Basic Approach or Concept:
I was inspired by Portent’s Provincial Honours portion of his work (http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=35240) where the concept of Provincial Core Units was introduced. However, in my interpretation I have taken this concept a bit further and applied the traits across all units from a particular Province.
Army Wide Rules
Provincial Trait: Units from within Ulthuan are composed of Elves from each of the Island’s 10 Provinces plus the National Capital (i.e. the Phoenix King’s home city forces).
As Ulthuan has developed, over time, each Province has tended to focus on different traits, which over time has become enhanced as follows:
- Eataine: Units gain +1 WS or +1 BS
- Yvresse: Units gain +1 WS
- Cothique: Units gain +1 Initiative
- Chrace: Units gain Lion Pelts (+2 AS vs. shooting and magic missiles)
- Nagarythe: Units gain Naggaroth Frenzy* and Skirmish special rule (Maximum units of 20 infantry or 10 Calvary models)
- Tiranoc: Units re-roll their charge distances
- Saphery: Units gain +1 WS to their WS or 6+ WS if they do not have one
- Averlorn: Units gain +1 BS and Forest Strider (foot only)
- Ellyrion: Unit can move and shoot without penalty
- Caledor: Units gain +1 AS (must have armour to benefit)
- National Capital: Units cause Fear
*Naggaroth Frenzy: When facing Dark Elves, gain the Frenzy Special Rule and can never lose it even if they lose combat
Martial Prowess and Valour of Ages: Unchanged
Skill of Asuryan (new): Models may reroll missed hits and always ignore the ASL Special Rule.
Elvin Agility (“EA”):
An Elvin veteran, by virtue of his preternatural speed and skill, should be hard to shoot, stab, crush, or whatever. I would see this rule being given to select units in all Elvin armies. Hard-hitting but fragile is a nice concept but doesn't jive well with elite Elvin warriors. It should be hard to cut down an elf. Thanks to other users who contributed to this idea in my previous post. Elvin Agility (1) = 6+ ward save. Elvin Agility (2) = 5+ ward save. Only on indicated units.(by Portents – April 27, 2011). EA does not stack with any other WS the model may have.
Core:
Spearelves: 7 pts per model, command cost remains unchanged
- Stat Line: no change, but revised based on Provincial Trait
- Equipment: Light Armour and Spear
- Equipment Options: Shield (+1 pt/model)
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait, Martial Prowess, Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(1)
Archers: 9 pts per model, command cost remain unchanged
- Stat Line: no change, but revised based on Provincial Trait
- Equipment: Long Bow
- Equipment Options: Light Armour (+1 pt/model), Shield (+1 pt/model)
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait, Martial Prowess, Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(1)
Lothern Sea Guard: 10 pts per model, command cost remains the same
- Stat Line: the Provincial Trait: Eataine is included (+1 WS)
- Equipment: Heavy Armour, Spear, Bow
- Equipment Options: Shield (+1 pt/model)
- Special Rules: Martial Prowess, Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(1)
First Among Equals: One Core unit from each Province may be equipped with a magic banner up to a 25 pts.
Specials :
Ellyrian Reavers: 17 pts per model, command options and cost remains the same
- Stat Line: no change
- Equipment: Spear, Bow, Elvin Steed
- Equipment Options: Light Armour(+1 pt/model)
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait: Ellyrion, Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(1), Fast Calvary
Silver Helms: 20 pts per model, command cost remains the same
- Stat Line: no change
- Equipment: Heavy Armour, Lance, Shield, Elvin Steed
- Equipment Options: Barding Armour(+3 pt/model)
- Magic Options: Banner to a maximum of 25 pts, Unit champion to a maximum of 15 pts
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait, Martial Prowess (rider only), Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(1)
Tiranoc Chariots: 80 pts per model
- Stat Line: no change
- Equipment: Light Armour, Spear, Bow, Elvin Steeds
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait: Tiranoc, Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(1), Vanguard
Shadow Warriors: 15, command options and cost remain the same
- Stat Line: WS, BS, and Ld are improved by 1
- Equipment: Light Armour and Long Bow
- Equipment Options: Additional Hand Weapon (+1 pt/model) Shield (+1 pt/model)
- Magic Options: no change
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait: Nagarythe, Martial Prowess, Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(2), Scout, Naggaroth Frenzy
Swordmasters: 15 pts per model, command cost remains unchanged
- Stat Line: no change
- Equipment: Heavy Armour, Great Weapon
- Magic Options: no change
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait: Saphery, Martial Prowess, Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(2)
White Lions: 14 pts per model, command cost remains unchanged
- Stat Line: no change
- Equipment: Heavy Armour, Great Weapon
- Magic Options: no change
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait: Chrace, Martial Prowess, Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, Forest Strider, EA(2)
Phoenix Guard: 14 pts per model, command cost remains unchanged
- Stat Line: no change
- Equipment: Heavy Armour, Halberd
- Equipment Options: Flaming Halberds (+1 pt/model, Flaming Attacks)
- Magic Options: no change
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait: National Capital, Martial Prowess, Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, WS 4+
Dragon Princes: 35 pts per model, command costs remain unchanged
- Stat Line: no change
- Equipment: Dragon Armour, Lance, Shield, Barded Elvin Steed, Lion Pelts
- Magic Options: no change
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait: Caledor, Martial Prowess (rider only), Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(2)
Lion Chariot: 140 pts/model
- Stat Line: No change
- Equipment: No Change
- Special Rules: Provincial Trait: Chrace, Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(2)
Rare:
RBT: 75 pts
- Stat Line: revised to include Provincial Trait: Eataine (+1 BS)
- Equipment: Heavy Armour and Shield
- Equipment Option: Magical Eagles Nest (+10 pts, forms a magical "wall" around the RBT and WS 4+)
- Special Rules: Valour of Ages, Skill of Asuryan, EA(1), Volley Fire
Great Eagle: no change from the current version
Well, that is how I would like to see 8th edition elves go. And once again a big nod to Portent for his post!
I will post some thoughts on High Magic and Characters later.