Wraithlords and their Weapons

[Grentain]

We all know that Wraithlords come with a ton of options, but here's the question - which ones are the best ones? When I field the one I have, I usually carry it around as an anti-vehicle platform, rocking EML and a Bright Lance. However, on top of any other suggestions, I have a few specific questions:
-Wraithsword. Worth sacrificing a heavy weapon for?
-When given the option of mix-matching the Shuriken Catapults and Flamers... does anyone ever pick Catapults? Double Flamers seems like the way to go, all the way. Is there any reason to pick differently?

[VendableFall]

from what ive seen, EML + bright lance and twin flamer is the preferred loadout by most netlists, i really dont see a reason you would want cats over flamers and i dont think the sword is really worth it!

[Kelanen]

Actually I'd argue the sword is the most used... lol

There are really only two configs used, depending on the rest of your army and role:

Firstly ALWAYS use twin flamers. There is no reason not to, they have a similar range to Catapults, and so much better. Unless Catapults return to their old ranges they will never be used again on anything that has an option.

Option 1: If you are not playing with Fire Dragons, or feel you want some ranged AT as well then it's BrightLance+EML. It's probably the best ranged AT Eldar have (arguments can be made for TL Bright Lance or Prisms). That said, most feel it's still not good enough for competitive lists, but it's not a bad option.

Option 2: Wraithsword, and if you have the spare points a Shuriken Cannon (it will mostly run, not fire it though). This is the most common configuration run IME, and the Sword statistically replaces the attack lost from last codex in most situations.

So in answer to your questions, no there's no reason whatsoever for Catapults - it's a backwards compatibility thing to when they were good. A sword is not remotely worthwhile on a shooty wraithlord, but that's not the only way to run them!

[Chrysalis]

I have been playing a sword / shuriken canon wraithlord for some games, but I'm not sure I'll play it again. It's a great tank-opener, but it's way too slow to my mind, and the shuricanon range doesn't allow it to be that useful while the wraithlord is advancing. However, it's one of the cheapest options we can get for a wraithlord...

I've tried to equip a bright lance instead of the shuriken canon, with better results to my mind: then you have an AT wraithlord that can shoot at armored targets while advancing.
An EML can also be good to my mind: here you have a versatile weapon, so that you can shoot at whatever you want while reaching close combat.

[Kelanen]

The problem with the BRightlance everywhere it appears in the codex is it's overpriced (and EML is far from cheap). The whole codex has Heavy weapons overcosted by 10-15pts.

No-one argues that it's not reasonable in performance (although not great) but you just turned a cheap unit into a moderately expensive one.

[Chrysalis]

The problem with the BRightlance everywhere it appears in the codex is it's overpriced (and EML is far from cheap). The whole codex has Heavy weapons overcosted by 10-15pts.

No-one argues that it's not reasonable in performance (although not great) but you just turned a cheap unit into a moderately expensive one.

I agree completely. The problem is that in the last game I used the sword / shuricanon wraithlord, he performed very little but engaging a demon in close combat by the end of the game - and just wounding this one. To my mind, the purpose of the sword wraithlord is to crush tanks like empty cans - however, by the time he reaches the front line, almost all the tanks have been disabled by fire dragons or some heavy weapons of mine. Thus, it's really a cheap unit, but I felt like it was an almost useless one. But maybe I wasn't using it correctly, and I would be glad to have some advice about it!

[Kelanen]

I completely agree a Swordlord is primarily about taking on vehicles and MC's. I find it's usually in combat on turn 2, and my Fire Dragons are normally held back in their Serpents at that point until I've neutralised things from afar with other units.

That said, I rarely take Wraithlords at all these days (outside of Cities of Death). Like many things, I think they need to be multiple per slot to be interesting. Mine are magnetised so I can take them with whatever, but anywhere you'd consider BL+EML I'd much rather have Fire Prisms (which are very much a standard and MVP in my list) so on the occasions I do run them it's always with Sword and then ShuriCannon unless the points are needed elsewhere.

[RandomThoughts]

Actually I'd argue the sword is the most used... lol

There are really only two configs used, depending on the rest of your army and role:

Firstly ALWAYS use twin flamers. There is no reason not to, they have a similar range to Catapults, and so much better. Unless Catapults return to their old ranges they will never be used again on anything that has an option.

Option 1: If you are not playing with Fire Dragons, or feel you want some ranged AT as well then it's BrightLance+EML. It's probably the best ranged AT Eldar have (arguments can be made for TL Bright Lance or Prisms). That said, most feel it's still not good enough for competitive lists, but it's not a bad option.

Option 2: Wraithsword, and if you have the spare points a Shuriken Cannon (it will mostly run, not fire it though). This is the most common configuration run IME, and the Sword statitically replaces the attack lost from last codex in most situations.

So in answer to your questions, no there's no reason whatsoever for Catapults - it's a backwards compatibility thing to when they were good. A sword is not remotely worthwhile on a shooty wraithlord, but that's not the only way to run them!

Pretty much this.

Personally, I've been relying on two of them for most of my games recently, sometimes even three, and they bring some interesting options to the table. Mostly I've been using them with heavy weapons to form a hard point in the centre of the table, providing me with a kind of tactically flexible field control I haven't been able to find elsewhere in the codex so far. What hit this strategy hard is the recent rise of Deep Strike armies in my local meta, but I think I'll be able to work around that somehow.

[Bartali]

Like many things, I think they need to be multiple per slot to be interesting.

Or, more importantly, a way of generating a cover or invulnerable save. Wraithlords are mostly missle/las/melta/lance etc fodder

[Chrysalis]

I also like to play a couple of them because playing fire prisms as support would be too many tanks to me: I already play 4 serpents to carry my fire dragons and dire avengers. Although the fire prism is an excellent support, I like to bring some variety in my army. So I usually play 2 wraithlords and a squadron of 3 warwalkers.

Too bad the wraithlord can't have independant weapons system like the warwalker, or get more attacks with close combat weapons. I would add more offensive power to this unit, whereas I feel like it sometimes becomes a rock-hard punching-ball on the battlefield (thank you T8!)

[Kelanen]

Whereas I like to play as little variety as possible! Having lots of Tanks already is exactly the reason to take more - target saturation.

Take all vehicles or none, balanced approaches are rarely competitive.

[djhowitzer]

to the player who was talking of taking wraithlords to open tanks, but saying the tanks have already been opened by the fire dragons - you are doubling up on capabilities. if you are taking wraithlords for anti-tank why are you taking fire dragons as well? spend those elites slots on something else.
consider - 2 wraithlords with swords and no guns is 200 points. a minimum fire dragons squad in wave serpent is 180. the fire dragons will melt one tank then die. the wave serpent will then do not a lot. unless you are against dark eldar at least one of the wraithlords should get across the field. then crack a tank. and then, crucially, survive to engage another target

[Chrysalis]

to the player who was talking of taking wraithlords to open tanks, but saying the tanks have already been opened by the fire dragons - you are doubling up on capabilities. if you are taking wraithlords for anti-tank why are you taking fire dragons as well? spend those elites slots on something else.

It was me!

consider - 2 wraithlords with swords and no guns is 200 points. a minimum fire dragons squad in wave serpent is 180. the fire dragons will melt one tank then die. the wave serpent will then do not a lot. unless you are against dark eldar at least one of the wraithlords should get across the field. then crack a tank. and then, crucially, survive to engage another target

Not a bad idea. It is true that fire dragons became such a "must have" that I barely consider leaving my craftworld without them. Having that in mind, I wonder if two 100pts swordlords could be as efficient: they would have to reach their target to play their AT role, and I feel like my opponent could easily neutralize them (by moving his vehicles or tarpiting the wraithlords). The dragons would also reach their target much more quickly, and they do not rely on farseer/warlocks (wraithsight). Those two swordlords would also use two support slots, without actually playing their support role. This leaves me with only one support slot to get some ranged firepower. The serpent is also a great AT magnet, with a wonderful durability: would a wraithlord take as many shots and survive?

I would probably consider the 100pts swordlords in a footdar list, where everybody reaches the front line at the same time, but trying this with a half mech list would maybe lead to bad timing/synergy to my mind...

Just got an idea. There's a situation where those 100pts wraithlords could be really helpful: against dreadnoughts in drop pods. Here you're pretty sure you'll get a target by turn 2, and a very good one!

[RunepriestRidcully]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned taking one with Scatter laser and Star cannon, It tears through the ever present marine squads, and can take a pop at MC and tanks.
I take a pari of Wraithlords, one Brightlance and Eldar missile launcher, and the anti infantry, I run an Iyanden list and take a warp hunter as my third Heavy Support.
I must admit, I would love it if all Eldar tanks and Wraithlords could be taken in Squadrens, as it is you might as well not bother playing an Imperial Guard player if he has taken any tank Squadrens, I also agree that Wraithlords should have an invun as standard, perhaps 5++ with wraithseers getting a 4++ or 3++? Posiibly give them 2+ as well?

[Chrysalis]

I usually run two wraithlords: The first is scatter laster/EML, and I find this one quite versatile. He is good against squads and light tanks, with a very good range. The EML is magnetized, and I swap it for a BL when I know there are chances to meet a land raider, or a lot of tanks. However, I consider working on the model to be able to have EML/BL. The other one is sword/shuricanon, as talked above.

Being able to field wraithlords squadrons could be great, but maybe too powerful! Imagine 9 wraithlords!

However, I hope we'll get some kind of support for wraithbone constructs, like the bonesinger, in the next codex. It could improve the durability of our precious wraithlords, while covering an interesting aspect of the fluff.

[RunepriestRidcully]

9 wraithlords, in these days of multiple Dread/Predator chassis tank slot shenanigans, imperial guard tank hordes, it would not be that bad, remember we would pay for them.

[Kelanen]

9 Wraithlords is arguably less powerful than 9 War Walkers already allowed. 9 Lemann Russes is perfectly legal, yet never used. In the modern game 3 Wraithlords per slot would be fine - and I guarantee 2 slots would not have them in, and I'm doubtful of the third...

[Chrysalis]

This would allow a great Iyanden army list, for sure! And concerning weapons, we could have really specialized wraithlord squadrons supporting each other.

Anyway, isn't it possible to play such a thing with the apocalypse rules?

[Sildani]

Yes - the Spirit Host.

[Bartali]

to the player who was talking of taking wraithlords to open tanks, but saying the tanks have already been opened by the fire dragons - you are doubling up on capabilities. if you are taking wraithlords for anti-tank why are you taking fire dragons as well? spend those elites slots on something else.
consider - 2 wraithlords with swords and no guns is 200 points. a minimum fire dragons squad in wave serpent is 180. the fire dragons will melt one tank then die. the wave serpent will then do not a lot. unless you are against dark eldar at least one of the wraithlords should get across the field. then crack a tank. and then, crucially, survive to engage another target

I'm interested if you've ever played against someone who brings missiles/las/melta/lances etc ?