The Aeldari once ruled the galaxy. Their pride and excess gave birth to a god that devoured their souls, and today the survivors drift through space on vast ships called craftworlds, fighting with grace, psychic power and ancient technology to avoid extinction. Theirs is one of the most tragic stories in Warhammer 40,000.
Army guide, last updated November 4, 2026. Lore summarised in our own words from Black Library novels, codexes and community wikis. For game rules, use the official codex or the official app.
The Aeldari in 30 seconds
| Who | An ancient, long-lived race of "space elves" |
| Home | Craftworlds, giant ships drifting through space |
| Great enemy | Slaanesh, the Chaos god born from their fall |
| Famous for | Aspect Warriors, Farseers, the Path system |
| Leaders | Farseers like Eldrad Ulthran |
| Colours | Each craftworld its own: Ulthwé black, Biel-Tan green, Iyanden yellow, Saim-Hann red |
The ancient empire
Millions of years ago, the Aeldari were created by the Old Ones to fight the Necrons in the War in Heaven. Afterwards, they built a vast empire across the stars. With long lives, psychic gifts and incredible technology, they had nothing left to struggle for, so they turned to pleasure, art and ever more extreme experiences.
The Fall and the birth of Slaanesh
Aeldari emotions echo in the warp. Over thousands of years, their growing excess fed something there. About ten thousand years before the 41st Millennium, it was born: Slaanesh, the Chaos god of pleasure and excess. Its birth-scream destroyed the heart of the Aeldari empire in an instant and tore open the Eye of Terror. Billions of souls were devoured.
Even now, when an Aeldari dies, Slaanesh hungers for their soul. Every Aeldari wears a spirit stone that catches the soul at death to keep it from the god.
The craftworlds
Some Aeldari saw the doom coming and fled on enormous ships called craftworlds. Each is a living world in itself, with forests, cities and a psychic network called the infinity circuit, where the souls from spirit stones live on. The best-known craftworlds are Ulthwé (seers who live near the Eye of Terror), Biel-Tan (warriors who want to rebuild the empire), Iyanden (nearly destroyed by Tyranids and now defended by ghost warriors), Saim-Hann (jetbike-riding clans) and Alaitoc (rangers and explorers).
The Path
To avoid falling into excess again, craftworld Aeldari follow the Path: they devote themselves completely to one calling at a time, as an artist, a farmer, a pilot or a warrior, before moving on. Those who choose the Path of the Warrior become Aspect Warriors, each shrine mastering one form of war: Dire Avengers, Howling Banshees, Striking Scorpions, Fire Dragons, Swooping Hawks, Warp Spiders and more. Some get lost on a Path forever and become Exarchs.
Phoenix Lords and Farseers
The founders of the Aspect shrines are the Phoenix Lords, ancient heroes who can never truly die; their spirits pass into new bodies. The craftworlds are guided by Farseers, psykers who read the threads of fate and act to change the future, often at terrible cost to other races.
The other Aeldari
Not all survivors live on craftworlds. The Drukhari hide in the dark city of Commorragh and torture others to keep Slaanesh away. The Harlequins serve the laughing god Cegorach, and Exodites live simple lives on distant worlds. Recently a new faction rose, the Ynnari, who believe a god of the dead, Ynnead, can defeat Slaanesh, led by the reborn Yvraine.
Famous Aeldari
- Eldrad Ulthran: the greatest Farseer of Ulthwé.
- Asurmen: the first Phoenix Lord.
- Prince Yriel: Iyanden's exiled pirate prince.
- Illic Nightspear: a legendary ranger.
- Yvraine: the Emissary of Ynnead.
Black Library books to read
- Path of the Warrior (Gav Thorpe): life as an Aspect Warrior
- Valedor (Guy Haley): craftworlds against the Tyranids
- The Phoenix Lords series (various authors): the founders of the Aspect shrines
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Find them as Black Library paperbacks and audiobooks.
Collecting Aeldari: a quick guide
Aeldari are fast and specialised: each unit excels at one job. Start with: an Aeldari Combat Patrol, and pick a craftworld scheme you love.
Painting tip
Clean, bright colours, smooth armour and glowing gems with a white dot. A paints and tools set covers the basics.
Latest Aeldari news
New to the hobby? Start with our Warhammer beginner's hub, and see the other army guides.
Sources
- Warhammer Community warhammer-community.com
- Games Workshop warhammer.com
- Lexicanum: Aeldari wh40k.lexicanum.com