Mandrakes?

[WarriorFish]

I was musing my way through a 500pts list when I remembered my Mandrakes (still in cellophane, before you ask...). They seem quite useful, albeit not particularly cheap. With their shrouded rule they have a little bit of resilience so could do well as a unit to pop up unannounced to send some baleblasts somewhere your opponent doesn't want them (you get a few shots so can fish for those 6s too) and to top it off they're fairly swift with an 8" move and no slouches in combat with their number of attacks so they can follow it up with some combat if you need.

 

If you wanted more MSU sounds best to get the most from their rules by targeting different units potentially. Extra numbers would be good to absorb return fire as well as extra shots. Has anyone used them in 8th yet?

 

Special bonus question: my DE are pale skinned, should I still stick with the classic dark skin? I'm thinking a more charcoal colour...

[WarriorFish]

Looks like nobody has used Mandrakes in 8th yet, suppose that means I need to be the pioneer I was thinking about having them as one of my Xeno Files vow squads anyway, and I've put them into my first 500pts list. Hopefully I can get them on the table before the year's end

[TrawlingCleaner]

I've used Mandrakes a couple of times and I have to say they're probably one of my favourite units. As you say pop them up behind units or characters your opponent need and they can do work. Played a game last week and 5 man squad knocked a warboss from 5 wounds to 1 and then finished him off in combat. You're right though, not many people seem to be plaging them

[WarriorFish]

Thanks Cleaner, that sounds encouraging! I like the models and think I'll enjoy painting them too so I might even get some more when the time comes. How do you feel about their cost? They're more expensive than more standard DE infantry and not that much more durable, relying on their shrouded rule to reduce enemy effectiveness along with choosing their entrance. You need to pay for their Deep Strike (whatever it's called now) as well as their pretty nifty baleblasts of course, but I'm not sure how much more use you may get from them after their initial pounce?

 

I think they probably want something juicy to go after - like that Warboss - to be more worthwhile and make a bigger difference. For example holding them back for the right time to strike, as if an enemy character has space behind him you can drop in and with a bit of luck blast through any invulnerable saves and put a spanner in your opponent's works

[TrawlingCleaner]

Compared to Kabalites I think they're far more survivable, they have an invuln and -1 to hit, they're better in combat but obviously don't have the poison in the shooting and don't have the possibility for AT. Kabalites and better at shooting but not at combat.

 

Incubi which don't have any shooting capability have the same WS except the sergeant who has 2+ and 2W. They have 3+ armour save which will fall off pretty quickly to any sort of AP. In combat Incubi have =strength to Mandrakes but have -3 ap.

 

For me Mandrakes are the best of both worlds, they're a small mobile unit that can snipe characters and small units with nifty shooting but aren't slouches in combat. I'm definitely going to get another squad

[WarriorFish]

Good points, I think it's somewhat down to target selection as with an invulnerable your opponent is more likely to spam fire them with AP0 but that is also countered by placement - you wouldn't want to put them next to a load of grunts as they're after the special targets so it should be less of an issue. The -1BS is probably their best defensive asset I reckon along with good placement. My Incubi are also snug in their cellophane, I'd consider them to be elite infantry hunters still but I'll get round to them in time ;)

 

It does sound like Mandrakes are a solid middle ground with their own benefits on top, a squad being below 100pts seems a reasonable price to pay for what you get. Maybe we've convinced others to give them a go, and report back what they find? :)

[SpiritFox22]

I've played only a few games with my Mandrakes and honestly I find them good jacks of all trades because of their baleblast.  Definitely my preferred unit for sniping characters out of armies (Nurgle/Nids/IG).  They do their job well and so far take far more in their points to take out.

[WarriorFish]

Excellent, thanks Fox I'm sure I'll get good use from them now Unfortunately I checked GW's site and Mandrakes appear to be out of stuck currently Could just be until they sort the repackaging out though I have no clue as to how long that can take.

 

I did find out there's a plastic Succubus too sadly also sans stock, I'll need to strip my metal one down... Maybe by some twist of fate my local GW has some.

[hushrong]

My buddy has been using them to pop up in my back field and harass Havocs to my annoyance.

 

They put down some hurt and it means my plans will change because I have to deal with shadow people all of a sudden.

[SpiritFox22]

My buddy has been using them to pop up in my back field and harass Havocs to my annoyance.

 

They put down some hurt and it means my plans will change because I have to deal with shadow people all of a sudden.

 

Sounds like your friend is using them as a Distraction Carnifex like how they should be.  They're just a perfect balance of "I cant leave them alone but I cant focus too much without suffering for it"

[hushrong]

It does work. I'm sitting there thinking of what I think will happen and who is going to do what only to have mandrakes throw a wrench in my engine.

 

In our game the other evening I was just lucky to have a noise marine squad nearby to wipe them out after they had killed some havocs and then later distracted said NM from their battleplan. That meant less incoming fire on his hard hitters which worked well for him.

 

Any thought into using them as a counter punch? Or are there better options like Scourges?

[WarriorFish]

Mandrakes would be good as a counter-attack unit, but arguably there's not a huge amount of difference :P Scourges get to maintain their mobility but despite having two boxes and always being keen on them I've not really read up on them much in 8th. They'd be more flexible with weapon options I always thought they'd be good at slagging vehicles and harassing back field units as well as a handy rapid reaction force.

 

Their carbines are quite shooty so they can put our respectable firepower, plus have a solid save for DE. Fly lets them escape from combat without too much pain though I don't think they'll be wanting to get too close as combat wouldn't be their friend. Probably make for a great complementary unit for some Mandrakes? Give you a lot of options in mobility and getting into your opponent's plans.

[hushrong]

My buddy had a sizeable mandrake unit and two scourges(one was all blaster the other all carbines) waiting to drop in our game.

 

If my havocs weren't in cover and my daemon prince wasn't close by they would have minced my heavy support. Regardless, they are a great threat to put down.

[SpiritFox22]

Personally with my Mandrakes I've been in the habit of putting down two units of 5 over a 10 man blob.  They put out a decent amount of shots and with two groups they absorb more firepower.  My strategy is for them to hit the Characters and maybe put a wound or two on their heavy support. 

 

With Scourges I run them as Suicide squads with either max blasters or dark lances dedicated to nuking one thing before getting wiped out the next turn from return fire.  Scourges to me are a very expensive suicide unit, running them barebones make them anti infantry/hoard which they do decently but so does a 10 man Kabalite squad in a Raider, but with AT firepower they become a "must kill" unit just so the enemy can keep their tanks alive.

 

To me both are suicide squads that do well in that role, Mandrakes seem to survive better due to their rules, while Scourges are a bigger threat in their shorter lives.  Dropping both makes things fun and definitely screw with opponents plans if used correctly.

[hushrong]

I would have hated it if my friend brought them in two squads because that two targets I have to gun down. I do not know if he ever thought to use them as assassins for HQ. that would be wicked.

 

Just a side question, did they ever make the mandrakes in metal?

[Calyptra]

Just a side question, did they ever make the mandrakes in metal?

Yes. Finecast... er, happened... midway through the Dark Eldar's 5th ed release. Mandrakes, Incubi, and Beastmasters (along with their beasts) all got released in metal.

 

Unfortunately, Grotesques and the Court of the Archon weren't so lucky.

[CptMetal]

Use crypt Horrors from age of Sigmar as grotesques and I also use spirits from the spirit hosts as Mandrakes.

[WarriorFish]

I got an email notification from GW today, Mandrakes are back in stock on the UK site :)

[WarriorFish]

In case anyone is interested, I picked up my new Mandrake box and the models look fine. For starters I didn't get three of the same pose but no serious warping just some weapons needing a little straightening

[Dr. Clock]

+1 for 'Mandrakes rule'.

 

Also Scourges. I take at least two units in every game... most often it's 2x8; one with 4 lance, one 4 blaster. Their ability to drop down and kite at 18" (blasters) or take up an undefended corner camp (lances) is incredibly useful. Their save is pretty good for Eldar, and they have the mobility to get where they need to be for objectives or for 'clean up' assaults.

 

Scourges and Mandrakes work well together too, jut based on deployment shenanigans. I usually play cagey with skimmers for two turns and then when my opponent's back line is mostly clear, use Scourges and Mandrakes to encircle.

 

Cheers,

 

The Good Doctor.

[WarriorFish]

Good to hear Clock, this has been my plan since 6th Ed I think :lol: Got two boxes of Scourges, one set primed and soon on my list :tu: