STARTING AN AELDARI ARMY IN 11TH EDITION: A COLLECTOR'S STARTER PATH
Few armies reward patience like the Aeldari, and 11th edition rewards it fresh. This is a faction of specialists — swift, fragile, and devastating when each unit does exactly the one thing it was born to do. On the table that means finesse over brute force; on the painting desk it means flowing robes, gemstones, and some of the most elegant sculpts in the entire hobby. If you enjoy an army that feels like a scalpel rather than a hammer, you're in the right place.
The shape of a craftworld host
An Aeldari collection is built from three layers: a core of line infantry such as Guardians or Dire Avengers, a scattering of scouts and snipers like Rangers, and then the exotic stuff — grav-tanks, wraith constructs, and Aspect Warriors, each a shrine to a single art of war. You don't need all of it at once. In fact, buying broadly too early is the classic Aeldari mistake.
Recommended: Guardian Defenders
The starter path
Begin with whatever Combat Patrol-style bundle is current — it bundles a character, core infantry, and support at a genuine saving over separates. From there, add a Wave Serpent: the faction's iconic transport gives your infantry the speed the army is famous for, and it's a lovely large-panel painting exercise for practising smooth blends. A box of Rangers rounds out the early collection with a cheap, characterful unit that earns its keep in every game you'll ever play.
One centrepiece, chosen with the heart
When the itch for something grand arrives, a Wraithlord — or, if you're feeling ambitious, a towering Wraithknight — is the natural crown for the collection. Pick the one you actually want to paint; a centrepiece you're excited about gets finished, and a finished centrepiece changes how the whole army feels.
What to postpone
- Collecting every Aspect Warrior shrine at once. Choose one, finish it, then decide.
- A second grav-tank before the first has paint on it.
- Named characters — they're dessert, not dinner.
Keep the ledger honest
Record every box the day it lands, and be truthful about its state — sprues are sprues, not "nearly done". A collection you can see clearly is a collection you'll actually complete. For the full roster and lore, see the Aeldari faction page under Data.