40K: Craftworld Aeldari Unit Gems
My beloved Craftworld Eldar are looking great in 8th, with a whole new set of tricks. Here are my favorite so far.
The Eldar have gone through many incarnations over the editions. The other races said they were “overpowered”…
- First came the horror of the Alaitoc Ranger disruption table way back in 3rd.
- Then came the Falcon Holofield terror.
- The Ulthwe Seer-council menace held sway for a bit.
- Later came the waves of Wave Serpents.
- Then the Wraithknight
- Then the scatter-Jetbike hordes.
Luckily it looks like 8th Edition is rebalancing everything and bringing a lot of favorite Eldar units back onto the tabletop.
Faction Basics
Battle Focus allows the units to fire weapons (except heavy weapons) as if they did not move or advance.
That is CRAZY PANTS! I’m not talking your everyday Levi’s 501 human crazy-pants here. I’m talking about skin-tight stretchy full of glitter Eldar CRAZY-PANTS! Most of the Craftworld units have Battle focus, which combined with a base move of 7-8″ meant the space elves are going 7+d6″ every turn – then shooting you in the face – with no negative modifiers. Foot eldar armies are FAST on the tabletop, almost negating the need for transports.
Now look at how the Design Studio solved the great Scatter Laser VS Shuriken Cannon debate that has gone back and forth over the editions.
Scatter Lasers are 36″ Heavy:4 S:6 AP:0 D:1
Shuriken Cannon are 24″ Assault:3 S:6 AP:0 D:1
See how that is going to interact with Battle Focus… neat. Windriders (Eldar jetbikes) have Battle Focus.
That clicking sound you are hearing is a million scatter lasers being snapped off of every jetbike on the planet and being replaced with Shuriken Cannon.
Some New Hot Units
The Avatar
Rarely seen, he is now a powerhouse with 5 S:8 AP:-4 Dd6 attacks. He’s also a pain to kill with T:6 W:8 Sv:3+, ignores any wounds on a 5+, and most importantly retains his ability to grant immunity to morale to Craftworlders within 12″. Me likes. Me likes a LOT!
Striking Scorpions
Finally the masters of shadows. These guys keep their 3+ saves, and hit at S:4 in combat. They “deep strike”, generate some free attacks when they hit, get bonuses if their targets are IN cover, and dish out bonus mortal wounds at the start of each fight phase with mandiblasters. So awesome – so fluffy.
Fuegan
My favorite Phoenix Lord may be the best of the bunch. His “Last to Fall” rules gives him a 5+ it ignore wounds. He gets pissed off once he’s wounded with his stats moving to S:7 A:6 once he gets a scratch. He makes nearby Eldar more accurate with shooting and kills vehicles and monsters dead. Fuegan – BURNINATING ALL THE PEOPLES…
Hemlock Wraithfighter
I bet you forgot you could build these out of the Crimson Hunter kit. Now look for them to sweep down from the skies. Their dual heavy D-Scythes are 16″ Assault D3 S:10 AP-4 D2. That’s going to leave a mark before the psykers start throwing guide and other buffs on the aircraft. Oh did I mention it’s a psyker itself – handy. It moves 20-60″ with a 20″ advance move and a free 90 degree pivot at the start and end of it’s move. Don’t bother running, you’ll just die tired.
Falcon
Yup, the classic is back as the incredibly useful jack of all trades of the Eldar motorpool. It can carry 6 models as usual, and sports the pulse laser and 2 heavy weapon hardpoints. I wouldn’t be surprised to see two Shuriken cannons to maximize its move and fire potential, plus it’s battle-taxi role. With the de-fanging of the Wave Serpent look to see more of these for moving small but potent infantry units around.
~ So excited! What have you found for the Craftworlders you didn’t expect?
