High Elf Realms (Warhammer: The Old World)

What are the High Elf Realms in Warhammer: The Old World?

The High Elf Realms are the elegant, highly skilled elven army of Warhammer: The Old World. They suit collectors who like a compact, characterful force of elite infantry, fast cavalry and powerful magic, and who enjoy painting crisp armour, flowing cloaks and fine detail.

If you are new to the faction, the simplest route is to buy the High Elf Realms: Battle March Army, add the Arcane Journal: High Elf Realms for the rules, and build out from there. This guide explains how the army plays, what each kit is for and how to approach the painting.

How do High Elves play?

High Elves are a quality-over-quantity army. Their warriors are generally well trained and well equipped, and the army tends to reward careful positioning and good timing over simply throwing bodies at the enemy. Expect a mix of disciplined spear and bow troops, hard-hitting elite infantry, mounted units that can strike flanks, war machines and wizards.

The faction draws on the wider lore of Ulthuan, the island homeland of the elves, and its distinct realms. Many units are tied to a particular region or order, which makes it easy to theme an army around a story you like. If you want a broader picture of the game itself, our guide to Warhammer: The Old World covers the setting, the scale of play and how armies are built.

What should I buy first for a High Elf army?

Start with a core you can paint and play with quickly, then add specialists once you know which parts of the army you enjoy.

1. The army box: the Battle March Army gives you a ready-made starting force in one purchase, which is the easiest way to get to your first game.
2. A battle line: Elven Spearmen are the classic rank-and-file unit and a good way to learn the army's painting scheme on a repeatable model.
3. A leader: the High Elf Lords kit lets you field a commander and gives you a rewarding centrepiece to paint.
4. The rulebook: the Arcane Journal is where the army's rules and options live.

You will also need the core Old World rules to play. Our complete Warhammer buying guide explains how the rulebooks, armies and supporting products fit together.

Which High Elf kits are worth knowing?

Infantry

Infantry forms the backbone of the army, and the range has a clear split between everyday troops and elite orders.

• Elven Spearmen are the dependable core, suited to holding a line.
• Swordmasters of Hoeth are an elite order associated with the White Tower of Hoeth, known for martial skill.
• White Lions of Chrace are the fur-cloaked guardians of the Phoenix King, and one of the most recognisable units in the range.
• Phoenix Guard are solemn, ornate temple guardians, popular with painters who enjoy gold and rich colour work.
• Sisters of Avelorn are the archers of the forest realm of Avelorn, and a good choice if you want a more fluid, ranged-focused unit.

Cavalry

Mounted units give the army reach and the ability to strike where the enemy is weakest.

• Silver Helms are the traditional noble cavalry and a natural first mounted unit.
• Dragon Princes of Caledor are heavily armoured knights from Caledor, suited to collectors who want a more imposing, shock-focused unit.

Characters, magic and monsters

Magic is a defining part of the High Elf identity, so it is worth giving your wizards some attention.

• High Elf Mages bring spellcasting to the army and are a good way to add variety to your characters.
• High Elf Loremaster is a scholar-warrior character drawn from the order of Hoeth.
• High Elf Lords provide commanders for the army's general and other leaders.
• Lord on Dragon is the large centrepiece model, best treated as a showpiece project once the core of your army is done.

War machines

The Eagle-claw Bolt Throwers give the army long-range support and are a straightforward, characterful build. They are a good way to add a different shape to your battle line.

How do I paint a High Elf army?

High Elves reward a clean, deliberate approach. Many collectors pick a small palette, often white, gold, blue or red, and repeat it across the army so units look like they belong together. A consistent scheme also makes large regiments quicker to finish.

If you have never painted a miniature, read how to start painting Warhammer miniatures first. When you are ready to choose colours, the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide explains the paint types and how they work together.

A few practical tips:

• Paint one test model fully before committing to a whole regiment.
• Keep white and gold areas tidy, since they show mistakes easily; build them up in thin layers.
• Treat the elite infantry as painting practice for the details, such as cloaks, crests and banners.

Which book do I need for High Elf Realms?

You need the army book for your faction alongside the core Old World rules. For this army, that is the Arcane Journal: High Elf Realms. It is the reference you will use when choosing units, building a list and checking army-specific options, so it is worth having before you decide on a large purchase of models.

Who are the High Elves' main opponents?

The High Elves have a long list of enemies in the setting, and any of the other Old World armies makes a good opponent for a first game. If you are looking for a friend to play against or want to see what else is available, these guides cover several of the main forces:

• Warriors of Chaos for a dark, aggressive opponent.
• Orc & Goblin Tribes for large, chaotic hordes.
• Empire of Man for a human army with a mix of troops, guns and magic.
• Tomb Kings of Khemri for an undead desert dynasty.
• Grand Cathay for a distinctive eastern empire.

High Elf Realms FAQ

Are High Elves good for beginners?

They can be, particularly if you enjoy a smaller, elite army and are happy to spend time on detail. The army box is a practical entry point, and building out one unit type at a time keeps the project manageable.

What is the best first unit to buy?

Elven Spearmen are a sensible first unit, because they are a core choice and teach you the army's colour scheme. If you would rather start with something more distinctive, Swordmasters of Hoeth and White Lions of Chrace are popular elite choices.

Do I need the Arcane Journal to play?

Yes, you need the army book to build and play a High Elf list properly. The Arcane Journal: High Elf Realms is the book written for this faction, and you will use it alongside the core Old World rules.

Can I mix elite and core units in one army?

Yes, and most players do. A typical collection grows from a core of infantry, then adds a few elite regiments, a cavalry unit, a war machine and a wizard or two.

Does Universe TCG ship High Elf miniatures abroad?

Yes. Universe TCG ships worldwide from Spain, and also has physical shops in Mollet del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès and Segovia if you prefer to browse in person.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Warhammer: The Old World
• Orc & Goblin Tribes (Warhammer: The Old World)
• Tomb Kings of Khemri (Warhammer: The Old World)
• Warriors of Chaos (Warhammer: The Old World)
• Grand Cathay (Warhammer: The Old World)
• Empire of Man (Warhammer: The Old World)
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures