Lhykis The Whispering Web, Phoenix Lord and the new Warp Spiders

[Halandaar]

19 minutes ago, Nephaston said:

Counter argument; none of the aspects seem to have the phoenix lords armour differ in shape from the aspect warriors. Banshees are all in feminine armour, and every other aspect is in masculine armour.

 

Plus A-Cups/B-Cups exist.

 

Agree, the armour of the Aspect Warriors has always previously mirrored the armour of the Phoenix Lord, and the armour of the Phoenix Lord always represented the first Eldar to wear it, not whoever the current occupant is. 

 

Hence male Howling Banshees wear female-styled armour, female Dark Reapers wear male-styled armour etc. This is consistent across all aspects, even the Dire Avengers which are based off the old mixed-gender Guardian kit, and the Incubi which are one of the only units in the whole Drukhari range with a single gender appearance. 

 

If they've done Lhykis with Boobplate™ and not updated the Warp Spiders to reflect that, it'd be a disappointing break with years of established design language, but I don't think the images we ha e so far and the pose she's in really let us decide that for sure either way. 

[The Praetorian of Inwit]

Beautiful models. If I had the money I'd be starting an Aeldari army right now. 

[Emperor Ming]

Not a fan of the shoulder guns, but itl be interesting to hear her lore

 

and why she's just appeared now

[Indy Techwisp]

21 minutes ago, Emperor Ming said:

Not a fan of the shoulder guns, but itl be interesting to hear her lore

 

and why she's just appeared now

According to the Stream, she's spent more time in the Warp than out of it, hence why she's only just shown up (personally, I read that as the previous Wearer of the Armour finally getting grabbed by Slaanesh and a new Aelf took up the armour).

[Mogger351]

Common theory might be that she's happened upon the last crone sword maybe.

[soviet1337]

Spiders look fantastic. I was slightly concerned that because they aren't first generation OG aspects and they were quite chunky, they might have been candidates for a 're-imagining'. I'm pleased that's not the case, these are superb. 

[Karhedron]

4 hours ago, Emperor Ming said:

Not a fan of the shoulder guns, but itl be interesting to hear her lore

 

and why she's just appeared now

 

It has been always been in the lore that PLs can vanish for centuries at a time, their armour lying dormant on some distant world until another Eldar finds their armour and puts it on, reincarnating them.

[Shinespider]

Bizarre to see people insinuating that they "copied" Artel. The Artel model is based on decades of established Eldar design language, and "Leaping out of the warp" is a frankly obvious pose for a Warp Spider to take. There's no earthly reason to think that the GW model would look any different if the Artel model had never existed. 

Edited Sunday at 12:31 AM by Shinespider

[Indy Techwisp]

12 minutes ago, Shinespider said:

Bizarre to see people insinuating that they "copied" Artel. The Artel model is based on decades of established Eldar design language, and "Leaping out of the warp" is a frankly obvious pose for a Warp Spider to take. There's no earthly reason to think that the GW model would look any different if the Artel model had never existed. 

I think both Artel and the Official GW miniature are based on the Warp Spider's ability to Telefrag in Dawn of War (not sure of DoW1 or DoW2).

[Iron Lord]

The "legs up in a jump, sword sweeping wide" look reminds me a little of the Harlequin Troupe Master from 4e.

 

[Iron Father Ferrum]

Oddly for an Arachnophobe, Warp Spiders were always my favorite Aspect and these are solid updates to the old sculpts.  As for the Phoenix, she's gorgeous.  Everything I could hope for in the first Spider Exarch.

[phandaal]

41 minutes ago, Shinespider said:

Bizarre to see people insinuating that they "copied" Artel. The Artel model is based on decades of established Eldar design language, and "Leaping out of the warp" is a frankly obvious pose for a Warp Spider to take. There's no earthly reason to think that the GW model would look any different if the Artel model had never existed. 

 

This seems like an extreme reaction to offhand remarks.

 

It is fine to disagree, but it is not like people are looking at Artel's model and saying it is proof that the trilateral commission helped lizard people fake the moon landing.

 

What is "bizarre" about saying one model looks like it might have taken inspiration from another? The models look very similar, and one came out first. If there was inspiration, OK. If not, also OK.

[Tyriks]

11 hours ago, ZeroWolf said:

Honestly, these new eldar are testing my resolve to only add Space Wolves / a lil bit of GSC as my new armies over the next few years. Is Court of the Young King still a thing?

Yes, that is still a thing in the fluff, if that's what you mean.

Edited Sunday at 02:57 AM by Tyriks

[TheMawr]

I really like Lhykis alot, more than I expected, the sword is really nice and I love "effect" miniatures myself . I dont hate the helmet, wich is rare... though nonetheless I will probably go for a bare head ( fully aware that is not really lore accurate. )
I was instantly thinking when seeing her "hey there is john blanche art of that one in 2nd edition codex" however when I looked it up it wasnt "that" similar.
Curious about the story behind the little shrine for warpspiders, I was immediately reminded of this little blurb in psychic awakening, even if I think its pure coincedence :

 

 

Its however very likely that they dont go deeper or have a lot of ideas behind the shrines.

 

As for the other Phoenix lords and Aspect warriors, they are very nice updates, long due.. and also so faithful to the originals that there ( apparently and quite logically ) is not much to talk about.

 

I take it thats its probably best to use this post for all the eldar stuff right ? Because there were more interesting things said in the preview than just the miniatures. ( both of wich are things I am rather happy with.)

 

1. The Army rule change from Strands of Fate to Battle focus.

I do wonder if we get a closer look or even update to the index before the codex hits with this, as I assume the Grotmass detachment will be made with Battle focus in mind, not with strands of fate. Im hoping on a more fun mechanic instead of a flat buff or singular ability, and lots of different interactions with the mechanic on datasheets and detachments.

All in all seems to hammer home that this is not the craftworlds army codex with some extras added in.. but an Aeldari army, of wich the craftworlds are just one ( major ) element.

 

 

2. The Ynnari-drukhari units being in this codex.

This is something I think was on the table in 9th edition already, there are little cues here and there. Personally I think its likely this will be a much more limited list than currently is the case, Incubi & Wyches I can see being there 99.99%, While on the other hand I could see Drazhar, Archon, Mandrakes, Raider, Ravager, the planes, Beastmasters and Archons court join the haemonculi units in a 99.99% not in the list, from lore, practical and game povs.

Kabalites,  Scourges and Reavers I can see being out by proxy/redundancy ( through corsair units and the codex already having 5 jetbike units.)

 

This leaves 4 for the 50/50 group :

Venom - I see this being a highly desired one so good chance the venom is in the codex for at least Ynnari and Corsairs or there will be a new variant of it. Id say just let them use the starweaver and dont re-invent the wheel, but, I dont think GW thinks like that.
Succubus - Without a new model would be an option to have a nonnamed character with Ynnari keyword.
Hellions - Unlike wyches and Incubi they arent heavily represented in ynnari in lore, its just a gutfeeling they are likely candidates.

Lelith - Personally dont expect her in there, even though it fits the lore, but she is a drukhari character first and foremost in the game and I dont think GW likes having named characters in two codexes.
 

There is ofcourse a chance they dont go for any of the lore/theme build up and they will just add in the 2 units the 2 ynnari characters can take now : Wyches and Kabalites. Maybe even with the allied rule still in place for the Ynnari detachment, but when using them outside of that detachment all their bodyguard units are in the codex, though without any specific rules or synergy.

While typing I start to realize.. that last explanation is probably what is going to happen... I could have saved myself alot of typing

 

 

[Indy Techwisp]

54 minutes ago, TheMawr said:

I really like Lhykis alot, more than I expected, the sword is really nice and I love "effect" miniatures myself . I dont hate the helmet, wich is rare... though nonetheless I will probably go for a bare head ( fully aware that is not really lore accurate. )
I was instantly thinking when seeing her "hey there is john blanche art of that one in 2nd edition codex" however when I looked it up it wasnt "that" similar.
Curious about the story behind the little shrine for warpspiders, I was immediately reminded of this little blurb in psychic awakening, even if I think its pure coincedence :

 

 

Its however very likely that they dont go deeper or have a lot of ideas behind the shrines.

 

As for the other Phoenix lords and Aspect warriors, they are very nice updates, long due.. and also so faithful to the originals that there ( apparently and quite logically ) is not much to talk about.

 

I take it thats its probably best to use this post for all the eldar stuff right ? Because there were more interesting things said in the preview than just the miniatures. ( both of wich are things I am rather happy with.)

 

1. The Army rule change from Strands of Fate to Battle focus.

I do wonder if we get a closer look or even update to the index before the codex hits with this, as I assume the Grotmass detachment will be made with Battle focus in mind, not with strands of fate. Im hoping on a more fun mechanic instead of a flat buff or singular ability, and lots of different interactions with the mechanic on datasheets and detachments.

All in all seems to hammer home that this is not the craftworlds army codex with some extras added in.. but an Aeldari army, of wich the craftworlds are just one ( major ) element.

 

 

2. The Ynnari-drukhari units being in this codex.

This is something I think was on the table in 9th edition already, there are little cues here and there. Personally I think its likely this will be a much more limited list than currently is the case, Incubi & Wyches I can see being there 99.99%, While on the other hand I could see Drazhar, Archon, Mandrakes, Raider, Ravager, the planes, Beastmasters and Archons court join the haemonculi units in a 99.99% not in the list, from lore, practical and game povs.

Kabalites,  Scourges and Reavers I can see being out by proxy/redundancy ( through corsair units and the codex already having 5 jetbike units.)

 

This leaves 4 for the 50/50 group :

Venom - I see this being a highly desired one so good chance the venom is in the codex for at least Ynnari and Corsairs or there will be a new variant of it. Id say just let them use the starweaver and dont re-invent the wheel, but, I dont think GW thinks like that.
Succubus - Without a new model would be an option to have a nonnamed character with Ynnari keyword.
Hellions - Unlike wyches and Incubi they arent heavily represented in ynnari in lore, its just a gutfeeling they are likely candidates.

Lelith - Personally dont expect her in there, even though it fits the lore, but she is a drukhari character first and foremost in the game and I dont think GW likes having named characters in two codexes.
 

There is ofcourse a chance they dont go for any of the lore/theme build up and they will just add in the 2 units the 2 ynnari characters can take now : Wyches and Kabalites. Maybe even with the allied rule still in place for the Ynnari detachment, but when using them outside of that detachment all their bodyguard units are in the codex, though without any specific rules or synergy.

While typing I start to realize.. that last explanation is probably what is going to happen... I could have saved myself alot of typing

 

They could take some cues from AoS regarding this.

For context, the new Slaves to Darkness Battletome has an Army of Renown that's hyperfocused on Be'lakor and his Lads.

Since Be'lakor's Lads include Daemons not found in Slaves to Darkness natively, they reprinted the Daemons in the Battletome but they're locked to Be'lakor's Army of Renown.

 

So they could just put all the Drukhari units in with Datasheets and then have something like "Units with the [Drukhari] Keyword may only be taken in the Cultists of Ynnead Detachment." as part of the Aeldari Army Rule.

 

As for which Drukhari units they'll drag in:

I do think they'll bring across a version of Lelith, tho probably with a slightly different unit name to differentiate her (Probably just having "as Ynnari Ally" after it like the "on Disc" or "with Wings" type of stuff).

Wyches, Succubi, Kabalites and Archons would then cover your main Drukhari base.

Besides those, I'm thinking either Scourges or Hellions, and one of their 2 Dedicated Transports.

So my prediction is 7 Ynnari Drukhari in the Codex.

[Karhedron]

5 hours ago, TheMawr said:

1. The Army rule change from Strands of Fate to Battle focus. 

 

I missed this in the initial excitement about the new models. I wonder if it will just be its old Move-Shoot-Advance mechanic. I would not be sorry if that was the case. Strands of Fate seemed like more of an Ulthwé themed rule than a general Eldar one. Perhaps it will become the Ulthwé Detachment ability. I guess Farseers will need a rework. 

[Gamiel]

18 hours ago, Iron Lord said:

Good to see an all-new Phoenix Lord. With the others being updated as well, that leaves just one Phoenix Lord left that's un-updated - Karandras, the Striking Scorpions lord.

There is also Irillyth of the Shadow Spectres

[Magos Takatus]

My reaction to Lhykis:

 

I adore the model. I can't wait to start rounding up the Phoenix Lords now.

[Ayatollah_of_Rock_n_Rolla]

16 hours ago, Nephaston said:

Counter argument; none of the aspects seem to have the phoenix lords armour differ in shape from the aspect warriors. Banshees are all in feminine armour, and every other aspect is in masculine armour.

 

Plus A-Cups/B-Cups exist.

 

Sure, but aside from Banshees, has there ever been any lore justification given for that? Has it been said that because the arnour is ritualistic in nature it's meant to represent one of many sides of Khaine, a male deity, and thus it is masculine (without deeper connection to being male, unlike Banshees)?

[Cenobite Terminator]

Eldar players are really making out.

[Zoatibix]

28 minutes ago, Ayatollah_of_Rock_n_Rolla said:

 

Sure, but aside from Banshees, has there ever been any lore justification given for that? Has it been said that because the arnour is ritualistic in nature it's meant to represent one of many sides of Khaine, a male deity, and thus it is masculine (without deeper connection to being male, unlike Banshees)?

 

I think Banshees are female because they originated from the Crone Goddess.  I don't think the PL's armour has anything to do with the gender of the aspect.

I've always assumed that most Aspects don't have a gender, in fact.

 

As an aside, I was hoping to see male and female sculpts with these as I find it makes the unit visually more interesting.  

 

Oh, and Incubi did have dedicated male and female sculpts before their move to Finecast.

Edited Sunday at 10:30 AM by Zoatibix

[SkimaskMohawk]

12 hours ago, Indy Techwisp said:

I think both Artel and the Official GW miniature are based on the Warp Spider's ability to Telefrag in Dawn of War (not sure of DoW1 or DoW2).

 

So....dow 3?

 

Press F for doubt then, because there's a bunch of video gamey abilities in that one. Angelos front flipping all over the place. Angelos reflecting catapulted suicide boys/any other projectile with a sweep of his hammer. Elder having protoss shields 

[ThePenitentOne]

18 hours ago, TheMawr said:

2. The Ynnari-drukhari units being in this codex.

This is something I think was on the table in 9th edition already, there are little cues here and there. Personally I think its likely this will be a much more limited list than currently is the case, Incubi & Wyches I can see being there 99.99%, While on the other hand I could see Drazhar, Archon, Mandrakes, Raider, Ravager, the planes, Beastmasters and Archons court join the haemonculi units in a 99.99% not in the list, from lore, practical and game povs.

Kabalites,  Scourges and Reavers I can see being out by proxy/redundancy ( through corsair units and the codex already having 5 jetbike units.)

 

This is very interesting- thanks for mentioning this; I didn't catch the video, and just relied on articles and forums for my info- if not for your post, I completely would have missed this.

 

I think it's both good and bad: good, because if GW chooses to do so, they can differentiate the unit from their Drukhari dex equivalent. Maybe they have a different unit rule; if not, it's really just print duplication for convenience. Seven detachments, and one of them IS for Harlequins, one is probably Ynarri. Dare I hope for an Anrathe detachment?

 

The hope is that the lesser subgroups get generic characters. We NEED a dedicated generic Anrathe commanders (one Ranger and one Corsair) WAY more than we need Illic Nightspear and  Prince Yriel (though dual kits that allow you to build both the named and the generic are best). I'd even argue that we need a generic Psyker for both Rangers and Corsairs more than we need Illic or Yriel too, but I doubt that would happen. Corsairs do have access to psykers in their elite entry... though psychic powers as a whole are kind of underwhelming in 10th anyway.

 

It will be nice to have detachments for Ynarri- maybe with a detachment, you won't HAVE to take Yvraine (though you'll still be really, really incentivized to do so I imagine). 

[DemonGSides]

20 hours ago, Karhedron said:

 

I missed this in the initial excitement about the new models. I wonder if it will just be its old Move-Shoot-Advance mechanic. I would not be sorry if that was the case. Strands of Fate seemed like more of an Ulthwé themed rule than a general Eldar one. Perhaps it will become the Ulthwé Detachment ability. I guess Farseers will need a rework. 

This was exactly what they announced during the video portion of the reveals.  Battle Focus is the Army Rule and then there will be a detatchment with a modified Strands of Fate (i'm assuming less dice overall) available in the codex.

Move Shoot Advance seems really good.

[roryokane]

Have to say, the new models all look pretty great, and while i can see where people are coming from with the spiderverse villain thing, I'm actually okay with it! Great new models all round (and about damn time the 1994 warp spiders got new models!)