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I picked up the codex together with the Warriors, Reavers and Raider today.

The codex is pretty classy. I think they succeeded in rounding out what was formerly some very slender fluff and giving the DE a lot more substance. The best of the artwork is excellent - particularly the Incubis (page 31) and the Haemonculous (page 37). However, as seems to be usual when they put out a codex without having all the models available, there are a number of murky drawings (the Razorwing), and some entries don't have anything (Cronos and Voidraven, unless the little creepy-crawly in the Cronos entry is meant to be one). I know there are a lot of Blanche fans out there, but his illustration of Commorragh should have stayed amongst the working drawings - it lacks any atmosphere, and is out of keeping with the rest of the art.

The model photos are good, but suffer from the same problem - there's nothing here beyond the first 2 waves of releases and virtually nothing in the way of modelling ideas apart from a customised Archon. This was a one of the biggest problems with the re-done Ork codex (which is already looking sad next to recent efforts like this one). I would like to have seen some suggestions for modelling units that may take a while to appear in kit form, such as Grotesques and Venoms. Speaking of the Venom, it gets a reasonably clear drawing, which means they've probably got a kit of it on the stocks. It's bascially a bastardised Vyper (perhaps a deliberate call-back to the Vyper design, which is referenced in the fluff entry). Converted Grotesques are already appearing in the form of converted Rat Ogres from the Blood Island boxed set. Anyway, while I think too much is made of GW's alleged abandonment of true hobby content as they produce an ever-expanding range of kits, I think the lack of suggestions for customising DE models is a major omission. There is an article on this in the accompanying WD, which seems to be their preferred option, but I'd like to see it in the codex as well.

I can't comment on the new rules; everything you'd hope for seems to be there, and there seems to be scope for some very different lists for those players who don't simply lock themselves into whichever power list the internet deems to be the best. One thing that does jump out to me (mostly because it was the original Raiders that got me into playing the DE) is the points cost of Raiders. Given how cheap Marine transports are, and how fragile Raiders are, it seems steep. Perhaps their speed is such an asset that it proved necessary to limit their availability (although the fastest Rhinos - Blood Angels Rhinos carrying Assault Squads - are also the cheapest, so go figure). Upgrading a Raider means the costs mount up fast, so I doubt many players will do it.

The Power from Pain rules are interesting. You can see what the intention is - DE aren't very durable, and if they don't score a knock-out blow early in the game they tend to get whittled down fast. So the rules reward players for taking out enemy units, and make any DE units do well more duable. It means that the remnants of squads of Warriors and Wyches will have a better chance of being able to do something. I guess it's also a rather nice modelling angle, as you can model pain tokens for each unit (although there's only a passing reference to this in the codex). Time will tell if this rule actually works, and no doubt there are angles to it that Kelly didn't consider.

I've only had a look at the Warriors and Raider so far. The Raider is superb - I could happily build a fleet of them, and my initial reservations about its proportions and the ether sail are gone. The Warriors are also excellent, and it's always good to get all the squad options in one set (it wasn't so long ago when that was rare). The revised special weapons are infinitely superior to the old ones (the old blaster design was particularly crude, almost as if they couldn't be arsed and just made it look like a ray-gun). The dark lance is especially nice. Perversely, perhaps, I feel that they're almost too finely detailed. There are a lot of very delicate bits there, and they will requre care to assemble (and they went for 2-part torsos again, which seems excessive). Maybe it's something to do with the fact that my eyes aren't what they were, but I am a bit daunted at the prospect of painting these models. I am also scratching my head about a colour scheme, since the black-edged-with-green look is going to be ubiquitous. But overall, these are state of the art plastic models

What does everyone else think?

I've got the codex, but have only skimmed it so far. The rules seem pretty awesome and most of the units are very cheap for the statlines you are getting. I've also never seen quite so much wargear and weaponary that 'removes models from play'. Is this the new 'instant death'?

That this isn't news nor rumour?

Since this is 40K I will move it to 40K discussions.

I think it's a very impressive codex. I have only ever seen a single Dark Eldar player before this update came out and they never really interested me as an army.

The new models, however, are simply gorgeous and convinced me to pre-order a codex, Archon, twenty warriors, a box of Wytches and a Raider. After putting together some warriors and my Wytches I have to say; I'm not regreting it.

The models are amazingly detailed, but my favourite aspect of them are the poses of the models. My Imperial Guardsmen just look like statues compared to some of the Kabalite Warriors.

Putting together the models is reminiscent of putting together some of the Eldar models, though. Which isn't exactly a good thing - small bits to fit in obscure areas and every single model waiting for one accident that can ruin the look of it.

They're not quite as bad as the Eldar (ugh, guardian squads) but for someone who really enjoys putting models together, and isn't the best at it, I think they can be fairly difficult. The end result, however, is so worth it.

I'm really regretting not getting a few more boxes of Wytches. Not only for their amazing models, but also their rules. They seem to be amazing for what they can do and, damn, do they look good doing it.

I'm very pleased that I've gone with Dark Eldar, but also quite upset - this means I'm going to have to buy more models, and I'm not sure if my wallet can handle that as I'm a student, not willing to work at the minute.

Once again; curse you Games Workshop.

Grabbed the codex and lilith today, after 10 years of playing these guys i opened it and thought "op as all buggery" 10/10 times a raider with 10 warrioirs, splinter rack and splinter cannon sill outright kill a carnifex. Its rediculous. Play tested lilith agianst an army of space marines with sone wyches, she killed a squad of termies hers self, im 1 rounds.
Man i love the op so much

I think that my tau and guard are going to die again and again now that there is a new de codex. Allot of peeps gave up after a while with the out dated codex. Lets hope that they dont take any of my models alive!

*Imagines DE doing dirty things to Tau*

After twelve years I didn't care what the rules were like, I was just so happy that GW finally paid attention to us! DE were like the ugly girl at prom-time, we got thrills just from the popular guy looking at us, hoping that one day we'd get what we wanted. And finally, we got our update! And it's a pretty damn good one too. Not OP, not underpowered: Just right (I'll argue that one to the death).

It retains the hard to handle glass-cannon with a steep learning curve which is true to the race. It also is going to keep a lot of the flavor of the month players from playing the dex and giving a bad name to DE players. After reading the dex cover to cover a few times since mid-oct I'm really satisfied with what we have been given by GW. I look forward to actually seeing other DE players beside myself for the first time in a long time.

As for the models, they are really really REALLY finely detailed and they go together so well. The only problem I've run into is how I'm going to keep the raider passengers on the raider without falling over everytime the table gets bumped. Magnetizing is seemingly impossible

I pre ordered my copy and it arrived last thursday so Ive had time to read it while on holidays.

First let me say I am a huge Dark Eldar fan, they have been my favourite 40k race for five years since I got into the hobby, Ive never collected them though because of the constant rumour that they will be coming soon has always put me off buying them in case they do bring out a new lot.
And I was just as happy as any fan when the Dark Eldar finally got a new codex, it is indeed a massive effort and finally gives us a worthy codex, unlike the tiny no info book many of us to use for 10 years.
But does anyone else feel the book is tad lazy in some respects, the art work for example is good but its nothing compared to most other codex's, some of the images are far too vague or the proportions look a bid odd. John Blanches much acclaimed image of Commaragh got a yawn from me, seriously while John manages to wow me every now and then he's pictures are just so "meh" and I wonder how he manages to keep he's job considering some of he's pics look like they are right out off the first sketches.

I also found some of the writing to be increasingly lazy with recycled descriptions of Archons and Commaragh itself, it just didnt feel like there was much effort in some of it. I also a little dissapointed in some of the background changes, I preffered the Dark Eldars original origins, it gave them a greyer morality unlike now how they basically knew the fall was going to happen and did it anyway.
I couldnt see a point in that, the Dark Eldar had no reason to destroy their Empire, if it was an accident like the original story it would be more plausible.

Im also rather dissapointed in the lack of soul sucking, now they feed on screams and terror. Just seems a little strange.

Other then those couple of little details its a great codex, I particulary love the Mandrakes and plan to get a few of them for my army, I also cant wait for the Wracks and Grotesques to make their debut and Im hoping for new Haemonculus models. The new range of models is incredible, they have gone from the ugliest range to possibly the most detailed and beutiful models in GW history, Lelith Hesperax especially is phenomonal, she actually looks female and her proportions are appropriate unlike what many were hoping her to be.
Im also hoping The Decapitator gets a model so i can feature him in my army.

Just a beautiful range, I do agree with many however that the Incubi and Archon models are a little dissapointing, beuiful models but a step in the wrong design direction, I would have preffered they kept the original design just with better models, its also a little dissapointing how they are no longer the secretive Bodyguard organization they once seemed.

The new Scourge designs are interesting, Im looking forward to seeing what they look like in model form and I simply must praise the new Reaper jetbikes, they are stunning.

The only thing that saddens me is that agonizers only come in whip form. No claws :(

asimo77 wrote:The only thing that saddens me is that agonizers only come in whip form. No claws :(

Model wise, they do only come in whip form. Rules wise, they still can be portrayed how you like them, as they 'come in many different forms'.

I picked up the Rulebook, a box of Wyches and Warriors. I really don't need them since I have over 3k+ points already but what the hay. I'm dumbfounded at the level of detail in these plastics. Yes, they will be fiddly. Yes parts will be broken during assembly but these are hands down the best models they've made so far.

I have completely enjoyed the Rulebook so far. The new fluff, I take with a grain of salt because it is so easy for GW to change that whenever they release a new version. So for me, I'll just enjoy it while it's the existing fluff. I haven't gotten into the nuts and bolts of the rules, but it looks like I could still field the same army I've always had w/o huge changes (Not that I'm going to given the nice options now available). Once I've really sat down and mentally crunched through the units I'll have more to say, my only initial surprise was the fact that wracks do not require an IC to lead them like the old grotesques needed. (The new grotesques still need this however but wracks are stat for stat like the old grotesques). So I can see why everyone is going ga ga over the wracks as a Troop choice.

I really don't see the need of a FAQ with this new codex. But hey, that's me and I can come to a rational conclusion w/o having someone hold my hand.

Rymafyr wrote:I really don't see the need of a FAQ with this new codex. But hey, that's me and I can come to a rational conclusion w/o having someone hold my hand.

Wow, what kind of arrogance is it that we have here. So by your statement, one must infer that the people who would need an FAQ are unable to come to a rational conclusion. You sir, have clearly shown that you can't come to a rational conclusion by that statement, and therefore you should use FAQs. I gather from your manner of expressing yourself, that anyone who does not come to the same conclusion as you is not rational?

Do you not see the flaw in that statement?

Rational people can come to differing conclusions. That is why the FAQ exists. People who like to argue will do so with or without an FAQ. The function of an FAQ is to offer a resource to reference when something is unclear enough to lead people to differing conclusions. Get a grip.

I am impressed with both the model range and the codex. I have only purchased the codex and a set of Kabalite warriors. I am planning to get two more of these boxes to build another troops unit and with the last box and left over parts, a unit of Trueborn. My original dark eldar was fluffed as being a corsair raiding party who gain their wealth through slave trade and weapons dealing. I'm stoked that I can now represent this with units that actually suit the theme. In terms of rules, I am impressed! Although there are some seemingly useless units included yet again, at least they have reasonable models to represent them. I am a little disappointed in the lack of a model so far for a razorwing or voidraven. Fingers crossed we don't have to wait too long. But then again, I've waited a long time so why not wait a little longer. Having only ever played warhammer 40k with the dark eldar, I welcome the new rule set and look forward to building an army. As for colour schemes, while the book shows little imagination or suggestion, I have devised a uniform colour of my own of a bone colour with dark red cloth and details. Think outside the box and you should be fine. After all this is a imaginative hobby.


P.s we actually have a Dark Lance that looks like it could do some serious damage...FINALLY. Oh and it's included in the box...

Models - stunning.

New Fluff - could be better, agree with above re more nuance and soul sucking.

Dex - pretty but too many pix of the same things - agree with "Lazy" comment - would have been cool to see some conversions for models not yet available, more kabal colours

Army list - OK but a bit more monochrome than the old one which had a real combat DE and shooty DE options, new one is very biassed ( priced) toward combat DE

But those models... Sadly I already have a big DE army but it will just have to be rebuilt........

Having picked up the 'dex as well, I'm hopeful that this will put a dent in the mech-heavy metagame. Getting a pain token is easy when this much lance and a ton of transport vehicles around. We'll see though.

Overall, very happy with the models as well as the army list, seems like a good overhaul to an army that desperately needed it.

Shrike325 wrote:Having picked up the 'dex as well, I'm hopeful that this will put a dent in the mech-heavy metagame. .

I doubt it, DE aren't bringing any more anti-transport capability that other armies don't do at least as well. That's not to say they have any problems in that area, but they look to have many of the same vulnerabilities they did previously, meaning mech IG are still probably going to eat them alive.

Vaktathi wrote:

Shrike325 wrote:Having picked up the 'dex as well, I'm hopeful that this will put a dent in the mech-heavy metagame. .

I doubt it, DE aren't bringing any more anti-transport capability that other armies don't do at least as well. That's not to say they have any problems in that area, but they look to have many of the same vulnerabilities they did previously, meaning mech IG are still probably going to eat them alive.

It's not that they have any more anti-vehicle than anyone else, it's the fact that they get pain tokens for every vehicle they pop. Killing a "unit" to get a paint token becomes really easy when you can pop a transport for one.

Yeah pretty much, "thanks for the FNP I'll assault them guys now".

Lol, mech guard with bubblewrap are just free tokens.

Mech wall means *nothing* when you just hop over the top of it. They nay sayers dont seem to realise how much a boost 24"+2D6" or a straight 36" is.

I'm fairly sure you only get pain tokens from non-vehicle units...

Yes you do, but the point being is particularly every unit most DE lists that could wind up being run have either something that will pop a transport or something that will give FNP for free.

JessW - most "mech guard" are more "90% mech with some bodies to hold you from getting to the tanks for a turn" - the so called "bubble wrap"

THey just die as reavers boost over the top, giving them FNP and forcing guard to turn around unless they want heat lances to the rear.

Having tried to do a couple of lists, I am finding myself slipping back towards the lists I used to field in 3rd Edition. I suppose this is because I can't yet see how the revised rules will work in changing the dynamic of the army. This is both good and bad; I would have hated to see the DE become another no-brainer army like the Guard can be (plonk rows of tanks down and roll dice). On the other hand, I don't yet know if they are more flexible than they were; it was the one-dimensional nature of the army that eventually made me lose interest in them. My current lists are focusing on a mixture of Warriors in Raiders and Trueborn in Venoms, supported by Ravagers.

Having opened the Reavers and bought and examained the Wyches:

- the Reavers are very nice, but the heads are almost as nasty as they were on the previous version. I'll be replacing them with Wych heads.

- the Wyches are as beautifully sculpted as the Warriors, but include even more fine detail and fragile components, and are even more fiddly to build. I think these models may test the patience of some players. I plan to use most of the bits for conversions - the heads will be used for my Reaver riders and to distinguish my Trueborn, and many of the weapons will find their way onto Trueborn as well.

I'm not tempted by the Hellions, but I'll definitely get a Ravager.

freecloud wrote:would have been cool to see some conversions for models not yet available

They have pretty much never done that. They usually take photos of the old models for the Codex.

It's far better to just have no pictures of conversions, just artwork. It lets people be far more creative.

Have had a lot of fun last weekend assembling my preorder warriors and converting my Archon from leftover bits. He now has one of the helmeted heads from the raider sprue, The phantasm launcher backpack and whip/blast pistol from the warriors set as his gear. Looks great!