

Eldar Striking Scorpion Exarchs
The latest Striking Scorpion models are a vast improvement over the previous range. One Exarch was constructed in a standard manner with a Biting Blade. The second Exarch was extensively converted to arm him with 'chainsabres' - a weapon option described in previous codexes; it was never available as an officially-released miniature and with the advent of 8th edition, it is no longer a valid wargear option. The third Exarch is a woman, armed with the Scorpion's Claw and the fourth Exarch is armed with the standard Striking Scorpion weaponry, so that every Codex wargear option is represented by a miniature.Date: 2008 - present (work-in-progress)
Components: 4x Striking Scorpion Exarchs, brass rod, green stuff, cork, Eldrad Ulthran left arm, Autarch shuriken pistol arm, Autarch Scorpion Chainsword arm
Colour scheme: Striking Scorpions colour scheme (PDF), Basing colour scheme (PDF)
Related:

1. The conversion of the Exarch with chainsabres was based on this concept art by Jes Goodwin. I tried to recreate the weapons as closely as possible.
Original artwork by Jes Goodwin and © Games Workshop.
Original artwork by Jes Goodwin and © Games Workshop.
The right arm was used virtually unaltered from the original Exarch miniature.
This wrist-mounted shuriken catapult was cut away from a Scorpion's Claw (another Exarch weapon option).
The hand gripping this chainsword was carefully removed so that it could be moved to the left side of the miniature.
The pincers were removed from this Scorpion's Claw and replaced with a regular hand to grip the other chainsword.

2. The component pieces of the conversion at an early stage.

3. The arms, under construction.
This left hand was taken from the miniature of Eldrad Ulthran.
A length of brass rod passes through the crossguard, hand and hilt and attaches to the hanging decoration at the base.

4. A close-up of the left arm.
5. A close-up of the right arm, which required a lot more conversion than the left.

6. The Exarch, with both arms attached.
Green Stuff was used to complete the grip.
The tiny scorpion modelled onto the base was removed for this conversion.

7. Another view of the converted Exarch.

8. A view of the conversion from the back, showing more of the Green Stuff sculpting used to fill in the various gaps.

9. This second Exarch was constructed with no alteration and is armed with a Biting Blade.

10. The Exarch with chainsabres has now been completed and undercoated.
Additional dreadlocks were modelled in Green Stuff.
Cuts were made behind both knees so that the Exarch could be reposed. She now appears to be crouching, stalking forwards towards her prey.
Some Green Stuff was used to subtly alter the runic design on her helmet.

11. This female Exarch is armed with a Scorpion's Claw and Scorpion Chainsword.

12. A view from above, highlighting the repositioned arms.

13. Side view of the conversion.
These decorative tassles were carefully bent so that they hang down correctly.

14. This rear view of the conversion better illustrates the repositioned legs and pose.
The left foot has been raised significantly by bulking out the rock beneath it.

15. This conversion uses arms from one of the Autarch kits to give me the option of fielding an Exarch without wargear upgrades. The pose works really nicely and is an interesting change from the more aggressive poses of the other models. This Exarch is also wielding his weapons in the opposite hands to the rest of the squad, which further sets the model apart from the standard squad members.

16. The left arm from the Autarch kit. I removed the forceshield from the forearm.

17. The Exarch with standard weapons, now undercoated.

18. The Striking Scorpion Exarch with Scorpion's Claw, undercoated.
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