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Dark Elf Space Trooper.

Another of my all time favorite models.



Technically a Warhammer model, but created just before the release of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, this is one of the first “40k” minis to be released. Simply named the “Dark Elf Space Trooper”.



Something very fascinating about this mini is how it’s very close to the design of many of the “Proto-Space marine” sculpts and similar to the LE10 Power armored marine and LE2 Imperial Space marine.



However it does look remarkably “Eldar” in every way as well. (I don’t think this was a Jes Godwin sculpt, but a Bob Naismith one - which would
Make sense considering his extensive Dark Elves).



Small Hobby note: The Eldar were my first ever 40k Army (and my first foray into the hobby), with the dark Eldar shortly after so the fact that the first true Eldar mini is a Dark Elf makes me very happy.



This is in and of itself very interesting though when you consider the lore and development behind the Eldar at the time I think. That is to say that even in the very beginning the Eldar were definitely going to be a race of marauding pirate warbands made up of the remnants of a noble race.



What makes this even more intriguing is the design behind this theory. That the Eldar - being a fallen race of sadists and psychotic renegades of the craftworlds - would need to resort to a unique blend of their own superior technology and psychic prowess as well as looted technology from the younger races of the galaxy.



The name of this mini also harkens more to the original sinister nature of the Eldar race in the Rogue Trader Rulebook. The Eldar were definitely more violent and bloodthirsty.



Some very eagle-eyed Dune fans may have noticed the small badge on his right arm.



I’m a big fan of Dune and really love looking at the art behind a lot of the setting. the artist, Chris Foss made the painting above of a “Space Priate” ship with a dot and cross symbol on it. This ship also has the very classic Eldar-like dazzle pattern all over it that I love and couldn’t resist giving this model the Eldritch Raider treatment to match the rest of my army.

Thank you for checking this out, it was a pleasure to paint!

Nice, and a good bit of history, at least for me

Thank you! I always love sharing a bit of info on these classic sculpts.