The wait is over followers of Asuryan, the High Elves once again have a new army book!
First off, the new book itself is 96 pages long, and written by veteran game designer Mat Ward. This is also the first time I think an army book or codex featured credited playtesters!
It’s the second army book release for Fantasy in 2013, once again with a $50 MSRP.
This book re-introduces the High Elves with a few new options and units but keeps their play style once again as a primarily magic heavy army (although some units like Teclis were slightly nerfed).
There was also a slight shift in unit composition, with several units making the move to “Core”. Another army wide change was that every unit gained the “Martial Prowess” special rule and can now fight in three ranks!
The book itself is divided into six sections; “The Lords of Ulthuan” (fluff section), the Unit Entries in the “The Glittering Host”, followed by the “Lore of High Magic” where the new High Elf magic spells are covered. Next up is “Vaul’s Forge” where all the magic items for the book are cataloged. “The Glory of the High Elves” is the obligatory painted model showcase to inspire us, and finally “High Elves Army List” covers all the unit entries.
Overall the fluff accounts for “the norm” of about 30 pages before sliding into the “Glittering Host” section that summarizes all the new unit entries, and their individual fluff. Like I said above a ton of existing units changed organizational slots, to be sure to double check those before building any new army lists.
I also really enjoyed the break down of each Phoenix King’s reign, and the larger section all about the current era under the reign of King Finubar.
After the magic item and spells lists are, of course, a full color spread of painted minis to inspire us all, in the “The Glory of the Elves” section.
The army list itself takes up the last ten or so pages. This is where you’ll find all the points and options that “Chosen of Asuryan” can take (that’s not the name of the section, they just kinda called it “High Elves Army List” which I think is a injustice to the venerable topic).
To be perfectly honest I don’t really remember if Alarielle the Radiant was in the last book, but she is in here now (along with her maiden guard and the new “Sisters of Avelorn” unit).
Like I stated in the opening the whole army gained the “Martial Prowess” special rule and can now fight in three ranks as well.
High Magic seems at first to be a great mix of spells with unique benefits which may make the High Elves very versatile in the long run!
Of course GW added a few new units as well that I’ll be covering in a different article shortly.
Get the visual skinny, and some full color lovin’ on the new High Elf Army Book by clicking play on my video reviews below!
And if you’re curious about the contents of all the new Elf model kits (like the new Lothern Skycutter), checkout my video reviews on them as well, for a great look at the new bits and some cool conversion ideas.
Happy Modeling! -MBG
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
