Hey guys its Cavalier, commission painter for Frontline Gaming and co-host of Splintermind the Dark Eldar Podcast, here today to talk about my most recent conversion project featuring Dark Reapers.
I’ve been working on a Corsair themed Eldar army for many years now and sadly the fantastic Imperial Armor: 11 army list has been gutted with only 2 units remaining for this once robust force. This has required me to get inventive and use a lot of counts-as Asuryani or Drukhari units in there place. This was something I was doing since 6th edition anyways so it was only a matter of time before I did the same for Dark Reapers.
I was a bit late on doing this project simply because I spent a lot of money on getting metal Dark Reapers to counter the bike-spam I saw in 6th and 7th edition. I also like the paint jobs a lot too. Yet this unit has seen a TON of play in my lists since 8th dropped and its kinda bad form to have such an important unit in an entirely converted/kitbashed army to use stock models. Not only does it break form, but considering how nasty Dark Reapers are it seems kinda cheesy even though I’ve been using them for nigh on 3-4 years. So without further ado, lets get into it!
So the above picture is the Exarch. I used a Harlequin skull mask, a Guardian torso, a Kabalite trophy rack, a Dire Avenger shoulder camera as the Reaper Range Finder (for you 2nd edition bros out there lol), a Corsair Missile Launcher (from the Corsair special weapons team), Kabalite legs and based him on one of my favorite bits for bases- the tip of one of those fins from a Space Marine drop pod.
Quick painting tutorial is a simple Eshin Grey, Dawn Stone highlight on the black armor with a little bit of blending here and there. For the mask and muzzel of the missile launcher I painted Celestra Grey with Ulthuan Grey highlights. The gems are Khorne Red, Mephiston, Evil Sunz, Wild Rider and Fire Dragon Bright. While the teal gems are Sotek, Temple Guard, Bahharoth Blue. The lens on the Reaper Range finder is Screamer Pink, Pink Horror and Emperor’s Children.
The regular Reapers are exactly the same except the heads which are the “Crown of Thorns” heads from the Kabalite Warrior kit. They are also painted the same as well.
A Note on the Bits
Most of these bits are super easy to come by. I typically do a bits order on ebay to get the heads, but honestly investing in a box of Kabalite Warriors goes a long way. The awesome heads, trophy racks, banners, blasters, shredders lances etc. are so, so handy. The Guardian torsos are an ebay staple for me as well.
However the most important bit is obviously the missile launcher. Being a Corsair player from back in 5th these are something I’ve jealously horded for quite awhile. Especially since they are tragically no longer currently available. It seems Corsairs are fated to be lost in obscurity. They had a good run, burning brief but bright through 7th edition which is very much in line with their character.
Conclusion
This will probably be my last Corsair themed unit in my collection for the foreseeable future with the seeming demise of them as a playable army and now the disappearance of their basic infantry kit. Yet at least I went out with a bang and a suitably deadly one with this unit of counts-as Dark Reapers.
If you are interested in more Aeldari discussion check out our podcast: Splintermind for exclusive Drukharii and all things Aeldari news and discussion. If you are interested in following my painting exploits check me out on Instagram! Thanks for reading and stay tuned!
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
