Warhammer 40K: The New Eldar Models Aren’t Enough
Lets talk about why GW needs to go a lot further with the new Eldar models.
Craftworld Eldar, the Asuryani, are getting a large revamp of their model line. As part of this they are getting a ton of new and reworked models. We’ve seen Guardians, Dark Reapers, Warlocks, Avatars and more. But is it possible that giving them new models was a huge mistake? Lets take a look.
History Of The Eldar Line
The Eldar were first introduces in 1987 in Rogue Trader. A few years later in 1990 they got a major update with things like the Aspects introduced. A large number of new models were added at this point. A number of these are, until the new ones come out, are still the current models for the line. Over the next few years more models rolled out, including the current Avatar in 1993. The Eldar have some a couple major updates since then, though most of these are long in the past. Dire Avengers got new models a while back, as did Wraithguard. New models, like the Wraithknight and flyers were added. There is still a core of the army that is around 30 years old, older than most 40K players.
New Models
It now seems like most of the old models are going away at last. The Avatar is getting replaced, Dark Reapers, Guardians, Warlocks and many others are getting new sculpts. Howling Banshees already got the treatment a while back. This is a fresh new age for the Eldar. Unlike with say, Classic Space Marines, the units and lore isn’t getting replaced. Guardians and Dark Reapers aren’t going away. Just the old classic ancient models are. Updated with very similar but, from a point of view, better modern models. But maybe this is a mistake?
Replacing The Old Models Isn’t Enough
The Eldar are an old race. One of the oldest in all of Warhammer 40K. More than that they are a dying race, always stuck in the past. Buried by the ashes of their old empire. They are a living representation of past glory, and one that has little future. Many of their greatest leaders admit that they are fading away. They are a race that peaked long ago, that rarely changes or innovates. People talk about how the Imperium of Man spurns progress and technological advancement, but the Eldar has been far more stagnant for a far greater time.
So seriously, what could be better to represent this old dying race than an old dated model line up? It’s not like most of Eldar models are even bad. In their heyday they were mind blowing. Top of the line. But that time has passed, and they are faded, living on ancient glory. Thats the Craftworlds in a nutshell! The perfect way to represent the Craftworlds on the tabletop isn’t by just updating old, but still serviceable models’, with modern versions. Thats not enough for the Eldar. Take It A Step Further
Grow the Entire Aeldari Race
Honestly GW should have taken the line into the future. The existing model line wasn’t a bad representation of the Eldar. For the past couple decades GW has keep expanding Eldar by adding new things. They added (back) Harlequins. Then a ton of Dark Eldar units and even new Craftworld stuff. The real way to redo Eldar isn’t just by remaking old models. They needed to really update them adding something new in.
More stuff like this please
What about Exodites? A classic Eldar faction that has never really gotten a chance to shine on the tabletop. Or how about some actual new and unique Ynnari units? There is a whole galaxy of possibilities and after all these years they need to add something really new to the line. All this refresh has done is remake the old Rogue Trader 1990 Eldar list, with prettier models. I’m a little sad to see the Avatar model replaced after 30 years, but I’m even sadder than its just getting an update and not anything really new. Instead of just newer Guardians, I would have liked to see some dang dinosaur knight Eldar, or plastic Corsairs, or Slicing Orbs of Zandros! But I guess thats a fever dream for another age.
Let us know what you think of the new models, down in the comments!
