We are the Sylvaneth, the guardians of the natural world, born from the spirit of the ancient goddess Alarielle. We embody the essence of the forest, wielding the power of nature to protect and nurture the realms.
Clad in bark and leaves, we move silently through the trees, our forms shifting like the flora around us.
Our kin, from the mighty Treelords to the agile Dryads, stand united in our sacred duty to defend the land against those who would harm it.
Who Are the Sylvaneth?
The Sylvaneth are a unique faction in the Age of Sigmar, representing the living embodiment of nature and the guardians of the forests.
Born from the essence of Alarielle, the Everqueen, they are elf-like beings who draw their strength from the flora and fauna of the realm.
Their ranks include the Treelords, the swift and cunning Dryads, and the enigmatic Branchwraiths.
The Sylvaneth are deeply connected to the natural world, utilizing powerful magic to protect their sacred groves and restore balance to the realms.
What Are the Sylvaneth Army Strengths?
The Sylvaneth army is characterized by its strong synergy with nature, resilience, and versatility, making it a formidable force on the battlefield.
Their ability to manipulate terrain and summon reinforcements allows for strategic control, enabling them to create safe havens and ambush opportunities.
Units like the Treelords provide robust frontline support, while the nimble Dryads excel in hit-and-run tactics and objective control.
Additionally, their powerful magic enhances their effectiveness and resilience. However, the army also has weaknesses; many Sylvaneth units can be relatively fragile, relying on numbers and positioning for effectiveness.
Their dependency on terrain can make them vulnerable in open battles, requiring careful planning and tactical foresight to maximize their potential.
Where Should Beginners Start?
If you’re starting your collection of Sylvaneth as a beginner, consider these key models:
- Dryads: These nimble infantry units are versatile and can capture objectives while harassing enemy lines, making them a staple in many lists.
- Treelord: This powerful centerpiece provides robust frontline support and can deal significant damage, making it a great model to enhance your army’s durability.
- Branchwraith: This hero model offers valuable spellcasting abilities and support, enhancing the effectiveness of your Dryads and other units.
- Kurnoth Hunters: Adding a unit of Kurnoth Hunters provides strong melee capabilities and versatility, allowing you to adapt to various battlefield scenarios.
How To Paint Sylvaneth
Here are some painting tips for new Sylvaneth players:
Color Scheme Ideas
- Forest Guardian: Start with a base coat of deep green for armor and bark textures, reflecting the essence of the forest. Highlight with lighter greens or yellows to emphasize the natural features. For leaves and flora, use vibrant shades of green or autumnal colors like orange and red. For skin, choose a muted flesh tone or light green, highlighting with soft yellows or whites. Finish with a wash of dark green or brown to enhance shadows and bring out details, creating a rich and vibrant woodland look.
- Mystic Grove: Use a base coat of light grey or stone for Treelords and bark textures, highlighting with pale whites or light browns for a mystical appearance. For the leaves, choose bright greens or blues, with lighter shades to create depth. For Dryads, use a combination of soft greens and blues for skin, highlighting with lighter tones. Incorporate metallic or glowing accents in gold or silver for weapons and magical effects. Finish with a wash of blue or green to add depth and enhance the ethereal quality of your models.
- Autumn Splendor: Begin with a base coat of rich brown for armor and bark, reflecting the colors of fall. Highlight with lighter browns or tans to emphasize textures. For leaves, use a mix of warm colors like orange, yellow, and red, creating a vibrant autumn palette. For skin, use a pale flesh tone with hints of green or brown, highlighting with soft whites. Add details like glowing runes or magical accents in gold or bright colors. Finish with a wash of dark brown or orange to deepen shadows and enhance the seasonal theme.
Painting Techniques
- Base Coating: Start with rich, earthy colors that reflect the natural world. Use deep greens, browns, and vibrant floral colors for your models. A solid base coat sets the foundation, ensuring that subsequent layers are vibrant and cohesive, capturing the essence of the Sylvaneth as guardians of the forest.
- Drybrushing: This technique is excellent for highlighting the textures of bark and foliage. Use a lighter shade of your base color—like a light green or tan—to drybrush over raised areas, such as tree bark and the edges of leaves. This creates a natural, sun-kissed effect that enhances the intricate details of your miniatures.
- Washes: Applying washes is crucial for adding depth and shadow. Use dark washes, like Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade, to emphasize the recesses in armor, bark, and skin textures. This technique helps to create a more three-dimensional appearance, highlighting the natural contours and details, making your models look more lifelike and rich in detail.
- Edge Highlighting: Use edge highlighting to draw attention to the sharp details on armor and weapon edges. Apply a lighter color along the edges of leaves, bark, and armor to create crisp contrasts that enhance the definition of the models. This technique adds a polished look, emphasizing the craftsmanship and natural beauty of the Sylvaneth.
- Contrast Paints: These paints are perfect for achieving quick and impressive results. Use contrast paints for larger areas, such as the skin of your Dryads or the leaves of your Treelords, to take advantage of their self-shading properties. This allows for depth without extensive layering, making it easier for beginners to achieve striking results that capture the magical essence of the Sylvaneth.
