Eldar Light Cruisers
From Lexicanum
Aurora
| De | Aurora-Klasse |
The Aurora Class is an Eldar light cruiser. Little is known about the cruiser other than it has the normal characteristics of an Eldar vessel, light armour, Holofields, high speed and heavy weaponry. It is said to have the speed of an escort but the weapons of a cruiser. They are armed with Eldar Torpedoes and Pulsar Lances but they are on a very limited traverse.1
In one mighty battle many Aurora class ships fought alongside Imperial forces, the alliance between the Imperium and Eldar pirate forces being formed after the Battle of Gethsemane. Within the Graildark Nebula the combined Imperial and Eldar fleet encountered a fleeing Chaos fleet. The Eldar performed several flanking manoeuvres, leaving the Imperial unsure as to their allegiance, but once the first shots were fired the Eldar returned and slammed into the side and rear of the Chaos fleet. Several other Eldar ships maintained a perimeter to prevent any Chaos ships escaping and the fleet was wiped out against the massed guns of the Imperial fleet and the high-speed strafing runs of the Eldar.1
Famous Aurora class ships include the Wind Runner and the Storm Chaser.1
Solaris
| De | Solaris-Klasse |
The Solaris class is an Eldar light cruiser. Unfortunately for many captains, it is easily mistaken for the Aurora class and this has led to many tactical mistakes. It has the typical large solar sail at the rear and was first identified by the Imperium during anti-pirate operations in the Yurol Nebula. The force was designed to push the forces of Prince Ilmarth of the Soul Reavers pirates onto the guns of a second fleet, though the battle was in trouble from the beginning.1
The high speed of the Solaris coupled with its high strength Eldar Weapons Batteries (with limited traverse similar to the Aurora) allowed them to battle with Imperial escorts within the asteroid belt of the Arikar System. Finding themselves out gunned, the Imperial escorts retreated to the main fleet and the plan changed to a blockade of the Arikar system, but the speed of the Solaris vessels made this blockade impossible to maintain and after an ineffective year the blockade was lifted and the Soul Reavers are still at large in the Yurol Nebula.1
Later it was found that just a force of three Solaris class and six smaller vessels managed to hold the Arikar system against the Imperial fleet. The Eldar were led by the Void Serpent.1
Sources
| The Eldar Fleet | |
| Class | Designs |
|---|---|
| Battleships | Void Stalker |
| Cruisers | Dragonship • Eclipse • Shadow • Wraithship |
| Light Cruisers | Aurora • Solaris |
| Escorts | Aconite • Hellebore • Hemlock • Nightshade • Shadowhunter |
| Other | Darkstar Fighter • Eagle Bomber • Ghostship • Transport Ship |
| Space Stations | Blackstone Fortress • Haven Spire |
