Dark Eldar Thoughts: 4 Tournaments in 5 Weekends

During a recent sequence of five weekends I had been fortunate enough to partake in four various tournaments; LA Battle Bunker (1,500), The Realm (1,850), Game Empire Pasadena (1,850) and LA Battle Bunker (2,000). For the first time in a long time I have been feeling a great sense of balance with my Dark Eldar.  I've moved away from pure Venom spam to incorporate Raiders into the mix as well.  Those lone lance shots don't do much by themselves, but they can add up. Over these four tournaments I've compiled a very respectable record of 10-0-2.  I do think I've had some favorable match-ups, but the bottom line is that my Dark Eldar are performing better than they have since the new Codex dropped.

Here are some of my observations from these four tournaments:

• My new favorite supporting unit = 3 Wracks in Raider with Flickerfield and Shock Prow.  I have the Wracks walk on and move slowly towards my objective (or just hide in KP missions).  If my opponent presents any juicy targets, I will usually ram with the Raider from Reserve.  I've also been adding Aethersails for those extra long rams.
• Athersails!  I don't know why I didn't experiment with them earlier.  Being able to move an extra 7" on average is huge.  26-36" contesting move? S10 ram?  Only 5 points? YES!
• Night Shields.  I know the Internet is split on this upgrade.  Some love it, some hate it.  But ask my opponents whether they love it or hate it, and I suspect most will say they hate it.  Sure, some are indifferent (Deathwing), but even  then it can throw you off balance a bit.  In my 1,850 list I pretty much had to choose between these and a squad of Beasts - I'd go with Night Shields across the board any day.
• How to deal with Psyfleman spam?  My best answer is Wyches with Haywires (getting a multi-assault off would be awesome), ramming Raiders and of course the usual volley of lance shots.  Optimized Grey Knights are a terrible match-up for Dark Eldar.  However Night Shields DO help against Psycannons.  If you are able to limit those you can focus everything on the Dreads and other long range threats.

2,000 Dark Eldar:

HQ 1: Heamonculi - 50 ELITES 1: 4 Trueborn with 4xBlasters, Venom (FF) with Night Shields, Dual Cannons – 183 ELITES 2: 4 Trueborn with 4xBlasters, Venom (FF) with Night Shields, Dual Cannons – 183 ELITES 3: 4 Trueborn with 4xBlasters, Venom (FF) with Night Shields, Dual Cannons – 183 TROOPS 1: 3 Wracks, Raider with Flickerfield, Night Shields, Aethersails and Shock Prow – 120 TROOPS 2: 3 Wracks, Raider with Flickerfield, Night Shields, Aethersails and Shock Prow – 120 TROOPS 3: 5 Warriors (1x Blaster), Venom (FF) with Night Shields, Dual Cannons – 135 TROOPS 4: 5 Warriors (1x Blaster), Venom (FF) with Night Shields, Dual Cannons – 135 TROOPS 5: 5 Warriors (1x Blaster), Venom (FF) with Night Shields, Dual Cannons – 135 TROOPS 6: 9 Wyches (Haywire Grenades, Hekatrix with Agonizer), Raider with Flickerfield, Night Shields, Aethersails - 223 FAST ATTACK 1: 3 Beastmasters (5 Khymera, 4 Razowings) - 156 HEAVY 1: Ravager with Flickerfields, Night Shields – 125 HEAVY 2: Ravager with Flickerfields, Night Shields – 125 HEAVY 3: Ravager with Flickerfields, Night Shields – 125 Total: 1,998

For 1,850 cut out the Beastmasters

For 1,500 cut out Night Shields and the Wych Squad.

Fellow Dark Eldar Generals; how have you been fairing now that you've had time to adjust to Grey Knights and Necrons?  What has been working for you in tournaments? What hasn't worked?  Any additional insights are greatly appreciated.