DE Faction Review?

[Jatha]

Is there anyone who could review the Dark Elf faction's units and abilities? I noticed there is very little info about them on this fourm, and I am looking to pick up a second faction (I already have Ravenwood).

[Kevin]

They have units which can can put out a hellacious amount of damage at range and still fight decently (like crossbowmen, but with much more shoot and cavalry-like hit points).  Their little guys all have spears and decent morale, while their big guys are all fearsome with better morale.  They have two units which can screw with the opponent's movement:  one pulls a unit forward, the other slows it down, giving the opponent absolute fits as he tries to keep his line straight.  And then there's the flying guys.

Defensively, they're mostly 3/1, but they have a bit of 2/2, 2/1, and other permutations.  Average hit points.

I consider the Dark Elf faction in the hands of an experienced player the most powerful faction in the game, though there's ample evidence that one can lose with them.

Does that help?

[BubblePig]

They are a great faction with lots of solid, reasonably priced units and also lots of intriguing, expensive units. This is a very fun faction to play, but can sometimes be frustrating for the opponent. The biggest problem I see with playing them is that an inexperienced player tends to overdo it on the expensive units during army building because they are just so cool and interesting.

[gull2112]

They are a great faction with lots of solid, reasonably priced units and also lots of intriguing, expensive units. This is a very fun faction to play, but can sometimes be frustrating for the opponent. The biggest problem I see with playing them is that an inexperienced player tends to overdo it on the expensive units during army building because they are just so cool and interesting.

Spoken from the man who brings two Lords of Darkness to every battle! 

[BubblePig]

They are a great faction with lots of solid, reasonably priced units and also lots of intriguing, expensive units. This is a very fun faction to play, but can sometimes be frustrating for the opponent. The biggest problem I see with playing them is that an inexperienced player tends to overdo it on the expensive units during army building because they are just so cool and interesting.

Spoken from the man who brings two Lords of Darkness to every battle! 

Admittedly, that was a very lopsided build. That was on purpose to see how far I could push the envelope of cheesiness. However, it would be irresponsible not to point out that the stunt was performed by professionals in a controlled environment and should not be attempted at home.

[RushAss]

I think Jatha is seeking a full faction unit-by-unit analysis like the rest of the factions have.  I elect either Niko or Ron for obvious reasons.  Or whoever wants to get something together first.

[mbcthu]

I too would see a DE faction & tactics dossier like other factions

Cheers
Mau

PS I already bought DE but some advices are always welcome

[gull2112]

They are a great faction with lots of solid, reasonably priced units and also lots of intriguing, expensive units. This is a very fun faction to play, but can sometimes be frustrating for the opponent. The biggest problem I see with playing them is that an inexperienced player tends to overdo it on the expensive units during army building because they are just so cool and interesting.

Spoken from the man who brings two Lords of Darkness to every battle! 

Admittedly, that was a very lopsided build. That was on purpose to see how far I could push the envelope of cheesiness. However, it would be irresponsible not to point out that the stunt was performed by professionals in a controlled environment and should not be attempted at home.

And into it I walked like lamb to slaughter... (there is no slaughter with out laughter) 

[Zelc]

IMO the Dark Elves are one of the best factions, although they have their weaknesses.  Their Command Cards are one of the best set in the game.  They also have really good attack profile options.  They have a relatively cheap (5) 6/6 unit, along with the super-javelineer Lashmistress.  The Slavetakers are a fantastic value for the points.  Their primary weaknesses are the lack of a ~180-point unit and most of their units pay extra points for cool stuff which may or may not get used.  All their base line units all carry spears, which is wasted points if they're not matched against cavalry (I know they get +1 die, but it's not worth the point cost).  Their "light cavalry" Drake Riders unit pays a premium for flying, which is awesome, but very expensive if you just want a unit to ride out on the flanks.  It's also a bit fragile; in one game a Goblin Wolf Riders essentially took the enemy Drake Riders out of the game.  Lashmistresses are fantastic if they get their two shots in, but are really bad if they don't get value out of their ranged attack.

This assumes you use the Arrogant Spite nerf and Kevin's flying rule change (can't land on the same turn as a direct control or order change).  I also like the Witching Hour nerf (it only gives (+0) +1/+1 instead of (+1) +1/+1).  Keep in mind the Lowblood Levys are (6) 4/5 on attack, not (6) 5/5.

A strong deployment is probably where at least 33% of this game is won or lost, but it's especially critical playing against the Dark Elves.  You need to have a plan to deal with ranged attacks and a plan against Drake Riders.

I think Carthage probably has the best matchup vs. Dark Elves of any faction, because Carthage is the faction of anti-shenanigans .

[RushAss]

It's also a bit fragile; in one game a Goblin Wolf Riders essentially took the enemy Drake Riders out of the game. 

Dude, remember that Brook's dice where hot in that exchange and I blew my courage check 
They also do better in a 1-on-1 game (1500-2500 points) where there is more space available on the board to pull Drake Rider pranks.  And all cavalry are fragile by definition.  Still, this unit needs practice to learn how to use it properly.  If you are unsure of how to use this unit, save yourself 130 points and use Slavetakers.

A strong deployment is probably where at least 33% of this game is won or lost, but it's especially critical playing against the Dark Elves.  You need to have a plan to deal with ranged attacks and a plan against Drake Riders.

Spot on.  Just ask Tim - LOL

[Kevin]

Ron, post that review in a new thread and then hit the "set topic sticky" option near the bottom of the screen.

[RushAss]

I saw that Ron had posted something previously and now it's gone, but no new thread.

[BubblePig]

Oops! Somehow I put it in general discussion when I split the topic. I will move it here:
http://yourmovegames.com/forum/index.php/topic,3942.0.html

[Jatha]

Alright, so from the review BubblePig posted, these guys seem pretty sweet. However, it seems inevitable that I'm going to be facing this faction sooner or later.

Are there any disadvantages I need to be aware of? (either to exploit or compensate for)

[BubblePig]

The key against Dark Elves is not to get too fancy, since there is a good chance you are going to be burning CAs to combat the shenanigans. Dark Elves have really good match ups against Centaurs and Knights, Large and Colossal Units, Units with Auto Close, Units with significantly higher MC than their neighbor -so stay away from those unless you want to play the Dark Elf shell game or can minimize the risk of taking those units. Units in reserve to deal with Drakes is also not a bad idea. Other than that, what Zelc said.