Dire Avengers - What makes them a bad choice?

[SvenIronhand]

As it says on the tin. Sure, other aspects have better output (for 15/45 pts more, you can get a unit of Dark Reapers) and other tricks. But for 75/150 pts, they seem pretty good in Aspect Host as a replacement for Guardians. 40 3+ S4 AP -1 (assuming you go for the Exarch's melee options, otherwise it's 44) shots is nothing to sneeze at; it's roughly equivalent to a Intercessor Squad's output. Am I missing something? 
 

[Karhedron]

The problem is that they cost almost as much as Intercessors. While their firepower is similar, they are incredibly fragile in comparison with half the number of wounds, T3 instead of T4 and only a 4+ save. While they have a pair of decent abilities, Intercessors can sticky an Objective which is always a handy option.

 

On the other hand Reapers are tougher with a 3+, have a much longer range and pack a bigger punch. The only area where DAs are better is horde clearance but Eldar have many options in that area so it is not much of a problem.

 

A better comparison is Swooping Hawks who cost 2 points per model more. In return they get +6" range, a 14" Move with Fly and can drop grenades for MWs which is always handy. Their firepower is similar as although the Hawks lose Ap-1, they gain Lethal Hits.

 

DAs have often had the problem that they are just slightly better Guardians and Guardians are not great to begin with. Also DAs are no longer Battleline (they had the advantage of being Troops in some earlier editions).