In this article, I will review the units within the codex that can represent an Exodite equivalent that are found in each of the four Independent Clans on Lorien. I will try to cover their backstory, wargear and special rules. As with each of these codex specific articles, I will be treating each codex independently so there may be modeling suggestions that are common to multiple codices for completely different units.
Since most players favor a single army and don’t knit together several codices as I have done, it will be up to the individual modeler to determine how best, within his own army, he can use the same base model for different units from more than one codex. In reality, the possibilities are almost unlimited, especially with the variety of old and new models for most of the Games Workshop units available now, so it would be beyond the scope of these articles.
The units will be presented in the order they appear in the codex and if I have not written an Exodite equivalent unit for that entry, I will try to explain the challenge I faced. Maybe the reader can see something I missed and add even more Exodite flavor to the codex. If the unit is one I use as-is, then it will be listed at the end of the unit list with some general comments as needed for that unit.
One final note, as I explain the backstory of the unit, you will see a mix of traditional Exodite fluff coupled with my own interpretation to match the story of my own Maiden World. My intent is not to rewrite the fluff but to simply write my own story for a single Maiden World located on the Eastern Fringe in Tau space. It should serve as a starting point for the reader to launch out on his own interpretation or craft it to be more in line with the traditional Exodite fluff.
Mandrakes – SpirithuntersSome members of the Independent Clans exhibit a measure of psychic ability but do not follow the path of the seers like their Clan brethren. Instead, they focus those abilities to manifest more potent psychically charged arrows. To keep their skills honed, they have taken to become the hunters so as to constantly perfect their ability to project their abilities through the focus of their bow and arrows. Their ability to attack from the shadows instills fear in their opponents and they use their latent psychic abilities to enhance that fear when an opponent attempts to attack them in melee.
The most skilled of these spirit hunters are called “Nightstalkers”.
I plan on using the Mirkwood Rangers kit from Games Workshop’s Hobbit series as they just have the right feel for what I picture these to be. No conversion needed.
WracksI have not given these much thought yet but am working on the concept of a specialist close combat light infantry unit
GrotesquesI am trying to find a good dragon or dinosaur model that would work for this. The Liquifier gun can act as a venomous spray attack.
Beastmasters – Novice DragonmastersSometimes, dragonwarders develop an ability to control some of the native creatures of Lorien. It begins with the ability to ride one of the lesser dragons. However, it may then develop into the ability to control another species of native animals. At this point, the Exodite has begun to embark on the path of the Dragonmaster and is officially granted the title of Novice. Over time, he may develop the ability to control any of Lorien’s creatures over a greater distance, but until then, he remains a novice.
Raptor packs (Razorwing Flock) are smaller, more agile cousins of the dragons ridden by the Exodite dragon knights. What they lack in size and strength, they make up for in ferocity and tenacity. Led by their pack leaders, raptors strike quickly and with a primitive cunning. Despite their smaller size, a pack of raptors is easily capable of bringing down a large megadon, or even a carnosaur. Magister Militum has several small pack dinos such as velociraptors that can be used to make these.
These dragons (Clawed Fiend) are one of the many larger relatives of the dragons used by the Exodite Dragon knights. They have ferocious claws and teeth and are apex predators in their native habitat. They are very aggressive and become more so when injured. Really, Any carnivorous dinosaur mini would work. Reaper has a few raptors but the Lizardman Cold Ones are a good match as is. Simply treat he saddle blanket as a clan decoration place on the dragon as part of the rituals of preparing for battle.
These Ankylosaurs (Khymera) are normally gentle herbivores whose characteristic feature is a bony, armoured back (5+ Invuln). Some have club-like growths on their tails while others have spikes. All have jaws that can cut of a man’s arm with ease. The Magister Militum Ankylosaur seems to be a good match for the size needed for this unit.
The new version of the codex also made it possible to take any mix of these units so that you can have all of the dinosaur types on the table without having to take three of the beastmasters. It also lets you take more models of a given type in the unit than the previous codex allowed.
Reavers – Exodite JetbikersThe Exodites can use jetbikes without much need to change the story. However, these can also be modeled as Terradon riders with many Citadel model options.
Hellions– HussarsHorses can also be present on Maiden Worlds and Lorien has their share. Favoring the open plains and broad valleys, the horses have become the primary herd for several of the Exodite clans.
Just as any of the mounted knightly orders from the house clans, these Eldar Exodites are virtually born into the saddle, with every member of family learning to ride at a very early age. For these Exodite families, horses provide transportation, companionship and a considerable advantage in combat. Each Hussar may have multiple horses for specific tasks such as carrying the Hussar while he travels, carrying gear or for battle. None of the horses are adorned in any special manner. The simplistic life is reflected in the minimalist approach to their clothing, blankets and gear.
Each Hussar troop consists of an extended family group of Exodites who work together in mutual support, both in their agricultural pursuits as well as on the field of battle. The rigors of life on the Exodite worlds ensure that the Eldar who call them home are capable warriors. Through defending their herds, participating in ritualistic duels and jousts, the hussars continue to hone their skills and sharpen their wits.
Hussars are armed with a Light Rider Wraithbow (splinter pod) and Hussar Sabre (Hellglaive) . Occasionally, the Clan’s count will use a needler pistol and a different close combat weapon but this is rare. In a universe teeming with advanced technology and terrible alien horrors, the cavalry of the Exodites remain surprisingly effective.
Wood Elf Glade Riders are an effective way to model these. The difference between Jump Pack and Cavalry may be hard for some to reconcile but the 12” move over terrain is like a horse jumping. The Fleet rule during the Charge is very appropriate for trained cavalry. Admittedly, it may be hard to explain how the horse jumped up to the top of the battlements but you could limit yourself and not allow your models to perform these longer jumps.
Scourges– Hawk RidersThe Scourges are the Dark Eldar verison of the Swooping Hawks so in reality, these can be Independent Clan version of the Raptor Knights. Riding hawks into battle, they deal death with their wraithbows and specialized arrows that can tackle most armoured threats.
Talos, Cronos & Exodite Exo-suits
I could have taken advantage of the monstrous creature nature of these two units and modeled them as megadons or the like. However, since that has been done a lot and I have a few megadon options in the other armies, I chose to bring out another piece of Exodite fluff, the Exo-suit. Since the Eldar wraithlord is a monstrous creature instead of a walker, I thought it would be sufficient precedence to call this piloted suit a monstrous creature instead of a walker.
Technology from an ancient time, the Exodite Exo-suit was the pre-Fall equivalent of a Craftworld Wraithlord. The pilot is almost invulnerable to damage as the exo-suit is designed to enclose the pilot in an environmentally sealed cockpit with enhanced life support systems. Originally designed to enable Eldar craftsmen to work in hostile environments they were more tools than weapons.
Their construction is very similar to that of the Craftworld Wraithlords and Wraithknights in that they are constructed of wraithbone. This enables the pilot to almost wear the suit and control it with his thoughts. Two patterns of these Exo-suits survive to the present. The first, once called the utility exo-suit, is designed originally for use in non-martial roles does not include the combat systems found in the second pattern which was designed specifically for combat. Over the ages, the suits have become known as light and heavy Exo-suits respectively.
Talos – Heavy Exo-suitThe Heavy Exodite Exo-suit was a purpose-built combat suit and includes sophisticated targeting technology to enhance both melee and ranged combat capabilities. The suit’s technology puts tremendous strength at the pilot’s fingertips. One arm is a dedicated close combat weapon hard point while the other is a generic hard point able to mount ranged or melee weapons. A final hard point is a dedicated ranged weapon hard point. The flexibility offered by this hard point allows situation-specific weapon load-outs which improves the chance for a mission’s success.
The standard model is equipped with a pair of large combat blades and a twin-linked needler cannon.
Cronos – Light Exo-suitThe Light Exodite Exo-suit is much more common than the Heavy version for a variety of reasons. While true that it’s lighter frame and simpler systems require fewer resources to build, the primary reason they are currently more common on Lorien is the fact that these suits were responsible for saving many Exodite lives when repelling raiders, pirates and Orks. If these suits were not aboard the convoy ships, the fleeing Eldar would have been mercilessly slaughtered and never made it to Lorien. For this reason, they serve as a very strong, almost superstitious, reminder to the Independent Clan Exodites fighting alongside one of these suits.
Since the Light Exo-suit is a design not created specifically for combat it has been pressed into service in an almost ritual capacity. The presence of a light Exo-suit often inspires the nearby warriors nearly as much as the presence of a Duke himself. By changing the Spirit Probe to a “Symbol of Remembrance”, you can explain how nearby Exodites are emboldened to shrug off injury when near a light exo-suit.
VehiclesOn Lorien, one of the independent clans includes a higher proportion of artisans skilled in the manufacture of vehicles. They are the smallest Independent Clan but provide most of the vehicles made on the planet so all of the clans have access to them in the event of war. Though the House Clans do not utilize vehicles much in their daily lives, they are very willing to use them in battle. The Independent Clans on the other hand, rely more on vehicular transport than they do dragon mounts and use vehicles much more freely.
The standard Dark Eldar vehicles are perfect fit for Exodites who have not completely forsaken the Eldar tech. Being fast, light and agile, they are ideal for moving through the terrain of Lorien and allow volleys of wraithbow fire to be launched from relative safety. Even the flyers can be used as is. Some modification can be done by swapping details from the Eldar flyer to make the Exodite version appear different but there is nothing about the payloads that does not fit.
One extremely useful change introduced by the recent codex is the placement of the two Dark Eldar transports in the Fast attack slots. Now you can take them with the Exodite models of your Eldar codex and give them an open-top shooting platform. Five fire dragons in a venom can be very nasty but fit the fluff well.
