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The Eldar, unlike most other 40k races, were crafted directly by the Old Ones, rather than evolving the old-fashioned way. Presumably, most of their technology was created by the Old Ones as well, prior to that race being created.

Are there any fluff examples of Eldar creating a new device or exploring a new technological ability not previously developed?

 EmpNortonII wrote:
Presumably, most of their technology was created by the Old Ones as well, prior to that race being created.

We don't actually know that. The fluff is very wish-washy about how similar the modern-day Eldar are to the ones who were fighting the War in Heaven 60 million years ago. It could be that they and their tech are significantly different than when they were initially created.

Pretty sure that Saim Hann invented the Vyper as an improvement to a bike.

Well, Vaul made Anaris, which was carried by Falcon to Eldanesh. Vaul was an Eldar God, which isn't the same thing as an Old One, probably.

Then there's the Blackstone Fortresses, of which Anaris might be the best of.

pm713 wrote:
Pretty sure that Saim Hann invented the Vyper as an improvement to a bike.

Invented or preferred?

 EmpNortonII wrote:

pm713 wrote:
Pretty sure that Saim Hann invented the Vyper as an improvement to a bike.

Invented or preferred?

The codex says it was pioneered by the artisans of Saim Hann so I'm going with invented here.

The war engine of vaul,one which destroys all life even ork spores used by the warlike craft world?

Void spinner I think

I always thought it was more of the Old Ones engineering the development of the race, much like the Old One or Eldar engineering/manipulating humanity?

It always sounded like the Eldar developed the way they did due to Old One shenanigans. They designed/created almost everything they use (in contrast, the Webway itself is noted as having been made by the Old Ones). However, with no challenge in the galaxy after the Necrons [were defeated|went to sleep for the lulz], there wasn't much point to development. When you can do whatever you want just by thinking it, advancing tech isn't as high a priorit.

Since the fall, their tech has advanced. Dark Eldar have all manner of unspeakable inventions. Craft world Eldar developed Craft world's shortly before the Fall, and while Spirit Stones are considered a gift from Isha, all the technology around using it was developed after the fall (Exarch armor, Phoenix Lords, Infinity Circuits, Wraith Constructs, etc). Spirit Stones didn't exist before the fall, as they are only found in the Eye itself.

So they clearly develop tech, and I see no reason to believe they only started circa 30k.

Well the REALLY old Eldar legends (such as the Doom of Eldanesh and the original Mon-Keigh story) seem to take place in a world where they only lived on one planet, no mention of space travel, and fighting was always done with swords and spears. The Eldar probably developed their own tech, with a bit of help from the Old Ones (as their "gods" intervening) rather than having it all handed to them.

It actually seems like the Eldar have mostly LOST technology since the Fall (kinda like mankind after the DAoT). In the third edition Eldar codex, an Eldar references them destroying (and possibly creating) whole stars. Assuming he's not just being poetic, of course. He also mentions this in the past tense, implying that they can't do it anymore.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, the pre-fall Eldar created their own alternate dimension so they didn't have to deal with warp travel. Aside from the Necrons, no other race has done anything comparable. So there's that.

 fallinq wrote:
Well the REALLY old Eldar legends (such as the Doom of Eldanesh and the original Mon-Keigh story) seem to take place in a world where they only lived on one planet, no mention of space travel, and fighting was always done with swords and spears. The Eldar probably developed their own tech, with a bit of help from the Old Ones (as their "gods" intervening) rather than having it all handed to them.

It actually seems like the Eldar have mostly LOST technology since the Fall (kinda like mankind after the DAoT). In the third edition Eldar codex, an Eldar references them destroying (and possibly creating) whole stars. Assuming he's not just being poetic, of course. He also mentions this in the past tense, implying that they can't do it anymore.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, the pre-fall Eldar created their own alternate dimension so they didn't have to deal with warp travel. Aside from the Necrons, no other race has done anything comparable. So there's that.

The Eldar Empire also had a machine they created right before the fall that could create anything you could dream of, it was how they made the dark city. All the advanced technology was probably lost right when Slaanesh was born and the Eldar Empire was obliterated and became the Eye of Terror. So all they have left is either what was in the dark city or on the craftworlds which had already left by that point.

 fallinq wrote:

Also, the pre-fall Eldar created their own alternate dimension so they didn't have to deal with warp travel. Aside from the Necrons, no other race has done anything comparable. So there's that.

If you're referring to the Webway I think it's suggested that it was created by the Old Ones. Even 40K Eldar can create temporary Webway portals though if I recall correctly.

It's probably worth noting that the Eldar can't use their Psychic powers to the same extent as before the Fall. How powerful they were before it is unknown. Technology may not have been as necessary to defend themselves.

Dark Eldar are constantly evolving technology wise. Inventing new viruses, monsters, weapons and general ways to ruin the lesser races day. While yes,a fair amount of there tech is based on pre-fall stuff (A raider is basically a weaponized pleasure barge) they also have created other tech by themselves, such as the Hex Rifle, Dark Light Energy and most notably the Shattershard, which defies everything i understand about science...

Bharring wrote:
Spirit Stones didn't exist before the fall, as they are only found in the Eye itself.

Prior to the fall, there was no specific NEED for spirit stones. Eldar "souls" were reborn into new bodies and carried on their existences. They were developed AFTER the fall as a way to prevent eldar spirits being consumed by the new, hungry and rather vengeful god (not even a "thanks for creating me!", just an "UUUUUUUURP! Got more?" - talk about ungrateful.)

which defies everything i understand about science...

Welcome to Warhammer 40,000.

In fact, this could be used in place of "there is only war".

Warhammer 40,000: Defies Everything You Understand About Science.