How to start a High Elf army.

[stangtc]

Hi,

I'm going to start my first fantasy army I was hoping someone with a little knowledge would know where to start. I'll be playing high elves and aiming for 700 points. I have no idea of the amry composition I would consider playing but that it should be more offensive and magical than not.

Thanks,

StangTC.

[gladiusmortis]

Well, first of all. Buy the battle force, a sorceror, a hero. After that, all depends on how you want the army to function. I should not say to much as my knowledge is quite restrained

[lowlygaunt]

If you don't have the high elves book, go down to your local store and make an army using the store copy and see if the battle force will fit your scheme. The battle force fits a classic battle line style army best. The silver helms are nice, but if you arent going to use all those archers and spearmen it may not be for you.
The high elves are very versatile. And rely on small units of "elite" type troops. Most high elf armies I have played against barely use archers and spearmen, favoring the specialists like Sea guard and white lions, etc.
You need to decide whether you want a static battle line or a fast charge. A static battle line means spearmen, maybe swordmasters of Hoath (who are very scary with the always swing first rule. . 2 attacks at stength 5!) and archers. If you want to go fast look at silverhelms, dragon princes etc.
If you are going magic heavy, keep in mind, a sorceror lord will cost 3-400 points! and is a must! If you add say a level 2 wizard to this there is another 150 points. So you can spend your points very fast! Typically heavy magic armies have so many points (anywhere from 700-1k) in characters, that they have to rely on basic troops like spearmen (which still are not cheap) to bulk out their forces. Keep this in mind.
High elves are a deadly army right now. The always swing first is probably the single most dominant ability I have seen in fantasy battles.
I do not play high elves so I am sorry if my knowledge seems general. I play wood elves, empire and gobbo's.

[waЯu]

At 700pts, I'd take:

Dragon Mage
Level 2, Guardian Pheonix

Archers
10 Archers

Repeater Bolt Thrower

Repeater Bolt Thrower

700 points on the nose.

A flying terror causer at this low of a points level with a level 2 wizard on top that gets a free power dice for every spell and HAS to take the most offensive lore in the game...

It is a cheesey list but you can't fault it for lack of magic or offense.

[stangtc]

Haha nice I like that list.

[Shas'o Tash'var Kais Pat]

Well I've just started collecting High Elves. They seem pretty elitist, and speed and manouvrability seem to be pretty important as they can hit hard and fast (always strike first and movement scores better than similar troops from other armies) but don't like prolonged battles (T3, low armour and expensive cost meaning less models)
I got an old metal noble, a battalion box, a box of spearmen and a chariot and I have my 1000 points army. I think spearmen are great, 16 attacks from a unit of 15+ that always strike first tend to hurt most units. However you decide to theme your army, you can't go far wrong with a battalion box. Throw in a noble or mage and an elite unit or two and you're set. If you're interested, here's my army list:
Noble with Great Weapon, Dragon Armour, Dispel Scroll, Amulet of LIght and Mask of the Merlord
2 units of 15 spearmen with full command
10 archers with Hawkeye and musician
8 Silver helms with full command
Tiranoc Chariot
Repeater Bolt Thrower