and if you don't have advantage - don't fight the opponent's fight.
It often boils down to a single thing - never be afraid to say "flee" as charge reaction.
5.How long to get the feeling of the army?
Ages... Players have been playing for more than 7 years and still learn with every battle fought... Druchii are the most enjoyable army to use because there always are new things you discover...
The better you know the rules, the better you are at playing. Just keep reading the rulebook until you dream about the rules non stop... its worth it (even though the dreams are annoying).
6.An overview of DE, by Khel
The Dark Elves are a difficult race to play with at some moments. Not because of their rules, but because of the armies they have to face and how they must rapidly adapt their lists and units to counter enemy lists. It may feel at some points as if you'll never win with Dark Elves, but once you start thinking strategically and get your charges and flees going in the right order, you'll think you're unstoppable.
One thing you must get use to when playing with any elf army is that they will be expensive point wise, and extremely squishy. But in my opinion, their elite side outweighs the expensive, squishy points. They are designed to completely break units on the charge and aren't always built for pro-longed combat.
Shooting and Magic is great with Dark Elves, we can produce a large mass of shooting throughout our core with Dark Elf Warriors, Corsairs and Dark Riders. Our magic is another story however.
With our magic, you either have to go full force into the magic phrase or not at all. We can produce one of the largest amounts of PD (power dice) in Warhammer Fantasy with items such as the Sacrificial Dagger. So in essence, magic wise, Dark Elves brutally crush enemies in the Magic phrase by making them spill their Dispel Dice without any effect. And I haven't even gotten started on our magic defence!
Units which are most common in Naggaroth would definitely be Black Guard. The 7th edition Black Guard are killing machines combined with a few odd assortments such as the Banner of Har Graef (which gives us ASF). Another common item to go with the Black Guard is the Ring of Hotek. This nifty little bugger makes a 12" bubble of magic defence around your unit which also covers fellow Druchii units within the 12" radius. Any magic that is cast or targeted within the 12" miscasts on the roll of any double. This effects Friend and Foe however, so you must be careful with your own Sorceress who are casting around the Ring of Hotek. But due to our great mobility and positioning we have access to, this is rarely a problem once you get to grips with the Ring. It has actually become quite a notorious item and our enemies have already caught onto the RoH.
I'm not sure what else to say about what is most common in the Dark Elf lists, seeing as lists are quite varied. If I was to say another unit however, I'd say Dark Elf warriors and/or Dark Riders.
If you're wanting to get started with Dark Elves, I suggest you read the army book first and see how you like them and if they're your style. If they are, I'd suggest buying lots of warriors and corsairs to start with. They'll be your main part of your core army list.
Dark Elf warriors make many things. E.g. Crossbowmen, Flankers, Screens, Tar Pits (slowing down enemies), march blockers, your good old fashion spearmen and much more!
For special, I'd suggest strongly to invest in some Black Guard and BG command. Next would be some Cold One Knights for our hard hitting (stupid) cavalry. Next would be up to you. You'd have choices such as if you're going to buy Reapers or Hydras. Executioners or Witch Elves etc.