Howdy, and welcome back. I have been busy with a slight diversion lately. A friend of mine gave me a pile of his old 1990s Eldar. Out of the bunch, I only really cared for the Guardians, the Falcons, and the Vyper jetbike. I decided to paint up two squads of Guardians, the vehicles, add a new box of the plastic Wraithguard (these new ones are so cool!), and finish it off with the new plastic Farseer. This would give me a small force that I can add to later. I've always really liked the Biel-Tan color scheme of dark green and white, so I went with that. Now, when it comes to this whole Oldhammer revival thing...
The box of Eldar my friend gave me had a bunch of the original metal Aspect Warriors and other various retro stuff. While I like the old models, I'm not really into the whole nostalgia thing, especially when it comes to Oldhammer models. I like the idea of Oldhammer and I look back fondly at the old times to a certain extent. But I really can't get excited about the old models that much. I'd much rather revive the old background but use updated models to do it. Hence my Badab War project which is based on an old bit of fluff, but using new beakie Space Marine models, newer Badab War color schemes and playing within the new expanded Forgeworld Badab War timeline. Like Nouveau Oldhammer I guess.
I don't know why, but when I look at the old models, I don't feel nostalgia, I often think "Man, the stuff we have now is so much better!". Now, that doesn't mean there isn't some old models that have held up well. I really like the old Jes Goodwin designs especially. And it's not like I like everything new either. The new chaos marines are still awful, in my opinion.
Overall, I feel like the old material didn't age that well. And even when it comes to the old models that I like, a lot of it is at a smaller scale than the new, so mixing it up in the same army bothers me visually. It's why I haven't painted up all of the Aspect Warriors I was given. I actually like the models, but they are so small next to the Guardians and the Shuriken weapons look different enough that I am not into it.
It might just be that I'm not a nostalgic person. I think the art and fluff of the Warhammer 40,000 universe has come a long way over the years and I don't look back on the past with rose colored eye glasses. Most of the rules were bad (especially Rogue Trader-how did we ever actually play that system?) and so much of the original setting was just so goofy. I guess that's what people like about it though, Maybe they miss their gaming youth and there is some legitimacy to the criticism of the newer Warhammer 40,000 universe taking itself too seriously. I'm just not one of those types. I enjoy the painting skills I have now, the extra disposable income, and the extra time I have for the hobby. I wouldn't go back to then if given the choice.
However, one thing I am all for is Games Workshop rereleasing old games and miniatures through their new reincarnation of Specialist Games. When it comes to redoing the old with new designs...bring on Necromunda! (And Battlefleet Gothic etc. etc.).
Just some thoughts on the new trend of Oldhammer gaming and collecting.
Anyway. Stepping down from my soapbox... here are some Eldar!
Enjoy!
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| Guardian Squad |
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| Vyper Jetbike |
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| New plastic Wraithguard |
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| Falcon grav tank |
