Darkshard
The Darkshards are the crossbow-armed wing of the Dark Elf Warrior class. [5a]
Many Dark Elves forsake melee weapons in favour of delivering death from afar. Armed with repeater crossbows — magazine-fed weapons capable of unleashing blistering hails of bolts — these Darkshards can take positions at the rear of the battlefield firing storms of iron-tipped bolts, against approaching foes, or move forwards to weaken the enemy line with a withering volley before the Dark Elf attack charges home. Though often scorned by other warriors for their distaste of close quarters battle, the Darkshards are anffinchingly proud of their marksmanship and are certainly no less cruel than their fellows. It is not uncommon for a Darkshard to forgo a killing strike to eye or heart in favour of a gut shot or other debilitating blow which, while ultimately so less lethal, guarantees that the enemy's last moments will be spent in mewling agony.[5a]
Weapons and Equipment
- 2nd Edition: Crossbows: Chainmail, Crossbow, Hand Weapon. [6a]
- 2nd Edition: Repeating Crossbows: Hand Weapon, Repeating Crossbow. May have Chainmail (females pay double!) [6a]
- 3rd Edition: Crossbowmen: Crossbow, Hand Weapon and Light Armour, may have Shields and swap Crossbows for Repeating Crossbows. May have Musician, Standard Bearer. [1a]
- 4th Edition: Light Armour, Repeating Crossbow and Sword, may have shields. [2a]
- 6th Edition: Hand Weapon, Light Armour, Repeating Crossbow, may have shields. May be led by a Lordling, Musician and Standard Bearer. [3a]
- 7th Edition: Hand Weapon, Light Armour, Repeater Crossbow, may have shields. May be led by a Guardmaster, Musician and Standard Bearer. [4a]
Notes
In WFB 3rd and 4th edition, they were called Crossbowmen rather than Darkshards. [1a] In 6th Edition they were [{Dark Elf Warrior]]s. [3a] In 7th Edition they were Dar Elf Repeater Crossbowmen. [4a]
Gallery
A Crossbowman
Crossbowmen
Crossbowmen
Darkshards
Miniatures
4th Edition Repeating Crossbowman
A 4th edition Regiment
A Darkshard Regiment
Darkshards
A Darkshard
A Darkshard
A Darkshard
Crossbowmen for Warmaster
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies (3rd Edition)
- 1a: Dark Elf Army List, pg. 34
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (4th Edition)
- 2a: Dark Elf Bestiary, pg. 52
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (6th Edition)
- 3a: Armies of Naggaroth, pg. 28
- 4: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (7th Edition)
- 4a: Dark Elf Army List, pg. 94
- 5: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (8th Edition)
- 5a: Warriors of the Dark Cities, pg. 39
- 6: Ravening Hordes (2nd Edition)
- 6a: Dark Elves, pg. 27
