As many of you probably know, one of my all time favorite games is Warhammer Fantasy - with my favorite army of all tabletop wargames the Skaven. So, I've decided to start posting a guide to collecting, building, playing, and loving your chittering horde. I know that there are many guides to this already since the new book was released years ago, but I think that this will help me become a better player and collector of my voracious hordes. And so, without further ado, here we go with part 1:
THE SKAVEN RACE
Standing about the size of a man, the ratmen of the Skaven race are malicious, treacherous, backstabbing, and cowardly creatures. They are indignant towards other races, believing that they are far superior, claiming that those who live above ground are weak and a bane on the world. The Skaven form a huge sprawling empire underground - dubbed the Under Empire - with holds under almost every civilized center of the Warhammer World.
The ratmen are organized into clans, where they are led by Warlords, Chieftains, Warlock Engineers, and Plague Priests depending on the allegiance of their particular clan. However, this hierarchy is a farce, for the ratmen are readily plotting against each other and their superiors to rise in power. This practice is not considered crime, but is instead a virtue - for the Skaven culture elevates cowardice, backstabbing, and lying as qualities all leaders should have when they lead from the safety of the rear.
The Skaven are led by a council of thirteen, for this is the Holy number of the Great Horned Rat, the single deity of the Under Empire. Representatives from all of the major clans make up the Lords of Decay, claiming twelve of the seats on the council. The thirteenth seat is reserved exclusively for the Great Horned Rat himself. This seat of power is located in the Skaven's Capital of Skavenblight, a festering quagmire of swamps, ruined buildings, and the great contraptions of the Skaven machinations.
The Skaven at war are a sight to behold: numberless hordes of ratmen make up the bulk of the army, horrible amalgamations of mutated and twisted beasts, as well as the slipshod but deadly machines of the warlock engineers - all spurred on by the lies of their masters and the promise of unimaginable quantities of the most precious of all minerals for the Skaven: warpstone.
The Skaven are truly unique, being the evil supervillain that could take over the world if he could get himself organized and put together a solid plan. They are a humorous army, that allows for plenty of entertaining situations on the table. They allow you to field a little bit of everything cool: magic, cannons, monsters, and hordes of expendable minions are all yours to bring to the table. Plus, what other Warhammer race has a total and complete plan for global domination, the materials and man power to do it, but is too treacherous and evil for it's own good to do so effectively?
Skaven are random, ridiculous, play extremely hard when they are rolling well, and blow themselves to kingdom come when you're having a bad dice game. With terrible leadership, wimpy stat lines, and a penchant for grinding combats, this army can be tough to play. However, if you can figure it out - this army can be nigh unstoppable for you.
Next time, I'll go over units, magic, magic items, and where you should start collecting your skittering hordes!
Until then, go with the Great Horned Rat my friend-things.
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