Ginger wrote:
Basically because they are soooo OTT that they are very hard indeed to balance.
Why need they be statted so OTT? 40k Harlequins are roughly similar, or only slightly more, in terms of cost and power than Aspect Warriors. They had stats and rules in previous epic eldar lists (the first couple of editions of epic at least) and people have models for them it would be nice to be able to have rules for using as allies in Eldar lists.
My take would be something like the below, it represents the power and capabilities of Harlequins well while keeping things simple and not needing any new special rules:
Harlequins Infantry 15cm no save CC3+ FF5+ Harlequins Kiss (bc) Assault Weapons
Shuriken Pistols (15cm) Small Arms
Shrieker Cannon 30cm AP5+ Disrupt
Notes: First Strike, Holofield, Infiltrate, Teleport. Initiative 1+
Troupe Master Character Power Sword +1 EA, MW
Notes: Commander, Leader
0-1 formation of 4 Harlequins plus one Troupe Master may be taken for 250 points, they may be upgraded with 4 Venom transports (as per the Venoms in the Epic-UK Dark Eldar list) for +100 points. Harlequins are allies, counting towards the 1/3 limit on allies and titans.
I took a look at the Harlequins Grand Masque you linked to Ginger, but I'm not too keen on it - it doesn't represent Harlequins very well in various ways and creates multiple new special rules. Considering Harlequins are rare it seems better to have them as allies rather than a full army IMO.