Lots of Melters and strong close combat units in the current Metagame asked for ways to prevent getting those weapons close to my tanks. The mech environment on the other hand forces you to play a good amount of Anti-Tank weaponry. As well there needs to be a way to limit the dangers of deepstriking/droppoding units.
Be careful with the Harlies/Serpent for Drop Pods/Deep Strikers, they get sooo easy to kill if one get nearby (Flamers/Melta), as you surely experienced...
I read Lazarus says that he use Eldrad to Fortune the Harlies following the Wraithguard - I say it is quite sound, especially if you can manage to park them in cover.
I came up with this design finally. Probably an at least similar version can be found in the POC Iyanden thread already, so I will at least add some thoughts on the design and strategy.
I think so, although I am too lazy to go check - Note that I've never played th two Prism list (yet).
HQ:
Eldrad Ulthran
Elite:
8 Harlequins
with 8 Kisses, Shadowseer
Troops:
10 Dire Avengers
incl. Exarch, Double Catapult, Bladestorm
Serpent with Laserlance, Spirit Stones
10 Dire Avengers
incl. Exarch, Shimmershield, Defend
Serpent with Shurikencannon, Spirit Stones
10 Wraithguard
incl. Warlock/Spiritseer with Enhance (might Swap for Cover Save)
Support:
1 Wraithlord with Double Flamers, Spiritsword and Brightlance
1 Fire Prism
1 Fire Prism
Total: 1746 Points
45 models, 10 Kill Points, 3 Scoring Units
I like the list, a strong core (Eldrad as a champion with the WG is gold), but you need to be careful with the naked Prism I guess and again, be very, very wary of Deep Striking units (whatever form they may take) that can get to your Harlies, as they are your sole mean of pulling off some efficient CC duty, expect versus CC weak armies like T'au and IG - or even horde Bugs units deprived of MCs/Genestealers...
Note that a charge from a big Wraithguard unit in most Horde units (Ork, Bugs, conscripts and whatnot) should see you come up on top of that CC round - My WG/Farseer once were Assaulted by a Doomed 15 strong Stromboys squad and with Fortune/Powerklaw wound assignation on the Warlock, won the fight by 6 or 7.
The overall strategy is approaching with the Wraithguard and putting pressure on you opponent, possibly contesting 2 mission objectives with the line of Wraith Constructs while having the option of mobile troops for the far away objectives. The army should be able to create anti-tank and anti-personnell firepower on short, medium and long range as well as listing countercharge units for intercepting assaulters going for the main line.
It works well on paper, although once you hit that Land Raider Crusader delivery TH/SS Termie squad in the face, theory is worth as much as used toilet paper. The more I play, the more I feel the need to take 2 or 3 long range AT guns to take these LRs/Nobz Trucks/Battlewagon.
In fact, you may have to develop a tactic(s) to sacrifice a unit/vehicle in order to get said Termies/Nobz in the open for a goof round of shooting, something that is difficult to achieve with low numbers.
And it's always the dangerous CC units going for the Wraithguard, isn't it, Starky?
Oh yes - Death Company, Genestealers, Termies (any flavour), Nobz, Marneus Calgar, name them...
At least, Genestealers aren't hard to kill and MCs have either a low number of Attacks or aren't strong enough to wipe out Wraithguard rapidly - Heck, a Hive Tyrant hits on 3+, then only wound on 4+, then you can alocate the first wound on the Spiritseer...
Holding the line with the Wraithguard and joining the close combat with your counter assaulters a turn later allows you to limit the return attacks due to positioning rules why putting a good number of wounds on your opponent.
Again, works well if there isn't too much Powerfist/Claws involved. Best with a good CC squad is to 'wing' the target unit, so there isn't too much return attacks to the Harlies.
The Wraithlord on the other hand should be a threat for Greater Demons, Demon Princes and other MCs coming close as well as Deepstriking Dreadnoughts. Approaching with the Wraithguard he can threat assault vehicles and swing prolonged combats into your favour by wounding tough creatures and instakilling characters.
Yes. Although unless you face very easy to kill at range vehicles (like AV10/Open Top ones) or very hard (AV 14 LRs) youmay as well run the bastard in CC where he can rip them a new one - Circumstancial of playing defensive or offensive of course.
Point of note: I wonder if you took the Spiritseer upgrade cost over the Warlock to make the Wraithguard count as a Troop.
Point of note 2: Chaplain Swordwind is right - Unless you are runnin two Wraithguard units, take Conceal anyday of the weak - Unless facing no ap3 or better firepower (Nids, some Orks...).
Hope it helps,
Starky