Joel is the Warhammer Community team’s go-to when it comes to all things Aeldari. With the new Corsairs joining the fray, his Ynnari force has been growing, and we just had to show it off.
Joel: Like a lot of hobbyists, I didn’t settle on a faction until a few years into the hobby. My first introduction to the world of Warhammer 40,000 was the 3rd Edition starter set, where my brother left me with the Drukhari (or Dark Eldar, as they were known), and then I collected Orks for a few years.
I distinctly remember flicking through the 3rd Edition rulebook periodically to admire the Aeldari miniatures (still called Eldar back then) in the gallery section of the book. After eventually picking up the Codex, I started building my first Eldar army, and with every addition to my collection, I knew I’d finally found my true passion. I love the tragic story of the craftworlds, the fun mysteriousness of the Harlequins, the unapologetic brutality of the Drukhari, and, most recently, the intrepidity of the Corsairs.
Over the years, I have visited Warhammer World for a special “Eldar day”*; won gold in Armies on Parade for my Ulthwé army; written, designed, and painted models for Aeldari articles here on Warhammer Community; and have probably bored many friends and colleagues with my constant chatter about the faction.
I’ve now been an Eldar/Aeldari fan for around 25 years, and I’m on my 5th project, having previously painted a variety of different craftworlds and delved into Drukhari and Harlequins.
Since I enjoy all the various aspects of Aeldari society, my most recent project has been to create a Ynnari army, allowing me to unite units from different factions under one banner. Between my other large projects, I’ve slowly been adding craftworld units to my army, under the command of Yvraine and the Visarch.
I wanted to paint them in the standard red, black, and bone colours, showing their allegiance to the Ynnari faction more so than their own colours, most likely drawing warriors from different craftworlds and Aeldari societies as they travel across the galaxy.
When it comes to Aspect Warriors, however, I love painting the Aspect colours, so I have chosen different colour palettes to represent these Aspect shrines, while keeping red ribbons to signify their ties to the Ynnari.
If I had to pick a favourite unit so far, it would be the Dark Reapers. I have a copy of The Eldar Sketchbook,** which shows unhelmeted Reapers with skull face paint, so I used this opportunity to do some fun designs on their faces. I generally paint this collection very slowly because I want to give each model extra character and detail.
There are so many more kits that need to be finished*** just for the craftworld part of this project, including a Wraithknight that is half-painted, some Incubi from our spikey cousins, which I have base-coated ready to paint, and I even have a Ynnari Phantom Titan that is patiently waiting on my painting desk,**** but when we announced the new Corsair kits, I decided it was time to properly add some faction variety into the army.
The Corsairs are lovely models, with a plethora of head options and other details, which draw from different archetypes. Once I’d built them, I had a think about colours and decided to stick with the typical red and black, but use a much darker palette so they would stand out against my brighter units.
As for next steps, I have been eyeing up that new Archon model for a while now, so I think it’s a sign to start adding in some Drukhari units, as I’ve been getting some fun ideas for how to paint those up too.
Even if some of the Aeldari characters are losing faith in Yvraine,***** I certainly am not!
Thanks, Joel! Kharseth and the Corsair Skyreavers are available to pre-order now, and are ideal for adding into either a Ynnari or Anhrathe-themed Aeldari army.
* The skein allowed this to coincide with my birthday that year – you might call it “fate”.
** A legendary tome showing behind-the-scenes design secrets of the Aeldari.
*** Or, in some cases, started…
**** Metaphorically. That thing is really big and takes up most of my desk.
***** Including Prince Yriel, even though she brought him back to life!
