Why the Aeldari?
The Aeldari always seemed interesting to me because they had a more “clean” look compared to most other 40k factions however I am not really a fan of “oldhammer” models so until the aspect warriors got their refresh earlier this year I was not super interested in their miniatures.
Well with that release wave that changed, especially the new warp spider models really worked for me
My Goals
With the Aeldari now being my ninth (!) 40k Army they will probably be one of the last ones to reach 2.000 points. I`ll probably only get around playing them in 11th Edition as there are still other armies I need to work on first (Orks, Leagues of Votann and Emperors Children should all be one I want to reach 2.000 points first). So while I am fully committed in getting more work done for them I`ll see them more as an in between project.
The Painting Journey
As mentioned I am not a fan of oldhammer models so I was surprised to find that the Dire Avengers were still in that oldschool style, when painted I think they look fine but I didn’t enjoy building them at all.
For the paint scheme I decided to keep the aspect warriors closely to the box art because I really liked the Idea of having an Army with a very diverse color scheme. For all non aspect units I will go with my own recipe of the Biel Tan.
My favorite details
I already expected to love the warp spiders and there was no surprise there, however the wraithblades actually were my favorite to paint, I was skeptical about them mostly because of their heads but I even enjoyed painting these bowling pins.
Challenges & lessons
The Dire Avengers were absolutely my least favorites of the box, I don’t think I will get another box of these unless they will be part of any other discount sets. But for all the other units Id love to paint more of them.
Overall the models seem super fragile so I am curios to see how often I`ll need to re-glue some parts.
Paint recipies
- All Miniatures were base coated with white scar Spray
Dire Avengers
- For the Armor I used Citadel Ultramarines Contrast
- The Helmet and cloth I left with the white scar spray
- The weapon, visor and parts of the helmet decoration I used Citadel Black Templar Contrast
- For the rest of the helmet decoration I used Citadel Averland Sunset Base
- For the Gems Citadel Retributor Armor Base
- The blades were painted with Vallejo Mecha Color Steel
- The entire miniature (except the blades) was then covered with Nuln oil
- The blades got covered with Citadel Frostheart Contrast
- Finally I added layers to the armor, cloth and helmed with Citadel Macragge Blue Base and Citadel Corax White Base
Spiritseer
- The Helmet, belt and rim of the coat got a Citadel Gutrippa Flesh Contrast coat
- The cloth I left with the white scar spray
- The weapon I painted with Citadel Black Templar Contrast
- The visor I painted with Citadel Frostheart Contrast
- For the Gems and the coat I used Citadel Flesh Tearer Contrast
- The Staff and Armor decoration got painted with Citadel Retributor Armor Base
- The blades were painted with Vallejo Mecha Color Steel
- The entire miniature (except the blade) was then covered with Nuln oil
- The blades got covered with Citadel Frostheart Contrast
- Finally I added layers to the armor, cloth and helmed with Citadel Mephiston Red Base, Citadel Orruk Flesh Base and Citadel Corax White Base
Wraithblades
- Most of the Armor got a Citadel Gutrippa Flesh Contrast coat
- The Helmet, shouler pads, cloth and hip panels I left with the white scar spray
- The weapon I painted with Citadel Black Templar Contrast
- The visor I painted with Citadel Frostheart Contrast
- For the Gems and the coat I used Citadel Flesh Tearer Contrast
- The Armor decoration/rune got painted with Citadel Retributor Armor Base
- The blades were painted with Vallejo Mecha Color Steel
- The entire miniature (except the blade) was then covered with Nuln oil
- The blades got covered with Citadel Frostheart Contrast
- Finally I added layers to the armor, cloth and helmed with Citadel Mephiston Red Base, Citadel Orruk Flesh Base and Citadel Corax White Base
Warp Spiders
- For the Armor I used Citadel Flesh Tearer Contrast
- The Helmet and cloth I left with the white scar spray
- The weapon I used Citadel Black Templar Contrast
- For the rest of the helmet and Armor decoration I used Citadel Reritbutor Armor Base
- For the Gems Citadel Retributor Armor Base
- The blades were painted with Vallejo Mecha Color Steel
- The Orange within the weapons war Citadel Gryph-Hound Orange Contrast
- The entire miniature (except the blades) was then covered with Nuln oil
- The blades got covered with Citadel Frostheart Contrast
- For the Eyes I used Citadel Thousand Sons Blue
- Finally I added layers to the armor, cloth and helmed with Citadel Macragge Blue Base and Citadel Corax White Base.
Next Steps
I have no immediate plans on where to go with the army from here. As there are a lot of rumors that they might get a christmas battleforce I`ll wait for the announcements of these before I make any more purchases. Depending on what is in that box, if there will be one, I absolutely will go more in the direction of the aspect warriors and want to have 10 of each plus their character model first. After that I`ll probably go more into the wraith side of things. The Wraithknight looks especially juicy now.