High Elves - a couple games in

So since the High Elves came out last month I have managed to get a couple games in against Cody's Chaos Warriors.

Now I will point out that Cody is fairly new to Warhammer Fantasy so he is learning his army while I get to try out the new rules. I did get major wins in both games but have yet to play a more experienced Fantasy player.  A lot has already been said on many other blogs and forums so I apologise if I seem to be parroting what already has been said but this is after actual gameplay.

So things I have learnt..

Lords - Loremaster or Archmage, not both - They both have their uses.  In the first game I used a Loremaster with a large Swordmaster block in what I saw as a Hoeth themed list.  The ability to spam Magic missiles and buff the unit for combat with wildform was fantastic, nothing flash in CC though.  I did not miss the bonus to dispel but in a tournament environment it could bite me in the arse.  The second game had with with a ranged list and an Archmage.  I used Shadow and to good effect.  I got withering so forced that through onto prime targets.  An initiative drop from Miasma followed by Pit lay waste to a block of Chaos Warriors.  Really depends on your army build of course.  I used Alith Anar in the second game and was too eager with him, deploying him with Shadow Warriors behind the Chaos lines.  Unfortunately for Alith the Daemon Prince he shot twice with his portable Both thrower made both its Ward saves and 4++ only keeps you going so far.  I do think he has some great uses for his points and will use him again but from within my own lines.

Book of Hoeth - With either of the two casters above in your list of course it's an auto include.  I haven't made good use of it as I haven't faced an enemy caster of higher level but it will be invaluable.

Core - Nice to have the variety.  Reavers are great, I did take bows and spears on mine and 2 units did the trick against the Chaos chaff.  I used LSG in the first game about 25 strong.  They sat back and fired most of the game then reformed deep for combat in the final turns.  I think I'll stick with Archers, the extra range, cheaper cost and Martial Prowess make them a better all round choice as armour won't save your T3 elves in the long run.  Nothing wrong with Spearmen if you want to support your elite melee units but I wont need them yet. I used a 5 man Silver Helm unit in the second game, redirected some Skullcrushers and then died horribly, did what they were supposed to then.

Special - I used a unit of 21 Swordmasters with BotWD and they did alright but I was facing an army with a lot of magical attacks so not too fair for Cody's dual DPs or ensorcelled knights.  I like the Swordmasters but when you look hard at the White Lions and Phoenix Guard I just think they are better in a small supporting role.  In the second game I tryed White Lions with BotWD, sure less attacks than the SM but with Martial prowess, the extra strength and stubborn you can clearly see why they are the go to unit.  I would love to include a block of Phoenix Guard with Razor in a couple builds I've made but as I do not own any they can wait.  Shadow Warriors were a cheap nuisance so I can see myself always squeezing in a 5 man squad.  I used a 5 man Dragon Prince unit in the first game which got a lucky flank charge on some Skullcrushers and after some terrible Chaos saves ran the crushers down.  As others have noted a big unit isn't that flash so if I use them their unit size will stay small.  I have yet to try the others but plan on using some chariots.

Rare - The drop in price of the bolt throwers has been a blessing as with all the MC and MI about it gives some punch against them.  They have been effective in both games and with the different fire modes I'll be including 2+ in my lists.  I proxied some Sisters of Averlorn and had success with them.  The AP against evil doers and potential against regen and ethereal complements the rest of the shooting.  In both games I also proxied a Frost Phoenix, in both games it was great as a support unit to the combats with either the SM or WL.  It even saw off a Chimera in the first game.  I do however know that in the cannon rich tournament environment I play in it may not last long, I was usually lucky to have a functioning Terrorgheist in my VC but that's because I played with 2.  This really has me on the fence as to whether I spend the money on one or not.  Eagles still do the job well but with Reavers and cheap Silver helms you can spend those Rare points elsewhere.

So my current list I will try next looks like this, very Nagarythe themed but still functional and only slightly changed from what I used in the second game.  It is very shooting based but it's a nice point of difference from my Vampire Counts.

Alith Anar
Archmage level 4 - probably shadow, Book of Hoeth, Ironcurse Icon(I had 5 points)

Noble, BSB, heavy armour, Reaver Bow, enchanted shield

10 Archers, m
17 Archers, m, st
5 Reavers, bow/spears
5 Reavers, bow/spears
5 Silver Helms, shields, m

5 Shadow Warriors
Tiranoc Chariot
25 WL, fc, BotWD

3xBT
5 Sisters

Now I was going to use the Frost Phoenix again but for 240 points can include another  BT and more Sisters.  3 Tiranoc chariots or 2 Lion Chariots?  Even more Shadow Warriors?

So please any suggestions would be welcome.