Objective Secured

We are going to take a look at Yvraine, the Emissary of Ynnead today – the new warrior queen of the Ynnari featured in Gathering Storm part 2. Much like the Yncarne, she represent parts of each eldar force presently available to players.

Yvraine, Emissary of Ynnead

Yvraine, Daughter of Shades, walks with regal grace across a waste-ground of corpses. Clad in the style of the ancient Aeldari and accompanied by a psychic familiar known as a gyrinx, Yvraine is a magnificent sight, her courtly attire and perfect poise commanding respect. When her ire is raised, however, she transforms into a merciless blur of action, drawing on the souls she harbours to fight the enemies of the Ynnari as an army of one. Her very presence can kill, for Yvraine is the chosen vessel and emissary of Ynnead, the God of the Dead. Those who believe the Aeldari can burn bright before the end of days find themselves Reborn at her blessed touch, their souls freed from the curse of Slaanesh. These fortunate few are energised by the miasma of eldritch energies surrounding Yvraine – they draw conviction and vigour from the stolen life force that swirls around her. Those whom she deems unworthy find themselves aging horribly, their inner fires guttering and ebbing like dying candles as their flesh falls away to glowing ash at the touch of her Cronesword, Kha-vir.

Yvraine is something of a unique beast within the eldar warhost. On one hand, her stat line is that of a Dark Eldar Succubus. Fantastic weapon skill, ballistic skill and initiative, solid volume of attacks and the common low strength and toughness with average wounds for a hero. Where it gets interesting is when we factor in her special rules and wargear and why she is so unique.

She starts with gaining a Rune Suit – giving her an invulnerable save better than a dodge save (which she is missing). She also bears the Sword of Sorrows – Kha-Vir. The sword is a better version of the Dark Eldar husk blades with a buff to Yvraine’s strength value in combat while retaining the instant death rule from the original weapon. If only it had AP2!

At this point, you could be forgiven for assuming we have a combat hero on our hands here, but Yvraine is so much more.

Like the other chosen heroes of Yneead, Yvraine has the Eternal Warrior rule. She also boasts fleet, independent, strength from death (to allow soul bursts!) and stubborn. She is also most auspiciously a psyker with Mastery Level 2 with access to Revenant or Sanctic discplines.

Much of what was said for the Yncarne and psychic powers is applicable to Yvraine – Both disciplines offer much to her depending on where she is used. The ability to join units with Yvraine while having access to these powers adds a lot of flexibility.

Her last 2 rules are perhaps her most interesting. The first is Gyrinx Familiar. This rule allows Yvraine to generate a small pool of extra warp charges which only she may use. This extra power eases the use of other dice on the rest of your force. Should she be the only psyker in your force, you can be reasonably sure to get enough dice to attempt to cast all 3 of your powers each turn.

The second rule is called Herald of Ynnead. Whenever an eldar model is slain within 7”, Yvraine has a chance to regain wounds (though the chance is slightly lower than the Yncarne). If the slain eldar model in question was a psyker, Yvraine adds a mastery level to her own (capping out at 4) and immediately generates another power. This rule certainly encourages running Yvraine with friendly psykers – and the Ynnari have no shortage of options for that. Adding a warlock to any of the guardian choices is a cheap and easy option for gaining levels for Yvraine – though most obviously, the net result of powers and dice available is zero as you are losing and gaining levels at the same time.

All things considered, Yvraine has a solid set of rules and abilities – though her cost is 25-50 points to much for what she is. At her present price, she is a nice to have and themed unit but not a must have. Regardless, the unique combination of hyper combatant and psyker is a welcome addition.