New Eldar Soar Into Warhammer 40k With Craftworld Release
April 15, 2015 by brennon
It looks like the Eldar (or at least some parts of the Eldar army) are getting themselves an update for Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000. You can head on over and see the Autarch plus new Jetbikes AND the Codex cover for Craftworlds HERE...
Flying High
This was the design for the Autarch that we've had for a while in Finecast and while it's an impressive looking model it could do with a more animated updated in terms of it's posing.
The new Autarch is posed leaping backwards while firing its weapon and is undoubtedly a plastic piece. It would be interesting to see if they included other weapon options for it but I doubt that's going to happen.
Zooming About!
As well as the Autarchs taking to the skies we also have a look at a new Warlock on Jetbike known as a Skyrunner as well as a unit of updated Jetbikes that improve upon the ones they've been stuck with for years...
Once again this was a very static pose for the Jetbikes and the new sculpts have been altered so that while they retain a similar shape to the old models they've been given a sleeker design. The Jetbikes themselves are longer it seems and the riders are leaned forward as you might expect them to be.
New Codex Supplement
As well as the new models the Eldar are also getting an additional Codex Supplement that allows you to look into making Craftworld centric armies. From the cover art and all the models we're seeing as updates it appears as if Saim-Hann are a big focus but I'm sure the other armies are catered too just as well. They were certainly the Craftworld most left in the dark by the successive updates to the Codex.
What do you think of the new models?
"...it appears as if Saim-Hann are a big focus [...] They were certainly the Craftworld most left in the dark by the successive updates to the Codex"
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Not for the first time I saw the thumbnail to a 40K leak story, mistook it for the new models, and then got disappointed when I saw them. Much like the recent Harlequin releases, I find them decent if bland.
I did the exact same, although I do like all the new Eldar models.
The paint job on the old Autarch was much better , models about the same though imo
Yeah nothing really exciting but I don’t think they were going for that. Just a mini revamp as they get more stuff into plastic I guess. There is however a leaked WD that has a few people excited. Looks to be a full codex with about a dozen craftworlds included. They also seem to be allowing every jetbike to upgrade to a heavy weapon and the wraithknight is now a guargantuan creature with Destructor weapons or somesuch! I think instead of rebalancing the codex by nerfing the serpent shields they appear to be boosting everything else…lol
I must admit I’m ever so slightly miffed a hardback eldar codex that cost me about 100 nzd was only valid for two years before this revamp. Rumours are the space marine codex will be redone this year as well!
The last time I bought a GW book it was only good for a month. You’re lucky!
Dumb space elves. Pappa Nurgle will have you!
It’s about time they replaced them elderly Eldar jetbikes.
Damn its back to a sword and pistol release .. thought the mechanicum was a shooty fresh breeze
“I’m going to do a jig on this rock.” Good grief. The old model doesn’t look great, but it looks better than the new one. I like the guy on the codex… maybe they should teach their cover art people to sculpt.
I don’t see a lot of difference in the bikes, but then again, I’m not overly familiar with this stuff. “Bland” is a good description, except for the guy with the sword. I have another word in mind for him.
Is it me or does the warlock on the jebike look like someone washed his clothes with a ton of starch? He looks stiff and motionless, considering he is one of the fastest things in the game I would have liked to see a little more motion captured in his model.
Not overly impressed with anything here, but to be honest jetbiles are an improvement over the old ones in my opinion. Makes them look sleeker and faster than previous models.
The new Jetbikes are perfectly good models. I don’t really know what people are expecting from them to be honest.
The “problem” people are most likely having, is that they don’t look tremendously different to the Harlequin and Dark Eldar bikes (not a surprise, as they all from the same race, so you’d expect the tech to be similar) so it’s hard to look at them in isolation and be excited about these “new models”.
I remember seeing the Dark Eldar jet bikes (if not the whole range) however long ago, and thinking they looked brilliant.
FINALLY we get the new jet bikes.
Considering we saw the very cool prototypes back in 2001 it has been way too long.
Exactly! It is silly how out of place those ancient minis look among the more up to date Eldar line.
A few years ago, a client had me convert his entire lineup of jetbike riders from the current line of guardians. What I ended up with looked not too far off from these new bikes.
I was expecting more of a change (I liked the bike prototype from a few years back) but at least we won’t be using this bike anymore.
There is no hype in here.
I’ve never liked Eldar. Far too shiny and totally lacking in grimdark.
In my mind they could fit in, but not as colourful fantasy space elves .. ancient mysterious civilization with an even darker past than humanity, wish THAT could be conveyed in the models instead.
The contrast is the point … but they never used to be quite as shiny –
http://www.solegends.com/citrt/astro58eldar-02.jpg – note the chainmail type armour (mesh). There was also a bit more punk to them.
“The new Autarch is posed leaping backwards while firing its weapon”
Seriously? Or were you taking the piss out of GW, there ?
Oh I see now. The jetbikes are perfectly good given there is only so much you can do with a jet bike. Some banners or something suitably 40Kish would be nice.
The new Autarch looks fine though for some reason he’s landing / taking off. Prefer the original one so will be stocking up on him. Perfectly fine models: always hard with the Eldar.
If only they’d update the infantry to include the “medieval” aesthetic that has been lost to them.
There’s nothing with the jet bikes imo. The old ones were a nice clean sculpt, and the new ones are as well. The problem is: they don’t look much different. There are several companies out there that have put out amazing jet bikes in the last few years, and they all have far more “wow” factor than this lazy rebuild. At least the bike riders are leaning forward a bit, unlike the Harlequin models, but I still don’t get a sense of dynamic movement, not like someone clinging to a Kawasaki for dear life as it hurtles down the highway… Read more »
We don’t always want dynamic movement .. rather GW avoid dynamism then try and do it given whenever they make “dynamic” models they look utterly idiotic (see Harlequins) … as you point out. Looking closely at the new jetbikes there are actually a bit more engine parts etc, which is great. I think we should wait until the models are released so we can see what’s on the actual sprue. For all we know there could be loads of extras, maybe even craftworld-themed parts to be fitted on as you see fit. ____ I actually assumed GW were intelligent and… Read more »
Errata: “There’s nothing wrong with the old jet bikes…” Sorry 🙁
I have always rather liked the pointy eared space elves. Finally getting the long anticipated new jetbikes (while long overdue) should please Eldar players, and rumours suggest that a Necron Decurion style system of army organisation is to be included in the codex, so that should offer some interesting new options for fluffy gamers.
Nice to see those ancient 2nd ed Eldar jetbikes finally retired – I still remember when they first came out, which makes me feel old. They look pretty good, as I expected. The Autarch is niec too.
They are just the same models! Don’t piss down my back and try to tell me it’s raining. The only change will be the price. I’m waiting for the Vernon miniature…
3 new jetbikers in a box for 25 quid. Eldar players got a good deal this time around.