Games - High Elves

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	Games - High Elves

In Games Workshop's Warhammer Fantasy
setting, the High Elves are a race of Elves who live on the Isle of Ulthuan, analogous to Atlantis. They are nearly immortal, and their Mages are among the best in the world.

Many thousands of years ago, the dark elves were once High Elves, and lived in Ulthuan. Malekith was the son of Aenarion, the first Phoenix King, and thus was, according to birthright, the rightful successor to the throne. However Malekeith was, like his father, warlike and the elves had just been through a time of war and desired a peaceful ruler who would help them re-build their strength. So instead a different king was chosen. The ensuing dissent led to a civil war that raged across Ulthuan and eventually brought about the exile of Malekith, his mother Morathi, and his followers from Ulthuan. This group relocated to Naggaroth, the Land of Chill, and founded the Six Cities (Naggarond, Hag Graef, Ghrond, Karond Kar, Clar Karond, Har Ganeth).

While playing the Warhammer Fantasy Battle
tabletop wargame, Elves are generally expensive, but have high Leadership, Initiative and Movement. Their most successful tactics are similar to those of the Roman army. Though usually considered a strictly defensive army, they are highly adaptable and, although difficult for any beginner, are one of the most rewarding armies for a cunning player.

The High Elven Army

Archers

When they are first called upon to join the Citizen Levy, young High Elves join the ranks of the Archers, learning about war from a relatively safe distance. Archers attack from range using exquisite longbows. In game terms, their effectiveness is disputed. Thus, they are rarely relied on by wise players.

Spearmen

After they have spent some time as Archers, new additions to the Citizen Levy will be promoted to the Spearmen. They fight with shields and spears. All High Elves fighting with spears may fight in three ranks, making them some of the most effective spearmen (albeit expensive points wise) in the game.

Lothern Sea Guard

The Lothern Sea Guard are a special corps from the High Elven capital, Lothern. They fight using not only the bow, but the spear as well; in this way, they something of a hybrid between Archer and Spearman. The Lothern Sea Guard form the bulk of the Elven naval infantry.

Silver Helms

The sons of High Elven nobles. They fight on horseback in defence of their nation. They are traditional heavy cavalry, fighting with full suits of heavy armour and lances. Their strength lies in the number of men that they can bring to the battlefield and the speed in which they strike. They are best used in a frontal assault while other units attack from the flanks.

Ellyrian Reavers

Light cavalry from the province of Ellyrion. They frequently use bows to harass their foes.

Dragon Princes of Caledor

Once upon a time they ruled the sky by flying on the backs of the dragons. But now the dragons are asleep, they go to battle on horses instead. Proud, arrogant, extremely skilled heavy cavalry from the province of Caledor. They wear suits of Dragon Armour which are as resilient against heat as it is dragons hide.

Swordmasters of Hoeth

The most skilled swordfighters in the Warhammer World. Fight using their massive ceremonial greatswords. Hail from the White Tower of Hoeth in the province of Saphery.

Shadow Warriors

Skirmishing, scouting fighters from the province of Nagarythe, which the Dark Elves are constantly raiding.

Tiranoc Chariots

Chariots from the province of Tiranoc (which was almost completely destroyed when Malekith sunk a third of Ulthuan under the sea). They mostly consist of two horses and two crew members but sometimes have up to four horses. The crew members have bows and spears for weapons. Cheap (comparatively) and fairly fast. Good for flanking but need support.

Phoenix Guard

Sworn to guard the Shrine and Flame of Asuryan. Fight using halberds. Because they have seen what is written in the Chamber of Days that foretells with infinite certainty the future, they must take a magical oath of silence that prevents them from speaking ever again. In addition they have seen, in that Chamber, their own fates, and so an aura of grim determination hangs over them. They are rarely used in the game due to their many flaws. For instance, they are expensive, fear-causing troops with limited combat effectiveness and limited armour.

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