In the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Eldar are a race of elf-like humanoids, the most ancient and advanced in the game's history, with the exception of the Necrons and their C'tan masters. Their armies usually have the advantages of speed and technology. They are the equivalent of the Warhammer Fantasy High Elves.

Contents

1 Etymology and background 2 Technology 3 Aspects 3.1 Dire Avengers 3.2 Dark Reapers 3.3 Fire Dragons 3.4 Howling Banshees 3.5 Shining Spears 3.6 Striking Scorpions 3.7 Swooping Hawks 3.8 Warp Spiders 4 Eldar Gods 5 See also 6 External links

Etymology and background

The name comes from J. R. R. Tolkien's elves, who in their own language were called the Eldar. The history of the Eldar in Warhammer 40,000 mimics that of Tolkien's elves, to the point that they are a "dwindling race" in the game universe, as the elves were in Middle-earth's Third Age. Eldar culture also borrows from the Samurai -- for example, it is explained that "to the Eldar, war is an art," and White Dwarf magazine talks of "the Path of the Eldar", much like the "way of the Samurai".

"Trust not in their appearance for the Eldar are as utterly alien to good, honest men as the vile Tyranids and savage Orks. They are capricious and fickle, attacking without cause or warning. There is no understanding them for there is nothing to understand - they are a random force in the universe." - Imperial Commander Abriel Hum

Technology

• Shuriken weapons -- The standard weapon of the Eldar military forces are Shuriken guns, weapons that use gravitic forces to fire monomolecular-thin discs at the enemy. The Eldar use these weapons in the form of pistols, cannons, and a light carbine known as a Shuriken Catapult.
• Soulstones -- When the Eldar die, their souls are in danger of being devoured by the Chaos god Slaanesh. To prevent this, the Eldar created special Spirit Stones, which capture and contain their souls at the moment of death. These stones are then collected and inserted into the Craftworld's Infinity Circuit, where they may rest along with the spirits of their ancestors. In times of need, the soulstones of the Craftworld's strongest warriors may be taken from the Infinity Circuit and placed inside Wraithbone automatons such as the Wraithguard and Wraithlord, to once again fight for the Craftworld.
• Webway
• Wraithbone is the main construction material of the Eldar. It is brought forth from the warp and shaped by Bonesingers. It is used to create the craftworlds of the Eldar, their tanks and other vehicles, constructs such as the Wraithguard and Wraithlords, to weapons and armour. It is a psychic conductor and so not only provides the structure for the things built of it, but also power distribution and communications.
• Blackstone Fortress

Aspects

Eldar are known to pursue any task they set out to do with an intensity that makes human efforts pale in comparison. When an Eldar feels called to the path of the Warrior, he or she will join an Aspect Shrine, a cult of warriors who train themselves to embody an aspect of the Eldar War God Khaine.

Each Aspect Shrine is led by an Exarch, an Eldar who has found his- or herself unable to leave the path of the warrior. These Exarchs are powerful warriors, doomed to either die on the battlefield, or to eventually be chosen to become the Avatar of Khaine. The first or founder of an Aspect Shrine is called Phoenix Lord.

Dire Avengers

The Dire Avengers are the oldest and most numerous aspect. They are armed with shuriken catapults, an effective if short ranged weapon, and perform as elite troops. The exarch can be equipped to improve the squads' close combat abilities. The Phoenix Lord of the Dire Avengers is Asurmen.

Dark Reapers

The Dark Reapers represent Khaine in his aspect as a destroyer, and specialise in long range firepower. Their standard weapon is a reaper launcher which is a powerful, long ranged weapon that fires several small missiles at the target. Their exarch can be equipped with more powerful weapons, such as a Missile Launcher or Shuriken Cannon. The Phoenix Lord of the Dark Reapers is Maugan Ra.

Fire Dragons

The Fire Dragons specialise in short-range firepower and anti-tank warfare. They carry a fusion gun and melta bombs, both excellent weapons for dealing with vehicles. The fusion gun is also very effective against heavy infantry such as Space Marine terminators, but is limited by its short range. The exarch can be given a fire pike, a stronger fusion gun with better range, and skills to make him an excellent tank destroyer, as well as highly dangerous in close combat. The Phoenix Lord of the Fire Dragons is Fuegan.

Howling Banshees

The Howling Banshees are a close combat aspect made up primarily of female Eldar. The Howling Banshees are equipped with a pistol and power weapon. As the power weapon negates armour, the Banshees are very effective against well armoured opponents. They also wear a Banshee mask, that allows them to strike first in the first round of combat. They can deliver a devastating first strike, but if they get stuck in combat, attrition will work against them. The exarch can be given an executioner which boosts her strength. The Phoenix Lord of the Howling Banshees is Jain Zar.

Shining Spears

The Shining Spears are a fast attack aspect. They ride Eldar jetbikes and are armed with a laser lance, giving them high mobility and a strong charge. They are limited by small squad sizes. The exarch can be given a bright lance, providing an accurate but very expensive anti-tank unit. As one of the newer aspects, the Shining Spears have no Phoenix Lord.

Striking Scorpions

The Striking Scorpions are another close combat aspect. They are armed with chainswords, pistols and mandiblasters. They have better armour than other aspects, and are physically stronger. These allow them to work very well against large numbers of weaker opponents. They are also effective against stronger opponents, but their Eldar fragility works against them here. The exarch can be armed with a biting blade which is effective against a few enemies, and a scorpion's claw, which combines a powerfist and a shuriken catapult. The Phoenix Lord of the Striking Scorpions is Karandras.

Swooping Hawks

The Swooping Hawks are a highly mobile aspect. Equipped with a jump pack with stylised wings, they can move rapidly accros the battlefield, dropping grenades upon the enemy before swooping in for the kill. Their weapons are not that powerful, and they work best as a flanking unit. The exarch can be tooled up to be devastating in close combat. The Phoenix Lord of the Swooping Hawks is Baharroth.

Warp Spiders

The Warp Spiders are another highly mobile aspect, equipped with a Warp Spider jump generator which allows them to jump into and out of the warp, avoiding any obstacles in their way. Since they do not have to run all over the battlefield, they have stronger armour than most other aspects. They are armed with death spinners, which fire a net of monomolecular threads which slice into the flesh of the enemy as it entangles them. The exarch can be given the ability to withdraw from combat, enhancing the Warp Spiders' survivability. The Warp Spiders have no Phoenix Lord.

Eldar Gods

• Khaela Mensha Khaine [God of war]
• Cegorach or The Laughing God [God of the Harlequins]
• Asuryan [Greatest of all the Eldar Gods]
• Isha [Goddess of Harvest]
• Kurnous [God of the Hunt]
• Lileath (also known as Lilcarth) the Maiden [Goddess of Dreams]
• Morai-heg the Crone [God of Fate/Souls]
• Vaul [God of the Forges]
• Ynnead [God of the Dead]

See also

• Eldar Harlequins
• Dark Eldar

External links

• Eldar Online (http://www.eldaronline.com)
• Official UK Eldar page (http://uk.games-workshop.com/40kuniverse/warhammer40k/Eldar/eldar.htm)
• Official US Eldar page (http://us.games-workshop.com/games/40K/eldar/default.htm)