Hi!

I've been starting a new elven force to play versus my friends. I am mixing some Rivendell models (mostly because the epic heroes) and wood elves (I love their style and all their equipment) but how can elves crack the defenses of the dwarves? Is it any tactics I should focus on? My woodies will die like flies without even making a scratch on the dwarves armour. I really want to make a army with only elves and no allies.

Happy for all the advices I can get!
Xore

_________________
“I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!”

Which type of dwarf? Erabor or free peoples? It makes a difference.

_________________
Raugnir
sindarin for demon slayer
raug-dagnir

He have both types of dwarfs :-S

_________________
“I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!”

You can exploit your advantage in both cavalry and archery to some end, so long as he doesn't get a siege engine. Your heroes are also worth banking on as your damage dealers if you can rely on your troops to hold the line for you.

_________________
"Draw your sword with a heavy heart, but swing it with a heavy hand"

If he has spears, pull them apart, keep them at range and force him where you want him.

_________________
Raugnir
sindarin for demon slayer
raug-dagnir

Magic. Wind callers are awesome. Wood elf Sentinels are also very helpful (however, beings dwarves have a decent courage a successful sentinel song will be difficult to succeed at). The original Thranduril is also amazing. 2+ to hit for archery and one free unresistable Nature's Wrath. That will ruin an entire warband.

I face similar issues with my buddy's morannon orc shield wall. In my experience, shield often and aggressively while your elven heroes focus on killing things. This is tougher against defense 7 troops, but I think that defensive strategy is sound. Look for opportunities to gang up or trap a lone model and use those as your time to go for the kill. It is demoralizing for the opponent to lose every fight while Gil Galad slowly eats his army.

Thanks for the advices! I will try to use them all. I will probably pick some cool heroes with some magic

_________________
“I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!”

Gil-Galad is a must have, and so is the upgrade he grants. By giving spearmen F6 they will match the dwarves heroes and give your infantry equal chance to win the fight. This is pretty important since it can stop heroic fights and can stall them; there are plenty of dwarves heroes able to wound high elves/rivendell knights on 4+ and wood elves on a 3+ (Dwalin can kill them on 2+!) and F6 can stop this from happening or can force them to spend a might to call a heroic strike and it's really painful to call a strike for a simple unit; nobody does that unless that kill is really needed.
Elven blades are another good thing to have, even if just a pair for warband ready to go into action when the odds are in your favor to score some wound.
Also, don't forget that elves move faster. You can outmanouver them and basically dictate the pace of the fights.

having a very good mobile force (gildor leading exiles is a good choice) will help a lot. throwing weapons are good vsing dwarfs also since they have a shorter move speed

I would say blades and support are your friends. Two handed with the blade and then a spear to make sure you're not suffering too much by the -1 and maybe even a banner to give you the re-roll just in case. If all else fails, use the advantage of your movement speed to send constant volleys of bow fire in their face - not the greatest fun for your opponent, but if you want to soften them up/take out their 2 attack models, that'll help even up your advantage when lines clash.

Okey, thanks! The only problem is that the high elven spears is quite expensive :/. How shall I solve that? Use wood elves for spear support? Or should I try to convert?

_________________
“I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!”

Using wood elves is a good idea, but then you have to run a wood elf hero to go with them. I would convert.

The wood elf storm caller is a fine investment if you want to bring in some wood elf or Lorien spear-men since they have the same model as the other storm caller plus they come with natures wraith. Or you could use Gildor to bring a full warbands of wood elves with or without the exile upgrade. Plus Gildor's transfix spell will be useful against heroes.

_________________
"Draw your sword with a heavy heart, but swing it with a heavy hand"

Eregion and Rivendell

Warband 1 8/12
Elladan and Elrohir with Horse; Heavy armour;
4 High Elf Warrior with Shield;
2 High Elf Warrior with Elven Blade;
1 High Elf Warrior with Shield; Spear; Banner;

Warband 2 9/12
Gildor Inglorion
4 High Elf Warrior with Shield;
2 High Elf Warrior with Elven Blade;
3 Noldorin Exile with Elf Bow; Elven cloak; Wood Elf spear;

Lothlórien and Mirkwood

Warband 1 7/12
Galadhrim Stormcaller
3 Noldorin Exile with Elven cloak; Elf bow; Wood Elf spear;
3 Galadhrim Warrior with Shield;
1 Galadhrim Warrior with Elven blade;

Example 598pts 27models 6bows 8might

good mix of bow, support and magic, with E&E to bring the fight where needed and elven blades to pounce on knocked down models if needed.

The wood elf sentinel is a good "budget" storm caller as you can replicate his key ability without the use of will. However, the sentinel targets crg instead which, depending on the force you are fighting can be problematic.

A sentinel cannot lead troops and that is what the stormcaller would be for. The magic and ought else is just a bonus to the cheap spear support.

_________________
"Draw your sword with a heavy heart, but swing it with a heavy hand"

That is a good point. The storm caller is a hero

A HUGE key for me I have seen in Elf vs Dwarf games are:
1-DEPLOYMENT. Its vastly important so do it right, and get as far as possible
2-Heroes/Special units-Thranduils aura of dismay, Gil Galads killing power, etc.
3-Try to stay out of combat as long as possible. Use your bows. They often dont have em. In addition, shield if need to. Spear support. Try to WIN FIGHTS as much as possible. Going two handed with an elven blade works well.

_________________
BLACKHAWK 2010 2013 2015 DYNASTY

Alright, thanks!! It really helps.

_________________
“I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!”