Codex Drukhari is offical for the start of 2021

Kalmah wrote:

i'm the first to admit that for the amount of money we spend on this game, it is our right, even our duty, to feel robbed and pissed when the game is taking some weird decision.
But i also think it is right to believe that this time, they've done it right!
Now, no decision at all has been made, and people are already complaining because they still live in the 5th edition when we are now at the 9th edition.
Saying that we never received love in a decade, so that means that in the next decade we won't receive any love at all, is just a nonsense to me. That's all i'm saying.

To have hopes for the future, that's perfect.
To be pissed off when that future happens to not be what we envisioned, that's perfectly legit!
But to be pissed off because your ''guts'' tells you that you will be deceived....now this is where i find it disturbing.

If you ask a girl out 10 times in a row and is turned down each time, it's meaningless to hope the next time will be better. We learned how GW value our race the hard way. This is a factual truth for all of us. We stay because we love the lore of the dark eldar. But we know they will never invest in them.

hehehehe maybe (i sure hope not) i will join you all after some years at the service of the Drukhari
When the harsh truth of this game hits me straight in the face....for now i'm too green and sees everything with my pink glasses.....haaaaa the foolishness of youth!

I hope the Codex puts us on a level playing field for the rest of 9th and still embodies the striking hard and fast aspects of the Drukhari lore. If this is reflected in the army building, playstyle, stratagems, units, and special rules of the book then I'll be happy with it.

What is slightly disappointing for me is that I think they have already suggested that we won't be getting many more new units/models or new models for existing units. They let this slip in the Twitch Warhammer preview @ 47.21:

"The miniatures are phenomenal, we have seen a major reinvention of the Drukhari over the past 5 or 6 years and the miniatures at this point just look incredible, it's been a shame that some of them haven't performed on the tabletop as well as maybe they do in your head, the new codex will open up the opportunity to use the models that they want to and make effect armies in lots of different ways"

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Drukhari re-release was 10 years ago and we have not had many new models since then. I think this is a hint that GW's view is that our models are fine and we will not get new releases. New Lelith I think is more to do with the way the model looks not fitting with GW's view of the game going forward.

I of course do think our models currently do look great and don't need replacing but new characters/on jetbikes, new grots, and a new unit or two would make me a very happy Archon.

I think my frustration with GW comes less from what DE don't get and more from what other armies like SM do get

I will say, I started playing at the end of 2nd Ed and I remember the original Necron metal models they were then re-released with the Necrons we used to know and then since then have got effectively a significant release again. In that time DE has only had their original release and then the re-release 10 years ago. I just want some new fancy playthings for my Drukhari .

Aside from moving finecast models to plastic, for the most part, our models *are* fine, especially since they're designed specifically for kitbashing in mind. We don't really need new models so much as we need GW to give us options that let us take full advantage of our conversion potential. Trueborn, Bloodbrides, Dracons, Syrens, bike/board/scourge HQs, etc could all be accessible to us if GW would get the stick out of its ass that it has had over the past decade regarding conversions.

krayd wrote:

Aside from moving finecast models to plastic, for the most part, our models *are* fine, especially since they're designed specifically for kitbashing in mind. We don't really need new models so much as we need GW to give us options that let us take full advantage of our conversion potential. Trueborn, Bloodbrides, Dracons, Syrens, bike/board/scourge HQs, etc could all be accessible to us if GW would get the stick out of its ass that it has had over the past decade regarding conversions.

Oh absolutely.

Hell, the only reason I even want new models is because it's currently the only way GW will allow for new units/wargear.

If we were given 0 new models but still got dataslates for special characters, for new/deleted HQs (Dracon, lesser Haemonculus, ideally a Mandrake Lord etc.), and options for stuff like wings/jetbikes, I'd be a very happy Archon.

The art on the cover looks pretty flat in my opinion. Hopefully the contents contain goodies like extra wargear for HQs as I really want the combat drugs jetbike Archon of 3rd back.

It will be interesting to see how codex creep impacts us as time moves on, with us being the first Xenos release

Just in terms of expectations...

• I do not think we're going to see any new units or datasheets here
  
• I suspect that we might see a new model kit or two in addition to Lelith, but if we do these will be a Finecast -> plastic upgrade
  
• We're also not likely to see any substantial changes to base weapon options
  
• We are likely to see improved character customisation - at bare minimum I think our relic selection will be improved so we have a more exciting range than three mediocre pistols to choose from, but it wouldn't be out of the question to see something like Pivotal Roles, Exarch abilities or Cryptek Arcana
  
• Our detachment rules are clearly getting adjusted and it sounds like they're walking back the three-in-one version of our Codex a bit. They don't seem especially clear on what they're shifting us to so my hopes aren't high for this being a positive change
  
• We should gain some version of combat doctrines, to encourage remaining within Codex
  
• We will be seeing substantial stat buffs for our units and wargear, virtually across the board
  
• I have a suspicion that some of our units are on a knife edge - e.g., the Court models are either going to get removed or have their roles drastically expanded
  

I don't think any of those are unreasonable beliefs, and while it certainly wouldn't be "best Codex ever" territory I'd be pretty damn happy if most of those are met.

Burnage wrote:

Just in terms of expectations...

• I do not think we're going to see any new units or datasheets here
  
• I suspect that we might see a new model kit or two in addition to Lelith, but if we do these will be a Finecast -> plastic upgrade
  
• We're also not likely to see any substantial changes to base weapon options
  
• We are likely to see improved character customisation - at bare minimum I think our relic selection will be improved so we have a more exciting range than three mediocre pistols to choose from, but it wouldn't be out of the question to see something like Pivotal Roles, Exarch abilities or Cryptek Arcana
  
• Our detachment rules are clearly getting adjusted and it sounds like they're walking back the three-in-one version of our Codex a bit. They don't seem especially clear on what they're shifting us to so my hopes aren't high for this being a positive change
  
• We should gain some version of combat doctrines, to encourage remaining within Codex
  
• We will be seeing substantial stat buffs for our units and wargear, virtually across the board
  
• I have a suspicion that some of our units are on a knife edge - e.g., the Court models are either going to get removed or have their roles drastically expanded
  

I don't think any of those are unreasonable beliefs, and while it certainly wouldn't be "best Codex ever" territory I'd be pretty damn happy if most of those are met.

Pretty much this

I think it's worth noting that the 9th edition Necron codex did not drop rules for finecast models, and when they had an opportunity to remake a model in plastic they instead introduced a brand new character/C'tan instead. Furthermore, it's pretty well agreed that the Nightbringer has good rules, so it doesn't look like there is any reason to believe GW purposefully makes finecast models have poor rules to lower sales of those models.

So on the one hand units like the Court, Grotesques and Beasts may not get new models but that doesn't mean they can't have great rules. It's also possible that any remakes would instead be new units, i.e. new court choices, new beast choices, new Coven creations?

Burnage wrote:

[*]We should gain some version of combat doctrines, to encourage remaining within Codex

As combat doctrines evolved from power of pain, my guess is that power from pain will become this. So for me the question is more , if and what we will get as a faction ability instead. Space Marines have Angel of Death, Necrons living metal and reanimation protocols. Covens have their invuln, cults their drugs, just Kabals would be without anything.

Oaka wrote:

It's also possible that any remakes would instead be new units, i.e. new court choices, new beast choices, new Coven creations?

I very highly doubt that. GW have real struggle creating something new for us. What they can optimistically do is work on our rules, and make a great codex with what is already existing. Will they put back the old cluster caltrop rules for our jetbikes? Maybe. Will they improve hellions to make they playable? It's possible. Will they add 1-2 seats in our raider and venom? I don't think so, but I'm open for the possibility. Will they add wargear for our characters? No.

...
...
...

Will we have Vect? My heart want to say yes, but my mind knows we wont.


Don't get me wrong, we CAN have a great codex. But don't hope for anything new.

Koldan wrote:

Covens have their invuln, cults their drugs, just Kabals would be without anything.

Kabals have the ravagers

Burnage wrote:

I have a suspicion that some of our units are on a knife edge - e.g., the Court models are either going to get removed or have their roles drastically expanded

Perhaps, the Court will become a mixed unit again to be able to use "Look out sir".

dumpeal wrote:

Koldan wrote:

Covens have their invuln, cults their drugs, just Kabals would be without anything.

Kabals have the ravagers

And splinter racks  

dumpeal wrote:

Will they add 1-2 seats in our raider and venom? I don't think so, but I'm open for the possibility.

I'm waiting it since V7 codex. Perhaps they'll add it. But I doubt.

dumpeal wrote:

Will we have Vect? My heart want to say yes, but my mind knows we wont.

Embarked on Flying Lord of War models (like The Silent King)

Remember when GW promised that each faction would be getting a Lord of War model a couple years ago? Well now would be the best time to introduce ours ... and im not counting the Yncarne because that (while awesome) is definitely NOT a druhkari Lord of War ... Vect is the obvious answer to what ours should be, however I wouldn't be surprised if Lady Malys or Lilith stepped into that role instead because the Living Muse would be just to damn powerful with his (made up statline) of
M9, WS2, BS2 S4, T3, W7, A7, Ld10, SV4
Living muse: The presence of the living Muse inspires acts of increased ferocity and autrocity in all druhkari that are swathed in his aura. <aura> All <Druhkari> units within 6" inches of this model reroll to hit and to wound rolls of 1.
This model is equipped with a splinter pistol and Blade of the Living Muse (S+2 AP-3 D3 ... if the wielder of this weapon kills an enemy unit increase this units attacks by 1 [to a max of 3 additional attacks] for the remainder of the battle. -soul absorbtion- if this weapon kills an enemy model restore 1 wound lost earlier in battle [up to 2 wounds may be restored this way]
Improved shadow field: this model has a 2+ invulnerable save, if the unit suffers a wound the save is lost for the remainder of the turn. At the start of the next player turn the shadow field is restored to and the unitnhas a 2+ save.
... yep ... the living Muse would be to strong for a druhkari force

I like the current codex but some of it is a bit non-functional and there are very few tools for hoards or superheavies, let alone lists that have both.

The pipe dream would be to bring back all the special characters (Vect, Baron, Duke, Lady, ... maybe even decapitator) and bike/skyboard upgrades for generic HQ characters again.

The cover isn't bad, all of the characters have their legs close together with clothing between them that looks a little odd (almost snake-like) and the color contrast seems awful overall. However, there is a wide range of forces represented, and each character looks good especially what I think are the Archon and the one incubi in the background.

As for the center character, my vote is that it is a Lhamean (seeing 4 knives, kabalite armor, and what appears to be a sword, but no pistol).

I would swear in front of Vect that the center character is just a wych. Wearing armour. Which they can do

What do you mean Vect? You mean the Archon with a Soul-Trap?

amishprn86 wrote:

What do you mean Vect? You mean the Archon with a Soul-Trap?

I believe they are saying that they would make an oath in front of the Living Muse that the individual on the front of the codex is an armoured wych. Not that the individual behind said wych is, in fact, the Muse himself.

Burnage wrote:

Just in terms of expectations...

[list]
[*]I do not think we're going to see any new units or datasheets here

You know, if you want me to be more optimistic you're not off to a great start.

I don't know what all the complaining and moaning is always about on here, but I am stoked for more Dark Eldar.

Dark Eldar will not be in a worse place than they are right now that is for sure. I think GW just might get this right for the most part.

Soulless Samurai wrote:

Burnage wrote:

Just in terms of expectations...

[list]
[*]I do not think we're going to see any new units or datasheets here

[*]

You know, if you want me to be more optimistic you're not off to a great start.

You're ignoring the part about likely improved character customisation. Even if we don't get new datasheets, new and better relics or warlord traits could essentially allow us to run the kinds of characters you've been asking for - e.g., Craftworld relics already allow any character to gain the equivalent of Scourge wings or act as a Mandrake, and their selection was mediocre even by the mid-point of 8th.

Sarcron wrote:

I would swear in front of Vect that the center character is just a wych. Wearing armour. Which they can do

To me its clearly meant to represent this new miniature teased already in https://youtu.be/2nlnfxNgcAg?t=15

I don't see why they would randomly put an regular Wych in kabalite armour on the front cover, it seems to specific. My guess is its either a new generic or character HQ that is something of hybrid between the wych and kabalite tradition, or it's a very altered Lilith for the PC era.

As for the new codex thinking about what I wish they would do and what they realistically would do, I'm hoping they redo the rules for the Court of the Archon to be competative and release a plastic box set for them, if they did I would finally get those models because they look really fun to paint.

Vorl-Xoelanth wrote:

Sarcron wrote:

I would swear in front of Vect that the center character is just a wych. Wearing armour. Which they can do

To me its clearly meant to represent this new miniature teased already in https://youtu.be/2nlnfxNgcAg?t=15

The thing is that the teased mini is barefoot while the one on the cover clearly wears boots. Usually they dont ignore such details between artwork and actual miniature

To me its just art of a wych and has nothing to do with models or hints at all lol.

Burnage wrote:

You're ignoring the part about likely improved character customisation. Even if we don't get new datasheets, new and better relics or warlord traits could essentially allow us to run the kinds of characters you've been asking for - e.g., Craftworld relics already allow any character to gain the equivalent of Scourge wings or act as a Mandrake, and their selection was mediocre even by the mid-point of 8th.

Yeah, and I'll believe it when it happens.

They could have given us flight-equivalent artefacts in the 8th edition book. They didn't.
They could have given us flight-equivalent artefacts in Phoenix Rising. They didn't.
They could have given us any artefacts at all in Phoenix Rising. They didn't.
They could have given us new warlord traits in Phoenix Rising. They didn't.
They could have given us other character-customisation in Phoenix Rising. They didn't.

Incidentally (and shocking as this might sound), I'd actually like artefacts to be for genuine customisation/flavour or for taking a character's abilities up a notch. As opposed to 'well I want a melee character so I guess I need to take an artefact weapon because all the base weapons are utter gak' or (if your dream comes to fruition) 'I'd like my fast character to actually be fast so I guess I'll take the wings artefact... pity he's now useless when he reaches combat because, as previously mentioned, all the base gear is utter gak'.

Frankly, I already dislike that we basically have to outsource the most basic functions to artefacts/warlord traits because the base characters are so utterly abysmal. So outsourcing even more core functions to artefacts/warlord traits certainly doesn't make me ecstatic.