Wraithguard

A Craftworld Aeldari Wraithguard

"Not even the dead have seen the end of war."

—Spiritseer Iyanna Arienal

The Wraithguard of the Craftworld Aeldari are not living warriors; they are artificial robotic constructs called Ghost Warriors created from the complex psycho-plastic material crafted by the Asuryani of the craftworlds known as wraithbone. Each Wraithguard has a Spirit Stone containing the soul of an elite Aeldari warrior that was drawn out of the Infinity Circuit of a craftworld.

Wraithguard are smaller in size than Wraithlords, and carry a weapon known as a Wraithcannon which is a short-range, but potent weapon capable of opening a small rift into the Warp which sucks the target, or pieces of the target, within the Immaterium.

When used against infantrymen, the result is invariably fatal. Due to their wraithbone construction, Wraithguards can suffer damage that would cripple, or even kill, a living Aeldari warrior and still continue to fight, making them useful in situations that would be suicide for living soldiers.

A squad of Craftworld Aeldari Wraithguard

They see through the Warp using what is known as "Wraithsight" but as the Warp is a tumultuous place, Wraithguards often have trouble discerning the true nature of realspace and so can find themselves blinded and unable to function effectively. Because of this tendency Wraithguard are often led into battle by Warlocks who help to guide them.

Only in times of great need are the Asuryani dead stirred from their slumber in the Infinity Circuits and brought to battle.

Craftworld Iyanden fields more Wraithguards and Wraithlords than any of the other Aeldari craftworlds, due to the heavy losses Iyanden suffered during the invasion of the Eastern Fringes of the galaxy by the Tyranid Hive Fleet Kraken.

The Iyanden even have specially-trained psykers, known as Spiritseers, to aid the dead warriors during battle. These, however, are viewed by other Asuryani as little more than necromancers.

Quick Answers

What is the role of Wraithguard in Warhammer 40k battles?

In Warhammer 40k, Wraithguard are Eldar constructs made from Wraithbone, housing the souls of elite warriors. Armed with Wraithcannons, they can create rifts in the Warp, dealing fatal damage. Their resilience allows them to endure damage that would be lethal to living soldiers, making them effective in dangerous situations. They often need Warlocks to guide them due to challenges in perceiving realspace.

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How are Wraithguard different from living Aeldari warriors?

Wraithguard differ from living Aeldari warriors as they are artificial constructs made from wraithbone and animated by the souls of deceased Aeldari warriors. Unlike living warriors, they can withstand damage that would be fatal to a living Aeldari, making them useful in dangerous situations. They use 'Wraithsight' to see, which can be unreliable due to the Warp's chaos. Wraithguard lack the vitality of living Aeldari, moving with a silent, inevitable presence.

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What material are the Wraithguard made from in Warhammer 40k?

Wraithguard in Warhammer 40k are made from wraithbone, a psycho-plastic material created by the Craftworld Aeldari. Each contains a Spirit Stone with the soul of an elite Aeldari warrior.

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How do Spirit Stones function in Wraithguard constructs?

In Wraithguard constructs, Spirit Stones house the souls of deceased Aeldari warriors from the Infinity Circuit. These souls control the Wraithguard, with the Spirit Stone embedded in the construct's forehead. If the Wraithguard is destroyed, the Spirit Stone is recovered for reuse or returned to the Infinity Circuit. This enables the Aeldari to fight beyond death, though the soul perceives reality as a dream.

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What is the connection between Wraithguard and the Infinity Circuit?

Wraithguard are constructs used by the Aeldari in Warhammer 40k, linked to the Infinity Circuit of craftworlds. This circuit is a crystalline matrix housing deceased Aeldari souls, providing psychic power and guidance. Wraithguard are animated by these souls, serving as warriors and extensions of the craftworld's will.

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Wraithblade

A Saim-Hann Wraithblade, armed with Ghostaxe and Forceshield.

The most feared of all the Wraithguard are usually referred to as "Wraithblades" -- few Asuryani will speak their true name in the Aeldari Lexicon, Klaivaulch, for fear of inciting the wrath of Khaine.

Tradition has it that each craftworld keeps these vengeful constructs apart from other ghost warriors so that the immortal anger that pervades their wraithbone shells does not taint those who might one day still attain peace when they are returned to the Infinity Circuit.

When the call to war is heard, these beings are awakened by the most gifted Seers. Their Spirit Stones glow hot as the slow-burning anger of the dead flows through their cores. Once kindled, the wrath that animates their wraithbone bodies becomes an unstoppable fury that can only be quenched in the blood of their foe.

Wielding twin Ghostswords that leave glowing traces in the air, the Wraithblades cut down their foes with both merciless precision and the great might afforded by their long-limbed forms.

Some of these constructs instead bear elegant Ghostaxes and glowing Forceshields, which deflect enemy fire as they advance and misdirect the desperate blows aimed at them at close quarters.

In deadly melee, the Wraithblades take the lives of the foe just as their lives were taken in the ongoing battle against the extinction of the Aeldari species.

Unit Composition

• 5-10 Wraithguards
• 5-10 Wraithblades

Wargear

• Wraithcannon (Wraithguard only)

• D-scythe (Wraithguard only, optional replacement for Wraithcannon)

• 2 Ghostswords (Wraithbalde only)

• 1 Ghostaxe (Wraithblade only, optional replacement for Ghostswords)

• Forceshield (Wraithblade only, optional replacement for Ghostswords)

• Unit can use Wave Serpent as dedicated transport

Sources

• Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 18
• Codex: Eldar (4th Edition), pg. 46
• Codex: Eldar (6th Edition), pp. 49, 99
• Rogue Trader: The Koronus Bestiary (RPG), pg. 56
• Wrath & Glory: Aeldari - Inheritance of Embers (RPG), pg. 32