1850 Iyanden, A New Direction:

Below is the current army I’m looking at for 1850. 

HQ:

Autarch: - Jet Bike, Banshee Mask, Scorpion Sword (to be swapped out but 3 points is not much to pay for an extra attack), Soul Shrive.

Spirit Seer

Troops:

6 Jet Bikes – 2 Shuriken Cannons

10 Guardian Defneders – Bright Lance

5 Wraith Guard – Serpent, Scatter Lasers, D-Scyths

Heavy:

3 Weapons of Vaul – Shadow Weavers

Ghost Warrior Detachment:

5 Wraith Blades – Axes

2 x 5 Wraith Guard

Wraithlord – Sword

Wraithlord – 2 Starcannons

Wraithknight – Warlord

Total Points: 1850

So I envision this army having 3 components. 

1)      Backbone:

a.       10 Guardian Defenders

b.      Wraithlord with Starcannons

c.       Weapons of Vaul

2)      Midfield:

a.       Spirit Seer

b.      Wraithlord with Sword

c.       5 Wraithblades

d.      2 x 5 Wraithguard

3)      Flanking

a.       Wraithknight

b.      Autarch

c.       Jetbikes

d.      D-Scythes in Wave Serpent

Using the the ghost warrior supplement I’ve spread the hatred USR throughout my army.  I think I have the tools to deal with mech, hordes or even Imperial Knights.  A bit weak in the anti-air department though.  Not sure if this army would fare well against helldrakes or a flying circus (mind you the hit to vector strikes works in my favour).

I really think the Autarch can shine.  With the Wraithknight designated as warlord it should take some heat off the Autarch.  He will be swinging first in almost every situation thanks to the Banshee Mask.  He has 5 attacks on the charge rerolling misses on weapon skill 6 (If I keep him within 6 inches of the Wraithknight for hatred).  I would like to get a turn two charge against a crummy back field opponent to boost up the Soul Shrive.  Turn three on he becomes a real beast in CC and I suspect able to go toe to toe with the big boys.  The jet bike squad that the Autarch is attached to can forgoe the jink save for a nice 4+ cover save thanks to the other special rule granted by the Wraithknight.

As for the midfield component, the 3 wraith squads plod forward supported by the Wraithlord .  The Wraithlord gets a nice 4+ cover save from the wraithguard and acts as a character in challenges to put down sergeants and whatnot.  This block of models also can gain access to furious charge and run/shoot not to mention furious charge.  I think it’s a solid midfield component to the army.

In the backfield I opted to take 10 guardians simply so I could have objective secured.  They are supported by the second Wraithlord.  I had tooled the big guy with Starcannons in 6^th edition for precision shots.  I’m a bit sad characters lost this ability.  If I were to build him anew a probably would give him bright lances instead.  Still though, 4 strength 6 AP 2 shots is nothing to sneeze at.  I have not used the Weapons of Vaul unit yet but on paper they seem really good.  They should help thin out big units approaching my midfield squads to prevent them from being overwhelmed.

Time will tell I suppose if the above list is any good.  I can say with authority that I’ve enjoyed playing 40k a lot more with the wriath army.  As for the photo, I’m currently putting together 10 guardian defenders.  With them complete I want to finish painting 500 points of the army before moving on.  Bite sized components.  Ah the eternal struggle I start an army and never finish it.  At least with 500 points painted I can play some skirmish games while I tackle another 500 point chunk of the army.