The wild and ostentatious Aeldari Corsairs may have claimed the limelight during their first reveal, but nobody could ignore the slick new update to a certified craftworld classic – the Vyper. Previously one of the oldest kits in the Aeldari collection, it’s now got a fresh new look with a cool, rotating turret. We asked Warhammer Community’s resident Asuryani expert, Joel, for his thoughts on the update.
Joel: The Vyper has long been an iconic unit of the Aeldari – or previously, Eldar – featuring in lots of artwork as a vehicle that epitomises the style and grace of the faction.
Plenty of Aeldari players will fondly remember getting hold of this kit as early as 1997, and it may well be older than a lot of current Aeldari fans. It really has stood the test of time, but after such a long service, it deserves a rest.
The classic Vyper miniature was around for decades
If you’re not up to date on your xenos tech, the Vyper is essentially a super-quick gun platform that can dart around pelting enemies with a hail of gunfire. This design has always been a hallmark of the Aeldari aesthetic, with its streamlined chassis, clear canopy,* and the gunner seated at the back ready to fire at a moment's notice.
Looking to the future, the latest kit keeps a lot of the same visual cues from the original Vyper and all the same weapon options, whilst introducing some fresh ideas to the overall design that will look perfect gliding next to your other jetbikes.
There’s also an alternate build to create the Starfang, an Anhrathe** custom Vyper, which comes with its own set of pilots, a unique weapon loadout featuring a mix of weaponry liberated from other Aeldari factions, and a few other subtle changes to the vehicle, such as decorative filigree and ribbons. You can choose between four canopy designs on the clear sprue – two full canopies and two windscreens – with each style having a blank display or the classic triangle rune.
While the weapons have stayed the same, the loadout is slightly different. The missile launcher is now underslung as an option to replace the shuriken cannon, so you can mix and match the weapons in different ways than before and create some dedicated armour-busting configurations.
The most distinct visual change is that the gunner is now protected by an extra shell of armour, which I’m sure they’ll be grateful for. This upper turret has been cleverly designed to turn and lock into a lower position to fire on any would-be tailgaters, so whether you build your kit as a Vyper or a Starfang, you can pick whichever position you like the look of most.
You can also just spend a few minutes every day swivelling the turret around because it’s fun. I do.
Aeldari fans, especially the jetbike-obsessed Saim-Hann players, will definitely want to get their hands on at least one of these – a sleek homage to a beloved kit that has been part of the hobby for almost 30 years.
Thanks, Joel! The standalone release of the Vyper and all the Corsair miniatures from the recent battleforce box is coming up very soon, so keep checking in with our Sunday Previews – at 6pm GMT every Sunday – to find out when you’ll be able to stock up.
* The Vyper was the first model to include this revolutionary piece!
** The Aeldari word for their ‘Corsairs’.
