Asurmen: Hand of Asuryan (Warhammer 40,000: Phoenix Lords)

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It is to the Dire Avengers that the Farseers turn for the most important missions. When an ancient Aeldari relic needs to be recovered or an abandoned Webway portal needs to be defended, Dire Avengers are often sent to carry out the task. When a human or Ork colony is discovered upon a Maiden World, Dire Avengers are sent to clear the trespassers. On those occasions when a Farseer has need to meet with agents of the Imperium of Man, it is the Dire Avengers who accompany him as an honour guard. The Falling Moon Shrine - Aspect Warriors of the Falling Moon wear a distinctive red colour crest on their helms. Here’s the good, and the things you need to watch out for, when you play Craftworlds Eldar in 9th edition Warhammer 40k.

The Dire Avengers Warrior Aspect can trace their origins to Asurmen, the first of the Phoenix Lords, those master warriors who lead the Aeldari Aspect Warriors and who are each absolute masters of their Aspect's form of combat. Eldar wouldn’t be Eldar without psychic powers, and we’re happy to report that this remains true in 9th edition. With three different Psychic Disciplines, there’s a colossal number of psychic abilities to choose from. Particularly noteworthy is Protect/Jinx, a Runes of Battle ability that gives a friendly unit +1 to saving throws or -1 to an enemy. Next you’ll want to bring a taste of death to the field. Dark Reapers are ideal for this, given they’re able to shoot at a huge distance, and have some of the best ranged stats in the entire game. In addition, their Fire and Fade ability means they can pop in and out of cover with ease. This boosts their survivability, making them a true thorn in your opponent’s side. Phoenix Armour - The legendary Phoenix Lords wear ancient, invaluable Aspect armour so finely wrought it is proof against almost any weapon. The founder of the Fire Dragons, Phoenix Lord Fuegan exists only to vent his rage on his foes in the form of terrifying billows of flame. With thousands of years of experience of war, Fuegan is a terrifying foe on the battlefield, striding forth to setall to fire and ruin in his quest to destroy the enemies of the Aeldari.Asurmen later appeared under the command of Jain Zar, now pledged to Ynnead. Asurmen took part in the battle to defend the Ynnari against the Thousand Sons and Tzeentch Daemons in the Webway, vanishing during the struggle. [6] Wargear It’s not just Fire Dragons who can access this new cooking equipment – the new Autarch can ‘borrow’ one when they don’t feel like lugging around a Dark Reaper’s missile launcher. Dragon fusion guns are an even deadlier prospect in an Autarch’s hands, and pair very well with the extra mobility of an Autarch jump generator. FFG Teaser for "Against the Great Enemy", supplement for Conquest Card Game (last accessed 25 May 2016) The ritual masks and armour that Aspect Warriors wear set them apart as the elite soldiers of their race. Although they are rarely encountered beyond their Craftworld, the Dire Avengers are nonetheless the most commonly encountered Aeldari Aspect Warriors, for they are skilled and adaptable troops deployed to deal with any external threats.

This permanent acceptance of the Aeldari's "war mask" provides Exarchs with enhanced skill and dedication to their craft and entitles them to access their Shrine's oldest and most advanced wargear. As befitting their Shrine's focus, the Dire Avenger Exarchs are tactically flexible warriors able to serve in multiple tactical roles. Rather than just one Shuriken Catapult, some Exarchs will carry two of these weapons into battle, wielding one in each hand with exceptional deadliness. Some of the Phoenix Lords are as old as the Fall. They were heroes during the cataclysm, and were the first to bear the spirit stones of the Warrior Aspects. [1a] It is said that Asurmen was the first of the Phoenix Lords and that he trained the first of the Aspect Warriors, the Asurya, in the Path of the Warrior. The first Exarchs, known as the Asurya - the children of Asur, founded the shrines of the Warrior Aspects that remain to this day. [1b] These new rules really let you build an army around a particular Phoenix Lord leading your favourite Aspect Warriors into glorious battle. A legendary hero commanding a team of intense combat specialists – isn’t that what Warhammer 40,000 is all about? Now, the Craftworlds Eldar fly through space, seeking survival in a hostile universe, and fighting death with every fibre of their being. Their Craftworlds – entire nations bound in semi-organic matter, powered by psychic energy from their Infinity Circuits – are the last vestige of this once great power. Aeldari society has completely changed, focused now on control and discipline, as they refuse to fall to the same terrors which blighted the Eldar of the past. He has traveled to more craftworlds than any other Phoenix Lord, teaching those Eldar who wanted to learn, and has founded more shrines than any other Phoenix Lord. The greatest of his students went on to found their own Aspect shrines and became Phoenix Lords themselves. [1a] Soon after the inception of the Aspect Shrines, the Hand of Asuryan vanished, but tales of his deeds continue to be reported. Experiencing various deaths but being reborn again thanks to his armor, notably at the hands of the Keeper of Secrets N'Kari [3], he has been rumored slaying the agents of Chaos in the Eye of Terror to the Eastern Fringe. His actions have even become legends to the lesser races. [2]As a species on the brink of extinction, beset on all sides by hostile forces, many Aeldari eventually walk the Path of the Warrior and take on the mantle of an Aspect Warrior. Whereas most Aeldari who take up arms do so in times of great crisis as the militia known as Guardians, those who walk the Path of the Warrior embrace the art of war fully, devoting their every breath to the pursuit of military perfection. Phoenix Lords are the legendary Aeldari who (mostly) founded the Aspect Shrines dedicated to the different ways in which Khaine, the god of war, waged his crusades. Those Aeldari who walk the Path of the Warrior choose to specialise in particular aspects of combat by joining these shrines and becoming Aspect Warriors. Yesterday, we demonstrated just how powerful Maugan Ra – armed with his devastating scythe-like weapon, the Maugetar – is in battle. But that’s only part of the story – just wait until you see what happens when you surround him with a bunch of Dark Reapers .

His wings, like those of the Swooping Hawks, are made of small vibrating plates, which, as they vibrate, provide the wearer with a lifting surface for flight which is maintained by an anti-gravitic emitter incorporated into the wings.

Every Aspect Warriors will see their training pay off when Codex: Aeldari hits the streets. You might be wondering about Howling Banshees – suffice to say they’re so much better now that they’ll be getting an article all to themselves tomorrow. Sign up to our newsletter if you don’t want to miss it. Asurmen then travelled amongst more of the different Craftworlds than any other member of his race, teaching those Aeldari who wanted to learn the Dire Avengers' suite of combat skills. Those Aeldari learned at the feet of their master, and in turn they assumed the mantle of Exarchs before spreading throughout the galaxy.