[Dark Elf] I Don't Like Witch Elves

[Lollingsgrad]

I don't really like AV7 players as a rule because I played Norse for a while and whilst it was great fun, after losing bashing games to Skaven with all but 5 my team unconscious or injured I started to think maybe it'd be better if my hitters weren't made out of Bacofoil. This means I don't really want to pick up a Witch Elf, but a lot of the guides I've seen on Dark Elves seem to gush over them.

I could understand this if they were the only hitters for the team, but then there's the blitzers. Four of them. With the same stats, +1AV, and cheaper! Are such fragile hitters really worth the money? Would I be gimping my team if I pass them up?

[Viajero]

Basically up to you. Many DE teams seem to do quite well without them. The main difference between the Witches and Norse pieces is the AG4 the Witch has. While Norse can not disengage from marking easily, a Witch can do as she pleases basically, barring double ones or heavy marking. You just have to be mindfull of them and dont overexpose unnecessarily. Other than that her starting skills are awsome. Once you get to 6 SPP and give her Block or Wrestle they rule.

[Nikolai II]

There is a second major difference between witches and the average norse, and that is agility access. Witches start with dodge, which is a rarity on the norse team, and they can also easily get sidestep which both protects against chain blocking and allows meta defense in that it might not be worth blitzing a sidestepper near the sidelines if she can position for a crowdpush in return (whether you get her down or not, since she has jump up)

[Lebe666]

I don't like ... facing enemy Witch Elves.

Because of AV7 they usually are kept back. When they are used they are quite effective. Hit... crowdsurf... pull back easily.

I don't like Dark Elf teams myself... but any jump up blodger w/ frenzy is a constant threat. This tends to keep sidelines open... which gives you choices.

If you want something similar to a Witch elf with some more humpff and resistance... get a Werewolf ! Don't dress as sexy... but sure gets his claws into work more ... +1AV +1MV and just -1Agi

[Anglakhel]

Witch Elves are fragile but essential to long term Dark Elf development.

I'm cautious about introducing my Witch Elves to the Team. I like to have some developed Lineelves and at least one Blodge, Side Step Blitzer to support each Witch Elf. If I don't have the support Blitzer, I don't add the Witch Elf to my roster.

Once the squad is developed though, I'm always looking to keep 2 Witches on my roster whenever I'm able. They're a top priority for replacement when the die, and they will die.

Still, a Witch Elf can't be replaced by a Blitzer. A Blitzer starts with one useful skill: Block. A Witch Elf starts with three: Dodge, Frenzy, and Jump Up. Those extra skills make all the difference in development.

Besides, I almost always make my Witch Elves Wrestlers since I do have 4 Blitzers to use when I want to Blitz with a Block player. So, my Witch Elves get a different toolkit than my Blitzers.

[danton]

Witch elves are crucial to dark elf teams in my book. The blitzers are better off as man-markers and harassers, while the witches are the safeties, killers and sideline stalkers!

You need to protect them and position them carefully, but after two or three skills they become very powerful pieces. As with any Frenzy piece, you have to think carefully about how you block and blitz with them, but Ag 4 and Jump Up often can help to get you out of trouble, when compared to other Frenzy players.

I like to build one with Wrestle and Tackle and the other with Block and Side-step. The first double is usually Mighty Blow and if you can get a second one then go with Piling On for the ultimate killer combo. You can consider Juggernaut as an alternative double skill too.

Normally I don't start a dark elf team with a witch, but they are usually my first and second purchases, once I have at least three re-rolls and some side-stepping blitzers to accompany them on the wings.

[Snap Wilson]

Another vote for the Witchies. I love having them, and the true test, as Lebe says, is I hate seeing them on the other side of the pitch. AV7 with Dodge ain't that bad in terms of squishiness. Add Block or Wrestle on the first skill (I like to have one of each on my two Witch Elves) and follow Side Step to keep away from the retaliatory surf (plus, it readies them for the Frenzied Follow-Up if the positioning is right), and they are a pain in the butt for any opponent. Well worth the money.

[Morgred]

Im a big fan of Witches. IMO their greatest asset is that you can add them to the team late in developement and they are immediately good players. Same goes for replacing them. Normally rookies need to develope to fit the team. Not Witches. They start good and develope into great players.

That said, if you dont like them- dont use them. Elven teams, as we all know have the most capable Linemen in the game. AG4 across the board and in the case of DE AV8.. Theres not much they cant do.

Witches are not essential. Used well tho, they will be a great asset to ur team.

Question tho.. If u dont like AV7 why bother with elves at all?

[Lebe666]

Originally Posted by Morgred

Question tho.. If u dont like AV7 why bother with elves at all?

Most other Dark Elves are AV 8... 4 blitzer and all linemen. So I guess he doesn't like dealing with AV 7 in an AV 8 team... I kind of understand.

[Gallows Bait]

I see the point also, the AV7 players on a Dark Elf team will be prime targets, the weak links that help a slower opponant gain a numbers advantage. Its less an issue for Chaos with Claw access, but Orcs and Dwarves are going to send their Mighty Blow/ Piling On killers after them unless they can handle themselves.

The good news though, its often they can do just fine. A Witch Elf is a hard one to knock down and a lot of killers don't build in tackle. Elf catchers on any type of Elf team can easily end up with block and dodge to keep their chances up too.

If anything on the Dark Elf team, its the runner that's the easy one to hurt.

But then, why would he ever be exposed without some tougher Elves around him.

All in all, I'd rather be AV7 with an agile team than on a non-agile one. The life of a skaven lineman is a short one, for example.