These demented cousins of the Eldar are a curse upon all races of the galaxy. For endless millennia, the Dark Eldar have preyed upon other species, butchering or imprisoning all whose path they cross. Their piratical raids strike without warning, smashing defences quickly and then disappearing before reinforcements arrive. When a Dark Eldar raiding force appears on a planet, its inhabitants know one thing: it is far better to die fighting the Dark Eldar than be taken alive by them.

Dark Eldar launch a raid to gather more captives for sinister purposes

Thousands of years ago, shortly after the fall of the Eldar race, the Eldar and Dark Eldar responded to their crisis in two very different ways. Where the Eldar tried to preserve their race through self-control and discipline, the Dark Eldar chose another route. The Dark Eldar believed that they could stave off the predations of the Chaos gods by giving them what they wanted: unceasing pain and blood. If the Dark Eldar could torture and slay the lesser races, then perhaps the Dark Gods would be satiated and ignore the Eldar race.

Lelith Hesperax

In short, the entire Dark Eldar philosophy boils down to this: "Better you than me."

In combat, the Dark Eldar truly are a raiding force. Speed is their ally – many a Dark Eldar army has won by outflanking their opponents. Their Reaver Jetbikes slice through enemy troops, while their Raider transports quickly bring Dark Eldar Warrior squads into battle. Even when on foot, the Dark Eldar are frighteningly fast with their Fleet of Foot special rule.

Dark Eldar armour is weak, but their firepower and close combat skills are fearsome. They cannot last in a sustained slug-fest, so the Dark Eldar strive to attack both quickly and hard. In the hands of an experienced Warhammer 40,000 tactician, the Dark Eldar are almost unbeatable.

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