Hocus Focus: Ellyrian Reavers

So one thing that caused some discussion with all my opponents was my Reaver units. Generally thought of as a strong contender for the title of worst fast cav in the game and 21 points a model at their most useful they are easy to kill, inefficient in combat and expensive. Why then do I think they do a job for High Elves?

First off 21 points is not expensive. Well it is but they still represent the cheapest cav in the list. That doesn't mean they should be used frontally but it does mean they get swiftstride, they dont get stomped and the move like the wind at a cheaper cost than either Helms or Princes. They also get the 12" pre game move which is very handy for either redeployment or for threatening light or rear elements and free reforms so that you can evade charge arcs well. Don't fall into the trap of not buying longbows 15" short range is very very useful since when you shoot your going to have moved and you want the biggest wiggle range you can get to position optimally while being annoying with your shots. 

Second they may be easy to kill on paper but they are hard to wipe out. Your 217 point unit can easily hang around as 2 models round the back of some buildings if all goes wrong and you shouldn't normally give up the points. Your 5 dragon princes will generally die at some point. Your 14 Swordmasters too. Your 10 Reavers shouldn't. Obviously Salamanders and magic missiles will nail you but most people aren't going to hit your Reavers with those.

Third they are not inefficient in combat. Ten will generally give you the +1/+2 for a side or rear plus the 1 for charging and if you get very lucky, or you use some augmentations, may deny ranks. They are str 4 3's or 4's re-rolling on the charge and there is ten of them. Sure they don't have the punch of Princes but very little does. You should get a combat swing of between 2 and 5 the first round. They also out chaff chaff very well which is important for an army relying on few well executed and brief combats to win the day.

So there we have it. I personally own 20 and though I don't rate small units I think units of 10+ are pretty handy to have around.