I first envisioned this figure way back in about 2012. So it was a long time coming! I was listening to the soundtrack to the video game Atlantis – The Lost Tales and the opening track gave me an image of an Exodite in a high-tech saddle and controlling some enormous guns.
The Sunriders sit apart from the Exodite tribes. While most Exodites venerate the World Spirit, Sunriders keep their focus on maintaining their technology and offering it to whichever tribe can pay them the most. Sometimes this will entail simply helping to herd the larger beasts found on the Maiden Worlds. Other times, the Sunriders will be called upon to set the power levels to max and unleash some heavy firepower on mon’keigh invaders.
The mount is from the AoS Lumineth Lyrior Uthralle set; there’s more mods coming to that beastie. The rider uses the Lyrior legs and waist, the torso and side panels of a War Walker pilot, and the gunner head from the old Craftworld Guardian set.
I’d imagine I’d use this figure as a Vyper in a game, but after I’d decided on weaponry I found out Vypers weren’t allowed two heavy weapons anymore. Another case of outdated 40K knowledge biting me in the bum!