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Hey everyone;

As we all know, the Dark Eldar are coming, or rather are into the stage in their life where it is time for change. They need to set aside their flamboyant shenanigans, and actually become a respected member of the Warhammer 40K universe, and more importantly, feared.

I have been looking around, not just on these forums, but all around the interweb, and I have to say that people know damn all about the DE, and what they are capable of, but more importantly, they don't even know them from a hobby perspective. I mean, it is on the rarest of occassions, when the moon is burgundy do the Dark Eldar get represented on a tournament stage, and for years now we have been waiting for a codex that should've arrived many aeons ago, that people have just evaded them at all costs, because a) they are afraid of something they have never seen before, b) when they are shown, the person controlling them never goes on to glory and fame with them, and c) the respect, lustre and downright patience with them has worn right down to the core.

Now, sure we are going to get an entirely new fashion, an entirely new codex, and an entirely new rule set... some time in the future. Those that have started the Dark Eldar will be all aquiver with such brand spanking new models, and the shiniest codex out there (maybe not the thickest...), for we have waited tirelessly with so much effort, and so much patience, and have waded through hell and back, seeing SO many revamps, re-releases, re-re-re-re-releases and new armies come into the fray, while we have sat idly in the cold recesses of the Games Workshop vaults, praying for our time in the sunlight, that has unfortunately ceased to exist for us; we are merely shadows of our former shelves, with models that look like prostitutes, rules designed for so many Editions ago, and egos that are blatantly undershadowed by even the smallest Space Marine player.

So I call to the masses to answer me a simple question. A question that will determine the Dark Eldar's fate, and contemplate as to who will win the battle between the Dark Eldar and The World.

Is this new release going to work?

Who here will be the first in line queing for hours in the pouring rain, just to catch that elusive glimpes of the painted models in the GW shops window, while others elbow past you to get their late hands on the Inquisition or Daemons codex that came out before ours, barely even stopping to have a close inspection of just how the DE are going to interefere with the rest of the hobby? Who here will be going over every square inch of detail, looking at the rules behind the rules and fluff, sharing what they have found with a local store owner, finding out what their blatant and empty opinion of them will be?

Will the release actually tempt other people to want to buy the Dark Eldar? If not, what will happen? Only the people who have put their heart and soul into their army of piratical raiders would want to know what they will have to change and what they will be able to keep. After only a few long months of low revenue from those that actually know the DE from previous buying the models and codex, will they officially do what many want and banish them into the Eye of Terror, and back into the GW vault, never needing to be pushed back further and further from a release date and never needing to make fresh moulds from expensive plastics and metals ever again?

Will the Dark Eldar survive?

That is my rant. Comments welcomed.

Honestly, and this is coming from the hardest "Humanity MUST win" guy, I am going to buy them. I dont know how much, or what. Maybe not the codex, but I will have a squad or two, fully painted and based (which is rare for me). They a that LAST diffrent thing that can be added to 40k. What else is left to add? Nothing. Space pirates are the LAST new army we are going to see. (NOTE* I KNOW THEY HAD A SECOND EDITION CODEX. But its been, what, 10 years since we say a SINGLE release for them? Its now a new army) Will they do well on release? HELL YAH! Will they change the tournement scene? Maybe.... Maybe. But the question THAT should be asked is not will they make it, but for how long will they live?

I will be first in line to buy them. The only reason I don't do so now is the models are HID-E-OUS, that and the tend to break off parts VERY easily from what I hear.

Happygrunt wrote:Honestly, and this is coming from the hardest "Humanity MUST win" guy, I am going to buy them. I dont know how much, or what. Maybe not the codex, but I will have a squad or two, fully painted and based (which is rare for me). They a that LAST diffrent thing that can be added to 40k. What else is left to add? Nothing. Space pirates are the LAST new army we are going to see. (NOTE* I KNOW THEY HAD A SECOND EDITION CODEX. But its been, what, 10 years since we say a SINGLE release for them? Its now a new army) Will they do well on release? HELL YAH! Will they change the tournement scene? Maybe.... Maybe. But the question THAT should be asked is not will they make it, but for how long will they live?

Exactly Happygrunt, the Dark Eldar are the final edition which 40k needs to be ultimatly "complete". Also, as you also stated, too long has Gamesworkshop tried to "re-release" Dark Eldar units to the general public. In my opinion it's this mentality which GW has which, personally, pisses me off. New box art doesn't mean a product is better or more advance.

Your also right on another point. How long will the Dark Eldar live after the release? I don't know but sadly I have a feeling that in a couple years, we may be facing the same problem as before; the, so-called, "exticition" of the Dark Eldar.

I know Dark Eldar has experienced the last decade as GW’s red-headed stepchild, and cynicism amongst the community is well justified, but I think the Dark Eldar release will be extremely well received. There are a great many Dark Eldar players who’s collections sit in closets of on shelves collecting dust – these players have been quietly (or not so quietly) waiting for the day when they can pack those models up and return them to the game table – and perhaps purchase additional models to complement their existing force.

There are also very many hobbyists out there who will be drawn to the Dark Eldar army to start anew. It seems odd to say but an entire generation of 40k gamers has grown into existence since the Dark Eldar have seen any real support. These players, in all likelihood, have simply learned to close their minds to the very existence of the horrible models and out of date rules and, on the rare occasion they face a Dark Eldar opponent on the tabletop – a player who’s likely 10 years their senior – they regard it as an anomaly unworthy of consideration. Suddenly an ancient and forgotten artifact of 40k gets a brand new codex and shiny new models… to these players it is as close to GW releasing an entirely new army as they’re likely to experience. It will be intriguing and that alone is enough to drive sales.

After GW revises Dark Eldar, they will see continued support as all current armies do. There was a day when Orks were nearly as neglected as Dark Eldar and now they see a new release every few months. The same is true for Imperial Guard. Once the Dark Eldar “vertical” is in place – new models for the core of the army and a new codex – the line will see continued incremental support as all other liens do.

It was an unfortunate legacy of neglect on behalf of GW these past ten years but I don’t think we’ll see it in the same way again. Dark Eldar represent the last extremely large hurdle in the completion of GW’s portfolio. Once that hurdle is overcome, GW can focus on supporting all existing model lines which will drive sales proportionately.

Happygrunt wrote: Space pirates are the LAST new army we are going to see. (NOTE* I KNOW THEY HAD A SECOND EDITION CODEX. But its been, what, 10 years since we say a SINGLE release for them? Its now a new army)

Dark Eldar didn't have a codex in second edition, they were introduced with 3rd edition and got an update later, because the first time around, Jervis Johnson in his infinite wisdom decided that they needed vehicle upgrades, or really much in the way of wargear at all, even less than they needed unit variety. Man I hope they never let that man anywhere near a design team ever again.

I've played and enjoyed my DE since I picked up the hobby around 98 or 99. I've accumulated over 3000 pts. I've used all the units and I know their capabilities within the confines of their archaic Codex and the 5th edtiton rules. I tend to win half of my games and I play for fun. I have never packed them away in shame or out of exasperation of not having an update.

I seriously doubt I will provide GW w/ any future support on a DE release besided picking up a new Codex. They have shown me I am unimportant as a veteran gamer and they have killed any love for this game I may have had. I will continue to use the models I have and I will create anything new that I need from the 60+ warriors I still have on sprue.

While these are my feelings at this current time, I may certainly be proven wrong once a release hits, whenever that happens. At that point I can not guarantee what I will do as I realize certain nostalgic feelings may rise and reconnect me to my war gaming passion.

As to whether the DE themselves will survive, that is anyone's guess. If GW makes DE a power army like they have done with SW and BA then they guarantee the DE will be successful and profitable as everyone will want the new Flavor of the Month. And while that may vindicate some of us old DE veterans, I think we will likely end up with a sour taste in our mouths.

Dark Eldar will be fine. I have wanted a DE army for years, but not at the price of the craptastic models and the shame they would bring me in ownership and presentation. I trust that the new models will be sufficiently bad ass and I guarantee the codex will be sound, if not borderline overpowered. Why? GW needs to have them succeed and no surer ways to do that than to put their best sculptor on the project and to crank out a vicious codex to appeal to the power gamers. I'm planning on at least three variant armies (Raider force, Wych/Harlequin assault force, and something to do with Haemonculi), and I have a strong feeling they will receive similar interest from a number of veteran players.

The DE release is the closest thing they've had to a "new race" given the drastic nature of the overhaul, in a long, long time. That alone would generate excitement. Given that Dark Elves, the fantasy counterpart, have enjoyed strong, loyal followings throughout the years, I have no reason to believe 40K couldn't support a similar army if it's delivered well.

I am really looking forward to the DE codex - the only thing I want more is a Adeptus Mechanicus Codex.

Should be some great plastic models and new stuff - I have all the basics - 6 Raiders and a Ravager - 2 Sexy female Lords and loads of Incubi Wiches Have no problems with the present models of most figures.

Been pretty happy with recent codexes so should be good - although I was less happy the "unique" Imperial Guard Regiment options were pretty much lost in nex IG codex :(

I think it will work.

They're going to get rules that actually function with the basic rules of the game and a whole new range of models to work with. Their image is almost certainly going to change a bit, but they are being entirely revamped and redesigned.

with models that look like prostitutes,

The grotesques do look a bit sexy, or is it just me?

oh, you mean the Wyches ... err... erm moving swiftly on

Won't be worried about the models so much as hoping for a good- or should that be really evil- codex to make them more viable against the other armies.

Not uber cheese, but enough of a tweak so that a duff player like myself won't get totally annihilated.

Terminus wrote:

Happygrunt wrote: Space pirates are the LAST new army we are going to see. (NOTE* I KNOW THEY HAD A SECOND EDITION CODEX. But its been, what, 10 years since we say a SINGLE release for them? Its now a new army)

Dark Eldar didn't have a codex in second edition, they were introduced with 3rd edition...

No 2nd ed codex, although there was a Citadel Journal list that was essentially an Eldar Slaanesh Cult list.

incarna wrote:I know Dark Eldar has experienced the last decade as GW’s red-headed stepchild, and cynicism amongst the community is well justified, but I think the Dark Eldar release will be extremely well received.

But there's no TV show about the Dark Eldar.

In my opinion, the DE seriously need the visual revamp they're getting. We'll have to wait and see if their new appearance looks worse.

I imagine they will finally actuually be played. The past few years GW has been doing great with there new models so keeping with that I am sure the new DE models will look just as great.

Plus with finally some new and up to date rules and codex it will be more like they are putting out a whole new army since they have all but been forgotten about as an actuall option as a play able race by most of us so I am sure it will be a huge boost to GWs pockets as well as to DE as a race and 40k as a game.

I am sure it will be a pretty big moment when they actually come out.


But I wont belive it till I see it. I dunno how many times i have herd DE is going to be the next new codex.

As long as its NOT another space marines army I will be happy.

SM releases are nice. Since my CSM gets some new bitz but it gets old after awhile...

If all the people who've said they would start brand new DE armies actually do so, GW will make serious bank on releasing the DE.

As long as the archon isn't totally ugly, They'll be my new army.

TheOniTsuki wrote:As long as its NOT another space marines army I will be happy.

To right mate; I'm also sick of GW releasing new Space Marines ever 40k rotation. In a sense, I can understand GW's motives on establishing the "kid-friendly" army but still enough is enough right?

Also as JohnHwangDD stated earlier, GW would be dumb not to release new Dark Eldar. I'm not taking about just releasing a new codex and a couple new models; I mean re-amping the entire range. They would (are going to) make some serious somolies with the release.

The DE will look fantastic. Just look at ALL the resculpts they have done in the last couple years. They are probably going to look more badass then their rules will be. Infact rumor has it that they play tested (ya right GW? PLAYTEST?!?) the codex and found it to be to weak, and sent it back for some toughening up. I just hope they dont pull a friggin BA codex re write and they turn into a "are you friggin kidding me?" type of army. I doubt it, as a SM army has to be top dog in GW eyes.

KingCracker wrote:The DE will look fantastic. Just look at ALL the resculpts they have done in the last couple years. They are probably going to look more badass then their rules will be. Infact rumor has it that they play tested (ya right GW? PLAYTEST?!?) the codex and found it to be to weak, and sent it back for some toughening up. I just hope they dont pull a friggin BA codex re write and they turn into a "are you friggin kidding me?" type of army. I doubt it, as a SM army has to be top dog in GW eyes.

Wow you just admitted that DE aren't coming out, way to go now I'll have to sit in my chair and go "there's always next year...". Cause GW would never play test anything its just not in their blood.

Well thats not true. They actually DO play test things. But its not what you think. Everyone elses idea of play testing would be to play a couple games of differeing sizes to see whats what.

They pull out like 50pts at random, and play for 10 minutes. "Well the game isnt broke at 50pts, so its GOTTA work at 3k"

I'll be buying the codex for sure. Depending on my wallet I would buy some minis. But I'm not selling my old army.

I'm buying the new codex, will be first in line for it - and most likely the new raiders if they live up to the artwork.

Everything else, I've already converted and I don't spend much on 40k anymore. I've been collecting for years and I have more than enough of every unit in the current book.

Oh, I forgot the new Reavers. When they become troops and get a points decrease, I'm definitely going to add to my existing 40 Bikes.