Eldar Guardian Backpack Knobs

[Zor]

Does anyone know what those knobs sticking out of the back of Eldar Guardians are for?

Zor

[Ted C]

Does anyone know what those knobs sticking out of the back of Eldar Guardians are for?

Zor

I don't know if it's explained anywhere, but I would guess comm or sensor gear.

[white_rabbit]

As Ted C says, Comms or sensor gear is quite likely, various images/schematics have variously described the myriad bulges and vanes found on vehicles and wargear used by the eldar as such.

Interestingly, the crazy hairstyles are apparently sensor systems sometimes as well, concept art for the Striking Scorpions and a wee bit in the new rulebook describes them as such, as well as IIRC the tall helmets.

Other candidates include power sources, bits of wraithbone drawing energy from the warp/sun/ambient snurgleweeb particles etc, fancy bits that are ritually attached to Guardian armour without any actual use etc.

[andrewgpaul]

D'you mean the actual vanes sticking up, or the little egg-shaped bumps? I once went nearly insane painting all those bumps as gemstones, before realising the error of my ways.

By the way, If I'm looking at it right, the Dawn Of War II demo video seems to show that Banshee helmets are only facemasks; after the dreadnought drops the one it flames, it looks like you can see the scorched back of her head.

[Bob the Gunslinger]

Whatever the vanes are, the elite warriors of the Dire Avengers don't have them, even though the rest of their armour is identical. The only real difference is that some Dire Avengers have a fancy, camera-like device that sits behind a single shoulder, or a sheath for a wraithbone sword. Guardians are also the only Eldar whose armour does not contain the spirit stones (or spirit essences) of previous wearers, and they are the only form of Eldar armor with those particular types of vanes, besides Wraithguard, Wraithlords, or Farseers (where the vanes are on their helmets). Thus, I would guess that the vanes on a guardian are sensors or repositories for the suits' computers/spirits/access to the webway, or both.

D'you mean the actual vanes sticking up, or the little egg-shaped bumps? I once went nearly insane painting all those bumps as gemstones, before realising the error of my ways.

I tried the same thing, too. Now, I just do the same old "washing and drybrushing" technique on them that I do on everyone else.