No matter their discipline, Aspect Warriors are specialised fighters trained to execute a particular facet of warfare at its absolute peak. Fire Dragons reduce vehicles to molten scrap, Howling Banshees scream and shout, and the sleek new Dark Reapers win all the prizes at Halloween costume parties.
First revealed at LVO 2022, the updated Shining Spears live for the thrill of the joust. Their expertise lies in skewering far-off foes by striking like lightning and killing with a single blow – and the upcoming Codex: Aeldari gives you the tools you need to soar across the battlefield for a spectacular first turn charge.
Not content with bringing the new Shroud Runner jetbikes to the fore in Eldritch Omens, the wild Craftworld Saim-Hann is definitely the faction for maximising your turn one shish kebab combo. Not only do they get re-rolls on all charges, these hit-and-run maestros can also charge on the same turn they Fell Back – as you’ll see, that’s vital for getting the most out of your laser lances.
First, though, you’ll need to get within charging range – and the Shining Spears’ tuned-up jetbike steeds are perfect for the job. A zippy Move characteristic of 16” is a pretty good start, and these knightly Aspect Warriors can push it even further by adding a guaranteed 6” when they Advance.
A unit can’t normally Advance and then charge in the same turn, but Saim-Hann comes in clutch with their unique Stratagem – Warriors of the Raging Winds. This is the final piece of the puzzle that will get you stuck in before the enemy knows what’s hit them, delivering lance tips up close and personal.
Once combined, these flashy moves will give your Shining Spears a minimum charge range of 24” – up to 34” – from the very first turn, allowing them to endanger almost everything on a normal-sized battlefield.* And as a CORE unit, they can also receive benefits from a nearby Autarch** or a Farseer Skyrunner, either of whom can lead the way atop the Relic jetbike Sunstorm.
Once your jetbikers have reached their targets, they’ll melt through armour and flesh alike with devastating thrusts from their laser lances. These weapons are vastly more powerful on the turn they charge – spearing even a Space Marine with a single blow – and are backed up by a blistering hail of firepower from upgraded shuriken weaponry.
Such overwhelming speed and power allows the Shining Spears to assassinate critical enemy leaders and supporting units with impunity, leaving bodyguards scrambling even as the charge soars gracefully overhead.
Start planning your lightning jetbike assaults when Codex: Aeldari arrives for pre-order this Saturday, and stay tuned this week for a look at more new Stratagems, as well as a fantastic suite of Crusade rules.
We’ve even got the Avatar of Khaine ready to go head-to-head with some of his greatest foes, so make sure you don’t miss it by signing up to the newsletter today.
* Having the FLY keyword also means they can start their turn behind some Obscuring cover before zooming out from safety.
** They can ride a jetbike themselves, but even an on-foot Autarch can be built for serious speed.