I say let them be upgrades to the falcon warhost to get more bodies in the group. If that's their role, then they need to be weak falcon - ie no pulse lasers, just heavy weapons (I still say star cannons).

If they have scout then maybe make them LV 4+ save and let them be their own formation.

3+ LV? Seriously?

No way, man.

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Role - fast recon and raiding
Overall power/stats - somewhere between the Vyper and Falcon.

Those are the guidelines for developing the proper flavor and feel for the Hornet.
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Unit type and Armor - These are interrelated, so we have to discuss them together. It is definitely on the line, based on converting the 40K stats to LV/AV. It's armor is a little bit tougher than the normal 10/10/10 and/or "open-topped" which qualify for LV status.

Vyper is 4+LV, Falcon is 5+AV. There's not really any room for going between them. 6+AV is close and we should consider it, but I think we can all agree that 3+LV or 5+RA LV is not really justified with respect to style (both are just too heavy in terms of durability). It's probably going to duplicate the Falcon or Vyper save. If that happens, the question then goes back to the role.

6+AV has some problems. It makes them invulnerable to AP, which doesn't strictly fit the 40K stats. They are gutted by anything heavier, which while not out of touch with the style of Eldar, still doesn't quite fit. It doesn't account for their speed, maneuverability and low profile. It also makes them pretty pitiful in assaults. Even keeping a 4+FF, they will die so easily that it's always going to be risky.

If you give it Falcon armor (5+AV), I think that is a problem with respect to the role. It's not a "raider" Falcon at all. It's a full on Falcon alternate, with nearly identical stats and comparable (maybe slightly weaker) weapon load. The only "downgrade" available to offset that would be 5+FF (as opposed to the Falcon's 4+). Also, if there's any desire to maintain Scout ability, then that might even end up more expensive than the Falcon, which is the opposite of what is intended - an "elite" Falcon rather than a light version.

I think best choice is to have it function more as a "heavy vyper" and give it 4+LV.

Firepower and FF - The weapon loadout is going to be comparable to Falcons. There's not really a way to get around the ranged fire being similar. However, I think we can safely stick with a lower 5+FF. Even though it's more raw firepower than a Vyper, it's still just one crew. There's lots of factors to keep track of in a firefight and there's no independent weapon targeting. Also, 5+FF and good ranged fire keeps it as a raider/scout - shoot and run - rather than a unit which is strong for decisive engagements (whereas 4+armor/4+FF would definitely be a stronger assault unit).

Scout - There are a couple ways to do this. You can either make the unit itself a Scout, or you can put it in formations that are designated as having Scout ability, e.g. Feral Ork Trappas or CSM Forlorn Hope. If this is a "heavy Vyper" then it would make sense to have it available as a fire support troupe in addition to just recon/scout and that would mean assign Scout ability based on the formation. On the other hand, if you want to consider that the star engine/vector engine maneuver issues allow it to threaten a larger area, perhaps always having Scout as a unit ability isn't so bad.

Personally, I'd lean towards assigning the ability based on the formation, but I don't have a strong opinion on it.

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Now... where do we put it?

As a scout/raider it might work in Alaitoc as well. However, Alaitoc has cool scout options as it is, and it is almost done. Adding a new formation option would seem counter-productive.

My personal opinion is that this is tailor-made for the Saim Hann list. That could be worked in a couple of different ways, but that can be discussed in the SH threads.

As an addendum Neal, I would suggest using 30cm ranged weaponry, but perhaps giving it 40cm mvement. Now if that equates to Scatter lasers / Bright lances etc - then that also provides the differentiator with both Falcons (better armed and better ranged) and Vypers (worse armed).

Still not comfortable with numbers and costs though - as that will obviously affect choices of alternative formations.

I see this more as tailor-made for an Yme-Loc list... they're the "gravheads" of the Craftworlds, would see appropriate for them to use light tanks as scouts.

Other than being 'fast', I don't see how the Hornet leans towards Saim-Hann.

As to weapons, I'd still rather see the Pulse Laser as "twin-linked" as opposed to two with two shots each... four AT4+ shot, potentially garrisoned, fast units are going to cost a fair amount of points, even as LVs.

Just as an example, Wildriders could be made into pure bikes, with a separate "fire support" group made up of Vypers and Hornets. Or, as a fast scout, it could be an addition for a recon troupe, since there are no scouts in the list at the moment except a Hawke troupe. That's 2 possible roles.

In Yme-Loc, I think it would be primarily for scout formations.

...

Basically, just what A_o_C said.

As a note of balance, it might be nice for Saim Hann to have a vehicle Scout, since the Rangers and Swooping Hawks are their only option (ie no War Walkers).

I'm contemplating this as I review the Eldar armies.

It's won't be going in Alaitoc, as that they are getting moved to "Approved" status... seriously considering them for Saim-Hann and Yme-Loc though, as both are still "In Development"/"Experimental"

FYI, reference material has been ordered. So hey, T-minus 1 year.

Iyanden is still "In Development" as it really hasn't seen enough "hardcore" play/testing.