I would also go for the uncanny valley approach. Kinda like with today's android robots - you look at them, and your brain tells them that they look like humans but do not like humans at the same time, which is what makes them disturbing. The same goes for Eldar. When standing still, they might very well look attractive to regular humans (if you are a filthy xeno-lover, that is), but once they start moving with their super-natural grace, your brain tells you that something is decidedly wrong with them. You might even feel nauseous, because their alien appearance might lead your brain to the conclusion that you've been subjected to some kind of neurotoxin (similar to the effect you experience when suffer from motion sickness).
"In appearance they are like unto humans, although the comparison can only be made on a superficial basis, for in their minds and souls the Eldar are truly alien. The Eldar stand taller than a man, with longer, cleaner limbs and handsome, striking features. Their skin is pale and unblemished as polished marble, yet with a surprisingly supple strength hiding beneath it. Their keen ears are pointed and their slanted eyes possess a penetrating quality more akin to that of a hunting cat than a man. The most fundamental difference can be seen when the Eldar move, for they radiate an inhuman elegance and poise." - Codex: Eldar, 2012 edition "Eldar are physically similar to humans, although not entirely identical by any means. They have longer and cleaner limbs, and fine ascetic features with penetrating and slightly slanted eyes. Their ears are also slightly pointed, but otherwise they could pass as human at first glance. The most obvious difference between humans and Eldar can only be seen when they move, for the movements of an Eldar radiate a subtle grace which is impossible for a human to emulate." - White Dwarf no. 127 This is what Eldar look like With both ends of the lore for good measure. Nothing much seems to have changed along the way. It sounds most like option 3 to me. Like humans, but not human. There probably is a touch of uncanny valley, right enough, when they move. Perhaps it's likely to remind someone of a predator, being so much faster and quicker to react? Edit: Forgot to say that I thought the Elven factions in Warhammer Online were about the right level of not-quite-human.
As well as it is to emphasize the xenos factor of the Eldar, the lore is quite clear as Jorimel cited. Personal views of appropriate aesthetics are understandably different, but the lore in the codices and elsewhere sets a solid baseline. Rogue Trader's Soul Reaver supplement adds to this aptly: "Although Eldar and humans look far more similar to each other than either does to any other alien species common to the Koronus Expanse, this does not mean that Eldar merely look like tall, thin humans with pointy ears. Eldar are taller, more slender, and more poised than humans, moving with a fluid, easy grace that is exceptionally difficult for a human to mimic. Their features are more tapered and pointed, and in the case of Dark Eldar, subtly touched by a savage aspect that makes them appear predatory. The Eldar eyes particularly stand out, and can be described as dark, crystalline pools within which an ageless and utterly alien mind dwells. In all, it is quite difficult for an Eldar to pass as a human, or for a human to pass as an Eldar, at least up close. At a distance, when robed and hooded, such a deception may be easier, but it is unlikely to fool anyone for long. An Eldar or a human attempting to pass as the other suffers a –30 penalty to any uses of the Disguise Skill he makes against the Scrutiny Skill of a member of the race he is impersonating." The tidbits at the end are specifics for in-game mechanics. Anyone unfamiliar with the FFG system should know that a -30 is quite a tall negative, but reasonable.
I thought they had a more asian look, with the slanted eyes and slim features but then pale skin and all sorts of earshapes not really like asians but definitely not caucasian. Character creation steps will be the best option i think with a few variations on their looks.
I voted 3 but now i want to say 2...they are after all, aliens and realistically would look almost completely different to humans given that they evolved faraway on a different (though presumably earth like) homeworld under different conditions.
Definitely 2. 4 wouldn't be bad but as has been said....Eldar should look more alien then familiar but keep that subtle edge and sharp lines.
