Looking for some advice

[ElfGuard]

Hi all, Elf here...

I was thinking about my namesake and the fact that i play Wood Elves to death and i am just starting to get good with the Dark Elves... and i thought to myself about which army to start after i finish the DE, and the choice that came to my mind was simple and against everything i say (which i think a fair number of you hear at the club ;) ) but i have decided in the new year to start a High Elf army.

The question now is... i have no idea how to go about constructing a HE force... i know about the Spearmen 3-rank fighting rule and the power of their Mages, the only trouble i suffer is the number of 0-1 troops they have and as such i cant decide how to go about constructing the army... does anyone out there have any advice on how to go about this force? :)

All comments are welcomed, i play the WE as a Skirmish strikeforce, the DE as a pure offensive force, but is it possible for the HE to work somewhere in the middle? :)
~Elf

[[Note: To those who know of my WoW fanaticism, no i wont be painting these up like the Night Elves... i'm gonna do the Quel'Thalas lot instead and go for the reds and golds ;) Should look good when it's finally put together ^^ ]]

[Stan]

I played a highly successful high elf force for a short while, the only army to actually beat spites daemon legion i might add.

Lots of archers in small units, mixed with swordmasters as a strike unit, some heavy cavalry, and some flyers or light cavalry. Essentially they play similar to wood elves only not as mobile but a little 'tougher' (more resilient: some have armour).

[Robcoulman]

As always when building an army it's important to understand the strengths. Take a 2,000 point High Elf army. The options with the Elves are endless - for example an all cavalry army is a realistic option, but consider the way you play. For me High elf forces do well when taking account of the specific key points - High WS, BS and I, but Low S and T (Especially with Hero's!).

The key with a high Elf army is to decide HOW you play best. Is your style offensive based or defensive based. If the former then Lot's of Cavalry, Wizard's, chariots and optional troops (e.g Phoenix Guard cause Fear!), with limited support and maybe a mounted hero on Dragon (Expensive!).
If you play defensively lot's of Archers, Bolt Throwers, wizards and a small strike force of Cavalry and maybe swordmasters.

The secret is again about tactic's. You have the fastest cavalry in the game (18" charge), the best leadership (Alongside Dwarves) and some of the cheapest magic items about. Your troops will usually do what you want, can manoever quickly and force the enemy to react.

Downside - it's an elite army, you will often be outnumbered and to my mind you have to THINK like an Elf General - Casualties are a no-no. I don't mind losing my Empire units there are always more cannon fodder, but every Elf life loss is a crime! Don't throw away a single trooper needlessly - committ to combats you can win and win them decisively.

Rob

[ElfGuard]

Hmm, i like the idea of a massed defensive line of High Elves... the idea of Spearmen lined up with Archers and Bolt Throwers behind with a few flanking units of cavalry fits well into my head... throw in the heroes and already i am formulating a veritably evil plan in my head :)

Now all i need to do is finish the Dark Elves and get the HE book, after that i'll see if my tactics still hold sound and if they do i'll get back to it :)