Eldar in 6th - Initial Analysis

One of the few remaining armies we haven't done and sparked on a bit by some BoLS comments. Apparently Eldar are the best thing ever...*eyebrow*. Right, let's get to it.

Update on 6th edition Eldar rumors

Okay guys, got some extra details on the earlier Eldar rumors, specifically artwork and what everything looks like. Still no rules. Looks like the Xentarchs are indeed Exarchs, whether they are special Exarch's or just new remodelling is to be seen. We've also got names nailed down a bit more from translations.

With the recent release of the end of this year's schedule looking like Chaos and Dark Angels getting done, we might see Eldar landing early Q1 2013. This would be very much appreciated. Depending who writes it!

Eldar Rumors - on the Horizon?

40k Forums

We thought Eldar were this year. If not them, at least Tau. We're seeing nothing of them coming out anytime this year, we'll be lucky to get Dark Angels this year as well with the Hobbit coming in December. We know Chaos is coming in just over a month so unless Dark Angels are squeezed in before December, we'll see them early 2013. The question is - what's next? Tau & Eldar have been rolling around the rumor mill for well over a year and it's time to, unusually, add to that.

I've been told there are some boxes in warehouses, the pre-packaged kind with the pretty pictures on the front. This doesn't mean Eldar are after Dark Angels, Games Workshop sat on Dark Eldar for years despite the models being done and reportedly, Sisters of Battle are in the same boat currently. Hopefully Eldar won't go this route as well... but this could slate them for release roughly a year from now though it could be much longer. Here's what I'm told these boxes are and as usual, please take with a grain of salt - things can change or be misinterpreted:

Eldar Codex Review - Part 30: Falcons

Dakka

The Review -

Now here's a tank which breaks the mould for Eldar. It's still a fast skimmer (tank) with AV12/12/10 and BS3 but (!) comes with multiple heavy weapon systems + the chin shuriken cannon option and has a transport capacity. Best of both worlds thank you very much! That being said, the options for the heavy weapons are more limited compared to say the War Walkers or Hornets - the Falcon automatically comes with one pulse laser and the upgrade point for the chin cannon - this leaves the player with only one heavy weapon option and you get the usual array of choices here as well.

Eldar Codex Review - Part 29: Warp Spiders

The Review -

Ah the standard Eldar Aspect with the slightly better armor than normal and improved movement fun. Warp Spiders have the usual good offensive stats with poor defensive stats though this is shored up with a 3+ save (still T3 though). They come with Warp Generators,  (aka Jump Packs) for good mobility which also allows them to make a 2nd move during the assault phase. This is a 2D6" based jump however so not as reliable as a set 6" (thought at least it's 2D6 so you've got a nice bell curve). They also carry rapid fire assault 2 S6 guns! Clearly they must be awesome...

Guest Article: Painting Biel-Tan Eldar (inc. Video)

Hi everyone - my name is Lloyd and I own www.paintedminis.co.uk. You'll see me in and around forums as GLD or GLD1, and I have a little side line as a commission painter. I paint all sorts, although for some reason I seem to attract space marines - not that I don't enjoy a super human soldier as much as the next person! I am based in the UK but willing to work for you wherever you are based. If you are interested then please get in touch either via my website or the comment section.

The main reason I am here however is that I love to make tutorials - and help people learn new skills and improve their painting. I am slowly transferring my back catalogue of tutorials from pictures into video. The first of which you can find at the bottom of this post. In the mean time, I am open to suggestions with regards to what kinds of tutorials people want to see - I have video tutorials lined up for minotaur space marines, lave themed bases, salamanders space marines, Blood Angels Honour Guard and Orks, which will probably come at a rate of around 1 per month. Please let me know if there is anything specific you want to see!

Eldar Codex Review - Part 28: Warp Hunters

40kO

So another re-do of a post due to Forgeworld being silly with their rule updates and not telling me...because I'm the first one who should be told! Here's the old post where a couple of rules were gotten wrong due to changes. BS4 instead of 3, D-Cannon has better chance of damaging vehicles and is a large blast. Without these we were looking at the Prism and Warp Hunter as relatively comparable but with these changes... well let's see shall we?

Email in: A little fun: making an eldar army with leftovers.

"Hello Kirby,

I'm a frequent reader of your blog. Good job! I've appreciated so much the tactical advices you give. I'm a 2nd edition player who is starting to play again now. I've got an Ork army which goes well (it seems the way of playing orks hasn't changed so much over time) :P, but back in the time I had a few Eldar miniatures which I have complemented with some miniatures from a friend who quitted long time ago. The things that worked on late 2nd/ early 3rd edition may not be the best in 5th, but I'm decided to try and would be very thankful if you were so kind of helping me. These are the forces I have for now:

Eldar Codex Review - Part 28: Warp Hunters

CMON

This was requested so it's going into the review as well :P.

The Review -

First things first, the Warp Hunter is IA only so unless that is allowed at tournaments, it's not part and parcel of the standard Eldar army. It's got the standard heavy tank lay-out as well - AV12 side and front with rear AV10, BS3, fast, tank and skimmer with two weapon systems - one heavy & one twin-linked catapult. The defining feature is it's big old gun - D-cannon on steroids with special rules - which of course brings comparisons to the Fire Prism.

At 36" it's a lot shorter ranged than the Fire Prism but fits in with the general theme of the Eldar army but outside of anything AV10/11, it's the weakest platform around for Eldar so loses a bit of durability there. Beyond that, well the gun is pretty lethal against infantry with always wounding on 2's, instant death on 6's and an AP2 (which is actually good because the D-Cannon is a barrage blast). This is exemplified by having a template option which can be fired like a hellhound up to 6" away from the Hunter - aka more reliable infantry death.

Email in: Eldar

"Hi,

Love the blog and loving your Eldar Codex reviews. In fact they have inspired me to start an Eldart Army. So on that could you give me your opinion on the list I have put together.

Farseer - Singing Spear, Guide and Doom - 103
8 Fire Dragons - Exarch, Firepike, Crack Shot, Tank Hunters - 168
Wave Serpent - T/L Scatter Lasers - 115
7 Fire Dragons - Exarch, Firepike, Crack Shot, Tank Hunters - 152
Wave Serpent - T/L Scatter Lasers - 115

Eldar Codex Review - Part 27: Fire Prisms

Dakka

The REAL Fire Prisms review.

The Review -

Like all other 'heavy' Eldar tanks, Fire Prisms are a fast tank with skimmer status with AV12/12/10 - i.e. pretty durable, mobile and capable of shooting whilst on the move. They come with a very big gun which has two firing modes - high strength/low ap small blasts or middling strength/middling AP large blast which works best when there are two Fire Prisms around as their shots get even better and come with twin-linked.

Eldar Codex Review - Part 26: Dark Reapers

LO

The Review -

Dark Reapers are the poster boy of what not to be in 5th edition. Immobile, medicore durability through squad size and an ability they pay through the nose for which has minimal impact within the current ruleset (AP3). Everything you could want for a 35 point infantry model! These serious negatives have really seen the downfall of Dark Reapers despite being in an edition when the most common enemy is what they are designed to obliterate - Marines. The simple fact is, cover is too easy to get to half the effectiveness of Dark Reapers and Dark Reapers are too expensive to suffer such a blow to really be viable options.

Eldar Codex Review - Part 25: War Walkers

CMON

War Walkers are the other half which make up the Hornet (the former being the Vyper) but unlike the Vyper, there is no simple fix to differentiate the two (Vypers could become light transports). Their roles are effectively the same - cheap heavy fire support but the Hornets is more mobile, more accurate and more durable for only a moderate increase in points. War Walkers do take up a different Force Organisation slot so it's less of an issue but with other good options already in Heavy Support (and more to hopefully come), they'd likely only see use with a specific build (i.e. Hornets + War Walkers). The trick here will be to make them stand-out in some way.

Eldar Codex Review - Part 24: Hornets

Fawcett Avenue Conscripts

So I'm re-doing this post as I had an older version of the rules last time around. *facepalm*

The Review & Uses -

Hornets are a combination of Vypers and War Walkers...on crack. Not only do you get two weapon systems, Scout and a fast vehicle chassis but you're also getting free star engines, BS4 - something not seen on Eldar vehicles, Aerial Assault (the ability to move 12" and fire all your weapons) and AV11 on the front & side. And the chassis itself is relatively cheap coming in at 65 points with two Shuriken Cannons (so five points more than a Vyper with all those bonuses). The only bad thing one could say is none of the guns are turrets so if you have a solo Hornet who gets immobilised, their field of fire is limited. Oh and they don't come in the codex standard.

Eldar Codex Review - Part 24: Hornets

Dakka

The Review -

Hornets are simply put, what Vypers want to be and if they see entrance into the mainstream codex, as discussed in the Vyper review, they will need some sort of role change to differentiate themselves from Hornets to be worthwhile (much like the Piranha variants for Tau). So remember currently, Hornets are Imperial Armor and therefore not mainstream at this current time.

Eldar Codex Review - Part 23: Shining Spears

CMON

Cavalry on jet bikes with laser lances - what's not to love?

The Review -

Shining Spears can hit hard on the turn they charge. That's really the list of good things for them... They are an improved Eldar statline thanks to the Jetbike they ride - T3(4)/3+ makes them as durable as a Marine and with the usual Aspect offensive statline of WS/BS4 and Initiative 5, they can hit what they want and often before the opponent. The Jetbike gives them excellent mobility and the with their charging potential and Jetbikes, they can play around with JSJ and shooting or to get into combat and away again. The issue is here, well when you win combat you're left out high and dry to be shot but when Shining Spears get engaged in protracted combats, they are just plain bad and at 35 points each, they are pretty expensive to be improved Jetbikes with combat ability.

Eldar Codex Review - Part 22: Swooping Hawks

CMON

Swooping Hawks were pretty awesome in 4th edition because any unit could score. In 5th edition...not so much. Let's look at why.

The Review -

Swooping Hawks bring the usual assortment of weak Eldar defensive statistics (T3/4+) with good offensive availability (BS/WS4, I5) and combined with Fleet, wings (jump packs) and the option to play around with deep-strike, they are quite mobile. Beyond this though, well they are quite expensive for light jump infantry and don't really pack a punch. They can make a mess of Guardsmen like infantry caught in the open with their guns but without getting larger squads, they don't pack the number of shots to deal with larger squads, anything in cover or tougher targets (i.e. Marines) reliably. However, they do come with a couple grenade options which are nice.

Eldar Codex Review - Part 21: Vypers

Bitzbox

The Review -

The weakest vehicle of the Eldar army isn't even the cheapest at base cost but it comes with a potential two heavy weapon systems, fast skimmer status and can come in squads. They aren't the cheapest but they can still be damn cheap which they need to be when you're running around at AV10 open-topped.

The two heavy weapons are limited though, like most Eldar tanks. The second weapons is simply an option to upgrade twin-linked catapults to a shuriken cannon, often a steal at 10 points but without the flexibility of most turret heavy weapon slots. The turret weapon slot has every available Eldar weapon open to it though due to BS3 and the high cost of the one shot weapons such as the Bright Lance and Missile Launcher, these aren't often a good bet. Even the over-priced Starcannon is outshined but its cheaper and shootier cousins the Scatter Laser and Shuriken Cannon.

Eldar Codex Review Part 20: Pathfinders & Rangers

CMON

It's been a while since I've touched this project...so I'm back to finish it off ^^. We've got mostly the Fast Attack and Heavy Support choices and then anything people want reviewed from Forgeworld books (which have not already been done) I'll lend a post to as well. Before we get to that though, let's finish off the Troops with the last choice not covered - Rangers.

The Review -

Rangers, and Pathfinders, are essentially the Scouts of the Eldar army. They have the usual assortment of infiltrate, stealth, move through cover and scout special rules which makes them great at finding locations outside of your usual deployment zone, sitting in cover and being hard to remove. Because they are Troops this also means they are scoring and with the ability to go to ground for an effective 2+ cover save, they aren't exactly easy to remove considering their points cost. Beware of flamers though!

Email in: Eldar advice needed

GamersGuild

"Hi I follow your blog for a while now, and after much lurking I wish to ask for some advice about my 1500 pt Eldar list:

Eldrad
10 Dire Avenger, Exarch, Bladestorm, Defend, shimmer shield. Wave serpent, soul stone, shuriken cannons.