Reasons To Play Aeldari In Warhammer 40k

Key Takeaways

• Aeldari lore is tragic, shapes the setting, and they have unique miniatures for collection and play.
• Aeldari are fast, deadly, and competitive on the tabletop, making them difficult to play against.
• The Aeldari model range offers vibrant and colorful options for hobbyists, with unique color schemes and stunning miniatures.

Warhammer 40k has seen an incredible rise in recent years. With several critically acclaimed video games released, such as Rogue Trader, Boltgun, and Space Marine 2, the hobby has gained many new followers. Warhammer 40k is not just a tabletop wargame. Its fantastic miniature range offers a variety of factions to collect and paint, while hundreds of novels expand on the already impressive lore.

The Aeldari, originally known as the Eldar, are one of Warhammer 40k’s most iconic factions. The Aeldari are one of the major players in the 40k galaxy. While their race is a shadow of its former self, their advanced technology and natural affinity for psychic powers make them a dangerous foe. With some of the most ornate miniatures in the entire range, the Eldar look fantastic both on the tabletop and on the display shelf.

1 The Lore

A Once Great Empire

Aeldari lore is some of the most tragic and interesting in Warhammer 40k. Their history shaped much of the current setting, and they continue to shape and manipulate the other factions in the galaxy with ancient skill. The Aeldari are responsible for the birth of the Chaos god, Slaanesh, after their galactic empire fell to depravity and excess. This event, known as The Fall, would instantly kill most of the Eldar and turn a vast region of space into a living hellscape known as the Eye of Terror.

Only a few Aeldari factions would survive the fall. The Asuryani, or Craftworld Eldar, left their civilization on continent-sized spaceships for the edges of the galaxy. The Drukhari, safe in the Webway, were cursed by Slaanesh. They now must inflict suffering and pain to protect their souls from She Who Thirsts. The Exodites rejected the excess of their species after foreseeing what would happen. They settled on pristine maiden worlds, living simple lives away from the dangers of their people. The Harlequins were protected by their god Cegorach, the laughing god, and now travel freely among all the Eldar. In the current setting, two new factions have emerged: the free-roaming Corsairs and the last hope of the Eldar, The Ynnari.

2 Gameplay

Fast, Deadly, and Competitive

The Aeldari has long been known as a dangerous faction on the tabletop. While this can change with numerous updates, the faction is a tough prospect for any player. In the game of Warhammer 40k, Aeldari are fast-moving and have deadly ranged attacks. They have numerous jet bikes, long-range weaponry, huge war machines, and deadly leaders. Several units can even teleport around the table and their current army ability is generally considered very strong.

While hobbyists should only collect armies they think are cool rather than competitive, as the meta continually changes, the Aeldari are always a handful to play against.

3 Model Range

A Stunning Collection

Collecting the Aeldari offers hobbyists a range of choices for their army. With all the various factions within the race, players can create varied and colorful armies. From the ivory-colored Howling Banshees to the checked Harlequins, or the deep orange of the Fire Dragons. The Aeldari has one of the most unique and stunning ranges in the hobby.

Furthermore, there has never been a better time to start collecting Eldar. Exciting new models have recently been released, like the long-awaited Warp Spider Phoenix Lord, Lhykhis. Old models have also been refreshed into new high-quality miniatures, and there have even been whispers of a new Corsair faction releasing soon.

4 Painting

Vibrant and Colorful

While painting Aeldari can seem tough with their ornate armor and detailed patterns, they are also a great faction to hone early painting skills on. Painting is a big part of the hobby, with worldwide competitions growing ever more popular. While some armies offer little variance in their models, for Aeldari, almost no two units look alike.

Hobbyists will never get bored painting an Eldar army. Each unit has a unique color scheme, and the range has models for every skill level. From simple starter models like Guardian Defenders to impressively detailed centerpieces like The Avatar of Khaine or The Yncarne.

5 Novels and Video Games

A Popular Faction

While the Aeldari are not as popular as other big 40k factions, such as Space Marines or Chaos, they have long been featured in the 40k novels and video games. Fans of the faction can enjoy several novels written from the Eldar’s point of view. Some of the best are Jain Zar: The Storm of Silence by Gav Thorpe and The Rise of the Ynnari series, also by Gav Thorpe.

In video games, players can fight against Aeldari in Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr, and in Rogue Trader, there is an Eldar companion, Yrliet. While the Aeldari have yet to be fully explored in other Warhammer 40k media, their narrative is slowly growing. Fans should see more novels and video games in the future, which will expand on the faction even more.

6 The People

Warhammer 40k is a worldwide hobby with legions of fans sharing their latest creations and games. Aeldari fans will find numerous sources of information and content online. From faction-specific groups on Reddit to lore channels on YouTube that detail the rich history of the faction.

Local gaming clubs are also great places to meet new people, learn the game, and have access to local miniature sellers for cheaper deals. While this isn’t unique to Aeldari players, getting to know the community online and in local areas is a great way to learn and improve the hobby.

7 An Iconic Faction

Futuristic Space Elves

The Aeldari are a great faction to collect in Warhammer 40k. They are one of the few races in the setting that are not trying to conquer or destroy the entire galaxy but are simply trying to survive. They are a doomed race, as, unless stored in a spirit stone, each Aeldari soul is sucked into the warp upon death and eaten by Slaanesh.

The Aeldari are iconic to the setting and one of the more unique-looking races with ornate armor and powerful weapons. Their lore is rich and has great potential for future narratives. They have some of the best army stats in the game, stunning ornate miniatures, and vibrant color schemes that look great on the display shelf.