Hi all! I have been mulling over starting up an Ulthwe army since 8th edition dropped and after deciding to pay a visit to my old lurking grounds I saw Volatilegaz's post for an Ulthwe list building competition, so here is my attempt!
I have based this force around the concept of Eldrad forming a rapid response force of Black Guardians that can mobilize at a moments notice and quickly enter the webway for some lightning fast meddling! Eldrad has decided to deploy his seer council throughout the force to act as psycic beacons for him to observe and direct the flow of battle, he also has his granddaughter Autarch Velinthras as a tactical adviser and field leader for the jetbike teams.
Supreme Command Detachment
Eldrad Ulthran - Warlord [180pts]
Warlock - Singing Spear, Enhance/Drain [44pts]
Warlock - Singing Spear, Conceal/Reveal [44pts]
Battalion Detachment
Warlock - Witchblade, Conceal/Reveal [37pts]
Warlock - Witchblade, Embolden/Horrify [37pts]
8 Storm Guardians - 4 Chainswords, 2 Power Swords, 2 Fusion Guns[102pts]
10 Guardian Defenders - Shuriken Cannon [97pts]
10 Guardian Defenders - Shuriken Cannon [97pts]
Wave Sperpent - Twin Brightlance, Shuriken Cannon, Crystal Targeting Matrix, Spirit Stones [174pts]
Wave Sperpent - Twin Brightlance, Shuriken Cannon, Crystal Targeting Matrix, Spirit Stones [174pts]
Wave Sperpent - Twin Brightlance, Shuriken Cannon, Crystal Targeting Matrix, Spirit Stones [174pts]
Outrider Detachment
Autarch Skyrunner - Banshee Mask, Laser Lance, Fusion Gun [138pts]
6 Windriders - 6 Skuriken Cannons [192pts]
6 Windriders - 6 Skuriken Cannons [192pts]
3 Vypers - 3 Star Cannons, 3 Shuriken Cannons [318pts]
Total Points - 2000
Command Points - 8
Strategy:
Eldrad and the 2 singing spear Warlocks ride with the Storm Guardians in a Wave Serpent and the other 2 Warlocks go with each Guardian Defender squad in a Wave Serpent. The Guardian units and Wave Serpents work together as a sort of mobile anvil while the jet bikes and Vypers perform the hammer role. The force can use its extreme maneuverability to launch attacks from an advantageous position, attempting to isolate a portion of your opponents army before summarily destroying it in a hail of shuriken and laser fire in a denied flank strategy.
The Autarch should be able to go toe to toe with most things, especially with the aid of pysker powers and can act as handy tool box unit in addition to buffing the surrounding units with her command aura, ideally you will keep the jet bikes and Vypers near her most of the time to benefit from the aura, only committing her to an assault on vulnerable targets, to aid other assaulting units, or to protect other units from being assaulted.
I chose to give the Vypers starcannons despite the recent nerf to their damage value, they along with the Autarch are the best source for dealing with elite multi-wound units in this list. The Vypers make an excellent candidate for Eldrads Guide and Fortune powers.
The Wind Riders have a devastating amount of fire power against most targets, if both units go after the same target that has had doom cast on it, you can be sure it will be going down.
The Guardian units and psykers should try and stay close to one another so that they can all benefit from the Warlock powers and support each other. The Storm Guardians, Warlocks, and Eldrad will assault targets that get too close to the Defenders. The fusion guns and singing spears will also be handy for dealing with any vehicles/monsters that get too close to the Defenders. The Defenders themselves serve the role of basic line troops capturing objectives and putting mass light shooting on the board.
The Wave Serpents are the primary long range anti-tank/monster in the list. They may also assault units to stop them from over watching the Characters and the Storm Guardians or to block an assault on the Guardian Defenders.
Conclusion:
The force dips its toes slightly into Saim-hann's waters, but I feel they would have a lot more jet bikes and less foot based guardians, as well as some flyers and more jet bike characters compared to this list. Overall I really like this style of army and and reminds me of my list from 4th edition/5th edition, the only change I would consider is replacing the Vyper's with Hornets if there wasn't a limitation on forge world units from the list building competition.
Cheers!