Eldar Jetbike
Eldar Jetbikes are single-person anti-grav vehicles commonly used by Eldar, Dark Eldar, and occasionally Harlequin warriors in battle. These sleek and elegant craft, capable of high speeds and extreme maneuverability, are testament to the Eldar's mastery of anti-gravitic technology, much to the amazement and jealousy of the Adeptus Mechanicus. On the battlefield they are commonly used as skirmishers, scouts, and fast-response units.[2][3a]
Overview
Contained within the body of the jetbike are powerful anti-gravitic motors, allowing the craft to attain such great velocity that without an Eldar's enhanced reaction speed it would be lethal to ride. Through subtle manipulation these motors can also send the bike into a steep climb or sharp dive,[3a] though its shape naturally inclines it towards level or upward flight.[1] Long, curved vanes on either side of the bike allow for incredibly sharp mid-air turns.[3a] Like most Eldar technology the jetbike is mentally attuned to the natural psychic abilities of the Eldar. Small patches of psychotropic crystals, within the bike's handlebars and the rider's gauntlets, allowing the rider to control the craft through mental commands.[1] For an Eldar to master the jetbike is an exhilarating challenge that can take years of practice to reach their full potential, but those who do are said to build a rapport with their steeds comparable to the horsemasters of legend.[3a]
Jetbike armament consists of twin-linked Shuriken Catapults, although special craft known as Shrieker Jetbikes instead mount a single Shuriken Cannon.[1b] Another popular weapon used to be the Wyrmfang Spear, but it is now a rare sight on the battlefield.[8] Jetbikes are most commonly used by Guardian Jetbike Squadrons for a number of battlefield duties, particularly the Wild Riders of Saim-Hann. The only known Aspect Shrine dedicated to the jetbike are the Shining Spears, a rare group found on only a few Craftworlds, but they are so in tune with their steeds that they can perform complex maneuvers with but a single gesture.[3b] As well, many war-leaders of the Eldar are also known to ride into battle on jetbikes, including Farseers, Warlocks and Autarchs.[3c] Those Autarchs who were once a member of the Aspect Shrine themselves will often ride alongside Shining Spears into battle.
Known Variants
- Raptor Jetbike - two-man version used by Shroud Runners[6]
- Vyper[2]
- Khaine's Lance - Used by Shining Spears Exarchs.[7]
Notable Jetbikes
Images
Windrider Jetbike (6th edition)
Shroud Runners on Raptor Jetbikes (9th edition)[6]
See also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Eldar (2nd Edition), pg. 31
- 1b: pg. 79
- 2: Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition), pgs. 13-14
- 3: Codex: Eldar (4th Edition):
- 5: Codex: Eldar (6th Edition), pg. 41
- 6: Warhammer Community: New Asuryani Clash with Chaos Space Marines in the Next Warhammer 40,000 Battlebox (Posted on 25/12/2021) (Last accessed on 25 December 2021)
- 7: Codex: Aeldari (9th Edition), pg. 118
- 8: Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade - Founder Store - Eldar Add-ons
Command | Avatar of Khaine • Autarchs • Bonesingers • Farseers • Spiritseers • Warlocks • Exarchs |
---|---|
Aspect Warriors and Phoenix Lords | |
Troops | Guardians (Guardian Defenders • Storm Guardians) • Windrider Squadrons • Rangers (Pathfinders • Shroud Runners) |
Heavy Support | Wraithguard • Wraithblades • Grav Platform • Support Battery |
Special Characters | Amallyn Shadowguide • Eldrad Ulthran • Illic Nightspear • Iyanna Arienal • Nuadhu 'Fireheart' • Yriel |
Fortifications | Webway Gate |
Craftworld Eldar Vehicles | |
---|---|
Light Vehicles | Jetbike (Raptor Jetbike) • Vyper • Hornet |
Walkers | War Walker • Wraithguard • Wraithlord • Wraithseer • Wasp Assault Walker |
Grav-Tanks | Falcon • Fire Prism • Night Spinner • Firestorm • Warp Hunter • Wave Serpent • Fireheart |
Artillery | Support Weapon Batteries (D-Cannon • Vibro Cannon • Shadow Weaver) • Anti-Aircraft Platform |
Super-Heavy Vehicles | Cobra • Scorpion • Void Spinner • Storm Serpent • Lynx • Deathstalker • Tempest |
Super-Heavy Walkers | Wraithknight • Eldar Knight • Revenant Titan • Phantom Titan • Warlock Titan |
Aircraft | Nightwing • Crimson Hunter (Nightshade) • Phoenix • Vampire Raider • Vampire Hunter • Hemlock • Dawnsail • Ghostlance |