How to crush Wood Elfs?

How to beat those cowardly High Elves?

Moderators: Layne, The Dread Knights

Post Reply
User avatar
Assani
Highborn
Posts: 619
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: Norway

How to crush Wood Elfs?

Post by Assani »

Hey

I am pretty new to this game, but my battles so far has been sucsessful :twisted:

Now a friend of mine is going to enter WE army. Its said that the WE is not the best of armies, but still they have few tricks.

Dont know spesific his list, but he will enter

treeman
dryads
waywatchers
eternal guard
spellsinger i think
bowmen

Points are 2400, but i dont know how much of witch kind of units he will use.


Any god WE crunching tacts out there?
Image

Khitai - Khanite - Group 38
WS5 - S3 - T2 - D5 - I3
Skills: Ambidexterity, Two Weapon Fighting
Equipment: 2xfine scimitars, dagger
Inventory: Gold 30, Crowns 40, 1 Red ruby
User avatar
Saintofm
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 1755
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 2:28 am
Location: California

Post by Saintofm »

Personal experience tells me to never face a treeman in close combat...the results are never pretty.
Who needs sanity? I have a Hydra
User avatar
Phierlihy
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 2089
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:19 am

Post by Phierlihy »

Wood Elves are a fairly poor army right now. But the tactics to take them out haven't changed a whole lot. You want to be fast in order to get across the table as quickly as possible. Magic is your friend - Dark Elf magic is awesome where Wood Elf magic is average to below average. Wood Elves do NOT like RBTs. And Harpies are great at screening your real units!

Spread yourself across the board and rush at him. He'll have few ranks or standards so the odds are in your favor.
Proud supporter of druchii.net
phierlihy@druchii.net
Bloodsinger
Slave (off the Altar)
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:21 pm
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Post by Bloodsinger »

One word.

CHILLWIND!

Speaking as a wood elf player myself, I HATE THAT SPELL! It effectively cripples his archer unit, meaning that you get to shoot him, but he can't shoot you back.

Other than that, your repeaters will chew him up, stay away from the treeman, he is a Dark-Elf killing MACHINE! One way to try to deal with it is to put the flaming banner on a unit of your repeaters and pepper it until it catches fire, another is to put in a level 2 fire wizard with the tome of furion, and finally, give one of your unit champions the ruby ring of ruin. The more fire you can throw at the Tree, the better.

Other than that, take some shades to counter his waywatchers, and get into combat with them ASAP, since they don't like being punched!

Eternal guard are terrible, so if he's taking those, you can bet that ANY of your combat units will chew them to pieces. Even a Dreadlord in the flank or rear will ruin them.

If he's taking a spellsinger, you will have a HUGE advantage in magic, so exploit that for sure.

Really, the only area he would have an edge is if he has a LOT of glade guard, since they have better range, and are S4 in short range, but if you incapacitate them with chillwind, you should be laughing!

Good luck!

(All that aside, as a Wood Elf player, I've only lost ONCE to Dark Elves in about ten matches. :) )
User avatar
Babnik
Black Guard
Posts: 290
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2003 4:12 pm
Location: Paris, France

Post by Babnik »

Bloodsinger is 110% right. Chillwind!

Our rbx are also deadly for our degenerated hippies cousins. Hydra is also awesome to counter their treeman as they breath attack during the close combat phase. Remember, make this flaming attack BEFORE the regular 7 other attacks. He won't be able to regenerate his wounds!

Shades are more effective than their scouts and our pride, a large amount of CoK can walk on anything.
Our club's facebook page:
Fantastique Bataillon de Joinville
Look for French tourneys pics galleries!
Bloodsinger
Slave (off the Altar)
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:21 pm
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Post by Bloodsinger »

Yes! As a Wood Elf I remember having LOTS of trouble with Cold Ones... although when I used to take my machine-gun Alter, he would mulch through them with no trouble. (He has a bow that lets him shoot for the number of attacks he has, and his shots will wound the cold ones on 4s and no Armour save) So watch it if a lone elf starts running to get within 30" of your cold ones!

Also, be careful because one unit of Glade Guard will have the flaming banner, and that will ruin your hydra's day! (I always have it somewhere!)
User avatar
Saintofm
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 1755
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 2:28 am
Location: California

Post by Saintofm »

Fist time I played wood elves, I had a unit of 5 coldones, with the general, chase a unit of Dryads off the battlefeild. This was back in 7th edition
Who needs sanity? I have a Hydra
User avatar
Tethlis
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 1444
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:54 am
Location: Santa Barbara, CA

Post by Tethlis »

The strongest Wood Elf builds right now consist of a Level 4 with Lore of Beasts or Life, multiple Dryad and archer units, blocks of 6 Treekin, Treemen and Great Eagles.

Despite what the internet says, this list can complete against lots of opponents and do very well. Lore of Life on Treemen and Treekin is a fearsome combination, especially once you start Lifeblooming a Stubborn Treeman to help him tie up most enemy units almost indefinitely. As a long-time Wood Elf player a number of 8th edition games under my belt, I'm very comfortable and confident taking my Wood Elves against anyone.

With that in mind, it's also important to realize that I am maximizing the strengths of my list in virtually any capacity. Any Wood Elf player who is loading up on Elven units (rather than Forest Spirit units) is putting himself at a disadvantage. When fighting the actual Wood ELVES (Glade Guard, Glade Riders, Wardancers, Eternal Guard, Warhawk, Riders, Scouts, Waywatchers, and to some extent Wild Riders) the key is simple direct damage. Repeater crossbows will go a long way towards putting pressure on them, as well as durable, mobile units like Hydras, Cold One Knights and Cold One Chariots. Those types of units are very durable to the S3/S4 Attacks that those Elves use, and are quick enough to hunt them down in most circumstances.

For the Forest Spirits themselves, you'll have to be more Specialized. The real winner tends to be a large (and I mean big) unit of Witch Elves or Cold One Knights with Banner of the Eternal Flame. Their Poison/High Strength Attacks can even drop a Toughness 6 Treeman, and Flaming Attacks makes sure every wound hits hard. Be careful though, because a smart Wood Elf player will focus a lot of arrow fire onto your Forest Spirit-threatening units and follow up with Dryad charges. Dryads are Initiative 6, which means they can often cause some good wounds before dying.

Ultimately, the goal of any Wood Elf player will be to isolate some vulnerable units, swarm them with their own troops to nab easy Victory Points, and then play evasively until another good charge opportunity becomes available. Be sure to keep your army as one cohesive whole, with all of your units able to provide mutual support to one another.
There is no escape from Chaos. It marks us all.


Image
Image
Ace0fskulls
Slave (off the Altar)
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:33 am

Post by Ace0fskulls »

Just to add to this, im also facing wood elves soon, except there is a distinct laco of elves......a tree spirit army, any advice for taking that one? List has 3 treemen one being ancient, 6 treekin and lots of dryads!
Even through the darkest days
This Fire burns
Always
User avatar
Saintofm
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 1755
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 2:28 am
Location: California

Post by Saintofm »

Can you hcast sword of rhuin on on reaper bolt throwers?
Who needs sanity? I have a Hydra
User avatar
Sulla
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 2261
Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2002 5:56 am
Location: Flying my manticore 'Bloodmaw', looking for prey.

Post by Sulla »

phierlihy wrote:Wood Elves are a fairly poor army right now. But the tactics to take them out haven't changed a whole lot. You want to be fast in order to get across the table as quickly as possible. Magic is your friend - Dark Elf magic is awesome where Wood Elf magic is average to below average. .
...Other than the lvl4 with life, anyway. Wand of wych elm to reroll all dispels and a 4+ ward is a safe enough combo for her. Not much point adding any lvl1's or 2's.

Or if she's tailoring vs DE, she would take the frog scroll and wait till the sorc uses power of darkness then unleash it.

Other than that, there's not much point taking anything except glade guard and big units of dryads vs DE. Probably a hail of doom BSB too or possibly a flaming banner BSB for hydra. (And hope you roll up a few forests).
Maldor
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 1071
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:13 pm

Post by Maldor »

When dealing with the treeman, I find my best results come from execs with Banner of the Eternal Flame. Secondarily, you can debuff its toughness with the Lore of Shadow.
Lock up your children, shut all windows tight.
The Witch Elves are hunting for victims tonight.
When old hags do knock at your door, you must hide,
Your death is the gift sought by Khaine's pretty brides.
User avatar
Tethlis
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 1444
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:54 am
Location: Santa Barbara, CA

Post by Tethlis »

One major threat will come from a lot of focused missile fire happening unexpectedly on one Dark Elf unit and removing it from play. Since Wood Elf units can move and shoot without penalty, it's possibly for them to quickly move 30+ Glade Guard, a number of other bow armed units, a couple Treemen with Strangleroot (does an artillery dice worth of auto-hitting S4 hits) and a Noble with Hail of Doom Arrow (3D6 S4 shots, 30 inch range) to take out one of your elite units without warning. This can open up an entire section of the table for combat, and make you vulnerable in an area where you previously thought you were safe and had a battle line.
There is no escape from Chaos. It marks us all.


Image
Image
User avatar
Babnik
Black Guard
Posts: 290
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2003 4:12 pm
Location: Paris, France

Post by Babnik »

True our woodies cousins are the easiest foe to deal with since 7th edition but don't underestimate them!

Most of WE players are veterans from 5-6th rules. They play for over a decade and they know by heart how to play their figurines.

I faced recently a WE in a big tourney and he ended up with 3w/1d/1l. His lost was against me but his 2900pts list was nasty. WE don't like our repeaters xbow but we don't like their long bow either! And their shooting phases are usually better than ours.
I won only because I kept my second objectif thanks to my lord on dragon with crown of command :twisted: !!!
Our club's facebook page:
Fantastique Bataillon de Joinville
Look for French tourneys pics galleries!
User avatar
Assani
Highborn
Posts: 619
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: Norway

Post by Assani »

Tnx for all great tips!!

He has an advantage on me, since his played DE before, and knows "what to do" towards me.


Should i use unkillable lord with pendant, or go for sorc lvl4 w/ pendant?
Image

Khitai - Khanite - Group 38
WS5 - S3 - T2 - D5 - I3
Skills: Ambidexterity, Two Weapon Fighting
Equipment: 2xfine scimitars, dagger
Inventory: Gold 30, Crowns 40, 1 Red ruby
Norelle
Executioner
Posts: 191
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 11:19 am
Location: In the realm of my imagination...

Post by Norelle »

I'm new and have no idea, as I have no patience for tabletop games but one thing comes to mind. Burn the trees down!!! XD
Bloodsinger
Slave (off the Altar)
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:21 pm
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Post by Bloodsinger »

The unkillable lord will give a wood elf player a LOT of trouble. In this case I would say to go for that, but it's awfully nice to know that when you NEED a spell to go off, you can risk the irresistable because you have the pendant.

It's your call! Do you want to play magic heavy? or have an unkillable tank that will roam the board wiping out anything it touches?
User avatar
Assani
Highborn
Posts: 619
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: Norway

Post by Assani »

I love the lord, he is a real gamebreaker, and has never let me down...yet 8)

And I think its nice to have a lvl4 with the dagger aswell, with +4 ward, so i think that will be the plan for thoose
Image

Khitai - Khanite - Group 38
WS5 - S3 - T2 - D5 - I3
Skills: Ambidexterity, Two Weapon Fighting
Equipment: 2xfine scimitars, dagger
Inventory: Gold 30, Crowns 40, 1 Red ruby
Datalink7
Noble
Posts: 460
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2003 2:28 am

Post by Datalink7 »

To beat wood elves? Show up :P

But seriously, Witch Elves with the Flaming Banner is outstanding against Treekin and the Treeman. I'd include this unit for sure.

Massed repeating crossbows are a solid choice.

Bring some dedicated magic defense because Lore of Life is outstanding.
Ashes and Diamons,
Foe and Friend,
We are all equal,
In the End.
User avatar
Kaleth stinson
Black Guard
Posts: 292
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:40 am
Location: A cold and dark place! (Norway)

Post by Kaleth stinson »

I crushed our national ETC wood elf player some weeks ago, even if i dident have hydras or unkillable dreadlord, and he had 3 units of 5 treekin! He had a really hard list that i dident think i had the list for, but it turned out i had.

Some things i learned:

Shadow magic is way to good on my lvl4.
And with Dark for my lvl2 i wreaked havoc on his elfs.
Lots of rxb is always good.
I loooove my CoB.
My MVPs:
20 Black guards with AP and Crimson Death. They go throug a unit of treekin like butter... Especially with debuffs from shadow and +1 attack from couldron.
And my 10 CoK unit with Hag Greaf and Whip of agony, coupled again with Shadow and CoB.

And off course harpies and shades are always golden!
Jaith wrote:
"Why 10% more expensive?"

Mighty Beardtrix wrote:
"Because GW once said:"

"All your cash are belongs to us!"
User avatar
Assani
Highborn
Posts: 619
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: Norway

Post by Assani »

Sweet!!

Tnx for all hints and tips, really useful!

Suddenly I am LF to meet him, and crush him like we should do :twisted:
Image

Khitai - Khanite - Group 38
WS5 - S3 - T2 - D5 - I3
Skills: Ambidexterity, Two Weapon Fighting
Equipment: 2xfine scimitars, dagger
Inventory: Gold 30, Crowns 40, 1 Red ruby
L1qw1d
Malekith's Personal Guard
Posts: 890
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:50 pm
Location: Kittenmarsh
Contact:

Post by L1qw1d »

Jejejejeee I have a meeting with our local woody on Sunday; I think I have a couple of tricks for it. Oh, you should note the Slaver thing for Corsairs. I think the funny thing is Volley right into Treekin Ancient. Hrm...now to buff it...
Oderint dum Metuant.
Post Reply