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RoninXiC wrote:
Those Whiches are like disgustingly thin :(

Larger breasts would be fine, but no fat chicks allowed

 Scott_K wrote:

RoninXiC wrote:
Those Whiches are like disgustingly thin :(

Larger breasts would be fine, but no fat chicks allowed

Truth. I may build myself an army of trashy whore elves

I would like to see a 360 of Shadowblade. From that angle the cape looks all wrong.

And I still think the cauldron/shrine looks like they are deplaning in Cuba.

The Cauldron of Blood looks very much like I remember it looking in Warhammer Online.

So far that's probably the only "must buy" from me.

Witches look better with the clearer pics, the rules will make or break them for me. I have 18 of the old ones, so odds are low that they will be amazing enough for me to want more. Especially if the Cauldron needs to be pushed. That takes up so much space in a unit, I don't think I'd need too many more.

yes!!!
Shadowblade in plastic, very nice...

Cauldron looks way better than before...
the Khaine statue is great, and the spare Gorgon is amazing...

these three will definitely end up in the paint queue...

can't wait for Friday, when i get my WD mag...

thanks for the pics guys...

cheers
jah

 Alpharius wrote:
Yup, still look awful.

I actually think its a pretty good sculpt...all the way up to the end of the neck.

The heads really ruin it, the two in the background with their mouth open look much better, but the ones in the front look like they're pulling a cheesy grin, and have flat, herbivorous teeth to boot. I think what I took to be peg like teeth in the lower res shots are in fact detailing of the lips, which means there is hope that a different paint job that didn't emphasise them so much could really help it.

But I don't play DE or have a use for a hydra, so...meh.

That staircase is a potential deathtrap.

(insert Elf n safety joke)

My real question is why there are claws or a blade or crystal or something sticking out of its chest...

Also, some of those witch elves may find their way into Deathcult Assassins for my Sisters. Just sayin.

Going to need two of the Shrine/Cauldron kit, they are amazing. Hoping the Gorgon can be taken on foot as a Hero choice.

Witch Elves are even better than they looked, yup four boxes will be joining me home a week Saturday.

 juanjopotro wrote:
WD pics scanned in HQ here:

http://forofreakfactory.mforos.com/1035375/11319846-calendario-salidas-elfos-oscuros-precios-y-fotos/#103536759

Yay, better pictures!

I don't collect Dark Elves, have no interest in collecting Dark Elves, and find the previous incarnations of Dark Elves to have been kinda silly. That's just putting my cards on the table.

WITCH ELVES: Good models. I was in the process of converting a set of beastmen "light centaurs" based on female bodies a few years ago when I wasn't thoroughly disgusted by GW business practices. Had these models existed back then, they would have been excellent conversion tools. For being what they are, they're alright, but anything that gets more slender female limbs into plastic is a good thing.

WAR HYDRA: Like I said before, the mouth line is the only thing undermining this kit. Paint it up so that scales can't be confused with teeth and you'll have no problems. And compared to the ultra-derpy previous hydra, this is a solid win.

KHARYBDISS: Ummm.... what the frak? I'd call this a swing and a miss. It is at least successful in that it looks distinct from the hydra, but it just doesn't make any physiological sense. I get the distinct impression that some corporate suit said, "Make the hydra a dual kit!" and the sculptor literally had no ideas so they just started mashing together random tentacles and body parts.

SISTERS OF SLAUGHTER: I don't see how these are anything functionally other than witch elves with different weapons. Like I said earlier, I expect these parts to be conversion fodder for Dark Eldar Wyches.

WARRIORS (I'm sorry, I mean "DREAD SPEARS"): Not vastly changed from the previous models, but still better in every way. If one can get past the head-up-someone's-ass decision to change their name to something that is utterly meaningless and shallow. Which I can, but I still wanted to point it out.

CAULDRON OF BLOOD: As an Eldar fan, I've always had an interest in this model because it is a depiction of Khaine outside of the 40K story. The previous incarnation of this model was something I always wanted as an ELDAR player to use as terrain in 40K, but I could never conceive of a place for in Warhammer Fantasy. So, the Dark Elves not only haul a giant-ass cauldron into battle, but also an even bigger-ass statue? It didn't make much sense, visually speaking. Now the model makes visual sense. Also, finally the dark elf depiction of Khaine fits with the dark elf aesthetic. It's not "40K but spikier!", it's it's own thing. Which I dig.

BLOODWRACK SHRINE: I'm of mixed feelings about this kit, mainly because way back when I was building a beastman army I built my army inspired by Greek legend. Not only that, but I wanted my army to be one where the leadership positions were dominated by females. So a medusa would have been right up my army's alley. And I did have ideas of medusa-inspired protective imagery, but nothing ever got off the drawing board. What I'm saying is that this model makes me feel like someone beat me to what I thought was a good idea, and executed it better than I planned to myself. So that feels bad in the sense that I got one upped, and good in the sense that it's a solid, quality model. Also, giant mystical-looking mirror next to a medusa? NICE.

SHADOWBLADE: Very good. The flavor text stinks of "we can't trust you to figure out our model on your own so we're going to verbally describe its good points instead of what we should be doing, which is describing it's place in our game world." But the model is a very high quality model.

My overall assessment: We still haven't seen the warriors with crossbows, I mean DREAD BOLTS or whatever the frak stupid name GW will give them, or any other plastic kits, but so far almost everything we've seen is a winner. GW is doing far better than what they did for the High Elves. For the HE, they just invented a bunch of bullsh*t units to give people stuff to buy without fixing the models that are broken. With the Dark Elves, they gave new toys while also updating old mis-steps, and so far apart from the Kharybdiss there are no apparent mis-steps. If the models shown so far were all the Dark Elves got this iteration, it would be good enough. If the rumors that more is waiting in the wings turn out to be true, then DE players are in a very good position. I rarely say this to GW, but "Job's a good'un!"

Dreadspears, Darkshards, Bleakswords.

 JOHIRA wrote:

KHARYBDISS: Ummm.... what the frak? I'd call this a swing and a miss. It is at least successful in that it looks distinct from the hydra, but it just doesn't make any physiological sense. I get the distinct impression that some corporate suit said, "Make the hydra a dual kit!" and the sculptor literally had no ideas so they just started mashing together random tentacles and body parts.

I was quite serious when I made the Deep rising joke, it obviously inspired by the monster near the end of the film, which suits a Hydra dual kit perfectly.

Don't see many poses with the witch elves though. 2 sets of 5 models, only 5 poses. The only difference i see in the 2 sets are the arms. Hair, leg and torso's appear in the same combinations.

Makes me wonder how interchangable the parts will be.

Love that Gorgon. Love Shadowblade. I like the dual kit monster. Not big on the dual kit cauldron thing outside of the Gorgon. Quite like the Witch Elves.

I could make a whole army like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271282342339?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Oooh, titalizing!

Anyone gonna try painting the mirror on the Bloodwrack shrine so that it actually shows the reflection of the gorgon? Should be an interesting challenge.

 bu11etmagn3tt wrote:
I could make a whole army like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271282342339?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Oooh, titalizing!

Yes... please do

Cauldron: Yes
Medusa thing: Yes
Witches: Yes, if the price is under $3/model for core, $4/model for elite
Sisters: Swing and a miss
Hydra: lol no
Kareem Abdul JaMonster: Meh
Shadowblade: possibly the worst angle they could have pictured him in, nice cloak bro.

Things that damn well better have new pics in the army book:
Chariots, BG/Execs, Dark Riders. If those items are not pictured in the army book then I've lost all faith in GW to have any dignity left, as you will note the crap finecast are still up for sale. If they are pulled from sale, then good.

Overall: I'll buy the witches and cauldron, and only the basketball icon if he's got good rules. The WARRIORS(because I've got too much integrity to type out those God awful names) are better than the current ones, but not good enough for me to replace my current 40 RXB's and 25 Spears.

Yeah... old hydra looks better I think, also im not really a fan of the new warriors, they look too much "high elves with dark colours" rather than the distinctly different look the older models had.

Also, dunno if anyone else is thinking it, but check ebay for the spare parts from people who build the medusa throne or w/e. That statue of khaine might make a brilliant base for a plastic avatar...

I'm actually pleased with (I think) the Sisters of Slaughter. I like the fact that they gave the models grotesques ala the Dunmer guards from Morrowwind.

Updated the first post with the pics.

First comments:

1.) Warriors are a slight improvement, hoped for more. Stupid helmet design, maybe someone will produce alternatives?
Will use my Gamezone restic spearmen and maybe get some of these for crossbow unit.

2.) Witch Elves are fine, but alas only 5 non-modular bodies. Will continue using old ones and maybe add Slaughter babes with Witch Elf heads.

3.) Shadowblade: Dynamic, but I don't like the design. Have nice enough alternatives.

4.) Hydra: Not a fan, ugly uninspired heads, uncalled for breast claws. Charibdyss not better. Good thing that there are alternatives. Handlers are okay but not better than the old ones.

5.) Cauldron: Not a fan of the bandwaggon design, looks too much like carneval in Rio. Maybe some conversion getting rid of the stairs can rescue the model. Or a Stegadon conversion. The witch elves are nice, the Khaine statue has potential. Don't like the Medusa and don't see a connection yet to Dark Elves.

It's just struck me that the Witch Elves lined up like that remind me of a stop motion sequence of someone trying to fend off a wasp!

Also, the Charibydss heads are reminding me very strongly of something I can't quite put my finger on, is it the resurrection of something old, or is it a rip off of something?

Try and stop me kit-bashing a Witch Elves kit with a 40k Wyches kit for some awesome Bloodbrides.

Try. And. Stop. Me.

Not keen on the upstart SoS.

The new hydra really reminds me of the plant monster from Little Shop of Horrors. The old model was better.

I really like the Kharibdyss, however. That is a nice piece of Elder Gods type stuff. Really reinforces just how naff the new CSM monstrous creatures are.

I do like the Warriors, though. Will definitely be starting an army when/if a 'strike force' type bundle arrives. And using various bits for my Dark Eldar, of course.

Thanks for the images, folks.

Hmm... not really the drastic redesign I was hoping for. Dark Elf Warriors seemed to have gone back to the 1990s. I was hoping for something that oozed cruelty and hatred, but these just look like your basic fantasy archetype.

Both Witch Elf types are suitably dynamic and are big step up from the previous metals.

Not sure about the big beasties; Hydra looks a bit tame compared to the current version and I can't wrap my head around the sea beastie yet.

Cauldron of Blood and Medusa Wagon thing are pretty good. I especially like the Medusa... very nice sculpt.

Overall - Not the worse release ever, but nowhere near as good as the Lizardmen a couple of months ago.

EDIT - Oh and Shadowblade wishes he was Deathmaster Snikch. He is not.

In those Italian pictures they show the Medusa on its own separate base. Hopefully this means that it can be taken on its own.

All looks good to me, but I'll probably only get the Cauldron and the new book as I've got a big enough dark elf army as is.

We all have to remember that this is only the first half of the release. We still have the BG, Executioners, dark riders, warlocks, and characters to be released next month.

I'm surprised at good it all looks. I expected much worse. The witch elves in particular. Didn't expect such dynamic posing!

 Red Comet wrote:

 gorgon wrote:

 Kanluwen wrote:

 pities2004 wrote:
Would be nice if the guy who leaked the stuff would get a good camera phone, it's 2013

Just lends more credence to the idea that it is GW themselves controlling the leaks now.
Remember that this is exactly how the Space Marine leaks went: fuzzy shots of WD, then a few days later extremely nice close-up shots of the same pages from WD without the fuzziness.

No, I completely disagree. If this was from GW they'd be clearer pics because you always want to show off product in the best possible light. It's all about controlling your message so that your first impression is a positive one. Everyone has seen the negative kneejerk reactions we get here based on blurry pics that later change with clearer pics. There's no way GW would want to feed that phenomenon unless they're completely incompetent.

Now, could a second, clearer set be from GW as damage control. Sure, that I'd be more willing to buy.

I disagree with you because GW has a history of not showing off stuff before it is released. At the moment I see them as being wary of showing stuff off early on. These blurry pics are similar to those ridiculous youtube videos they make which show something, but its usually just shadows or implies what the army is. Its what GW always does, but they create a bit of hype and make people look out/ want to get the White Dwarf so they can see the pretty models for the new army.

I don't understand why GW doesn't just spends months advertising what's coming down the line like every other company.

Well, if they're doing it on purpose, it's pretty much incompetence on their part. Obscured views, partial images, etc. is one thing...horrible cell phone pics that are GUARANTEED to make a product sold on visual appeal look worse than they are in reality is another. It defeats the ENTIRE POINT of what you're trying to accomplish with advertising. No in-house marketer or outside agency with even the barest amount of competence would ever do something do dumb, and should probably be slapped in the face for even suggesting it. Again, clearer damage control pics are another story.

They used to show off greens and 3-ups months in advance. You could even read through WIP codicies and army books at Games Days, etc. Which was cool, but not smart in my professional opinion. You always want to stay in control of your message, and the blurry cell phone pics that resulted from that policy (see the connection here?) sometimes led to opinions being formed about products in advance and those products being bashed on message boards, etc.

Personally, I think advertising 3-4 weeks out would allow a little more hype and enthusiasm to build. But then I don't know what their research/analysis has told them. Maybe they've discovered that impulse buys are a major chunk of their sales, and therefore it may be counterproductive to advertise well in advance. As customers, we don't really know the lay of the land.


Back on topic, everything in the new pics looks great to me.

I don't know. I was really hoping for more from the warriors. Super static, and they still look like high elves, just darker. I wish someone would have brought back this style