Warhammer 40K: It’s Time For New Phoenix Lords
Games Workshop might be focused on Space Marines and Tyranids but the Phoenix Lords of the Aeldari need some new models.
To give them some credit they have slowly been reworking the old Aeldari range and updating the Aeldari Phoenix Lords and their respective Aspect Warriors with them. But so far we’ve only gotten Jain Zar with her Howling Banshees and Maugan Ra with his Dark Reapers. Oh and let’s not forget the awesome new Avatar of Khaine model either. Again, those were great updates — we’re not complaining about those glow-ups. In fact, that’s the problem: we want the rest of the the Phoenix Lords and Aspect Warriors to get their shot.
And here’s the other thing: it’s the perfect time for them to get that attention.
Update The Phoenix Lords
So here’s the current roster of Phoenix Lords with models:
- Asurmen – Phoenix Lord of the Dire Avengers
- Baharroth – Phoenix Lord of the Swooping Hawks
- Fuegan – Phoenix Lord of the Fire Dragons
- Jain Zar – Phoenix Lord of the Howling Banshees
- Karandras – Phoenix Lord of the Striking Scorpions
- Maugan Ra – Phoenix Lord of the Dark Reapers
That’s not counting the other Phoenix Lords or missing ones. Regardless, right there we have four Phoenix Lords and their respective units that could use an update.
Asurmen and the Dire Avengers are some of the oldest models in the range. To GW’s credit, the Dire Avenger models still hold up. But I’d like to see them get a new kit along with Asurmen for sure. This model has served it’s time. Can we show him some love and get him an glow-up ASAP.
Baharroth along with the Swooping Hawks need a revamp. Not only are both of these units fine cast only, they are ancient by today’s standards. Do they still hold up? Eh…they do but they are showing their age and could certainly benefit from some new plastic models. If for nothing else they would be much easier to balance on the bases…just saying!
Fuegan’s model is really showing his age. He doesn’t even look that good compared to the “relatively young” Fire Dragons. At least the Fire Dragons got an update right before GW stopped doing metal models and those still look good. Regardless, I’d love to see both of these units get a new pack. With the increases in toughness across the board some hot new Fire Dragons with all that melta would be welcomed for their anti-armor abilities.
And finally Karandras and the Striking Scorpions. The Striking Scorpions were in the same boat as the Fire Dragons — they got an update right before GW switched to fine cast. The still look okay. But Karandras is still rockin’ his 90’s model. The pose and the model is just a product of its time. I’d love to see what GW could do for this Phoenix Lord in terms of a plastic update. I bet the headdress and claw would really be impressive as well as the mandible blasters. Oh what could be…
But Why Update The Aeldari Now?
Again, just think of the other updates that GW has done and imagine what all of these units would look like! It would be a thing of beauty. “But why focus on the Aeldari now?” That’s a good question. I think focus is the wrong word — but the range could use an update now on these models now because look at the rest of the GW line-up. Aside from a few random Space Marine characters that need a Primaris Update what other range could really use some attention?
Plus we know the Space Marines and Tyranids are about to get all the attention soon thanks to the Battle for Oghram. You know that both of those factions have their models in the can for 10th already. But what’s beyond that and which ranges still have the most fine cast that need to be replaced and updated? I am probably wishlisting for all of these units but I’d expect to get at least one new Phoenix Lord and one new update for their respective Aspect Warrior unit.
It’s not that the Aeldari haven’t been getting new stuff. It’s that the old stuff is still not updated. And it’s really starting to show when it’s next to the new stuff. From the bases to the poses to the materials the old stuff is just that: old. But for me, most of all, I just want to see what crazy new models with dynamic poses would look like for these Phoenix Lords. And I don’t think I’m alone.
If you had to pick a Phoenix Lord and their unit to get updated next which one would you want?
