Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

What's the difference between Eldar Corsairs and their craft world counterparts, force wise. Are they just rangers and gaurdians or do they have the same variety units.

They probably wouldn't have aspect warriors as Corsairs are made up of those Eldar who have chosen not to follow a path, and instead choose to be free and otherwise act like a usual elf. Of course, in 40k that means alot of them either get eaten by Slaanesh, joining the Dark Eldar or something.....

But the forces probably wouldn't be just Guardians. Without the path system, the Eldar wouldn't be limited to their hyper-specialized Aspect roles, and thus would probably function more like an IG Veteran squad, with lots of special weapons that Craftworld Guardians probably wouldn't carry.

what about Farseer's or Autarchs. Those are eldar paths too right?

Guess we will know more, when the corsair themed Dark Eldar Codex is released in November (or when the Gav Thorpe novel Path of the Ranger is released end 2011/2012)
Basically, Corsairs don't follow a path (while being corsairs, some had a path before or after, like Ymriel) and use different vehicles. They aren't Guardians either, as Guardians are the "PDF" of the craftworlds, not comparable to pirates.

Lizar7 wrote:what about Farseer's or Autarchs. Those are eldar paths too right?

Autarchs are those who have mastered multiple paths of the warrior, and Farseers are Eldar lost on the Path of the Seer. SO yeah, Corsair Eldar would def not have Farseer's but could potentially have Autarchs...

I'd agree on them being mismatched and less specialized/disciplined to their craftworld counterparts. They likely have to make do with what they salvage/steal/trade for. So would likely be quite individual in appearance and gear given that most choose this life that follow it. Free of the restrictions and rigidity of craftworld life. I can imagine them being more like Dark Eldar in organisation. Warrior bands led by strong individuals with a broad selection of exotic wargear. Minus the "Bwahahahha" Evilness. Though I could see detachments of rangers joining them in battle if they are travelling with them.

Kroothawk wrote:Guess we will know more, when the corsair themed Dark Eldar Codex is released in November (or when the Gav Thorpe novel Path of the Ranger is released end 2011/2012)
Basically, Corsairs don't follow a path (while being corsairs, some had a path before or after, like Ymriel) and use different vehicles. They aren't Guardians either, as Guardians are the "PDF" of the craftworlds, not comparable to pirates.

Yriel should probably lead the Corsair army.
I'd say use the normal Codex for now and just make custom models. Maybe this Corsair Fleet organize themselve based on ability.
Wouldn't the formation of them really change from fleet to fleet?

Corsairs are probably much like privateers in the age of sail. I'm betting there are those who find the path too intoxicating and fall into less salubrious ways - and perhaps into the DE ways.
There are mentions of individuals 'lost' upon the path (and the lost is implied to be not necessarily dead - in the same way that Exarchs and Farseers are 'lost' or trapped in their path).

They have letters of marque to disrupt enemy shipping and confiscate any goods/valuables they find.
(In the eldar case, it would be ALL other non-eldar shipping and they would probably not worry about looting).

Technically, corsairs follow the 'path of the outcast' (which also covers Rangers/Pathfinders). Yriel walked this path after being deposed for his viewpoints.
The rangers/pathfinders and corsairs work together in a way (I believe they would be offering passage on their ships to those walking that path) that furthers their goals and the Craftworld's (which though linked are not necessarily the same).

If you follow the original corsairs list (from the first Chapter Approved book, which was Yriel's Eldritch Raiders), they had access to two kinds of troops (shooting and close combat) as well as other 'support' assets like tanks and lighter skimmers and so on.

Aspect warriors would necessitate the presence of a shrine aboard the ship and an attendant exarch to instruct them, yet the troops would be different again to guardians.

Guardians are more than the pdf of the craftworld. They are the citizen militia. More than mere conscripts but less than full soldiers. Some of whom were once warriors. It could be similar to the Swiss system (where every citizen is considered to be part of the militia after finishing their service term, even if no longer a soldier).