eldar viability

[Shadowelf]

ive decided to start an eldar army but am unsure as to which unit to add support...and was thinkin of either striking scorpians or banshees

ive heard that the scorpions are a poor choice and are fragile and ive heard the same thing for banshees...and i dont wanna use my 3rd elite spot for harlies since ive got 2 squads harlies already

any insight as to which one would be greatly appreciated

[Sybrite]

depends alot on your playing style and what you what them to do.

Banshees are good against elite armor units like terminators that have 2+ armor saves since banshees bypass with power weapons. drawback for banshees is that they only have S3* so they can't touch vehicles and have a hard time landing wounds on higher toughness models.
* exception being exarch with an executioner which nets a S5
-In my opinion Banshees are a specialized choice as they are not as versitile as scorpions (low strength and don't have the scorpion's option to infiltrate). I use them to oppose terminators, high initiative units and ones that hide in terrain since the banshee mask means they always attack first.

scorpions have alot of attacks and are S4 via scorpion chainsword, they good for attacking horde units or anything else that doesn't have great armor saves, and most vehicles that are Rear AV10.
- with the move through cover and infiltrate powers available to this Exarch (as well as biting blade or claw) scorpions can do alot. they have a good 3+ armor and again S4 coupled with the high aspect warrior initiative so they can hold their own in many sitiuations. they're only real drawback is not being fleet, but that's not much of a problems

I prefer banshees myself, but I just got a scorpion set so I can try raming with an Out-Flanking wave serpent.

[Durandal]

Go to this thread, and scroll to the mad long post by rehdjac:http://www.40kforums.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=54974
rehdjac was kind enough to break down scorpion/banshe effectiveness, based on their attacks/stregths, for seveal basic units (including ork boys and termies) as well as the same fro exarchs w/ the different gear. Note that it doesnt factor in the difference in armor, fleet, initiative, or special skills, so those are for how you want to play

[Novasry]

i say neither, with two squads of harlies you are set for most combat, just equip them all with harliquins kisses and your good, i would say go with some starcannoning war walkers, 18 AP 2 shots coupled with guide and doom from a farseer could mean alot of dead marines

[valinor]

If you are looking for fluffiness and expand your CC versatility, then yes get either one or both. Other than that, you are way better off using the clowns and mimes, look at their WS 6, I6, A2/3 (4 when charging) and they do have invul saves, granted not the best but its invul saves nonetheless. Oh, and they have furious charge and hit n run - built in?? Including Fleet of Foot. Think about it. IMHO, the other 2 are just a waste of money at this point for you. If someone will contest this answer that the other 2 can get a transport, that's easily solved too. Spend point on a reaper, guardian or whatever that can get a serpent and voila insta transports for your clowns and mimes.

[EcoTerrorist]

I stick my Clowns in a Falcon and make them is 6 man squads... it is just like the Fire Dragon version, but I use clowns... Just do NOT disembark after you have moved, disembark on the next turn and you can them move, fleet, assault and shred everything in your path. If you make the mistake of Disembarking after moving the Falcon then you just wasted 150 Points, because they will be feeding Slanesh

[The_Peacemaker]

I used to run 1 squad of banshees and one squad of Striking scorpions and IMO the scorpions(exarch with powerclaw) are a better choice. These guys are just more well rounded. Now I usually run two 6man squads in my two falcons. They always kill enough stuff to earn their points back and they last longer.

The reason I didn't like the banshees is because they would usually win their first combat but then they would be stuck in the open and die. ....kinda like the harliquens.


From the sound of your army it seems like scorpions would be better to give you some staying power while the harliquens take care of the nasty stuff.