Vodyani-like Eldar kitbashing and painting

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**Arcanis161**

After watching a recent retro review for Endless Space 2, I've thought about trying to Kitbash and paint an Eldar Kill Team based (somewhat closely?) on the Vodyani from that game. I found that the helmets of the Dark Eldar Reaver pilots have the flat face I want, though will require some modifications to straighten the neck so they don't appear hunched over.

I've still got a couple of things I'm trying to figure out, and am hoping I can get some help:

1) I want to stick with GW parts, and I want a somewhat sleek look to the bodies to keep with the Eldar aesthetic. However, since these will be "constructs", what bodies would work best for the Guardians/Dire Avengers? Just the regular Guardian/Dire Avenger torsos and legs, Kabalite Warrior torsos and legs, or maybe something else? What about for the other Eldar models, like Howling Banshees, Striking Scorpions, or even something like a Warlock (should I choose to include one).

2) How would I paint that "fire inside glass" effect that the Vodyani have? Any good tutorials, steps, and/or examples that I can look at?

**Mothsniper**

Never heard of the game before and though you are talking about Vodyanoi
One letter difference. LOLZ

Can't help with the parts and conversion, but with the fire glow
Look up how people paint up those round helmets for reavers
https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/909589-Drukhari%20Reavers.html
https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2019/07/40k-drukhari-deliver-apocalyptic-delights.html

Whatever you end up going for, make the helms shiny.

**Flinty**

In terms of item 2, try painting the fire on the face then a few layers of gloss varnish might help give that effect.

**Mothsniper**

**CancelledApocalypse**

Just so you know, Hellions also have (nearly) blank faceplate helmets, and they don't have the sticky out section at the back like the reavers. I say 'nearly' because they actually do have abstract eyes/scars cut into them, but it would probably be easy enough to fill them and smooth them off. If not, you can always get very similar, properly blank, helmets through Shapeways: https://www.shapeways.com/product/GHK6SB5AS/dark-eldar-space-elf-reaver-helm-x10?optionId=65695795&li=marketplace (have a look around on there, there may be other similar heads). You can actually get prints in what they call high quality plastic, which is actually somewhat transparent. Don't know if that would somehow aid in the effect? Maybe painting fire effects with translucent paints, then gloss over the top to give greater impression of depth? It would be interesting to see if that works, anyway.

In terms of bodies, it looks like Drukhari are closer than Craftworlds, simply because of the Drukhari wearing what's more like bodysuits (Wyches look closest to me) and Eldar have much more sculpted armour that might not be appropriate for the look. It would be cool to see that glass/fire effect on the exposed skin of a Wych torso - in fact you might've inspired me to copy your idea at some point in the future! You'll likely have to remove all the spikes and bones and such the Drukhari are festooned with, though.

I played Endless Space 1, didn't know about 2, but I'm now considering buying it just because of those cool looking Vodyani.

Edit: Oh! Also, don't forget the Eldar Spiritseer has a blank faceplate helmet.

Edit 2: It's called 'fine detail plastic' through Shapeways.