The wait is over, the NEW Eldar are here!
This release ends seven years of waiting on new rules and heck we even got some new models out of it as well!
I had chance to break down the Eldar Codex over the release weekend, and it really looks good. Even after I played a game with it, I learned a few more tricks with these guys too!
Sometimes you just have to push around some models for things to start to fall into place with a new rules set, and this book like the Tau one was no different in that aspect.
Checkout my initial review on book below, with some tips on how they may play and stack-up in the current “Tau meta”. You can also checkout my Tactics articles about Tau, and the new Eldar as well here.
So the Codex itself is 104 pages long (just like the Tau and Daemon books), and is written by veteran game designer Phil Kelly (whom also wrote the last Eldar book as well). It’s the fifth hard-cover codex for 40k, once again with a $50 MSRP.
In this book the Eldar are pretty much re-introduced for a new generation of gamer, and there seemed to be a expansion of fluff in certain areas, and a retraction in others.
Either way it’s a great read and even if you don’t play Eldar, it may be worth it to pick one up for the stories, and to get to know your enemy better.
Once again their presented play style is a primarily “overwhelming application of fire” type army, however you can easily work some assault elements into an army list very easily, even without allies.
Of course most shooty armies greatly benefit from close combat oriented allies, but I’m not sure if you will go outside of this book much for aid.
The book itself is divided into seven sections; “The Eldar and The Fall”, “The Doom of the Eldar” both fluff sections. Unit Entries are presented in the “The Eldar Warhost”, followed by the “Forge of Vaul” where the advanced wargear & weapons of the Eldar race is cataloged. “Colours of the Craftworlds” is the obligatory painted model showcase to inspire us, and finally “Forces of the Eldar” is the army list section (with fold out summary) itself.
Overall the fluff accounts for a new codex high of about 40 pages before sliding into the “Eldar Warhost” section that summarizes all the new unit entries, and their individual fluff. Once again there is a ton of new upgrades and weapons in this section, so for me it was worth reading the wargear (“Forge of Vaul”) section first, to have a decent idea of what everything does.
After just a few unit entries in, I once again found myself flipping back and forth between sections before just giving up and reading the wargear section first.
After the wargear section is once again a full color spread of painted minis to inspire us all, however it’s kinda sad that many of the models they showcase are no longer available.
The whole army list itself, (with fold out reference page) takes up about the last ten pages. This is where you’ll find all the points and upgrade options that “Forces of the Eldar” can take. The codex’s section names this time around were pretty bland IMHO, but hey they more more than make up for it with new full color art and stories.
At first look there doesn’t seem to be much in this book that is over costed points wise at all, with many entries becoming cheaper. Vehicles got a huge boost, and most multiple shot weapons received an upgrade of some sort as well.
Tau may have become the kings of the sky, but with this book Eldar may be the masters of the battlefield with their ability to withstand attacks and retaliate in kind with overwhelming force.
Eldar flyers while seemingly fragile at first look, may dominate the skies once their brothers on the ground disable offensive anti-air units as well.
I’d expect to see most army builds featuring fast moving units that can deliver a killing blow to their enemies most effective units by turn two in a true tip of the spear fashion. I think there are many units in this book that can provide dual purpose synergy with other units in the army, rather than be focused on one particular mission role.
Thus if an army is built this way when it suffers loses they are not as severe as with other armies. Falcons, Fireprisms, and Wave Serpents all seem to fill this role nicely.
I think if you even splash in Vypers into a build containing all of the above units, a loss of any of those units will not overtly negative effect the overall effectiveness of the army.
Bikes may also prove to be the “secret tech” that this army needed, as now you may get a good handful of AP2 wounds out of a basic bike squad that is both super maneuverable (36″ turbo and 2d6 non assault move), and able to survive a ton of fire with the right cover save.
Get all the visual details, and some full color lovin’ on the new Eldar Codex by clicking play on my video reviews below!
And if you’re curious about the contents of all the new Eldar model kits (like the new Wriathknight), 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.
