The Gathering Storm Part II: Page 85 Designer interview

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**gorgon**

guru wrote:
avatar of Ynnead looks pretty similar to a harlequin solitarie (Slannesh dance - pic form rogue trader era)

It even has a gem in belly

...or maybe not everything is what it seems.

I agree (the Slaaneshi vibe would seem to point right at a Solitaire), and still think we'll see ties between these three characters and the three factions of Eldar (that actually have rules). It's just too symbolic for that not to be the case. As I said earlier, the Avatar's swirly stuff could be a conceptual nod to a holofield.

Y'know, if the Emmissary isn't Malys but instead a Craftworlder, then that would allow the Sword to be a DE -- possibly Arhra -- and lead those Incubi around.

**Robin5t**

Kirasu wrote:
T3 and no invuls still makes them fairly unplayable in todays world of super powerful units.

If the Visarch is packing a shimmershield like he seems to be, that will at least give them an invulnerable.

**Red Corsair**

Imateria wrote:
Red Corsair wrote:
Imateria wrote:
Red Corsair wrote:
stahly wrote:
What is it with all the fixation on Yriel? Ok, I can see the connection between Malys and Yvraine because of the fan. Might just be a coincidence because the sculptor just thought a fan belongs to a proper Victorian-inspired dress, but I can see why you might draw this conclusion. Might even make more sense that Yvraine is Iyanna Arienal, who was the first who believed in the Ynnead idea.

But probably the Visarch is just a new character they created for this storyline, like Greyfax and Cawl? They never appeared before, too. Yriel's fate is sealed with the Spear of Twilight, why should he lose it?

The fan bit makes me laugh, what other feature does that model have that is arguably more unusal? Bare feet. What none haemonulus (they are fething odd and twisted beyond eldar anyway) is the only model to also have bare feet? Lelith Hesperex. The paintjob even has similar eye tatoos/makeup and a similar scowl. Heck in the picture she is surounded by wyches. She even appears to be wearing a wychsuit under that bustle! Then the Visarch leads incubi while drazahr doesn't have a model ( I don't count that ancient turd that doesn't match the range let alone his own artwork). I think it's just as likely that it is Drazahr (Arah) and lelith.

Edit: BTW I am just pointing out some discrepensies in those previous theories, I still bet it's 2 new characters.

Doesn't look like any wych suit I've seen, or any other existing armour in the three Eldar codexes. The tattoos are distinctly different to Leliths, but these days loads of people have tattoos anyway. Wyches can be hired as mercenaries. Incubi are always mercenaries, the only thing the Visarch being with them suggests is that he's got some money.

A wych suit is a skin tight black suit, which she wears. BTW I was demonstrating how it is just as easy to justify it being almost whoever you want.

We've noticed, you seem to enjoy going out of your way to try disprove everyone else's theores.

Almost as much as you enjoy popping out of the weeds for smug one liners.

**dan2026**

Are those the old Incubi?

**Red Corsair**

dan2026 wrote:
Are those the old Incubi?

they look like it to me, I only see two poses.

**Kanluwen**

dan2026 wrote:
Are those the old Incubi?

The formation pictures are crappy enough that it is hard to say one way or the other.

**Prodigalson**

Remember that these are formations and we have no idea what the command benefits may be do all of these armies if there is a 'decurion' style global formation for them.

My bet is that all these characters can go in any eldar army as HQ choices.

**Robin5t**

Prodigalson wrote:
Remember that these are formations and we have no idea what the command benefits may be do all of these armies if there is a 'decurion' style global formation for them.

My bet is that all these characters can go in any eldar army as HQ choices.

That would make a lot of Harlequin players very, very happy.

**Imateria**

dan2026 wrote:
Are those the old Incubi?

Definitely the finecast Incubi.

**dan2026**

Blaaarg.

This would of been a perfect time to put out some new Incubi.

**Galef**

gorgon wrote:

Y'know, if the Emmissary isn't Malys but instead a Craftworlder, then that would allow the Sword to be a DE -- possibly Arhra -- and lead those Incubi around.

Judging by their weapons alone, Emmissary is of DE origins (she has a Husk blade) and Visarch is of CWE origins (his sword is very much CWE design)
Of course, Arhra, like all Phoenix Lords, is of CWE origins too. So there is that.

-

**krazynadechukr**

krazynadechukr wrote:
Am I seeing moving trees in there?

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Red Corsair wrote:
has anyone seen those bizarre tree like things from the second pic?

Automatically Appended Next Post:
BTW in regards to the Blog from the Blood God rumor, I am still banking on Abbs coming back in a new body, it's too convinient to leave the character the entire story revolves around out until the third book, again reminds me of Archaon. I mean why else would Celestine get to stab him through the spine, I bet he has those titanium legs Lt. Dan bragged about to Forrest.

Yup

Lava creatures?

**Ynneadwraith**

stahly wrote:
What is it with all the fixation on Yriel? Ok, I can see the connection between Malys and Yvraine because of the fan. Might just be a coincidence because the sculptor just thought a fan belongs to a proper Victorian-inspired dress, but I can see why you might draw this conclusion. Might even make more sense that Yvraine is Iyanna Arienal, who was the first who believed in the Ynnead idea.

But probably the Visarch is just a new character they created for this storyline, like Greyfax and Cawl? They never appeared before, too. Yriel's fate is sealed with the Spear of Twilight, why should he lose it?

The last thing we heard of Yriel was that he was being led into the webway by Sylandri Veilwalker (who plays a main part in the 1st Fall of Cadia) for some greater purpose.

Saying that, I've definitely seen a so-far very accurate predictions thing that pointed to an Iyanna release. I'd still wager that it's Malys, given her harlequin connections and the fact she hasn't got a model.

The model thing is the only thing that's making me wary of Yriel. Is he Finecast or plastic?

Automatically Appended Next Post:

pretre wrote:
First rule, Soulbound Vanguard:

"While a unit from this formation is joined by ~Name~ or ~Name~, add 1 to the Weapon Skill and Ballistic Skill(?) characteristics of the models in that unit. This benefit(?) does not increase the characteristics of ~Name~ or ~Name~."

Second Rule:

"While a unit from this formation is within (one-digit distance) from another unit from this formation, they have the Furious Charge special rule."

Third rule:

"Units from this formation can make a ~Name of Special rule~ (page reference) if they are within (two-digit distance) of a unit that is destroyed, rather than (one-digit distance)."

Neat! I'll take S5 Incubi and S4 (possibly S5 with the right drugs) Wyches

**Imateria**

Yriel is in finecast.

**BloodGrin**

I have seen a rumor now floating around that these units with these three benefit from units dying, friend and foe.
HUGE salt, because the person that is saying it I have never heard of.

**pretre**

BloodGrin wrote:
I have seen a rumor now floating around that these units with these three benefit from units dying, friend and foe.
HUGE salt, because the person that is saying it I have never heard of.

Link?

**BloodGrin**

pretre wrote:
BloodGrin wrote:
I have seen a rumor now floating around that these units with these three benefit from units dying, friend and foe.
HUGE salt, because the person that is saying it I have never heard of.

Link?

Like I said, never heard of the person and have no reason to take it as fact

**Robin5t**

Another bit of squint-reading of those leaked formations by someone on reddit suggests that the Aeldari Bladehost can include Black Guardians, which are given a page number as reference - looks like we're getting Black Guardian rules again?

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Via BoLS

**Requizen**

Might be my losses skewing my preferences, but I have little to no interest in Eldar stuff at this point.

**Kanluwen**

Robin5t wrote:
Another bit of squint-reading of those leaked formations by someone on reddit suggests that the Aeldari Bladehost can include Black Guardians, which are given a page number as reference - looks like we're getting Black Guardian rules again?

Really good eye on their part. It definitely does say Black Guardians under bullet point #2.

**Robin5t**

I wonder what their advantage would be over normal Guardians, given that the regular type are now WS4 BS4 as well?

Maybe gear? Black Guardian Storm Squads can go full power weapons if they want, for example?

**Ghaz**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Via BoLS

Spoiler:

BoLS probably saw them HERE

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Wouldn't surprise me

**Mr Morden**

Robin5t wrote:
I wonder what their advantage would be over normal Guardians, given that the regular type are now WS4 BS4 as well?

Maybe gear? Black Guardian Storm Squads can go full power weapons if they want, for example?

Probably WS 5 - cos CWE.

They might well have storm shields or it might just be a mini formation?

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

With regard to the word 'Aledari', it does seem to be a word for the unified species, going on what little we've seen.

**Cosmic Schwung**

Imateria wrote:
Red Corsair wrote:
Galef wrote:
Cosmic Schwung wrote:
Visarch really is looking pretty big compared to those incubi.

Yet quite small compared to those Daemonettes right in front of him

Isn't it hilarious how few people understand perspective.

It would be if it wasn't so sad. It's quite obvious that the page in that photo is bent as well.

Guys, perspective doesn't preclude the possibility that an object in the foreground is also physically bigger than the objects behind it. If he isn't bigger than an incubi I will happily join Ynneadwraith at the all you can eat hat buffet.

Galef wrote:
Yes it is. Especially since we know that Visarch is on a base no bigger than 32mm, judging by the comparison between him and the Emissary in the glass case photo.
Emissary is for sure on the 60x35mm oval, meaning Visarch is on a 32, maybe even only a 25mm

-

I'll be amazed if he comes on a 25mm base. What was the last HQ model to come on something smaller than 32mm? Even Greyfax is on 32mm.

**Kanluwen**

Robin5t wrote:
I wonder what their advantage would be over normal Guardians, given that the regular type are now WS4 BS4 as well?

Maybe gear? Black Guardian Storm Squads can go full power weapons if they want, for example?

There was nothing really that set them apart beyond the WS/BS and the Webway Strike, Tactical Withdrawal, Light Infantry, and Guardians of Ulthwe special rules for the Ulthwe Strike Force.

Sidenote:
I really hope they bring back the Ulthwe Strike Force army list as a thing. It would go a long way towards producing an Eldar list that both sides of a match might feel is "balanced". Nothing heavier than Vypers and War Walkers because of the Webway Strike, a limitation on Aspect Warriors beyond Dark Reapers, etc.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Cosmic Schwung wrote:

Galef wrote:
Yes it is. Especially since we know that Visarch is on a base no bigger than 32mm, judging by the comparison between him and the Emissary in the glass case photo.
Emissary is for sure on the 60x35mm oval, meaning Visarch is on a 32, maybe even only a 25mm

-

I'll be amazed if he comes on a 25mm base. What was the last HQ model to come on something smaller than 32mm? Even Greyfax is on 32mm.

Having seen Greyfax in person, she's bigger than you might think. It's a very "closed" pose so she has some breathing room on the sides, but height-wise she is no slouch. Even before the hat gets attached.

**Robin5t**

Kanluwen wrote:
Robin5t wrote:
I wonder what their advantage would be over normal Guardians, given that the regular type are now WS4 BS4 as well?

Maybe gear? Black Guardian Storm Squads can go full power weapons if they want, for example?

There was nothing really that set them apart beyond the WS/BS and the Webway Strike, Tactical Withdrawal, Light Infantry, and Guardians of Ulthwe special rules for the Ulthwe Strike Force.

Sidenote:
I really hope they bring back the Ulthwe Strike Force army list as a thing. It would go a long way towards producing an Eldar list that both sides of a match might feel is "balanced". Nothing heavier than Vypers and War Walkers because of the Webway Strike, a limitation on Aspect Warriors beyond Dark Reapers, etc.

Yeah, that's why I'm wondering how they're going to stop them from being a redundant choice. They'll probably bring back the special rules in some form, I guess.

**nintura**

Requizen wrote:
Might be my losses skewing my preferences, but I have little to no interest in Eldar stuff at this point.

Then why come in here and bother everyone with your negativity.... pure narcissism.