It is very easy to make an Arhainii army and it should need a minimum of conversions. Most normal Wood Elf models are suitable for an Arhainii army although for the more specialist troops you will need more specialist models. I only have GW Mail Order Catalogues for '86-'91, '95/6 and '98 so all references will be made to these catalogues.
Warriors
For warriors with two swords the old Wardancer models can be good. In the '86-'91
catalogue they are on page 196 and 197. Swords 2-4 are good for this as is Sword and Axe.
For warriors with spears simply use Wood Elf Glade Guard painted in suitable colours.
These are on p92 of the '98 catalogue.
Archers
The plastic archers are what I would recommend as they are cheap. Otherwise the metal Wood
Elf archers will do just as well. they can be found in the '98 catalogue on p91 and 93.
Javelin Throwers
Again the old Wardancers are the best choices. They are on p196/7 of the '86-'91
catalogue.
Blood Warriors
For Blood Warriors I would use Wardancers but only the larger, stronger looking types.
Wardancers 4+5 on p91 of the '98 catalogue are best.
Shadow Dancers
The weaker looking Wardancers are good for this role. These are Wardancers 1-3 and 6-8 on
p91 of the '98 catalogue.
Night Walkers
Either use the old Wardancer labelled Swords 1 (on p196 of the '86-'91) or you could use
the Dark Elf assassin models found on p156 of the '98.
Bloodwolves
Using normal plastic wolf models will do nicely for Bloodwolves they are on p187 of the
'98. For a Wolfmaster I would recommend the old Beastmaster models on p198 of the 86-91.
Especially good are the Boar and Bear masters.
Shadow Riders
These can easily be made from Glade Riders (p95 of the '98).
Characters
Any of the Wood Elf characters will look great as Arhainii characters. In particular the
Wardancer champion (from WHQ) makes an excellent Blood Hero, while Dark Elf Sorceresses
both on foot and on the Dark Pegasus (p320 of the '95/6) make excellent Shadow Mages. The
Hag Queen from the Cauldron of Blood (p157 of the '98) would also make an excellent Mage.
Skaw the Falconer (p103 of the '98) makes a very good Raptor. Blood Willows are tricky. I
would suggest getting a Treeman model (such as Durthu) and modelling all the long branches
on it.
Special Characters
Any Dryad model can become Cumal Thornheart. I would recommend either Dryad 2 or 8 from
p97 of the '98.
Durankor can be represented by a Werewolf model on p310 of the '86-'91. I use Werewolf 2.
Vanira can be made from the Standard bearer with the heart standard on p192 of the '86-'91. She will need her sword replacing with something more menacing. I would go for the Daemon Sword Drach'nyen off Abaddon (p374 of the '98).
The Arhainii look best in a similar colour scheme to a Wood Elf army. However they should be painted in dark greens and browns rather than light colours. Metals can be painted silver rather than the traditional gold of the Wood Elves while their skin should be quite pale. This use of cold and dark colours will make them stand out from Wood Elf armies and will make them look more sinister. Other details, such as gems, look good in red.
For Blood Warriors this basic scheme can be reversed with their clothes painted in red and their skin covered in blood warpaint while details can be in black or dark green.
Shields and banners should use similar colour schemes to the units. Common themes could be the night sky, lightning, stars, drops of blood, flames, torn hearts and other such devices. The effect will be similar to the units themselves with a dark field on which is painted pale colours as well as blood red. This should be very impressive.
Back to Warhammer Armies: Arhainii
This page hosted by Geocities.