Goatboy’s Model Review – Dark Eldar Pt. 1
Goatboy here again starting my Dark Eldar model review this time around. Today I plan on talking about the Incubi, Dark Eldar Warriors, and the brand new Archon. As usual I plan on talking about the minis Value, Look/Form, and Paintability. So lets start on the dark ride down a spike filled alleyway.
Dark Eldar Incubi
These are brand new models with a completely new and fairly awesome look. They are metal so already my Goat hackles are raised as everyone knows Goats hate metal. We just can’t pass it right :).
Value – 6 out of 10
Again I wish these models were plastic. If they were plastic they could have had a lot more options as well as a leader option in the boxed set. Still you get 5 models for 30 dollars so really it isn’t nearly as bad as some of the other options you get within the Games Workshop range. Still I wish this was plastic as the options to create awesome new Archons and other special characters would have been great from this kit. The swords are awesome.
Look/Form – 8 out of 10
This is how I want my Dark Eldar to look – mean and ready to split your head in two. As soon as I saw these models I knew I wanted to play Dark Eldar. They just look cool. Even though they are metal they still have a great look and feel that I think really makes this army stand out.
Paintability – 4 out of 10
Dear lord these models had some many small pieces of metal all of it. Little annoying pieces that had to be clipped off. The biggest issue is that sometimes these pieces would be hard to see and find. So you spray your model, start to paint and you find one, hidden in some kind of crevice and you have to clip it out. Also with these models being metal, and fairly fragile the issue at hand is how do you pin something with such a small space to attach to a body. It was a pain in the ass. It made painting these models hard as well – it was just a pain to hopefully not knock off the back spikes, blade as well as head whenever you are trying to paint it.
Overall the hope is they make these plastic. I plan on having 10 and I’ve bought 10 and have just painted 5. Hopefully I can get these all done and ready to go in the coming weeks as I get my Dark Eldar ready.
Archon
Wow this model is much better looking then the melt headed face one with the so called “agoniser/power klaw/bad touch” hand thingie. I went with white for my army as it isn’t red and my Archon is called the Ghost.
Value – 8 out of 10
This model actually has some options and with the design set up it can be easily upgraded with plastic parts from other kits. A great design sense and really worth while for your Dark Eldar army. Most likely if you are playing Dark Eldar you will buy one to use at some point.
Look/Form – 8 out of 10
I touched on it above, but this guy looks cool. I mean come on, do you want the crazy mutant from before or the cool, evil bad guy you get now. I know what model I pick.
Paintability – 7 out of 10
All the issues with the Incubi did not affect this model. This model has flat forms to glue arms too as well as a design to let other plastic arms and pieces attach. The Phantasm Grenade Launcher fits easily as the back is designed to take any upgrades you can add to it. All in all this is how a metal model should be and I didn’t hate it.
Overall a cool metal model. I think all characters should be metal but anything that you need more then one of should be plastic. So sayeth the shepherd… so sayeth the flock.
Finally a plastic model to review! Next up is the brand new…
Kabalite Warriors
Value – 8 out of 10
You get one of each special weapon in the boxed set – which is great as again this army is designed in 10’s so getting one of each lets you easily get your army built up. There isn’t much else to say beyond if you want to play warriors you are going to be buying a lot of these boxes. Thank goodness they are 25 bucks instead of 35 like marines.
Look/Form – 9 out of 10
Do you remember the old models? Dark Eldar were my second army behind Chaos and I remember those spikey pieces of ass they called Dark Eldar. I really hated those models and I think there might be some slivers of the plastic still in my fingers. These new models look great and are really a showcase of just how far Jes Goodwin has advanced the quality of plastic model kits (technically and design-wise). These guys look good, fit fairly well and are just a much better design then the last set.
Paintability – 7 out of 10
The models look good, but some of the pieces don’t auto fit everywhere. It is frustrating that you can’t put all the butt parts with all the model legs. I know the butt parts are not all that interesting (not enough meat on dem bones) but still it would be cool if I had more options. I also really think the agonizer for the warriors is a piece of crap. It sticks out, will get broken or knocked off and is a complete pain. Yes you could salt heat it and bend it, but still it isn’t designed well. The one for the Wyches looks much better. I know the idea of breaking out of the model’s cylinder is something to make a more dynamic model, but still. Practical is usually better then crazy awesome looking but fragile.
