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[Intrepid]

My Dark Elves got shelved with the new edition because they were cavalry-heavy and my metagame was lousy with war machines. My interest was renewed lately so I'm trying to convert my list to the new edition without a lot of new purchases. Fortunately, I was doing Crossbowmen with shields before they were cool, so here's the first draft:

295 Lvl 4 Sorc, Pendant of Khaeleth, dispel scroll
xxx Malus Darkblade
xxx Death Hag, Cauldron

284 RxB x24, shields, full command
284 RxB x24, shields, full command
284 RxB x24, shields, full command
xxx Corsairs x10, handbows, musician

352 CoK x11, full command, Banner of Cold Blood
320 Black Guard x20, full command, Banner of Murder

xxx RBT x4

2,799 Points Total

I'm not big on the Sacrificial dagger. The Sorc will probably use Dark Magic as a toolbox, or maybe Fire or Metal. I really want the CoK squad because I have so many of them but am not sure how to use them well in the new edition.

Other models I currently have:
20 more Black Guard
20 Spearmen
10 Executioners
8 Dark Riders
8 more CoKs
10 more handbow Corsairs
6 Shades
2 Assassins
1 Manticore & Dragon
0 Hydras (I know they're much better than RBTs but fear assembling the models.)

All advice appreciated!

[Ravenblade]

Crossbowmen with shields have always been cool.

People say Hydras are better than RBTs, but that's like comparing a sword and a sniper rifle. One is designed for ranged combat, the other for melee. My own army has built up a reputation for it's BTs (I do tend to field 4+ from 2k, 8 from 4k), so much so people tend to be happy when I put down a Hydra instead of 2 BTs.

Your list looks pretty fun to play with (I've played with a similar one, just had a couple more crossbowmen, Morathi and 8BTs). You will get the odd person who says cavalry suck in 8th ed, usually because they think cavalry can still run into the front of 40 Spearmen and break them. Cavalry do need to hit things in the flank/rear to break things in this edition (and have a unit size of 10+). An all cavalry army does work to some extent in this edition, it's just not likely to win every game. The Ranger Standard is brilliant on a unit of Knights, allowing them to charge through terrain without penalties (you'd be surprised how often it catches people out).

Just out of curiosity, why the Banner of Cold Blood?

[Intrepid]

Oops. The Banner of Cold Blood is how I normally compensate for stupidity but, here, it's redundant with Malus. I'll try that Ranger standard.

Think I should lose a couple Blackguard to give the CoKs the Ring of Hotek? Like you said, they're probably going to be on the flank.