Pre-orders for Codex: Aeldari go live tomorrow, alongside tons of new models – from revitalised Guardians to the grimmest of the Phoenix Lords. We decided to send a few advanced copies out to hobbyists from across the community to get a good lick of paint ahead of release day.
The craftworlds are known for powerful pigments, and the huge range of Citadel Colour paints was on full display across each of these creations. A long list of top painters submitted their work – which just goes to show how much fun the new Aeldari are to build and paint.
Adam R, Siege Studios
Adam starts us off with an impossibly crisp Autarch from the Eldritch Omens boxed set, loaded up with deadly weapons from the huge arsenal at its disposal.
Alison Kersley
Alison’s Warlock sports the bright yellows and blues of Iyanden, lining up to support her craftworld’s famed Wraithguard Spirit Hosts.
Amy Snuggs
Meanwhile, this rune-reading Warlock cuts a regal figure with deep purple robes and gold accessories, which Amy sets against a bright green witchblade for extra contrast.
Annie Doughty
The Black Guardians of Ulthwé are a potent fighting force, famed for their discipline. Annie’s beautifully realised them here, with luminous blue faceplates and a shock of brightly coloured hair to contrast their dark armour.
Chris Frosin
Chris picked out the armour of Maugan Ra and one of the new Dark Reapers in a lighter colour than their usual black, showing off the incredible detail at work across their bodysuits.
Colin Ward
Hailing from Colin’s own craftworld of She’neshar, these Warlocks join forces with a cannily converted Maugan Ra. He’s used the body of Warhammer Underworlds’ Mir Kainan* to give this Phoenix Lord a tall, commanding presence.
Crystal McHaffie
Crystal’s bright blue Storm Guardians are clearly ready for a fight, with paired Guardian combat weapons. Who needs pistols, anyway?
Emma Durrant
Emma found time to finish an entire squad of bone-white Storm Guardians from her custom craftworld, Aestheria-Anaris, to fight alongside her flame-kissed Warlock.
Hendarion
Golden Demon winner Hendarion blew our expectations out of the water with his incredible Biel-Tan Guardian and Warlock. Then for good measure, he demonstrated how a coloured glare can really spruce up black armour on a Dark Reaper.
Jack Hunter
Continuing the bright theme, Jack’s Mymeara Guardians look magnificent in hue-shifting teal-and-blue armour, which makes their black helms really pop – though the red dirt is scuffing up their boots like nobody’s business.
James Collard
James also leans towards the bright end of his palette, with a Craftworld Yme-Loc scheme so vivid it seems to glow with an inner light.
James Otero, Siege Studios
We’re going back to Ulthwé with James’ Warlock, whose bright yellow mask stands out against his sombre black robes.
Matthew Herrington
Matthew managed to paint up the lion’s share of tomorrow’s releases in an orange colour scheme that you couldn’t miss on a moonless night. It’s a rare moment of brightness for Maugan Ra too, who’s clearly trying to fit in with his new comrades.
Meg Harkness
The sinister Phoenix Lord of the Dark Reapers returns to his iconic mournful appearance under Meg’s brush, looking suitably spooky in black robes and worn bone.
Mikko Luoma
Mikko’s Saim-Hann Aeldari show off the craftworld’s distinctive red uniforms, which are a great way to start your own force using the handy guides on CitadelColour.com.
Nick Lambourn, Siege Studios
Branching out into one of the craftier craftworlds, Nick painted his phenomenal Warlock in the (supposedly) sneaky Alaitoc scheme. We can only assume the blue and yellow dazzles their opponents.
Peter Harrison
Peter combined elements of the Storm Guardians kit with a Lumineth Realm-lords body to give his Aeldari an ornate robed outfit – perfect for someone aspiring to the Path of the Seer.
Richard Gray
Have you ever seen a Dark Reaper look so rich and shiny? We hadn’t, until Richard’s paint-based sorcery gave this new model a staggering chrome finish.
Stahly, Tale of Painters
The Black Guardians of Ulthwé are back with an attendant Warlock, this time decked out in bright yellow details to shine against the darkness of their crisp armour and robes. Also, that is one fine crest on the Warlock’s helmet.
Warhammer Community regular Vince picked up a fistful of bright paints for his Warlock, using a classic combination of blue and orange that hearkens back to his beautiful tiger-striped Beastboss from last year’s Ork releases.
Do you have an Aeldari warhost ready to dive into a Crusade against the Great Enemy? Show it off at the Warhammer 40,000 Facebook page, and make sure you come back tomorrow as Codex: Aeldari and the first wave of new models arrive for pre-order.
* Sounds remarkably similar to ‘Khaine’, doesn’t it? Coincidence? We think not.