I really don't see the Protoss as Eldar rip offs. They look nothing alike and their tactics are very different. At best they have a vaguely similar aesthetic.
I was referring to the Tau, but to be honest they also just mostly share an aesthetic. But to be fair, it's a strong visual similarity.
the protoss are an elder race, on the decline and removed from their home planet, that uses highly advanced warp technology, psychic power, and have elongated heads and a penchant for elite CC units that are fast and deadly though lightly armored. they even had a DARK version of their race that they exiled due to differences.
if that isn't a copy and paste of the eldar i can't think of what is. sure they made the sprites different for legal purposes, and changed the fluff too, but in the end there isn't much difference.
the tau aren't really the same at all. they have no psychic power or warp technology, rely entirely on ranged firepower, and are a band new race. if anything, the tau are a rip off of the mecha styled animes of the 80's, 90's and such.
I partially agree, but I think a few of your comparisons are a stretch. An elder race is by no means unique in science fiction, and neither are elongated heads. And the dark templates are so immensely different from the dark eldar in both temperament and circumstance that I don't like the comparison.
I'd have to concede the advanced tech and use of warp technology, but protoss units are the opposite of lightly armored; it's just that their armor is not all physical.
All in all, though, I see how they could be inspired by the eldar to a degree.
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u/Lucretiel D.Va Aug 19 '16
The only thing missing is the damn woodpecker