High Elves - Army List Fun

Hey guys, Learn2Eel here with yet another look at the new High Elves; this time however, it is with less of a focus on outright tactics and more on determining what forces to use. I hope you find this an entertaining read!

This is going to be a shorter article than usual, with a look at some of the army lists I've developed so far for the High Elf book. A note for everyone wondering about the intention of the lists; they are generally designed (with one exception) to be moderately fluffy, use some nice combos, and not be too competitive - my favourite kind of force! Also, I am having trouble figuring out what army list in particular I would like to go for. Any help is greatly appreciated!


The Queen of Cheese 2000

The first army list focuses on perhaps the most ridiculous combination available in the High Elf army book. The reason for this is that the Banner of the World Dragon provides a +2 ward save against spells, magical attacks and magic weapons to an entire unit for a low cost, whereas the Everqueen grants her unit a +5 ward save against non-magical attacks that can be boosted by....you guessed it, High Magic, a lore the Radiant One specialises in. It also plays off of the sheer havoc that Frostheart Phoenixes can cause when they are combined with our hard hitting melee units, owing to their frost aura that bestows both Always Strikes Last and -1 Strength to entire enemy units. If you like cheese, you will enjoy this army list.

Lords
Alarielle - 350

Heroes
Noble w/ battle standard, armour of caledor - 145
Mage w/ dispel scroll - 110

Core
Spearmen (44) w/ full command - 426
Reavers (5) w/ bows - 85

Special
White Lions (27) w/ full command, banner of the world dragon - 401

Rare
Frostheart Phoenix - 240
Frostheart Phoenix - 240

He's actually holding a cheese wheel.

Again, it isn't completely abusive from head to toe, but that White Lion unit combined with Alarielle and the Battle Standard Bearer can effectively outlast any enemy and dish out the damage in spades, whilst the cheap Mage carries a dispel scroll to get rid of any potentially nasty spells that could seriously threaten the unit - such as the Dwellers Below. This army works out to be one of the cheapest, though it is also the most likely to earn the ire of my opponents.


The Frost Rises 2000

This next army list focuses heavily on the theme of an entirely mounted force, and sadly discounts the use of Phoenix Guard. I feel that the Anointed of Asuryan will prove to be the more cost effective and viable choice for a monster-mounted Lord at games of 2000 points or lower, owing to their strong base durability and the option of taking either the Flame or Frost Phoenix - both of which make the Anointed darn near impossible to remove! The value of Ellyrion Reavers as chaff and chaff hunters simply can't be intimated through these words alone.

Lords
Anointed of Asuryan w/ ogre blade, enchanted shield, frostheart phoenix - 495

Heroes
Noble w/ battle standard, heavy armour, shield, elven steed, ilthimar barding, dawnstone - 141
Mage w/ level 2, elven steed - 130


Core
Silver Helms (8) w/ full command, shields - 214
Silver Helms (8) w/ full command, shields - 214
Reavers (5) w/ bows - 85
Reavers (5) w/ bows - 85


Special
Dragon Princes (5) w/ musician - 155

Rare
Frostheart Phoenix - 240
Frostheart Phoenix - 240

Now add some icing and we are all set!

Again, it isn't the best army list, though it does have an actual fluff justification for the pair (or in this case, trio) of Frostheart Phoenixes. As you might have guessed, each Hero goes into a separate Silver Helm unit deployed three wide to push them into the back rank and thus keep them alive that much longer. I have really been debating how to build a strong Anointed of Asuryan on a Phoenix at this points limit - the common total in my area - and of particular note is which Phoenix to adopt.


March of Averlorn 2000

This last army list emphasises the potential of a "gun-line" in a High Elf army, and goes all out in its bid both to protect the Everqueen and drown the enemy in a torrent of arrows - magical or not. Given that Archers are highly cost effective compared to Spearmen - they fight almost as well and shoot better than your average infantry from other armies - I actually wouldn't mind spending far more than my Core allowance on them; if you are wondering about the banners on the Archer units, it was merely to make up the necessary points totals and also make them even more decent if they do get into combat. Plus, more Averlorn insignia and art!

Lords
Alarielle - 350

Heroes
Noble w/ battle standard, heavy armour, dragonhelm, shield, dawn stone - 136
Handmaiden w/ reaver bow - 120

Core
Archers (15) w/ banner, musician - 170
Archers (15) w/ banner, musician - 170
Archers (15) w/ banner, musician - 170

Special
White Lions (24) w/ full command, banner of the world dragon - 392

Rare
Repeater Bolt Thrower - 70
Repeater Bolt Thrower - 70
Repeater Bolt Thrower - 70
Sisters of Averlorn (10) - 140
Sisters of Averlorn (10) - 140

I heard you like combat....yeah, I do too. *engage trollface*

I don't know how competitive it is, but even against Warriors of Chaos, there is enough shooting here at long range to simply drown them in wounds. Alarielle is an incredible magic user and combines particularly well with the White Lion unit - much like in the first army list - though less of an emphasis is placed on that particular "cheese" combo. I was divided between Phoenix Guard and White Lions, and decided that the latter fit the visual theme far better. Plus, they are woodsmen, or, in other words, they are perfect!


In Closing

Do you like any of these army lists? I feel they represent three very distinct styles of army list; the first is melee centric and walks up the field, absorbing torrents of punishment; the second is an example of an entirely mounted force and how they might function, and; the last is a themed list that also serves to highlight how much ranged firepower High Elves can put out. Remember that they aren't intended to be overly competitive - though obviously this might sound hypocritical with the Everqueen/White Lions/Banner of the World Dragon combo in two of them - and if you feel like helping me with some of the tougher decisions, feel free! Personally, I can't decide whether an Anointed works best on a Flamespyre or Frostheart Phoenix, though I guess I am also really divided on what kind of army I would like to go for. I have a very basic High Elf force that can effectively be specialised to follow any of these routes, or any other for that matter - Dragon heavy Caledor theme, Sea Guard heavy Eataine theme, and so on, are all possible. If you have any suggestions or critiques, please let me know in the comments below - I am eager to see your thoughts on the new High Elven army book!