The Craftworld Alliance
The Second Edition-era Ultramarines Codex featured a nifty idea called the “Crusade Army,” where various Space Marine Chapters contributed a squad or two of men to a grand assemblage. Thus, Howling Griffons might take the field with Ultramarines, White Panthers, Silver Skulls, etc. Squads from the Blood Angels, Dark Angels, and Space Wolves could also be included in a Crusade Army, albeit without their special rules. 

This same concept can be applied to the Eldar, with craftworlds providing a unit or two of troops in support of some goal that affects all Eldar. Throughout this article, I use all five of the armies presented in Codex: Craftworld Eldar, but you could limit your Craftworld Alliance to two or three. Similarly, you could create your own Craftworld and use it alongside some of the better known ones like Biel-Tan or Iyanden. 

Just as special rules for Blood Angels, Dark Angels, and Space Wolves are ignored in building a Crusade Army, special rules and for the various Craftworld troops are also ignored in building an Alliance. This prohibition also applies to special units (such as Pathfinders, Black Guardians, etc.) found within Codex: Craftworld Eldar. With your opponent’s permission, you could try using the special rules and units, but I fear that doing so would make it far too easy to build an “uber-Eldar” force with few weaknesses. Throughout this article, then, I will use only the rules and units from Codex: Eldar. 

Background
When a threat arises that endangers all Eldar, Craftworlds may agree to contribute units of fighters to form an Alliance. Typically, an Alliance will form against Necrons, Dark Eldar, or the forces of Chaos, but other opponents may warrant such a response. Tasks given to a Craftworld Alliance may be of short duration (such as to defend a single planet against a particular foe) or open-ended (such as to protect the Webway against any intruders). 

Philosophy
A Craftworld Alliance is usually a balanced force able to deal with any scenario or opponent. Units that comprise an Alliance work together seamlessly, with firepower/resilient elements providing support for assault/recon elements. Command of an Alliance is either by a consensus of revered Farseers and Warlocks or by a proven, trusted leader. The individual Eldar within the army put aside any differences with Eldar from other Craftworlds for the good of the mission and the race. 

HQ
An Alliance is usually led by an Avatar or a Phoenix Lord (especially Asurmen). On certain occasions, an Alliance will be led by one or two Farseers, each advised by five Warlocks, one from each major Craftworld (Alaitoc, Biel-Tan, Iyanden, Saim-Hann, and Ulthwe). On the battlefield, some of the Warlocks may disperse to accompany Guardian units, while others remain to guard the Farseer, if desired. 

Elites
An Alliance must include at least one unit of Wraithguard from Craftworld Iyanden. In addition, it must include at least one unit of Warp Spiders, Fire Dragons, Howling Banshees, or Striking Scorpions from Biel-Tan unless the army already has a unit of Dire Avengers (Troops), Shining Spears (Fast Attack), or Dark Reapers (Heavy Support) from that craftworld.
 
Troops
An Alliance must include at least one unit of Rangers from Craftworld Alaitoc and at least one unit of Guardians (Storm or Defender) from Craftworld Ulthwe. In addition, Dire Avengers from Craftworld Biel-Tan must be taken if Aspect Warriors from this craftworld have not been selected from some other category (Elite, Fast Attack, Heavy Support).

Fast Attack
At least one unit of Guardian Jetbikes, Vypers, or Shining Spears from Craftworld Saim-Hann must be included in an Alliance army. In addition, Shining Spears or Swooping Hawks from Craftworld Biel-Tan must be used if Aspect Warriors from this craftworld have not been selected from some other category (Elite, Troops, Heavy Support).

Heavy Support
If you choose to include Wraithlords in the army, then the first must be an Iyanden Wraithlord. If the Alliance does not have any Biel-Tan units in any other categories, it must take at least one unit of Dark Reapers from that Craftworld. Support Batteries are usually provided from the Ulthwe Craftworld. 

Falcons, Fire Prisms, and War Walkers may be taken from whatever Craftworld you desire.

Modeling and Painting
An Alliance army should include distinctive units representative of each Craftworld: 

• Rangers from Alaitoc;
• Aspect Warriors from Biel-Tan; 
• Wraithguard and Wraithlords from Iyanden;
• Jetbikers from Saim-Hann; and 
• Guardians and Warlocks from Ulthwe.

• Deep blue for Alaitoc;
• Green and white for Biel-Tan;
• Yellow for Iyanden;
• Red for Saim-Hann; and 
• Black for Ulthwe.

If you want to further unify the look of your figures, you can create some sort of “army badge” motif. Perhaps all the gems on their armor and weapons are a certain hue, or (more obviously), perhaps their helmets are a certain color (gray? purple?) not found in any of the craftworld schemes.

General Tactics
Despite the mandatory units noted above, a Craftworld Alliance army offers almost as many tactical possibilities as a “regular” Eldar force.  
 

Related Pages
Other Eldar Themed Army Ideas
 

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© Copyright Kenton Kilgore, April 2004. 
 

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