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What do you think of adding Skaven into 40K? As a fluff faction, only existing in fluff and art, no playable army.

I think it'd be good if they weren't just rat-men in SPAAACE, but had been futurised or space-ised.

Kind of like how the Tomb Kings became Terminator Necrons. Or the Lizardmen becoming Tyranids (but drastically changed, a mix of the old Lizardmen, Kryomek and Xenomorphs).


This old art apparently shows the AdMech, but it could almost pass for 40K Skaven:


If you have any ideas for 40K Skaven, feel free to post them.

They already exist- The Hrud.
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Hrud

Ruin wrote:
They already exist- The Hrud.
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Hrud

Nobody knows what the Hrud are supposed to be now. The old Hrud had obvious tails, but the new Hrud from Xenology look completely different.

Also, my suggestion is about really expanding the fluff of the Skaven in 40K. There's almost no fluff on the old Hrud.

I mean, I'm sure it would be interesting, but I just don't see the need for it.

sparksisalwaystaken wrote:
I mean, I'm sure it would be interesting, but I just don't see the need for it.

But we do need new fluff every once in a while. Can't keep reading the same stuff forever.

Be nice to see some more non human factions, but I'd much rather see something completely new rather than WFB stuff in space.

It'd be a pretty easy addition, since 40k is very amenable to races that live in the depths of cities and hide in the shadows.

I think the boat may have sailed for that though as GW seems to continually try and shift 40k further and further from it's WHFB-in-space origins. However, if one likes the idea Mantic does some pretty good figures that could work well.

Think they would fit very well in the shadows of hive worlds or other industrialised areas, not a full on faction as such, just as pest animals, preying on those who are alone, unarmed etc.

In game more as a distraction, a unit that can perhaps deny overwatch, or damage equipment?


They would be amusing as an actual faction but genestealers have the "we hide among you" thing and Orks have the whacky technology.

Don't get me wrong I have and love skaven, but not sure how to put them in the game as a proper playable faction, a more role-play end game they have a lot of potential, stealing vital bits of equipment that must be recovered from the dark, unmapped, depths

leopard wrote:
Think they would fit very well in the shadows of hive worlds or other industrialised areas, not a full on faction as such, just as pest animals, preying on those who are alone, unarmed etc.

In game more as a distraction, a unit that can perhaps deny overwatch, or damage equipment?


They would be amusing as an actual faction but genestealers have the "we hide among you" thing and Orks have the whacky technology.

Don't get me wrong I have and love skaven, but not sure how to put them in the game as a proper playable faction, a more role-play end game they have a lot of potential, stealing vital bits of equipment that must be recovered from the dark, unmapped, depths

]

Don't forget that they're rat men, not rats. I don't think they'd be able to do those things.

I like the idea of them robbing any Imperial vessel that flies near their seemingly dead worlds though.

That's why I said fluff faction.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Eilif wrote:
It'd be a pretty easy addition, since 40k is very amenable to races that live in the depths of cities and hide in the shadows.

I think the boat may have sailed for that though as GW seems to continually try and shift 40k further and further from it's WHFB-in-space origins. However, if one likes the idea Mantic does some pretty good figures that could work well.

I'm just thinking of a fluff faction though.

Maximus Bitch wrote:

I'm just thinking of a fluff faction though.

Not something I think GW will do, but there's no reason it couldn't work. Would be a cool project for some fan-fluff. Don't let GW limit your exploration of the 40k universe!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Maximus Bitch wrote:

I'm just thinking of a fluff faction though.

Not something I think GW will do, but there's no reason it couldn't work. Would be a cool project for some fan-fluff. Don't let GW limit your exploration of the 40k universe!

sparksisalwaystaken wrote:
I mean, I'm sure it would be interesting, but I just don't see the need for it.

New factions extend the variety. Why not.
However, it was not my thing to play Skaven in Fantasy. Personal preference here.

Well its kind of relevant but I made my own traitor guard army made entirely from mutant abhuman rat men.
http://orig14.deviantart.net/f24b/f/2014/282/2/d/rat_guard_veterans_by_southpawstudio-d828um5.jpg

 Venerable Ironclad wrote:
Well its kind of relevant but I made my own traitor guard army made entirely from mutant abhuman rat men.
http://orig14.deviantart.net/f24b/f/2014/282/2/d/rat_guard_veterans_by_southpawstudio-d828um5.jpg

wow looks so professional.

I'd like to see some futurised Skaven though.

leopard wrote:
Think they would fit very well in the shadows of hive worlds or other industrialised areas, not a full on faction as such, just as pest animals, preying on those who are alone, unarmed etc.

In game more as a distraction, a unit that can perhaps deny overwatch, or damage equipment?


They would be amusing as an actual faction but genestealers have the "we hide among you" thing and Orks have the whacky technology.

Don't get me wrong I have and love skaven, but not sure how to put them in the game as a proper playable faction, a more role-play end game they have a lot of potential, stealing vital bits of equipment that must be recovered from the dark, unmapped, depths

We already have that faction.. It's called Genestealer Cults

GodDamUser wrote:

leopard wrote:
Think they would fit very well in the shadows of hive worlds or other industrialised areas, not a full on faction as such, just as pest animals, preying on those who are alone, unarmed etc.

In game more as a distraction, a unit that can perhaps deny overwatch, or damage equipment?


They would be amusing as an actual faction but genestealers have the "we hide among you" thing and Orks have the whacky technology.

Don't get me wrong I have and love skaven, but not sure how to put them in the game as a proper playable faction, a more role-play end game they have a lot of potential, stealing vital bits of equipment that must be recovered from the dark, unmapped, depths

We already have that faction.. It's called Genestealer Cults

Maximus Bitch wrote:
Don't forget that they're rat men, not rats. I don't think they'd be able to do those things.

I like the idea of them robbing any Imperial vessel that flies near their seemingly dead worlds though.

Fluff faction anyway. Could have stuff that might not work in play.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Eilif wrote:
It'd be a pretty easy addition, since 40k is very amenable to races that live in the depths of cities and hide in the shadows.

I think the boat may have sailed for that though as GW seems to continually try and shift 40k further and further from it's WHFB-in-space origins. However, if one likes the idea Mantic does some pretty good figures that could work well.

Just a fluff faction. Yeah, that's bad. What makes 40K so cool and unique is that it's a medieval setting in outer space.

Maximus Bitch wrote:
Just a fluff faction. Yeah, that's bad. What makes 40K so cool and unique is that it's a medieval setting in outer space.

Not sure how serious you are, but that's actually one of the things that was somewhat unique about 40k. It's direct porting of fantasy charachters into a sci-fi setting was somewhat new in the 80's

40k is of course incredibly derrivative in terms of rules, factions, etc, but at the start, it was something a bit different.

Yes... let's ruin 40K even more.

Let's add Lizardmen, Skaven, Dwarves (Squats), Brettonians (RoughRiders) and Ogres (Ogryns) and Giants...

Why is there always someone to advocate taking the one failed aspect of the game and making it bigger?

morgoth wrote:
Yes... let's ruin 40K even more.

Let's add Lizardmen, Skaven, Dwarves (Squats), Brettonians (RoughRiders) and Ogres (Ogryns) and Giants...

Why is there always someone to advocate taking the one failed aspect of the game and making it bigger?

Failed aspects of WHF?

morgoth wrote:
Yes... let's ruin 40K even more.

Let's add Lizardmen, Skaven, Dwarves (Squats), Brettonians (RoughRiders) and Ogres (Ogryns) and Giants...

Why is there always someone to advocate taking the one failed aspect of the game and making it bigger?

Sure, as long as they don't do Space Elves, Space Dark Elves and Space Orks. That would just be silly.

 Asmodai wrote:

morgoth wrote:
Yes... let's ruin 40K even more.

Let's add Lizardmen, Skaven, Dwarves (Squats), Brettonians (RoughRiders) and Ogres (Ogryns) and Giants...

Why is there always someone to advocate taking the one failed aspect of the game and making it bigger?

Sure, as long as they don't do Space Elves, Space Dark Elves and Space Orks. That would just be silly.

haha!

I kind of think that the roll of space skaven has already been filled by the Rak'gol. They are anthropomorphic, slaving, murderous, aliens with tales, that use mysterious tech, and nobody in the lore believe they exist, except madmen.

 Madoch1 wrote:
I kind of think that the roll of space skaven has already been filled by the Rak'gol. They are anthropomorphic, slaving, murderous, aliens with tales, that use mysterious tech, and nobody in the lore believe they exist, except madmen.

True, but they're more like creepy ass pirates than evil plotting conniving sneaks.


I have some ideas about Skaven appearance. First is the eye-position. 5 out of 6 of the major races are humanoids. The 6th are Nids. Humanoids have binocular eyes. Nids have monocular eyes.

The Skaven, like real rodents, should have eyes that are somewhere in between.


I though about replacing their plain old fur with crystalline shards, then I remembered they were supposed to be filthy, not sparkly. I then switched to them having rocky shards instead. But that's hard to distinguish in artwork. I still don't know how they should be futurised.


Lastly, although the WHF Skaven worshipped the Great Horned Rat, I think it'd be better for them to worship the Big 4. Integrating them with mainstream Chaos. Maybe even have warring factions of Tzeentch followers and Nugle followers (Clan Pestilens). Cool to have some Chaos xenos for once.

 Asmodai wrote:

morgoth wrote:
Yes... let's ruin 40K even more.

Let's add Lizardmen, Skaven, Dwarves (Squats), Brettonians (RoughRiders) and Ogres (Ogryns) and Giants...

Why is there always someone to advocate taking the one failed aspect of the game and making it bigger?

Sure, as long as they don't do Space Elves, Space Dark Elves and Space Orks. That would just be silly.

You forgot Ogres, Halflings, and Demons.

I spent some time last year building a Skaven 40K army and fleshing out a background for why they would even exist. The models are turning out great, although I have been sidetracked with my massive Carcharodon army.

The origin of many races trace back to the Old Ones. Skaven were never designed as warriors, but as maintenance workers. Nimble, intelligent and capable of free thinking towards real world problems. They were also weak, subservient and tended to hide away from the eyes of more aggressive races that might bully or treat them with contempt.

Used to build and maintain the Webway for the Old Ones (and then later the Eldar), Skaven lived as a virtual slave race for countless millions of years. However, their craven nature matched well with this poor treatment and they were seen but unseen until the birth of Slanesh.

Dwelling on many of the Core worlds that the ancient Eldar brought to ruin, the Skaven were quick to scurry away into the safety of the Webway. However the Skaven found that much of the Webway was corrupted and unused by the Eldar. Slinking away from the oppressive and brutal masters, the Skaven retreated deeper into the unstable and corrupted Webway corridors. Warpstone abounded here and the skaven were twisted into a more intelligent and cunning race. Growing physically and feeling the first pains of ambition. Warpstone mutation and addiction becoming commonplace among the pathetic creatures.

In the Thousands of years since the Fall of the Eldar, Skaven have modified much of the old Webway and made it useless to any but themselves. Their reach spreads across the entire galaxy now and their raids strike with a ferocity borne of endless scorn and beatings at the hands of uncaring creators. Once a small species and limited in number, the Skaven have grown into a fierce race and massive cities have grown that are choked with uncountable hordes of the cruel creatures.

And in the final days of M40, titanic changes are forcing the webway to dislodge its hidden inhabitants. Armed with arcane technology and striking in indecipherable patters, these ratmen are becoming ever bolder. The hated Eldar balance upon the edge of greatness or oblivion. The time to strike is now! And the Skaven have waited long enough. Pouring out of the long lost Webway, they pillage whole worlds and then disappear back into nothingness.

I play my army as a combination of Skitarii and Mechanicus using warpstone altered Rat Ogres instead of metallic machines. Great ruleset to allow flexibility and plenty of options for scratch building mutant monsters.

Require pics

I have used arms and weapons from Skitarii for my rank and file troopers. I am planning on adding some Rat Ogres with upgraded weapon systems, but my Tyranid army needs to be finished first. In the meantime, I had a great time modeling these guys and sourcing bits to flesh them out a bit.

Some of my original modeling attempts, rebasing was done shortly afterward.


Rebased models with some assorted backpacks and pouches.


Skaven troops starting to grow in number.

they are awesome. I love it

airinhere wrote:
I spent some time last year building a Skaven 40K army and fleshing out a background for why they would even exist. The models are turning out great, although I have been sidetracked with my massive Carcharodon army.

The origin of many races trace back to the Old Ones. Skaven were never designed as warriors, but as maintenance workers. Nimble, intelligent and capable of free thinking towards real world problems. They were also weak, subservient and tended to hide away from the eyes of more aggressive races that might bully or treat them with contempt.

Used to build and maintain the Webway for the Old Ones (and then later the Eldar), Skaven lived as a virtual slave race for countless millions of years. However, their craven nature matched well with this poor treatment and they were seen but unseen until the birth of Slanesh.

Dwelling on many of the Core worlds that the ancient Eldar brought to ruin, the Skaven were quick to scurry away into the safety of the Webway. However the Skaven found that much of the Webway was corrupted and unused by the Eldar. Slinking away from the oppressive and brutal masters, the Skaven retreated deeper into the unstable and corrupted Webway corridors. Warpstone abounded here and the skaven were twisted into a more intelligent and cunning race. Growing physically and feeling the first pains of ambition. Warpstone mutation and addiction becoming commonplace among the pathetic creatures.

In the Thousands of years since the Fall of the Eldar, Skaven have modified much of the old Webway and made it useless to any but themselves. Their reach spreads across the entire galaxy now and their raids strike with a ferocity borne of endless scorn and beatings at the hands of uncaring creators. Once a small species and limited in number, the Skaven have grown into a fierce race and massive cities have grown that are choked with uncountable hordes of the cruel creatures.

And in the final days of M40, titanic changes are forcing the webway to dislodge its hidden inhabitants. Armed with arcane technology and striking in indecipherable patters, these ratmen are becoming ever bolder. The hated Eldar balance upon the edge of greatness or oblivion. The time to strike is now! And the Skaven have waited long enough. Pouring out of the long lost Webway, they pillage whole worlds and then disappear back into nothingness.

I play my army as a combination of Skitarii and Mechanicus using warpstone altered Rat Ogres instead of metallic machines. Great ruleset to allow flexibility and plenty of options for scratch building mutant monsters.

Nice work. I feel like I could amalgamate my ideas with yours. Like how the Skaven fell to Chaos.

Maximus Bitch wrote:

Nice work. I feel like I could amalgamate my ideas with yours. Like how the Skaven fell to Chaos.

I wouldn't say fell to Chaos.. but have been corrupted by the Warp

GodDamUser wrote:

Maximus Bitch wrote:

Nice work. I feel like I could amalgamate my ideas with yours. Like how the Skaven fell to Chaos.

I wouldn't say fell to Chaos.. but have been corrupted by the Warp

Like more subtle?

Following my idea of warring between Tzeentchian and Nurglesque Skaven, I think Clan Skyre and Eshin would align with Tzeentch, and Moulder and Pestilens align with Nurgle.