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I was thinking on this earlier. GW would have to make a major revamp of the Eldar Line to do plastic aspect warriors.

While they could easily fold Dire Avengers, Scorpions, Fire Dragons and Swooping Hawks into one kit, Warp Spiders and Howling Banshees would either need their own, or in the case of Warp Spiders a major reworking. In fact, they could maybe redesign them and have the kit make either warp spiders or shadow spectres. Who knows.

The Guardian kit would be able to let you make guardians, storm guardians, black guardians, and corsairs( maybe putting parts for these in both the guardian and Aspect Warrior kit).

Autarches would not get their own box, as you could cobble one together with bitz from all boxes, but Farseers and Warlocks could have their own box, letting you make Farseers, Warlocks, Spiritseers and Bonesingers.

If only........

If only.
They really do need to do it i think.
do the boxes as 11 models for Autarch bits, and make them a bit more interesting as mini leaders.
Heroes rather than general leadership roll.

Apple fox wrote:
If only.
They really do need to do it i think.
do the boxes as 11 models for Autarch bits, and make them a bit more interesting as mini leaders.
Heroes rather than general leadership roll.

I'd rather Autarchs don't become mini leaders. That is what Exarchs should be. Autarchs should be competition with Farseers for army leaders. When they were first invented, in Epic Armageddon, they were army leaders.

I would like plastic aspect warriors, that are cross compatible in parts. So you can use Exarch parts from different boxes to create an Autarch.

Eh, I'm sticking with the 2E metals that I already have too many of.

 JohnHwangDD wrote:
Eh, I'm sticking with the 2E metals that I already have too many of.

Alas...one day I said...I'll cut down to my guard and marine armies and never play eldar again....and sold them all.

30 old rangers in metal and 30 of the new.....le sigh.

Fire dragons, warp spiders...all gone.

and I refuse to buy resin.

GW doesn't seem to do that many boxes with different unit options anymore. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Box for every single aspect, of course with some new weapon option each so veteran players want to get them, too and correct me if I'm wrong but the Dire Avengers are pretty recent and in plastic, no?

I don't expect plastic aspect warriors at all or at least classic ones. Rather new units. GW is generally reimagining units so that old models can't be used instead. Especially if they can't sensibly up the size of the model so much that old ones would look totally out of place along new ones.

Plastic Aspects would make sense.
In the meanwhile GW is able to make fantastic plastic models.
Why should Eldar not benefit from it?

As much as I'd love it, I won't be holding my breath.
I suspect that the ynarri are the future of the eldar, I fear the craftworlds will go the way of the mini marines at some point.

kingheff wrote:
I suspect that the ynarri are the future of the eldar, I fear the craftworlds will go the way of the mini marines at some point.

Agreed. Look at what GW did with the WFB armies, and they'll do the same for 40k.

 wuestenfux wrote:
Plastic Aspects would make sense.
In the meanwhile GW is able to make fantastic plastic models.
Why should Eldar not benefit from it?

No doubt they will eventually make plastic models. However they will likely do what they have done so many times, like with orks recently, and rather than make new versions of models already existing completely new. New buggies were not updated models but complete replacement.

If you can use old models instead you have people who don't buy new models and keep with old. New unit never seen before=every player from that faction is potential customer.


£££££££

Tygre wrote:

Apple fox wrote:
If only.
They really do need to do it i think.
do the boxes as 11 models for Autarch bits, and make them a bit more interesting as mini leaders.
Heroes rather than general leadership roll.

I'd rather Autarchs don't become mini leaders. That is what Exarchs should be. Autarchs should be competition with Farseers for army leaders. When they were first invented, in Epic Armageddon, they were army leaders.

I would like plastic aspect warriors, that are cross compatible in parts. So you can use Exarch parts from different boxes to create an Autarch.

they can still be that, but i find i just ignore them. Mini leaders just means as a battlefield role, they sure up the aspects. Offer them a boost where needed and not too expensive since not the Phoenix lords.
Even now in the lore they kinda end up as redundant.
Let players draw items and weapons from the aspects in a sort of build you own, Give them good stats and a aura for points that works on aspects they draw from. Then players can run the autarch to the aspects they actually play, and have the bits for those as well.

Agreed with a few others in this thread - be careful what you wish for.

I'm an old-school Eldar fan, in particular, Biel-Tan. I love Aspect Warriors, and I've got about 100 old metal Aspects. I would love to see updated plastic sculpts for them, but with a GW-Decisionmaker hat on, how many new plastic Aspect Warriors can I expect to sell to a guy who already has 2+ squads of each type? We've often seen recently that they prefer launching entirely new stuff (because you've got the entire playerbase as potential customers) rather than replacements for existing stuff (the biggest fans already have it and probably won't want much of the replacement). So, I could easily see GW plotting brand new units for Eldar rather than revamping the Aspect Warriors. I hope they don't go that way. I don't mind new stuff, but I don't want to see the classics of the Eldar get left by the wayside. They're what got me into the Eldar in the first place and they're what I'll always love. Related to that, the Ynnari are a bit of a looming threat. They're the constant reminder that GW have already wedged open a door to let them re-imagine the whole Eldar line into Ynnari rather than Asuryani - the effective Primaris-ising of the Eldar. It ties into their preference for doing entirely new stuff.

I also wonder whether it was a sign that Biel-Tan was the craftworld that they fractured in Gathering Storm - they've wedged open another door there to change the most Aspect-heavy craftworld into something else entirely or just to destroy it if they felt that way. No more Aspect Warriors? No more Aspect-preferring sub-factions. As a Biel-Tan collector, I'll be fuming if they do. I mean, it's nice to get a bit of spotlight in the fluff, but when that spotlight consists of half of your chosen faction's population either getting killed or running off to join a different group, the infinity circuit being ruined, and their millenia-old carftworld taking such a battering that it's taking all the efforts of the bonesingers just to hold it together... well. Not what I would have had in mind. It's a piece of fluff that I'm effectively ignoring while building my own army.

My main input to the big community survey the last couple of years has been asking for new plastic versions of old resin stuff - Eldar in particular. I've tried to be very clear that what I'd like to see are models that stay true to the lore, style and history of the faction, preferably updates to the pre-existing units that fit seamlessly into the existing line. I've felt I needed to be that precise because I didn't want GW to get the wrong idea that I was just asking for new Eldar of any kind. I'm holding out some hope that they've realised recently that there's a fair market for updates of old-school models - the upcoming Sisters of Battle and the recent new CSM marines, terminators, havocs etc. are good examples. I'm definitely going to get some sisters once they're out, mainly because I love the faction and models of course, but also with a thought to help reinforce the message that there's a big market for updates of the classics.

So, all of that aside, what would I like to see for the Craftworlds?

- New plastic kits for all of the Aspect Warriors. Whether they do these as single kits or dual kits I don't really mind so long as the dual-kit option leaves both builds looking suitably different to one another. If they wanted I wouldn't object to the inclusion of alternative weapon loadouts, if that would satisfy GW's desire to include something in the kit to tempt players who already have 30 of the unit in metal. A nice dense sprue with plenty of bits to give Eldar some of the kit-bashing potential that we've been lacking. I think one of the easiest updates they could do is just create a new Shining Spear upgrade sprue that that could package with some windrider sprues rather than the hybrid resin guys on outdated jetbikes that we're stuck with at the minute.

- Plastic kit for rangers. Pretty self-explanatory.

- New Avatar of Khaine. Make this guy bigger, more intimidating and give him rules to match (think of the size jump that the greater daemons have got from their old metals to the current plastic incarnations). I love my Forgeworld Avatar, but I'd buy an updated plastic Avatar too, no question.

- Multi-part seer kit. Rather than individual character blisters I'd love to see a kit that let you build, say, 3 warlocks/spiritseers. A set of generic robed bodies, and a selection of heads, witchblades, singing spears, witchstaffs, shuriken pistols, casting hands, pointing hands... etc. Maybe even options for a bonesinger. I don't think farseers would fit here, since their robes and cloaks are that much more ornate than warlocks/spiritseers, but it could be made to work.

- Return of more options for Autarchs. Whether that's a multi-part kit like the old space marine commander, or as mentioned above, plenty of bits on the aspect warrior sprues that are cross-compatible.

- Updated Phoenix Lords. The sculpts are venerable, but need bringing up to date. Lesser priority than sorting out some of our core models, since I'm not especially into special characters in general, but they can't stick around forever.

- Update to guardians. Lesser priority than updating the resin stuff. Despite being a 20 year old kit, I still like how guardians look. What I'd be after in a new kit is just more options. Inclusion of storm guardian options on the sprues and more bits. At the moment you can pretty much only build them all in a similar "holding the shuriken catapult ready" pose, it would be nice for more alternatives. That's also very true of the weapon crew, you get 2 guys, 4 arms. No choice there at all.

When Eldar get plastic kits next, I fully expect them to be brand new units. Instead of the current Aspects, there'll be some new sub faction or new temples or whatever. Essentially the Primaris treatment.

 JohnHwangDD wrote:

kingheff wrote:
I suspect that the ynarri are the future of the eldar, I fear the craftworlds will go the way of the mini marines at some point.

Agreed. Look at what GW did with the WFB armies, and they'll do the same for 40k.

That's a depressing thought.

 vipoid wrote:

 JohnHwangDD wrote:

kingheff wrote:
I suspect that the ynarri are the future of the eldar, I fear the craftworlds will go the way of the mini marines at some point.

Agreed. Look at what GW did with the WFB armies, and they'll do the same for 40k.

That's a depressing thought.

Makes business sense though. Bigger potential market for new units than for new sculpts for old units.

 Stux wrote:

 vipoid wrote:

 JohnHwangDD wrote:

kingheff wrote:
I suspect that the ynarri are the future of the eldar, I fear the craftworlds will go the way of the mini marines at some point.

Agreed. Look at what GW did with the WFB armies, and they'll do the same for 40k.

That's a depressing thought.

Makes business sense though. Bigger potential market for new units than for new sculpts for old units.

If you only consider the models, sure.

However, from a rules perspective, AoS is an absolute mess - with many factions being split into pathetically minuscule mini-factions with just 2-3 units to their name.

There's also the matter of fluff - and AoS has obliterated huge amounts of old faction lore. For example, I used to love the fluff of the old Dark Elves. I'd always hoped to start collecting them when I could afford it. But then AoS happened. Not only did it kill of Warhammer Fantasy in my area, it also destroyed all the fluff and flavour that had made me want to collect Dark Elves, not to mention their cohesion as a faction, rather than a mess of barely-developed subfactions.

It is super bizarre that Eldar are so far behind when it comes to updating to plastic. A good 70% of their range still needs to be updated.
No other army in the game is that far behind.

 Stux wrote:

 vipoid wrote:

 JohnHwangDD wrote:

kingheff wrote:
I suspect that the ynarri are the future of the eldar, I fear the craftworlds will go the way of the mini marines at some point.

Agreed. Look at what GW did with the WFB armies, and they'll do the same for 40k.

That's a depressing thought.

Makes business sense though. Bigger potential market for new units than for new sculpts for old units.

Bigger potential market sure, but actual market size is still variable based on how many people actually want the new thing. I'm a good example here, in that if new Ynnari style units come out that match the aesthetic of the triumvirate, I'm not interested. New plastic kits for traditional Craftworlds units? Count me in, despite having far too many of the old ones already.

How many players are itching to buy new kits, but are being held back by finecast? At the start of 6th, I rebooted my eldar army. It was a stalled project from way back, but I had a new shot of hobby funds, and wanted to give it another shot. As part of that I picked up a box of rangers and fire dragons, in resin. My previous experiences with finecast (a TFC and Sgt. Talion) while not great, were not horrible. But the eldar broke me and made me swear off the material. So while i still have a few legacy aspect warrior units in metal (hawks and spiders) I would buy at least one box of each old aspect in plastic.

But I would be very wary of buying new aspects. Unless they were done correctly. The whole point of The Path of the craftworlds is that they follow a single aspect of something, and perfect that element. So while I’m willing to accept new marines that do basically the same thing as existing units, for eldar that is a major dealbreaker. You don’t have multiple aspect warriors that do mostly the same thing. You want a fast moving, agile stabby unit, you are talking about howling banshees. You want a solid firebase, you go dark reapers. If they want to make a new aspect to fill a new niche, that’s fine. But to make a new unit to fill an old niche is spitting in the face of decades of established lore.

I think the sculpts are old enough that GW can re-do them and still sell a lot to established players. There are people like me who refuse to by finecast who will buy them. Even people with old metals/resin ones will probably be tempted to grab a squad or two in plastic, even if they don’t offer new options. I’ve been very impressed with the work GW has been putting out these days. If they turned that talent onto the Eldar, I’d expect jaw dropping results.

--
I like the idea of the seer council box. We often want to field multiple warlocks, and being restricted to monopose clampacks would not be fun. Something like the exalted sorcerers box.

I think if we get a range of plastic aspect boxes, autarchs would sort themselves out. Just grab bits from assorted exarches and slap him on an imposing base. Job’s a good one.

Single box or duel kits, aspects need to be done. Banshee/hawks, dragons/scorpions, reapers/spiders would be my pairings for mixed boxes, but I could see other options. Spears are an easy add-on sprue to the bikes.

Adding storm bits into the defender box would be easy with a re-cut. DA could be done with helms and tabards, or just kept separate.

A lot of the old vehicles could use an update, but frankly have aged incredibly well. So much more needs to be done first.

What I truly want is plastic Warp Spiders with close combat swords as a variant on the classic Spinneret Rifles. Having 6 arms all wielding swords would be amazing.

Seriously though, the lack of plastic aspect warriors is basically the one thing keeping me from getting an eldar army.

As CSM have just had their big redo I would like to hope Eldar aren't too far behind.
There is already one plastic Ranger, so at the very least we know there are digital designs for Ranger bits.

Hope springs eternal.

 dan2026 wrote:
As CSM have just had their big redo I would like to hope Eldar aren't too far behind.
There is already one plastic Ranger, so at the very least we know there are digital designs for Ranger bits.

Hope springs eternal.

General Hobbs wrote:


While they could easily fold Dire Avengers, Scorpions, Fire Dragons and Swooping Hawks into one kit, Warp Spiders and Howling Banshees would either need their own, or in the case of Warp Spiders a major reworking. In fact, they could maybe redesign them and have the kit make either warp spiders or shadow spectres. Who knows.

The Guardian kit would be able to let you make guardians, storm guardians, black guardians, and corsairs( maybe putting parts for these in both the guardian and Aspect Warrior kit).

Autarches would not get their own box, as you could cobble one together with bitz from all boxes, but Farseers and Warlocks could have their own box, letting you make Farseers, Warlocks, Spiritseers and Bonesingers.

If only........

Indeed 'if only'.

Practically speaking, GW seems addicted to its grossly overpriced character model blisters. So we might get a plastic warlock blister with a few options, but it will probably only make Warlocks and Farseers. Look at AdMech and its 2 non-unique HQ character models (and until 8th, it was only one). Nobody's begging for Warlock Conclaves anyways.

I definitely think plastic Rangers will eventually be a thing. That would sell quite well and I'm amazed they haven't done it yet. Troops in plastic are a no brainer.

But rolling most of the aspects into one box...no, that's not happening. Not only are many of the units too different from each other, but it would be hugely wasteful on the customer side of things. I don't want to spend even more money for a sprue that has options for 4+ different aspect warriors. You'd also end up with very static miniatures in the generic 'battle stance' pose because it would need to fit so many options. I'd rather get Swooping Hawks bounding off rubble, sneaking Striking Scorpions and charging Howling Banshees.

Well, a few years back, GW did redo the plastics for Tau - both fire warriors and battlesuits, without too much change - in fact, actually adding new options.

I think it would be easy enough for them to redo the aspects in plastic - if they were interested in doing so. I just don't know why they aren't.

I can only assume Eldar don't sell very well as to why 75%+ of their army still hasn't been updated to plastic.

It is really odd. But like others have said, if it is true that they don't sell, then its because 75% of their army is old, webstore exclusive and in finecast.

Catch 22.

 dan2026 wrote:
I can only assume Eldar don't sell very well as to why 75%+ of their army still hasn't been updated to plastic.

It is really odd. But like others have said, if it is true that they don't sell, then its because 75% of their army is old, webstore exclusive and in finecast.

Catch 22.

Eldar are a popular army that performs well, and has done so in every edition. I think the problem was that they did the Dire Avengers and that didn't sell well - but Dire Avengers were one of the least popular Aspect choices as they're basically just Guardians plus.

If they make Plastic Aspect Warriors I would expect one kit at a time and they'd add extra weapon option like they did with the Wraithguards. That way they can sell new kits to older veterans as well.

The other method, which I also find quite likely at this point, is that they'll make mono-pose kits of each Aspect. This would of course most likely remove certain Exarch options .

Just here to put a wish like they do in romantic anime on a wishing tree.

In reality I think we'll just have to stick to alternatives.

 Shadenuat wrote:
Just here to put a wish like they do in romantic anime on a wishing tree.

In reality I think we'll just have to stick to alternatives.

Which could also make GW less likely to do anything new. There are a lot of beautiful alternatives out now and GW might consider that a sign to stop supporting the old lines. So in many ways I find it more likely we'll see "Primaris"(Ynnari) Aeldari than a rejuvenation of the existing lines.