So I've got mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand I love the book itself, the art and fluff writing are awesome, and I really love the new models, particularly the Jester. On the other hand in the practice runs I've played I've gotten stomped. The Harlies just don't have much staying power it seems.
I've done the math and while a 5 man Harley with kisses and special pistols can wipe out a 10 man assault squad in cc between their and the opponents' assault phases, if they roll slightly above average they wipe the opposition in their phase leaving them open to fire from nearby opponents where they just go *splat*. I'm afraid that the 5++ just isn't good enough, for the infantry or vehicles.
As for vehicles, I've never been a huge fan of bikes to begin with, but the Skyweavers actually seem pretty good. You can kit them out as vehicle hunters or super speedy melee and since they get a base armor save the fact you're not relying on a 5++ is better. As to the Star and Void weavers they just seem far too fragile; 2 hp and a 5++ doesn't last long with only 10 av. And given the Starweavers are cheap enough that getting their cargo into assault range is all that can be realistically expected of them its ok. Its the Voidweavers that get me. if you jink you lose their weapons unless you have the "mini-prism" lance. But you have to take them if you want to stay battle forged.
Which brings me to the final thing I'm not real happy about: Their force org/formations. With no HQ choices you are forced to use the Harlequin detachments. They are either (in my opinion) too costly for what I want them to do with extra units I don't want to use, or they simply don't have the units I want with the units I want them with.
I dunno, maybe a Dark Eldar player will have an easier time adapting to them than the Iyandan-y me.
Now to put a little shine in this rainstorm, I love the Death Jester and Shadow Seer. They have the same saves issue as the Troupes, but no one expects them to jump out of the boat and expose themselves like the regular players and the Shrieker Cannon and Phantasmancy powers are great. I also really like the Solitaire, but you can only have one(yes I know the fluff reason, but it still irritates me) and I just know he's going to be a bullet magnet.
I look forward to seeing some of your reactions to the book. Maybe you'll see something I missed and the Harlequins will be as awesome as I hoped they would be.