8th edition Dark Elves

[Seneschal]

I got my book today and my instincts definitely tell me they will require much more thought than 95% of the other armies. I can make a take all comers army for every book out there and feel confident that I will win the majority of the time (with the exceptions of TK's and WE's) but the Druchii give me pause. There's nothing wrong with having to use careful thinking of course, I've been playing for ages, I just believe the dark elves will take awhile longer to master.
I was originally going to go with Lore of Metal on a lord and beasts on a level 2, then Life on a lord but now I'll try a Dark caster and see how that goes in addition to a level 1 Heaven's default sorc hiding in a warlock unit.
A hag with cauldron might need some help in the way of an Ogre Blade to stay alive otherwise I jsut see her getting beat by enemy characters. Witchbrew, frenzy, ASF, MP and the sword should see her to victory more often than not.
Cheap nobles with 2+ or 1+ saves will probably be used with Lore of Beasts.
Morathi is a treasure. I can't believe her points cost, she is so good for what she does. Has there ever been an edition where they screwed her up? Her stats/abilities have been pretty consistent over the years and she's been solid since I first saw her (granted last book she was a wee overcosted but still decent).

 

[Baron Ledbetter]

A rules question - if a unit has a CoB in it granting the super frenzy, but also a character with witch brew which grants the same super frenzy but the -3 to restrain tests, can he say that he's using the CoB rule and not the brew, thus circumventing the negative modifier?

 

[Adam_Barrow]

Why pay for the Brew then? Just get the scream or whatever it's called. Both rules are worded that you won't be getting more than +2 attacks even if you have both. The CoB looks kinda sketchy to me, but I run a Plague Furnace, so grain of salt.

 

[Baron Ledbetter]

Hellebron come with it I believe.

 

[Yorga]

Everyone is getting so worked up by the CoB. I see it going down as easy as the Screaming Bell. Two many cannon toting armies out there.

When the Cauldron was T 10 and had the Ward save most players didn't bother to target it with cannons. I mean if you hit you only had a 50% chance of wounding and then the DE had a 50% of negating that wound. But now...a failed ward means the death of the Cauldron.:grave:

 

[Zephyr]

Some interesting observances from my first game in:

I did not miss the Sea Serpent Standard for my Corsairs, also the 4+ scaly skin on the cloaks improved my survival rate dramatically.

I know from my HE how cool ASF is but to now have it on my DE also is awesome!

CoB is really cool and works well but dies more easily than expected. I pretty much underwent Yorga's scenario...:grave: Still, I will keep it in for sheer coolness factor.

Executioners are great as MSU. Spearmen(or whatever fancy new name) are great as little anvils after which I smash the Execs into the fray.:devil2: I used to go big blocks but now I'm thinking about 3x10 units.
I am going to try a "Tullaris big build" soon though.

Witch Elves as core; insane but not OP as they'll still die in droves.

Hydra is not as bad except for two things; the low I and Ld. Where it used to do fine on its own it is now basically a combat support monster. The spit fire upgrade was great though. Not a lot of range but funny as hell.
We did however wonder if it is allowed a stand and shoot reaction as it is seen as a shooting attack. We both opted for "yes" and somebody got spat to death on the charge.:lol:
Kharibdyss-thingy is a slightly more punch-in-your-face option but still suffers from low Ld. The feast on bones is just a gimmick; nice when it happens but small change it will.

For magic I'm still sticking with Shadows as it just works so well for me. I do not like the new Dark Magic at all, the Lore attribute is stupid and the signature spell where you boost Strength and can gain D3 PD is too risky IMO. Casters are expensive and in a 1K list with one sorceress with 2 Wounds...no thanks.

 

[HOneym]

Well I just like em