Dark Reapers are the Eldar who fell the furthest from Asurman’s teaching, and the coolest because they dress in all black…
The Eldar are all kind of Emo, but the followers of Maugun Ra take it to a new level. They decided early on to fight with long-range weaponry and forgo the swords, who needs those archaic things anyways! Let’s get out our favorite black shirts and learn some more about lore.
History of the Dark Reapers
When the good boy of the Eldar race, Asurmen, decided to teach all his brethren the way of battle, Maugan Ra decided to take things a different route. He, like a smart cookie, decided it was far better to slay his enemies from afar instead of with the blade in Close Combat. He started making weapons of an extreme and strange power that would simply eliminate enemies from great distances. Why get close when you don’t have to?
His quest progressed over time and he eventually came to craft The Harvester, or Maugetar if you like Aeldari. He was able to wield the weapon with such deadly precision, not even the great Asurmen could argue with him. This was the founding idea for his Aspect Warriors. Terrifying weapons that could kill the enemy with barely being able to see them.
Origins
Unfortunately, the world that birthed such awesome Aspect Warriors succumbed to the fall. After the birth of Slaanesh, the world fought bravely. The guns of the Reapers kept the Daemons at bay for as long as they could. But, like with so many Craftworlds, they eventually were swallowed by the Warp.
Just because their world fell, did not mean the craft did not live on. Many warriors took up the mantle and decided, being Emo and killing your enemies without having to get up close and personal was the way to go! Thus, from such horrific circumstances, the new Aspect was birthed in earnest (thanks to the crafty Maugan Ra!)
Lethal Fighters
Nothing of the world remained, that is other than Maugan Ra! The mightiest warrior of the entire planet managed to survive and escaped. He went on to the other Craftworlds to teach his craft to anyone who would listen. The Dark Reapers are some of the most lethal fighters the Eldar have to offer. Their guns can blast apart even the biggest foes before they can get close. They often target the most heavily armored units the enemy has to offer.
They represent the War God Khaine and that is the reason for their all-black armor and skull helms. They don’t care about pageantry and want nothing more than to destroy the enemies of the Eldar. Unlike most of the fairer kin, they decorate their armor with the skulls of the enemy. Anything to strike fear (even though they rarely get close enough for the enemy to see it…) and show they are the best!
Learn More About Dark Reapers Here!
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
