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{{otheruses|USE=Eldar Unit|OTHERUSE=Ultramarines Tactical Squad|OTHERPAGE=Guardians (Ultramarines)}}

'''Guardians''' are the militia of the [[Eldar]] [[Craftworld]]s. In times of peace the Guardians pursue their normal civilian roles, however, all Eldar are trained in warfare and can be called to arms if their Craftworld is threatened. As the number of dedicated warriors - [[Aspect Warrior]]s - in a Craftworld are simply too few, Eldar dedicated to a civilian [[path]] serve as Guardians in battle, forming the bulk of the Eldar armies. That these citizen levies are capable of engaging and defeating other races' warriors is a testament to Eldar skill and technology.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|6}}

==Overview==

With their population in decline and their Craftworlds beset on all sides by merciless enemies, Guardians form an essential part of the Eldar military assets. They are primarily a defensive force, guarding their Craftworlds from direct attacks, but will also accompany Aspect Warriors on offensive operations.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|6}} Guardians are drawn from the entire Craftworld population, which will put aside their current occupation for a time in order to train and drill in combat. Only those deemed essential to Craftworld operations, already on the Path of the Warrior, or too consumed by another Path (such as [[Titan]] pilots) will be exempt from service.{{Fn|12}}

===Storm Guardians===

'''Storm Guardians''' are Eldar who were once members of an Aspect Shrine that specialised in close combat. Rarer than the more typical Guardian Defenders, they are also effective assault troops capable of assisting Aspect Warriors. Numbering ten to twenty members, they are armed with a potent combination of [[Shuriken Pistol]] and [[Close Combat Weapon]], as well as the options of [[Krak Grenade|Krak]] and [[Plasma Grenade]]s. Along with a [[Serpent's Scale Platform]] for support{{Fn|10}}, two of the Guardians in this squad can arm themselves with either [[Fusion Gun]]s or [[Eldar Flamer]]s. If small enough to fit within its transport bay these squads may ride into battle within a [[Wave Serpent]], and are sometimes accompanied by a [[Warlock]] to lend them their aid.{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|6}}

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===Ulthwé Black Guardians===

'''Black Guardians''' are a special [[Ulthwé]] variation on the typical Guardians used by other Craftworlds. Because the [[Path of the Seer]] is the longest and most dangerous Eldar Path, and because Ulthwé relies especially on its Seers, this leaves little time for its denizens to tread the Warrior Path. To make up for this lack of Aspect Warriors, the Ulthwé Black Guardians are a professional standing army rather than a militia. They are more highly trained compared to standard Guardians, but are arranged in a similar manner, consisting of both Defender and Storm units, as well as crewing heavy weapons and light vehicles. Their uniforms are predominantly black, the Eldar colour of mourning, for the frequent attacks it has suffered passing close to the [[Eye of Terror]] leaves much to grieve.{{Fn|4}}

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==Sources==

**{{Endn|1a}}: pg. 34

**{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 74 - Guardian Squads

*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition)]], pgs. 12-13

*{{Endn|3}}: [[White Dwarf 136]], pg. 18