Best Drukhari Dark Elf Starter Set: Tremble Before the Nightmarish Might of the Kabal
Have you had the privilege of exploring the twisted depths of the Drukhari(Also knows as the Dark elves)? The sadistic/hedonitics aliens once known as the Dark Elves that mirror our society in it’s decadence and debauchery.
If you’re eager to start your own Kabalite Warrior army and revel in the suffering of your foes, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll unbox the Drukhari Dark Elf Starter Sets and discover the essential units you’ll need to build a force that will strike terror across the galaxy.
As you delve into the world of the Drukhari and begin building your own army, you’ll discover a faction that revels in the darkest aspects of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Embrace the twisted legacy of the Dark City, and let the screams of your enemies be the soundtrack to your rise to power.
Looking to get into 3d Printing? Read here for the Best 3d Printers for Warhammer Hobbyists
Key Takeaways:
- Comprehensive starter sets for new Drukhari players
- Highly detailed and customizable miniatures
- Powerful units for competitive play
- Ideal for Combat Patrol-sized games
- Expansions available for varied army building
Why Choose the Drukhari?
The Drukhari’s tale begins with the fall of the Aeldari Empire, a cataclysmic event that saw the birth of the Chaos God Slaanesh.
While their Craftworld kin sought to preserve their culture and resist the temptations of Chaos, the Drukhari chose a different path. They retreated to the hidden city of Commorragh, a labyrinthine realm in the Webway, where they could indulge their twisted desires without restraint.
In Commorragh, the Drukhari society is divided into various Kabals, each led by a ruthless Archon vying for power and influence. These Kabals are constantly at war with one another, engaging in brutal raids and tournaments to assert their dominance.
The Wych Cults, led by the infamous Succubi, provide entertainment and arena combat for the masses, while the Haemonculus Covens specialize in the art of torture and flesh-crafting.
The Drukhari are a fascinating and unique faction within the Warhammer 40,000 universe. These sadistic aliens, once part of a galaxy-spanning empire, now indulge in every macabre passion their twisted minds can conceive.
Afflicted by a gnawing sickness of the soul, they find solace in the suffering of others. On the battlefield, Drukhari warriors are swift, agile, and armed with weaponry designed to inflict maximum pain, elevating warfare into a gruesome art form.
Looking to be the ‘good’ elves instead? View our guide on the Best Eldar Starter Sets
Best Dark Elf Starter Set: Combat Patrol: Drukhari
The Combat Patrol: Drukhari set is an excellent starting point for beginners. This set contains approximately 25 Power Level’s worth of models, perfect for Combat Patrol-sized games. Here’s what you’ll find inside:
- 1x Archon
- 10x Kabalite Warriors
- 5x Incubi
- 1x Ravager
- 1x Raider
The Archon is your army’s leader, a cunning and cruel mastermind who leads your Kabalite Warriors into battle. The Warriors themselves are the backbone of your force, merciless fighters hungry for power and the suffering of others.
The Incubi are elite warriors, sworn to protect their Archon and unleash devastation upon the enemy. The Ravager and Raider provide heavy fire support and transport, respectively, ensuring your army is mobile and deadly.
Want to try and Airbrush your combat patrol set? Checkout our article for The Best Airbrushes for Warhammer 40k
Best Drukhari Dark Elf Starter Set: Scourges
Scourges are Drukhari warriors who have undergone extensive body modification, with hollow bones, powerful wings, and adrenaline dispensers that allow them to take flight. They prefer to lay down a withering hail of fire from afar before flying away out of harm’s reach. A unit of Scourges can add some serious firepower to your army.
This multi-part plastic set contains:
- Five Drukhari Scourges in 80 components
- Weapon upgrades: shredder, splinter cannon, haywire blaster, heat lance, blaster, and dark lance
- Several weapon options to upgrade one of the Scourges into a Solarite to lead the unit
- Five 25mm bases
Scourges excel at harassing enemy units from a distance. Use them to target high-value enemies or to soften up targets before your main force engages. Their ability to fly allows them to quickly redeploy and attack from unexpected angles.
Want to try something different with your Drukhari? Checkout our guide on How to Paint Lava Bases on Miniatures
Best Dark Elf Starter Set: Lelith Hesperax
Lelith Hesperax is a legendary Wych gladiatrix whose athleticism and skill with knives is unmatched. She can single-handedly carve through enemy units and duel enemy Characters with ease. If you’re looking for a powerful melee specialist to add to your force, Lelith Hesperax is a fantastic choice.
- 1x Lelith Hesperax miniature
- 10 plastic components
- 1x Citadel 32mm Round Base
Deploy Lelith Hesperax as a frontline fighter, using her incredible combat prowess to carve through enemy units. She excels at taking out high-value targets and can hold her own against even the toughest foes. Use her to spearhead your assaults or to counter enemy melee threats.
Want to learn more about where the Drukhari spawned from? Read all about Slaahnesh
Best Dark Elf Starter Set: Talos Pain Engine
The Talos Pain Engine is a twisted blend of organic and mechanical components, festooned with surgical apparatus and horrific weapons. It is the pinnacle of the Haemonculi’s art, a macabre addition to any Drukhari collection. Whether you choose to build it as a Talos Pain Engine or a Cronos Parasite Engine, this kit offers a wealth of customization options to make your model truly unique.
This multi-part plastic kit contains:
- 89 components to make one Drukhari Talos Pain Engine or one Cronos Parasite Engine
- Various features: chain-flails, ichor injectors, a liquefier gun, and many syringes
- Several variant heads and arms
The Talos Pain Engine is a monstrous unit that excels at close-quarters combat. Use it to break enemy lines, soak up damage, and dish out devastating melee attacks. The Cronos Parasite Engine, on the other hand, focuses on supporting your other units and debuffing enemies. Choose the variant that best suits your playstyle and army composition.
Dark Elves not your style? Try our T’au Starter Set For Warhammer 40k
Drukhari – Kabalite Warriors
Kabalite Warriors form the backbone of most Drukhari armies. These merciless fighters are armed with a variety of deadly weapons and can be customized to suit your preferred playstyle.
This box set contains:
- 10 multi-part plastic Drukhari Warriors
- 102 pieces, including five different styles of legs, 15 different heads (5 bare, 10 helmeted), and 10 bodies (with three different male and three different female variants)
- Optional extras: a shredder, a blaster, a splinter cannon, a dark lance, a blast pistol, and an agoniser
- 25mm round bases
Kabalite Warriors are your primary infantry unit. Use them to hold objectives, lay down fire support, and engage the enemy in close combat.
With the various weapon options available, you can tailor your Kabalite Warriors to excel at range or in melee, depending on your strategy. Their speed and agility make them well-suited for hit-and-run tactics and rapid redeployment.
Find out about the Best Starter Sets For Warhammer 40k
Painting Your Drukhari
Painting your Drukhari army is a fun and rewarding experience. The dark, sinister aesthetics of the Drukhari allow for a wide range of color schemes, from deep purples and reds to eerie greens and bone colors.
I recommend using Citadel Paints from the Best Beginner Paint Sets for Warhammer – We also recommend heading over to Goonhammer for a more in depth painting tutorial.
When painting your Drukhari, consider the different sub-factions within their society. Kabalite Warriors often sport dark, brooding colors like deep blues, purples, and blacks, with accents of silver or bone. Wych Cults, on the other hand, tend to favor brighter, more vivid colors like reds, oranges, and yellows, reflecting their flamboyant and theatrical nature.
Haemonculus Covens often use sickly greens, pale flesh tones, and rusty metallic colors to emphasize their twisted experiments and body modifications.
To add depth and interest to your models, consider using techniques like edge highlighting, drybrushing, and washing. These methods can help you achieve a more dynamic and visually appealing result.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different color combinations and techniques to create a unique look for your army.
You can also use the Drukhari transfer sheet included in the Combat Patrol set to add intricate designs and symbols to your models, further enhancing their appearance and tying them into the lore of your chosen Kabal or Cult.
Interested in the Machines who make the Machines? Check here for The Best Adeptus Mechanicus Starter Sets
Playing Your Drukhari Army
Drukhari armies are fast, agile, and excel at hit-and-run tactics.
Your Kabalite Warriors and Scourges can lay down a hail of splinter fire while your Incubi and characters like Lelith Hesperax carve through enemy units in melee. The Ravager and Raider provide mobile fire support and transport, allowing you to quickly redeploy your units and keep the enemy on their toes.
When playing your Drukhari army, it’s essential to make use of their speed and maneuverability. Use your transports to quickly move your units into advantageous positions, either to seize objectives or to launch devastating attacks on the enemy.
The Drukhari excel at picking apart the enemy force piecemeal, using their mobility to isolate and destroy individual units before moving on to the next target.
In the shooting phase, make use of your poisoned weaponry to weaken the enemy. Splinter weapons are particularly effective against lightly armored targets, while dark lances and blasters can take on tougher foes.
Use your Scourges to harass the enemy from afar, and don’t be afraid to use their mobility to redeploy them as needed.
In the fight phase, your Incubi and characters like Lelith Hesperax come into their own. These deadly melee specialists can make short work of even the toughest enemy units. Use them to surgically remove key threats or to tie up enemy units while the rest of your army secures objectives or continues to lay down fire.
FAQ
Q: What’s the best way to start a Drukhari army?
A: The Combat Patrol: Drukhari set is an excellent starting point, providing a solid core of units to build your army around.
Q: Can I mix Drukhari units with other Warhammer 40,000 factions?
A: While you can certainly collect and paint models from other factions, mixing them in the same army is not allowed in most competitive play formats.
Q: How do I paint my Drukhari models?
A: I recommend using Citadel Paints and following the tutorials available on the Warhammer YouTube channel. Experiment with different color schemes to find one that suits your style.
Q: What’s the playstyle of a Drukhari army?
A: Drukhari armies are fast and agile, excelling at hit-and-run tactics. They can lay down a hail of splinter fire while quickly closing in for melee combat.
Q: Where can I learn more about the Drukhari lore?
A: The Warhammer 40,000 codexes and novels are great resources for learning more about the Drukhari and their place in the universe. The Warhammer Universe website and YouTube channel also offer plenty of lore content.
Conclusion
Collecting and playing a Drukhari army in Warhammer 40,000 is an exciting and rewarding experience. With the starter sets and expansions available, you can build a force that truly reflects your playstyle and aesthetic preferences.
Whether you’re drawn to the swift Kabalite Warriors, the elite Incubi, or the twisted Haemonculus creations, there’s something for everyone in the world of the Drukhari. So grab your starter set, dive into the lore, and let your imagination run wild as you embark on your journey into the dark city of Commorragh. Happy gaming!
