Today, we’re unboxing the Blood of the Phoenix battlebox and taking a closer look at what are undoubtedly some of the best models we’ve ever made! Before we get started, we spoke to the Citadel design team who were responsible for bringing the stunning new Aeldari in Blood of the Phoenix to life…
This article was originally published on the Warhammer-community site.
Excited yet? Of course you are! Let’s crack on with the unboxing. We’ve already shown you a preview of the battlebox’s cover art – in fact, we imagine some of you have it as your wallpaper right now thanks to the free download – but let’s see it again, in situ…
Upon opening the box, the first thing that strikes you is just how much stuff is packed inside. You’re immediately confronted with a campaign booklet, a fold-out Warhammer 40,000 rules sheet and a whole bunch of neatly packed plastic frames. Like, LOADS of plastic frames! Seriously, there are three Aeldari vehicles as well as four infantry units and two Characters! Not just any Characters, mind, but two of the most incredible Aeldari miniatures to date. Behold the deadly grandeur of Phoenix Lord Jain Zar and Drazhar, Master of Blades…
Blood of the Phoenix serves as the global debut of two of the deadliest warriors of the Aeldari race – the gracefully lethal progenitor of the Howling Banshees and the fell master of the Incubi creed. If you want two amazing miniatures to paint, or utterly murderous figureheads for your Craftworld or Drukhari army, look no further!
To accompany their spiritual leaders, a unit of both Howling Banshees and Incubi is also included in Blood of the Phoenix. The five Howling Banshees can be assembled with their traditional, fully-enclosed helmets or with bare heads to show that they walk the path of the Ynnari. One of the models can be assembled as an Exarch, who can be equipped with an executioner blade, triskele, or mirrorswords in place of her power sword.
The five Incubi included in the set are all armed with their iconic two-handed klaives. Like the Howling Banshees, one of the Incubi models can be assembled as a unit leader (known as a Klaivex) who can wield demiklaives – a pair of wicked blades that can be used individually or swiftly connected together to form a standard klaive in battle.
In addition to the three vehicles – a Falcon, Vyper and Venom – you’ll find a set of winged Drukhari Scourges and skyboard-riding Helions in this set. Of course, with Blood of the Phoenix comprising Aeldari models from two different factions, the battlebox is great to split with a friend… or you can keep it all for yourself and combine the units into the same army, either as allies or as part of an Ynnari warhost!
Blood of the Phoenix also includes a 40-page campaign book with everything you need to get started. It tells of Drazhar’s hateful quest to slay a Phoenix Lord in combat to cement his place among the Drukhari as a warrior of unrivalled skill forever. He’s clearly set his sights on Jain Zar, as the artwork shows, though we’re sure that the legendary blademaiden will have something to say on the matter!
The book features three Echoes of War missions that enable you to recreate the exciting action described in the narrative, as well as all of the datasheets you’ll need to unleash the models on the battlefield. To that end, the fold-out Warhammer 40,000 Core Rules sheet included in the set will provide you with all the guidelines you’ll need to play (or serve as a handy reference sheet for more experienced players).
Finally, to help you decorate your painted miniatures with decals displaying their iconography or other thematic symbols and details, the battlebox includes two transfer sheets.
Now that you know what you’ll be getting in Blood of the Phoenix, keep an eye out for even more information over the coming days as we build up to its pre-order launch this weekend. Tomorrow, we’ll be taking a look at the first book in the Psychic Awakening series, Phoenix Rising, which introduces all sorts of new tricks for Aeldari players.
In the meantime, why not bolster (or kickstart) your Craftworlds and Drukhari forces with a Start Collecting! Set, or grab the Triumvirate of Ynnead to lead your new Ynnari warhost? If you’re after some help with painting your miniatures and applying transfers, head on over to the Citadel Colour website, where we have a huge selection of free video guides.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
