Eldar Rumors & Info II

[Orbital]

Welcome to the Eldar Rumors & Info thread, part II

This first post will be kept up to date with news and rumors and info as they arise. Check here before posting rumors or pictures elsewhere in the thread, please.

The Pictures
Below are the currently available photos of upcoming minis in the Eldar line. Unless the list of pics gets ridiculously long, I'll leave them here indefinitely.

New War Walkers (from White Dwarf 317)
Howling Banshees (from White Dwarf 317)
Howling Banshees (from White Dwarf 317)
Fire Dragon (from White Dwarf 317)
Fire Dragon (from White Dwarf 317)
Dire Avengers (from White Dwarf 317)
Dire Avenger Sprue (from White Dwarf 317)
Howling Banshee (from Games Day Baltimore)
Dire Avenger Exarch (from Games Day Baltimore)
Fire Dragon w/Meltabomb (from Games Day Baltimore)
Dire Avenger Squad (from Games Day Baltimore)
Forgeworld Falcon Upgrade (from Games Day Baltimore)
Fire Dragon and Howling Banshee (from Games Day Baltimore)
Heavy Weapons Platform (from Games Workshop Sneak Peeks)
This image appeared in White Dwarf 317, and many believe it's a hint to what the new Striking Scorpion sculpts will look like (notice that the "bunny teeth" are gone)

The Rumors
Note that there are three kinds of "rumors":
- "Officially confirmed": This is a rumor which is confirmed by Games Workshop in the form of a Sneak Peek or a statement made on the record in public at events like Games Day. Private conversations with designers or sculptors don't constitute "official confirmation", nor does typing your favorite rumor in all caps or holding your breath till you turn blue.
- "Actual rumors": Persistent chatter about something which is at least tied to a possibly credible source. Private conversations with designers or sculptors fall into this category, as do leaks from playtesters.
- "Wish Lists": Something which has no credible basis as a rumor, but is a very popular concept among the community (or some of its louder members). Due to the fact that "Wish Lists" are often discussed over and over, people sometimes make the mistake of thinking that they must be actual rumors or officially confirmed.

Make sure you take a moment to remind yourself of what those differences before you read, and note that everything described here falls into the "Actual Rumor" category.

The codex (which is due in October, according to White Dwarf and recent seminars at Games Day Baltimore) is reportedly going to remove all Craftworld-specific lists. In an effort to curtail "sub-lists" of all kinds (such as those found in codices like Armageddon and Eye of Terror), Games Workshop is going to be introducing a greater level of flexibility and customization into the vanilla list that will supposedly lend similar variety to the Eldar army without having to resort to Craftworld specific Force Org Charts and special rules.

Eldar psychic powers will get a major re-working. I've been hearing that Mind War and Eldritch Storm will disappear, but Doom (a 2nd ed power) may make a return. Other rumors suggest that Mind War will persist as before, but will incur a wound on the Farseer if it fails. The emphasis will be on modifiers and buffs rather than offensive psychic attacks (especially for the Farseer). The Farseer is also getting a new metal model that's supposed to be absolutely brilliant. Some rumors claim that he'll be reduced to T3. This appears to be in keeping with their desire to delineate between the psychic power of the Farseer and the combat power of the Autarch.

There are mixed reports about whether or not Seer Councils will be allowed in the new codex, but the general consensus right now is that they will, but with a limitation in numbers (no more than 10). This is, no doubt, intended to prevent players from creating "Seer Councils of Doom" with massed Warlocks without powers or even weaponry.

At a recent adepticon, Jes Goodwin stated that he would be responsible for four plastic and eleven metal codes (models) in connection with the new codex. This is not to say that there will not be more new models beyond that, but that Goodwin is only responsible for those codes.

The Avatar will get a new model and be made into a Special Character, complete with new rules. The model is supposedly twice the height of the current one with The Wailing Doom in one hand and the other outstretched and pointing, but sources say that it's being redone because studios aren't happy with the sculpt. Word has it that, rules-wise, he'll be brought into line with stats similar to a Greater Demon. Forgeworld has also reportedly claimed in private emails to individuals that they will be doing an Avatar, but it will get done after the four major Chaos Daemons are complete.

Autarch. Though rumors persist it'll be metal, this Uber-Exarch is supposedly going to be customizable to the nines. Sources say "He can be anything you want". Apparently he'll be able to take wargear and powers from various Aspects, but what those wargear and powers look like in the new codex, we're not sure yet. Apparently he will also have an influence on certain strategy-related factors of the game, such as reserve rolls. For good fluff on the Autarch which explains his role in relationship to the Aspects and their Exarchs, check out Games Workshop's downloadable rules for Epic: Armageddon.

No-one can really say if the Phoenix Lords are going to be removed from the line and just remain in the fluff or if they'll be relaunched as playable characters. Lots of strong arguments in both directions, but only in "wish list" form. Still nothing from GW. The fact that the models have been removed from many store shelves and even at this late date no whisper has been uttered as to their resculpting, that should tell you the tale.

Iyanna Arienal and Nuadhu "Fireheart" are going to disappear from the Eldar pantheon, but three Special Characters appear to be very likely. The first of these is the Avatar, who will no longer be a basic HQ choice. The second is the Pirate Prince Yriel of Craftworld Iyanden (no word on whether he'll get his own sculpt). The third, oddly enough, is Eldrad Ulthran. Though he "died" (in a manner of speaking) at the end of the Eye of Terror campaign after making Abaddon run like a scared kitten, there's some pretty solid word out there that he will re-appear in the new codex.

There will also be new Warlocks, I'm hearing, but no info on that, either.

[Orbital]

One of the stranger bits of news/rumor going around is that there WILL be a Bonesinger model made... just no rules. It'll be a Special Edition model, and will reportedly be holding some sort of instrument while standing among tendrils of Wraithbone (think "Wood Elves"). Not sure what the deal there is, but it may be released with the army box.

Harlequins will be returning in the new codex as an Elite choice, complete with new models. The Shadowseer, Solitaire and Death Jester have been confirmed as being recreated by Jes Goodwin, an will be playable in an Eldar army (there may also be Mimes). The thrust of the Harlequin presence in the new codex is that, for now, they will exist solely as an Elite choice for the Eldar. If they are popular enough, GW may consider giving them their own codex at some later date.

Rumors of plastic Wraithguard are beginning to pick up steam. What's more, rumors on the new rules suggest that they will be toughness 6 with 2 wounds and their Wraithcannons will enjoy 18" range. Wraithguard-related rumors are on shaky ground at the moment, as several conflicting rumors exist.

Fire Dragons have been redone with models which more closely resemble their 2nd ed counterparts (same with the Howling Banshees). It's hard to tell from the pics, but the Dragons have tanks on their back as well as attached to their Fusion Guns. Striking Scorpions and Dark Reapers (with targeting vanes returning) are reportedly going to be redone as well and, like the Dragons and Banshees, all in metal. No word on dramatic rules changes for them, however, but rumors persist that the Striking Scorpions are going to become Troop choices in the new codex (though this is mostly "wish list"). The Scorpion models will be redone and will definitely be metal. There are on-again, off-again rumors about Shining Spears being redone, but no final word and no sculpts to show yet. No-one can seem to get any traction on whether Warp Spiders or Swooping Hawks will be redone or not. Right now the consensus seems to be "no" due to time constraints... though some rumors have started to surface that so much community-level stink is being made about the Warp Spiders not being redone that they may fast-track some new models through. Take that with a grain of salt, as GW hasn't officially confirmed that there will be no Warp Spider resculpt, so it's unclear how the community is supposed to object to something they don't know about yet. Rules-wise, Swooping Hawks are also rumored to possibly be able to "re-deep-strike", i.e. land, shoot/assault, and deep strike again.

Dire Avengers are in for lots of changes. They're being completely remade in plastic and the rules are getting a huge rewrite. For one, they will be able to shoot their Shuriken Catapults (which may or may not be of the same class that Guardians get) a full 18" and, if they employ a power called "Shuriken Storm", they can fire 3 times in a turn (rather than 2) and give up the chance to fire in the following turn (though they can still assault). This has all been corroborated by so many sources that I'd be surprised if it didn't happen.The models come with two sprues (5 Avengers each) to a box. It seems that GW would like to see more people using Dire Avengers, as they are identified in the fluff as the most common Aspect of all.

Speaking of Aspects and rumors: When an Exarch takes a power, it now affects the entire squad. Exarch powers will be retooled somewhat to make this more practical (specifically, the Dire Avenger power "Defend" will allow enemies to hit on a 5+ in CC instead of a 6+), but it seems like this is a done deal.

Guardians will get some changes, but probably just in the form of new gubbinz and so on. Jes Goodwin (who is doing most of the Eldar stuff) says the current gubbinz aren't "Eldary enough". Not-quite-as-for-sure rumors say that the basic Guardian box will be reduced to 12 Guardians, but could include the Heavy Weapons Platform (redone in plastic, which most of you have already seen). No change is apparently going to be made to their 12" Shuriken Catapult range, and rumors persist that no changes will be made to the rest of their rules except to say that they're more likely to be relegated to support roles (i.e. manning artillery or piloting vehicles) than kept as the front-line troop choice. That seems to be the Dire Avengers' role now.

The Heavy Weapon Platform which has been redone in plastic could either be considered a Cities of Death release or an Eldar Codex release. Which of these two releases the Platform is connected to could have some effect on how many total releases we end up with (i.e. if it's considered a release for Cities of Death then it leaves room for more releases to go with the new Eldar Codex).

Rangers are already redone in metal. Most of you have seen that. No firm word on changes in rules for them, but the new models no longer carry Lasweapons, so I imagine that (aside from Swooping Hawks), that'll be the last we see of the 2nd ed Eldar Lasweapon trend. Rangers will be upgradeable to Pathfinders.

Jetbikes will not be redone (apparently time constraints make it impossible, though Jes would like to and may get to it later), but the torsos will be. Interesting new thing that's come up recently: There will be Farseer and Warlock torsos in plastic included with the bike. Rumors state that Jetbikes will become troop choices.

War Walkers are already redone and, in general, the public seems to really like them. No confirmations of rule changes for the War Walker, but rumors suggest two things might happen: 1. War Walkers will be able to take two different weapons or, instead, twin-link two of the same weapons for a reduced cost, 2. They'll get the Scouting Universal Rule. There's also "wish list" talk that they may see a splash release of 3 to a box, like the recent Tau Pirhana splash release.

We don't know much about the new Wraithlord rules, but much chatter about the sculpt exists. Not only will he be in plastic and made by Jes Goodwin, but he'll look like a miniature Revenant Titan (with the blank face and "collar" in the style of the Wraithguard, but reportedly with a smaller "face"). He'll also have an optional sword and shield. Lighter weapons (flamers and Shuriken Catapults) will be up on the shoulders instead of the wrists. Apparently there will be expanded options for how his weapons are mounted, and pictures from the City of Death codex show him with a Vibrocannon for an arm (while new weapon load-outs for the Wraithlord are possible, it's generally agreed that the photo in that codex is a conversion, not an indication of how the Wraithlord will, in fact, look). The joints will all be ball-joint sockets, so that's good for posability. The sword and shield suggest better CC rules for the Wraithlord, but no confirmations of that yet. This has been corroborated from at least three independent sources... so I'm confident that it's true. Lonnnng ago (like over a year) I heard that the Wraithlord would stay the same, stat-wise, but be increased in points cost. I haven't heard anything since then, though. The Wraithlord's toughness being reduced to 7 from 8 is a popular topic of discussion, but not one credible rumor about it has surfaced.

I've now heard a few times that playtesting saw Dark Reaper Exarchs with an ability to upgrade the squad so they can use indirect fire (one shot per squad). As this was part of the playtesting, there's no guarantee it'll end up in the rules.

There are small murmurs at the moment that the Fire Prism will get a plastic turret, but the sources are good... so keep your fingers crossed. There's also a lot of talk now about the possibility of the Fire Prism getting the "bank shot" power that they once had in Epic where one Fire Prism fires into another in order to launch a single super-powered shot at the enemy.

The Shuriken Cannon will not get the Rending ability. Starcannons are expected to stay exaclty the same, stat-wise, except for the loss of one shot per turn, reducing it to Heavy 2.

No word on Star Eagles or Slicing Orbs has been uttered where models an rules are concerned. At present, there is zip, zero, nada indication that we'll see them in the new codex.

There's an unconfirmed sighting in this thread that stores are now getting codes for the Eldar army set, with price not yet determined.

If anyone would like to submit rumors to me privately in order to protect their identity, I'll read them and may post them.

[Dunr II]

Hurray a new thread at last

OK to begin this off I will say that those new war walkers look so cool, they look more like warmachines than static gun mounts.
And the fire dragons...i don't know they look alright but the only major change I can see on them is the pincers on the helmet.
The rest I can't see at this moment because of link issues but I will post my thoughts on them when I see them.

Dunr II signing out....

[Brimstone]

I've closed the other thread and this one will be ruthlessly policed with off topic posts removed as a matter of course.

I'm expecting members to keep it on track.

[Orbital]

Originally Posted by Dunr II

And the fire dragons...i don't know they look alright but the only major change I can see on them is the pincers on the helmet.

Taller, the "fin" on the helmet doesn't have round divots cut out of it, fuel tanks on the back, more dynamic poses, tabard changed (and, in some cases, removed).

[cookiescrumble]

I love the new banshees, not to keen on the mouth though. What a conincidence they are released in October, about the same time as my birthday .

Those new dire avengers are fantastic. One of the better new games workshop plastic kits.

[Dunr II]

Originally Posted by Orbital

Taller, the "fin" on the helmet doesn't have round divots cut out of it, fuel tanks on the back, more dynamic poses, tabard changed (and, in some cases, removed).

Oh ok now you mention all that they are quite different, but they would still fit well with the current range of fire dragons. Actually saying that is it a trend with the new eldar stuff that only slight changes are being made so they still fit in with the model range at this moment in time?

Dunr II Signing out....

[Smoking Frog]

And I for one welcome our new Orbital overlord....

*cough*

Regarding the Dire Avenger weapon: there are rumours sugesting that, because of the size of the weapon, ie; longer than a normal shuriken catapult, it will apparently be named "Dire Catapult" to save us confusion between normal catapult and not normal catapult.

[Sergeant Tanthius]

Thanks Brimstone and Orbital! No more 81 pages! boy, skimming through those pages was hard work.

I like the new fire dragons. It's so much better now that they are actually doing something other than looking forward and cradling their guns. Now they're actually throwing grenades and stuff.

[Bregalad]

Good idea to have a summary of Eldar info. Orbital gogogo! Here some suggestions/additions to the text:
1.) Please keep a photo of each new unit, even when it appears on sneak peek. This makes the summary more complete and readable.
2.) You should add the rumour that heavy weapons platform and rangers will be released for CoD, i.e. earlier. This raises the question: If the platform is included in the new guardians box, will this one also be released earlier or will the platform also be released solo (perhaps splash release??)?

Originally Posted by Sergeant Tanthius

Thanks Brimstone and Orbital! No more 81 pages! boy, skimming through those pages was hard work.

Edit: Well, I have my doubts, but let's hope for the best And 81 pages? The last three ones had 89, 89, 101 pages.

[75hastings69]

From what "they" tell me the Bonesinger WILL be the Army Box mini.

[Orbital]

Originally Posted by Bregalad

1.) Please keep a photo of each new unit, even when it appears on sneak peek. This makes the summary more complete and readable.

Ok, I'll do that!

Originally Posted by Bregalad

2.) You should add the rumour that heavy weapons platform and rangers will be released for CoD, i.e. earlier. This raises the question: If the platform is included in the new guardians box, will this one also be released earlier or will the platform also be released solo (perhaps splash release??)?

I'll make you a deal: If you can link me directly to the place where the number of metal and plastic codes is first mentioned (so I can see where all that talk started), I'll integrate that info into the roundup.

Just a note, btw: Even though I started the thread at Brimstone's behest, it's not my thread. I don't get to tell people what to do or how to behave or anything else which normally falls into the purview of a moderator or admin. I just thought I should mention this so that when I am banned for taking the thread off topic 157 times in 10 pages, you'll know why.

Originally Posted by 75hastings69

From what "they" tell me the Bonesinger WILL be the Army Box mini.

That's cool. If you have anything more to add, I'll be listening.

[TheShadow3s]

Thanks Orbital for the quick review of things , although I checked everything on the old thread regulary I did (finally) found out everytihng i wanted to know , The farseer and warlocks on jetbikes they wont be hybrids but plastic that just to sweet :P
One last time thanks for this Orbital

[Orbital]

Originally Posted by onlainari

GW seems to concentrate on making hobbiests their first priority and gamers their second priority. I do appreciate the effort put into the good models, I really do, but I wish they would concentrate more time on rules. I am not the most unhappy gamer, they do seem to be slowly improving the game, I just want it done better.

Be aware that, at this time, we really don't know what's going to be in the codex aside from a few things which have been officially confirmed, so "reviewing" the rules which go with the models we're looking at in this thread is premature. Personally, I believe that the new Eldar codex will rock your world... so try to keep your chin up.

[Orbital]

Update:

I've added this:

Quote

There will be three Special Characters in the new codex. Iyanna Arienal and Nuadhu "Fireheart" are going to disappear from the Eldar rules, but may persist in the fluff. The first of the three playable Characters is the Avatar, who will no longer be a basic HQ choice. The second is the Pirate Prince Yriel of Craftworld Iyanden (no word on whether he'll get his own sculpt). The third, oddly enough, is Eldrad Ulthran. Though he "died" (in a manner of speaking) at the end of the Eye of Terror campaign after making Abaddon run like a scared kitten, there's some pretty solid word out there that he will re-appear in the new codex.

Don't know how I forgot to put that in the first time around. Bad Orbital.

[Icarus]

Very nice roundup, thanks Orbital!

Incidentally, could you maybe include the "Star Eagles" rumour, or was that only "wishlist"? I cant remember it was a while back...

Originally Posted by Orbital

[b]

The codex (which is due in October, according to White Dwarf and recent seminars at Games Day Baltimore) is reportedly going to remove all Craftworld-specific lists. In an effort to curtail "sub-lists" of all kinds (such as those found in codices like Armageddon and Eye of Terror), Games Workshop is going to be introducing a greater level of flexibility and customization into the vanilla list that will supposedly lend similar variety to the Eldar army without having to resort to Craftworld specific Force Org Charts and special rules.

Whilst I can see why the current Craftworld lists have problems, especially with the messing around with Force Org. charts, I really really hope that Craftworld armies remain in some fashion. For me the Big 5 Craftworlds TM are a big part of the style of the Eldar, and I'd hate for that to be diluted. Hopefully Craftworld armies will remain, even if they not particularly distinct from a vanilla Eldar list.

Maybe something like (Note this is just an idea!):
Ulthwe:- Guardians and Guardian Jetbikes are BS4 for a points increase of XX
- Similarly Vypers and Warwalkers are BS4 for a points increase of XX


Something like this would not make Ulthwe an ubermegadeath list, but it would retain the feel that Ulthwe maintains a standing army of guardians, but the upgrade would be something tangible in points cost, no free upgrades just for picking a certain army!

Regardless of hows it ends up, I just hope that Craftworlds remain with some of their distinct flavour. There should be the option for those who want to play an army of renown rather than making up their own army, and just painting something Biel Tan colour still wouldn't feel like Biel Tan....

[Orbital]

Originally Posted by Icarus

Incidentally, could you maybe include the "Star Eagles" rumour, or was that only "wishlist"? I cant remember it was a while back...

All we know about Star Eagles is what was mentioned in a White Dwarf over a year ago in some fluff about the Biel Tan Craftworld. Not a single word about them (or the Slicing Orbs, for that matter) has been mentioned in connection to the new book. I vaguely remember hearing something about how no new Aspects would be added, but because I couldn't remember my source I didn't want to add it to the "roundup".

[Sarigar]

A couple of small ones that emerged after GD Baltimore as they advised Craftworld specific army lists were going away.

Eldar Bikes are becoming troop choices so a Saim Hann army build was possible.

Eldar Rangers were able to be upgraded to reflect being Pathfinders.

[Bregalad]

Guess what started the "4-plastic-11-metal-talk" was this post from a Jes Goodwin interview at Adepticon Chicago (29th March 2006):
http://www.warseer.com/forums/showth...+goodwin+eldar

Originally Posted by Captain Stuart

From the person who spoke with Jes at Apepticon:
1. Guardian sketches were there, but looked very similar to old/current ones. Jes stated he wanted to make the accessories more Eldar in look. This may explain the rumored Guardian recut.
2. No recall of sketches for Spiders or Hawks. New sketches for Scorpions, Banshees, Reapers, and Dragons.
3. Special Character sketches were "awesome". IIRC, thre was a sketch of somebody with mixed Exarch equipment.
4. Jes said that he went in wanting to re-do the whole range, but got premission to do 'four plastic and eleven metal codes'.
5. Apparently there was no mention of Dark Angels after Eldar.

There were 3 sessions with Mr. Goodwin so some of the details may be slightly off. I did overhear him say "Nobody likes the Scorpions" while he was in the ballroom at one point.

Also remember that skecthes don't always equate with new minis.

Do I get my cookie now, Orbital?

[Orbital]

Update:

I've added these tidbits to the roundup:

Quote

At a recent adepticon, Jes Goodwin stated that he would be responsible for four plastic and eleven metal codes (models) in connection with the new codex. This is not to say that there will not be more new models beyond that, but that Goodwin is only responsible for those codes.

Quote

Jetbikes will not be redone (apparently time constraints make it impossible, though Jes would like to and may get to it later), but the torsos will be. Interesting new thing that's come up recently: There will be Farseer and Warlock torsos in plastic included with the bike. Rumors state that Jetbikes will become troop choices.

Quote

No word on Star Eagles or Slicing Orbs has been uttered where models an rules are concerned. At present, there is zip, zero, nada indication that we'll see them in the new codex.

Quote

Rangers will be upgradeable to Pathfinders.

BTW there will be plenty of "update" posts like this one until I'm sure I've got everything. Apologies if you find it distracting.