The Windriders are the Aeldari’s airborne skirmishers, Guardian soldiers who trade the safety of the ground for the speed of a jetbike. They scout ahead, harass flanks, and vanish before the enemy can react. If you’ve ever seen a Craftworld army blur across the table, these are the riders making it happen.
What are the Windriders?
They’re Aeldari Guardians mounted on anti-gravity jetbikes, forming fast attack squads that hit hard and then pull away. In the lore they’re called Ceifulgaithann in the Eldar tongue, and they’ve been part of the army since the early days of the game.
A typical squadron numbers three to twelve riders. Every third bike often swaps its shuriken catapult for a heavier shuriken cannon, and a Warlock on a jetbike sometimes joins to lend psychic support.
- Role: forward scout, rapid-response, and harassment unit
- Standard weapon: twin shuriken catapults; upgrades to shuriken cannon or scatter laser
- Squad size: 3 to 12 Guardians
- Common attachment: a jetbike-mounted Warlock
Why they matter on the tabletop
Windriders are one of the fastest scoring units the Aeldari have. With a 14″ move and a 6+ invulnerable save, they’re built to grab objectives early and stay out of trouble. In 10th edition they’re Battleline, so they can fill out your army without eating up your best slots.
Their real strength is board control. They contest midfield objectives, screen out deep strikers, and punish anything slow. But they’re fragile. Toughness 4, 2 wounds, and a 4+ save means any focused fire will wipe them out, so you have to pick your fights.
- Movement 14″, Toughness 4, 2 wounds, 4+ save, 6+ invulnerable
- Objective Control 2 per model, which is decent for a fast unit
- Leadership 7+, so they can be shaken by morale if you’re careless
- Best used as a harassment and scoring unit, not a frontline brawler
Craftworld culture and the Windrider host
Windriders take fierce pride in their machines. Each jetbike’s cowling carries the craftworld’s heraldry, and sometimes the squadron’s own colours, painted in bold, defiant schemes. Joining a Windrider host is considered a real honour.
Nowhere is that truer than on Craftworld Saim-Hann. There, Windriders ride to war in their thousands, and their love of speed shapes the whole craftworld’s identity. Other craftworlds field them too, but Saim-Hann is the home of the jetbike charge.
- Heraldry on each jetbike shows craftworld and squadron pride
- Saim-Hann fields Windriders in huge numbers
- The Windrider host is a distinct cultural institution, more than a battlefield role
How they connect to the wider Aeldari lore
Windriders sit alongside other fast Aeldari units like Shining Spears, Swooping Hawks, and Shroud Runners. They’re the common Guardian version of jetbike warfare, while Aspect Warriors take the concept in more specialised directions.
They also share the jetbike technology with the Harlequins’ Skyweavers and the Corsair Skyreavers, showing how widespread anti-grav bikes are across Aeldari society. If you like the idea of a fast, fragile, hard-hitting army, Windriders are a natural starting point.
- Related units: Shining Spears, Swooping Hawks, Shroud Runners, Vypers
- Shared tech: Harlequin Skyweavers and Corsair Skyreavers
- Common in Craftworlds, Harlequins, and Ynnari armies
Key facts
- Windriders are Aeldari Guardian jetbike squadrons, also called Ceifulgaithann.
- They’re fast attack skirmishers with a 14″ move and 6+ invulnerable save.
- Squad size is 3 to 12, with optional shuriken cannon or scatter laser upgrades.
- Craftworld Saim-Hann is famous for fielding thousands of Windriders.
- In 10th edition they have the Battleline keyword, making them useful for objective play.
FAQ
What are the Windriders in Warhammer 40k?
They’re Aeldari Guardians mounted on jetbikes, used as fast scouts and harassment troops. They’re known for speed, shuriken weapons, and hit-and-run tactics.
Are Windriders good in 10th edition?
They’re solid for scoring and board control thanks to their speed and Battleline status, but they’re fragile. Use them to grab objectives and avoid direct fights.
What craftworld is famous for Windriders?
Saim-Hann. They field Windriders in huge numbers and their culture revolves around fast jetbike warfare.
What weapons do Windriders use?
Most carry twin shuriken catapults, but every third bike can take a shuriken cannon or scatter laser. A Warlock can join with its own psychic powers.