Lots more new Eldar are on the way as GW revealed the new Avatar model along with Maugan Ra, plastic Shining Spears, and more!
GW is four for four recently using one prolific artist’s work to base their new minis on. If they end up going five for five, we have a decent idea of what they may base the rumored Eldar Avatar model on.
Mark Gibbons is the artist we’re taking a look at today, as the new Helbrecht and Grimaldus models are for sure based on his artwork.
If you look at his piece it literally even has the little details like the attendants cleaning the blade just like in the drawing.
Courtesy of our friend and contributor Sepulchre of Heroes.
So, with Grimaldus just announced, it would make sense for them to go back to the same artist well, and base that model on his artwork as well. There are some big similarities to the current model, so they could easily use the artwork to just update him.
Let’s check out the work he’s done and the most likely piece for the sculpt.
Grimaldus
This is the current Chaplain Grimaldus (well until the new release comes out) you can get from GW but as things have been going, they really don’t seem to want the Templars to have any Firstborn heroes left.
Now, let’s look at a piece of iconic Mark Gibbons artwork from nearly 20 years ago.
They even put this piece in the new post about Grimaldus post, so it’s super likely they will go back to the well for the Avatar.
The model overall has a very similar look, but one main thing to note, the size. They are pushing all the characters to Primaris size, but hey, we’re not going to complain about new sculpts!
Other Models Based on His Work
This is just a great mini and piece of art! They even made the little attendant taking the Gene Seed, so it makes sense to continue the trend as they did with Helbrecht. While this is all rumor, it seems very likely!
But these aren’t the only models based on his work.
A Lord of Death
In the early 1990’s Blood Angels shared a codex book with the Dark Angels
Here’s Mephiston’s entry from that tome.
Mephiston’s 2nd Edition Codex Artwork Enlarged
They gave him a plasma pistol, but other than that, he looks pretty identical to the artwork!
Warhammer Community even revealed his artwork alongside the release and it just looks so similar.
Here’s Mark Gibbons’s artwork for the Avatar and honestly it’s pretty awesome. Since GW has been loving to put minis on the base (like primaris lieutenants) this makes even more sense. There have been rumors floating around for a while now about a new Eldar Avatar miniature, and while we like the old one, we would love for it to look more like the picture above.
Much like with the other minis updated from his art, they keep true to the old model, but just make them way cooler.
These rumors (and composite image above) come from Aeldari Warhammer 40k Discord, which you can sign up for here.
When you look at these two pictures side by side, it really looks like this could easily be the model. The blood effects on the old one are, shall we say, old. When compared to his artwork, the Rumor Engine looks so much more like his piece.
Speaking of a reveal, here is what may be the star of the Games Workshop New Years Day 2022 Preview, the New Eldar Avatar looks absolutely stunning!
New Plastic 40k Eldar Avatar Model
Glorgious (misspelled on purpose), this new model looks like GW replicated the 80s with today’s technology and it is stunning!
Next up spotted on Reddit and promptly removed, were these images from the LVO 2022 preview:
So it looks like the Avatar will not only have a helmeted head but also a bare one that has some serious Night Elves vibes. Also, note the axe version of the Wailing Doom as well as a sword.
Not only does the new kit come with three head options, it also has three weapons; in addition, the new Avatar is adorned with the runes from a number of different Craftworld Aspects, creating a truly customizable monster to add to your Craftworlds army
The flames seem to also be separate bits that can be placed on the base. As far as price goes, the Forge World version currently goes for $110, so this one may be priced similarly…
It still looks like we have seen all the options for the new Eldar Avatar though, however, his base turns out to be just 80mm round (think leviathan dreadnought).
It looks to be at least 3 guardians wide, which appear to be in 32mm and not 27mm bases when you compare them to the Space Marine Bladeguard in the lower right frame. All that of course is just speculation on the sizes from the images we have currently.
Glorgious.
New Avatar of Khaine Datasheet & Model Spotted
Let’s dive in and see what we can get from it.
Just by comparing the sheer size of the sheet, we can see that the Avatar of Khaine re-work/update is a big one, getting a ton of added power!
For an extra 70 points (270 total), he sees upgrades across his entire statline, with everything getting better (except the WS and BS which were already at 2+)
His ranged attack gets a huge power boost and gains a very similar effect to Mortarion’s pistol getting a “shoot over” effect damaging models to pass over. Which thanks to the upgraded stats of the attack, make it much, much better overall.
If you aren’t familiar with the old rules, We’ve also got that for you right here:
As for melee, he gets a two-profile option for focused and multi-target attacks. The focused hit has a base of 7 attacks at 14S, -5 AP, and averages 5 damage, making it ridiculously strong. While the sweep has 14 attacks at 7S, -2 AP, 2 damage, making for an easy space marine squad wiper with each wound removing a full model.
His old 5+ invulnerable save has been upgraded to a 4+, but now ALSO reduces damage by half! His auras were also slightly changed, now “moral tests” just ignore modifiers instead of auto-passing, which is fine. While his re-roll charge aura was reduced to 6″ range. Both auras of course also only affect CORE units, as with every other updated factions’ auras. He also gained an explosion on 6s when destroyed which is fine, and on the theme for the violent departure of the Avatar.
Lastly, there is a new downside, which restricts him to not being able to take a Warlord Trait or Relic, which seems completely fair seeing as this guy just got upgraded all the way up to a mini-Mortarion for a fraction of the cost!
GW Reveals New 40k Eldar Avatar Rules
The new stat line is pretty sweet and it looks like the spotted datasheet above got it exactly. So that means the decaying wounds profiles are probably also pretty close to correct. With better stats all around, the new model is bound to make some lists and do some damage!
Sweating already? That’s not just the heat emanating from his blistering body. The Wailing Doom – or Suin Daellae, for the Aeldari amongst you – is the Avatar’s signature weapon. With its edge honed by Vaul and its balance tested by Asuryan, all three forms of this divine weapon are thirsty for blood.
At strength 7, even the sweeping blow will smash through some high armor units, not to mention it will get it double attacks! Then the Piercing Strike will get it so much strength AP and an insane amount of damage. Enough to tear through pretty much anything.
Shooting Attack
Of course, nothing in combat is guaranteed, so why not soften up your opponents with a bit of cheeky pre-combat shooting? The Wailing Doom isn’t limited to hacking and slashing – it can fire a 12” column of searing flame that hits any unit it touches.
If you can get this across 2-3 tanks or big models, this will do some insane damage. Especially considering you don’t have to make additional hit rolls, just make the one and you’re good to go.
Molten Form
None of this would be worth much if the Avatar crumpled before withering firepower. Unfortunately for his opponents, this molten metal embodiment of war has a 2+ save, a 4+ invulnerable save, and halves all incoming damage.
With the good saves and halving damage, let’s hope you’ll be able to get this monster close before it takes too much damage!
All the Newest GW Model Previews
Do you think this will be the art the model is based on? Do you think the mini will even be released?
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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!
