Stupid Eldar Trick # 317

So, I've got my Eldar back. Some work still needs to be done on them,
but I figured I might as well peruse the contents of the Codex for some
funsies combos since nobody else seems to have done so.

There are plenty of powerful combos in the Eldar codex, but the one I
never see (due to the popularity of other HQ choices) is the one I'm
glad I don't see.

Jain Zar + Farseer + Full Harlequin squad.

Fortune + Doom on enemy units = bad day already.

Now combine fleet with IC status so even diff terrain really won't slow
you down (ignore terrain because of flip belts, ignored because of IC's;
yet slowest move is still the IC's, meaning you roll 3D6--at least, I
think that's how it would work).

While the FAQ says Exarch powers do not affect non-aspect warrior
squads, you'll find a careful reading of the War Shout power indicates
any squad fighting her still takes the test. Since she should be
fighting, stands to reason you'll have to take the test. Why does that
matter? Well it won't happen often, but any squad that blows it morale
check (no matter what squad it is barring Celestians and Fearless
squads), will be hitting you on 5+ because your lowest WS is 5. 1
against 5 is bad news.

Anyway, the Farseer and Jain Zar (mostly the Farseer though) give you
added punch against things like Dreads; and with both the Farseer and
Jain Zar available to take the first two shots from every torrent (2+
reroll and 4+ reroll are fun) while heavy weapons like lascannons go
into the regular Harlies (5+ reroll, or 4+ reroll with cover).

Harlies main problem in winning combats is of course Terminators. Jain
Zar hits all terminators on 3+, and wounds them on 2+ (and with a
re-roll to wound, every wound should land). Even Thunder Shield
terminators don't like Jain Zar. They can kill her, of course, but
combined with the mass of Harlies attacking the number of power
weapon/rending hits should be pretty high. Combine with the regular
wounds and it's a squad that can deal out the punishment.

Now the great thing is, you can 'split' this unit into two when you
really need to assault with the Harlies. Move Jain Zar and the Farseer
off by themselves, and form a 'super' character unit. Then the Harlies
go back to being flip belt enabled, and you assault a different unit
with Jain Zar and the Farseer. Or of course, just help the Harlies
assault part of the enemy lines outside of combat.

Jain Zar pretty much always has 5 attacks (she does not confer
counter-attack to non-aspect units, but she does not lose it).

Now while I grant she's an asset to a Seer Council, Harlies are a pain
in the ass to target where the Seer Council on foot is not.

That's why I like this trick. Toss in a couple Fusion pistols for the
ability to pop transports, and all of a sudden things aren't looking so
rosy for enemies. Know what is really neat about Flip Belt Harlies?
Looks to me like they can ignore Dangerous Terrain tests. So blowing up
a vehicle isn't a bad thing.

Why haven't I chosen another of the Exarchs? Simple really. Jain Zar
is S6. So is Maugen Ra, but this is a unit that will be fleeting
forward. For the same reason, Eldrad wasn't taken. Need to be able to
assault. Having a unit that can sit in midfield and be very difficult
to target, but able to reach anyone likely to fire at them--it's a great
thing. Fixing up survivability with a Farseer, Terminators with Jain
Zar, and Dreads with the Seer/Zar combo; well it's a good thing.
Remember Jain Zar has furious charge so is S7 on the charge. Not too
shabby when fighting MC, especially with Doom up. Harlies usually romp
through MC, because every wound caused is generally a power weapon rend;
but it's nice to have Jain Zar there to really put the odds in your favor.

That's my stupid Eldar trick for today.