Hey guys its Cavalier, commission painter for Frontline Gaming and co-host of Splintermind the Dark Eldar Podcast, checking in with ideas on potential winning combinations with Wraith Host specialist detachment from Vigilus
Ever since the Codex dropped I was a big fan of the Iyanden Craftworld Trait and thought it was very much overlooked. They double their wounds characteristics for purposes of determining degrading stats and they never lose more 1 model on failed morale. First off, Eldar have some great units to which this applies. For units like the Fire Prism and the now much more viable Wraithknight, this keeps their offense in the higher brackets longer than usual. Likewise, it keeps units which rely on speed like the Wave Serpent, Hemlock moving and grooving for longer as well. The second aspect of their Craftworld Trait keeps big units like the very popular and very effective Guardians (big 20 man units for example), or even big units of Wraithguard who are going to be in the thick of it, from losing manpower from Morale.
The Wraith Host detachment builds upon that sturdy foundation, enhancing durability, while also playing to some of the key relics, iconic characters and unit types that define an Iyanden or Ghost Warrior themed Eldar army.
Iyanden Assault
One combination that immediately jumped out at me is the potency of a Wraithblade assault. While the Axe and Shield Wraithblades are still prohibitively expensive (though very useful), the Ghost Glaive variant could hit very hard when using the Pystronome of Iyanden relic to support them for a bargain price. The Pystronome doubles the attack characteristics of Wraith constructs within 6″. Activate the brand new shiny Wrath of the Dead stratagem from this detachment and you get an additional attack on top of that. This brings Wraithblades with the Glaives up to 9 attacks each attacks on the charge! (2 attacks base, +1 for charging, +1 for the stratagem= 4 . Multiply that x2 for the Pystronome:=10 and add 1 for the glaives). Thats 45 attacks from a unit of 5 on the charge at Str 6 Ap-3 Dmg 1! If you go for my favorites with Axe and Shield you are getting 40 attacks at Str 7, AP -3 D3 Damage!
If lead by a Spirit Seer with Enhance you can get those Wraithblades up to WS 2+. The Spirit Seer can likewise use its free ability to “Spirit Mark” to re-roll 1’s when within 6″. But if you want to go full on Iyanden, you can throw run a simple Warlock instead, with Prince Y’riel in there alternatively to kick out that re-roll 1’s aura as well.
So units of 5 will be kicking out 45 attacks at Str 6 Ap-3 Dmg 1 hitting on 2’s re-rolling 1’s with Glaives, or with Axe and Shield you’ve got 40 attacks at Str 7, AP -3 D3 Damage, 1 hitting on 2’s re-rolling 1’s . Imagine attacking a Doomed or Jinxed target!
There are defensive measures you can use to protect this unit as well, to prevent it from being a 1 hit Wonder. You can use the phenomenal Wraithost Exclusive 1 CP Spirit Shield stratagem to give this unit a 4++ as well. You can continue to push the damage denial by casting Fortune to give them a 5+ Feel no Pain, and even Conceal them granting them a -1 to hit. Activate the Lightning Fast Reflexes Stratagem get them to -2 to hit and you have an insanely tough and hard to hit durable unit!
With maxed out buffs, you have a unit hitting on 2’s, re-rolling 1’s, that is Toughness 6, with 2+ armor, 3++ Invulnerable save, 3 wounds a pop, and -2 to hit!
If you support that unit with say a Sword and Board Wraithknight who’s only 375 pts after Chapter Approved, he’ll also double his attacks if nearby the Pystronome and you have a wrecking ball assault wing, even if you do skimp on the psychic defenses and stratagem investments.
Wraithknight Firebase
I think the most exciting element of the Wraith Host detachment is the Spirit Shield stratagem which grants a 4++ to an Wraithconstruct. It is useful on Wraithguard, Wraithblades but most especially the Wraithknight which has been very lackluster for its very high points cost especially when compared to its cheaper, more durable, and more flexible Imperial counterparts which came with an Invuln standard yet cost less than a Wraithknight.
That has changed to a very large degree. The stratagem to give a Wraithknight a 4++ opens up some big opportunities to get the big man on the table again. However their is a catch, the Stratagem can only be played at the end of the Movement Phase. Meaning if you go second in a game, the Wraithknight (with Wraithcannons at least) is being exposed big time.
There a number of options to try and mitigate that. First off is you dont need to play them as Iyanden. Alaitoc can field Wraith Hosts of their own. A second consideration is with a small detachment of Harlies you can take the Webway Gate fortification and bail the big man out of there with their special stratagem should it be destroyed. Not an ideal situation but it is a possibility.
The 3rd and perhaps least obvious is looking at the Skathatch Wraithknight. This very unique unit is basically a deepstriking Wraithknight (that can even go back into reserves) with a variety of armaments, but the one that interests me the most is the Inferno Lances. 24″ Range, 2d6 shots, Str 8, AP -4 D6 Damage (roll twice on damage, discard the lowest when at half range). This is a potentially very nasty fire base that can deepstrike in where is needed, so long as the Spirit Seer is nearby to grant that 4++. Getting the Spirit Seer into position can be a bit tricky, but you could if you are playing Alaitoc use the Shroud Shift of Alansairr to deepstrike him as well. If you are going full blast Iyanden Wraithhost and dont have access you can just do it the old fashioned way move, advance and Matchless Agility to guarantee 13″ run on your Spirit Seer and use a Wave Serpent to help out, perhaps as part of that Wraithblade assault described earlier.
Conclusion
Well those are just a couple of ideas that I had for getting some serious bang for your buck out of the Wraith Host. Share your own ideas in the comments section below. If you are interested in more Aeldari discussion check out our podcast: Splintermind for exclusive Drukharii and all things Aeldari news and discussion. If you are interested in following my painting exploits check me out on Instagram! Thanks for reading and stay tuned!
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