With all the disscusion about how impactfull the Subfactionchoice should be, and for example Bloodangles getting Sanguinpriest or smth instead of Apothacaries, I wondered what the big differences between Eldar subfactions are? Especially in context of possible EC subfaction differences. I hope I am just ignorant for the most part and you can enlighten me, but we all know that Marines get a lot more love from GW than Eldar^^ And how do you think it will be implemented?
No idea how it will be implemented, but craftworld differences have usually been about what troop types are most common. Not sure how that would translate into EC. Still wrapping my head around the details. Ulthwe: Focus on Seers and Warlocks. Unique units are Black Guardians, who are full-time citizen soldiers, adept at hit & run tactics. Biel-Tan: Much heavier focus on Aspect Warriors over other troop types. No unique units I can recall (had Court of the Young King, but can't remember specifics). Iyanden: Focus on Wraith constructs, with Wraithguards and lords making up the bulk of their army. Had Spiritseers as unique model in earlier editions, which could direct Wraith units better. Is now part of any Eldar army. Spiritseer with Wraithguard pet is my initial thought of unique class or a Seer class capable of controlling Wraith constructs. Saim-Hann: Mobility and jetbikes was their focus. Had specialized Wild Rider jetbike squadrons.
The RP thing is something Brent mentioned so it's definitely the most likely. I don't think they'll go for cheaper weapons or warp powers though since they don't want subfactions to have an actual advantage in some troop type as this would make most people roll the subfaction that is best at their favorite class. Maybe Ulthwe can have access to cheaper psyker heroes of some kind (Farseer?) while Biel-Tan gets cheaper aspect heroes (Exarchs/ Autarch?)? I don't really like these examples since I don't think any class that's lost on their path should be playable for lore reasons but I feel like this is more likely to happen since they seem to want to avoid giving a functional advantage to a class based on subfaction.
In terms of unique formations and units? Biel Tan: Exarch councils/Court of the Young King/Void Spinners Saim Hann: Wild Riders Ulthwe: Black Guardians Iyanden: Spiritseer councils I doubt any of that would be implemented. Most likely will be something generic like RP discounts.
I think there was a thread about subfaction abilities. I had something there about what each craftworld could have but I forgot! Let me search it. Those were all mostly about either passive or active abilities. I don't know if reduced RP-costs would be good for wraith-constructs with Iyanden or other similar things though, since that could lead to it being stupid having one if it is the same but cheaper. If anything, I think Iyanden wraithguard could be slightly more expensive and have something to make up for it.
Instead of cheaper weapons my bet is on cheaper veteran, exarch or whatever they want to call the class that can equip more loadout points than a regular class but it cost some requisition to spawn, for Biel-tan. I would also like to see some XP differences to represent the craftworld specialty, for example Ulthwe should unlock warlock/farseer progression trees 5-10% faster, Iyanden should unlock the spiritseer (if there is one as hero or elite) wraithguard and wraithguard upgrades faster and so on.
I think that's a great idea Mngwa, I'd much prefer small passive bonuses like that which are cool little perks but nothing game changing, that way players who like to ride jetbikes but want to be Ulthwe for example aren't gimping themselves by not going Saim Hann.
sorry I had to fix this, it was so painful to look at I was about to go insane, but I think it will be something along the lines of more equipment points and special gear for each subfaction based on what they specialize in, or if not special gear because they are eldar exp buffs for their specialized skillset
