Warhammer/Tactics/8th Edition/Aestyrion

The Aestyrion, also known as the Host of the Aestyrion, is one of three Elven special armies released as part of The End Times. Specifically, the Aestyrion refers to a splinter faction, comprised of disgruntled High Elves and Khaine-worshipping Dark Elves, who break away when Malekith is declared the true Phoenix King of the High Elves and an enraged Tyrion draws the Widowmaker to become the Avatar of Khaine.

Canonically, this army fights against Daemons, Beastmen and the Host of the Phoenix King before Malekith triumphs, defeats his rival and the two hosts are amalgamated to form the Host of the Eternity King.

See the links below for the tactics relating to these other branches.

Warhammer/Tactics/8th Edition/Host of the Phoenix King

Warhammer/Tactics/8th Edition/Host of the Eternity King

Why play Aestyrion

Because you fucking hate Malekith getting not only what he wants (to be Phoenix King), but the story that he's supposed to be the one and only true Phoenix King since his dad in the first place.

That, or you like the idea of putting the "Dark" in Dark Elves by making a force combined of the bloodthirstiest Druchii units and Asur who have embraced their inner murder-monster, even if it means giving up some of the sweeter High Elf and Dark Elf units to do so.

Army Special Rules

• Fireborn: 2+ ward save against wounds by Flaming Attacks.
• Hatred (Elves): Replaces Hatred (High Elves).
• Hekarti's Blessing: +1 to casting Dark Magic spells.
• Lileath's Blessing: +1 to casting High Magic spells.
• Murderous Prowess: Re-roll all To Wound rolls of 1.
• Valour of Ages: If the opponent has at least one unit of Elves you get re-rolls to Panic, Fear and Terror.

All units in an Aestyrion army replace Martial Prowess (if they have it) with Murderous Prowess and Hatred (High Elves) with Hatred (Elves).

Unit Analysis

Special Characters

• Tyrion, Avatar of Khaine: Your number one asskicker, if you follow the fluff, and he's not too abysmal at acting the part of the murder-machine on the tabletop, either. For 700 points, you're getting a cavalry character with maxed Weapon Skill, Initiative and Leadership, 5 attacks, and a magical weapon that ignores armor and inflicts D6 automatic wounds per successful strike. In addition the Widowmaker is immune to spells and magic items that destroy magic gear just in case some uppity mage thinks of trying to break his weapon, though it's rules can be taken away/made mundane or it can be stolen through the Nikkit Nikkit spell (so don't take him against Goblins). On the other hand, 1+ armor save, 4+ ward save and Fireborn aside, he's a bit on the squishy side (T4, 5 Wounds), so, as always, watch the fuck out for cannons and other armor-piercing attacks! Summon the Glorious Dead, his bound spell, is kind of gimmicky, but if you want to bring along some Loremasters or Sorceresses (or their lordly counterparts) packing the Lore of Undeath, it could be handy. He has Frenzy and a bubble aura of rerolling failed to wound rolls; Frenzy is both good and bad in that you get an extra attack but can be lead on a wild goose chase by a great eagle. Given his movement of 10 however he has a pretty good chance of successfully charging more often than not unless the enemy are right on the edge of your movement limit. He'll mutilate Malekith in his original and Phoenix King incarnations, especially the latter thanks to his upgraded Ward save against Fire attacks, but Malekith the Eternity King will probably beat him in a fair fight. So don't fight fair.
• Morathi: She's the only special caster character that you have in this army. Luckily, she's one of the better ones. She hasn't changed from her days in the Dark Elf codex, so that means her usefulness remains the same.
• Lokhir Fellheart:
• Korhil:

Lords and Heroes

Lords

• Dreadlord
• High Beastmaster
• Black Ark Fleetmaster
• Supreme Sorceress
• Prince
• Archmage
• Loremaster of Hoeth

Heroes

• Sorceress
• Master
• Death Hag
• Khainite Assassin
• Lothern Sea Helm
• Noble
• Mage

Core Units

• Dreadspears
• Bleakswords
• Darkshards
• Black Ark Corsair
• Dark Riders
• Witch Elves
• Spearmen
• Archers
• Lothern Sea Guard
• Silver Helms
• Ellyrian Reavers

Special Units

• Cold One Knights
• Shades
• Cold One Chariot
• Har Ganeth Executioners
• Reaper Bolt Thrower
• Harpies
• Scourgerunner Chariot
• War Hydra
• Lion Chariot of Chrace
• White Lions of Chrace
• Swordmasters of Hoeth
• Shadow Warriors
• Lothern Skyrunner
• Tiranoc Chariot

Rare Units

• Doomfire Warlocks
• Bloodwrath Medusa
• Kharibdyss
• Bloodwrack Shrine
• Sisters of Slaughter
• Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower
• Great Eagles

Building Your Army

Army Composition

The first thing you got to remember is that which of the three "United Elf Forces" you're fielding, that determines what units you can use. For the Host of the Phoenix/Eternity King, that's not much problem; it's a noted list of special characters (the most powerful versions of Malekith and Alarielle can only be fielded in the Eternity King Host) and basically every High/Dark/Wood Elf unit you want (Host of the Phoenix King allows no Dark Elf Rare units and maybe half of the special units). The Aestyrion force, on the other hand, has a more restricted list of characters and units that it can use, as it's a very specific array of High/Dark Elves.