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Okay since a few folks have now seen the book, here is a question on how to model/play the warlitter upgrade. For those folks who haven't seen it, it's a mount (sort of) option for your skaven warlord, which in effect is the same as shieldbearers (gives him +1 armor, 4 attacks from the litter bearers and doesn't have wounds -can't attack the litter guys). The book says some are like a palaquin, some are imitating Dwarf shieldbearers, etc. etc., but doesn't give a base size. I don't see anything in the book stating that it increases the Warlord's US to anything as well.
1. Is it up to the player to go 40mm by 40mm, or 20x40, or just a 20mm? The dwarf shieldbearer option from their book specifically states to put the Dwarf Lord on a 20mm x 40mm, but I don't see anything in the book in this case.
2. In the same token, would it increase his US to 5, from adding in the 4 attacks (from 4 clanrats I guess)? Using the dwarf guy as an example, shieldbearers make him US3. Makes a big difference for overrall unit size, killing blow, picking him out in the unit, etc. etc.

I had this same exact question myself because the book is vague about the warlitter. Here are my thoughts
-the giant rat mount is like a normal mount making the model US 2 just like a human character on a steed. It improves the armor save, but does not have seperate wounds if I remember right? So is the character immune to killing blow? I don't think so because I watched my herald get killing blowed in a GT, could find it in the RB, judge was right there and rulled he was KB. I didn't really know, and frankly I won't hold up a game for a rule prefer to play to have a fun game. Base size cavalry. NOTE: thank you for reminding me to find this !

-the rate ogre (which is what i'm using because its so badass) is basically a monsterous mount. seperate wounds, etc, but does not make the model immune to killing blow, you do the same for randomizing shooting if out in the open, but he can join units aka he's not a large mount, its just like a juggernaught for demons, for units, but different for no seperate wounds. For this its a 40mm base i'm guessing.

-warlitter, thanks again for GW being vague. I'm thinking its a 40mm base. Its references a palaquin of which there are 2 in the game (demons and warriors) both are 40mm, so one could say basically precedence is set. HOWEVER, no seperate wounds.. so we're back the the same boat as shieldbearers and demon palaquin or nurgle which increases a models unit strength past 1. So your not US 1, your immune to tradition killing blow unless that attacking model has special abilities.

I agree - I'm planning on modeling mine on 2 guys carrying him, much like a dwarf shieldbearer. What I'm worried about is that the argument will come up that it would be 4 guys carrying him, adding 1 from himself to make him US5. Then artillery and magic could pick him out.
Hopefully everyone will agree that at the very least, it will make him US and prevent the killing blow (as you notice Skaven have absolutely nothing that prevents that).

I'd go 40mm as a litter is being carried by 4+ rats and his unit strength wont go up past 2 unless it specifically says it does or the litter has more wounds.

Here's what I recall from the book, and my calls on the issue:

Rat Ogre - monstrous mount, 40mm base
Giant Rat - cavalry, but doesn't it stipulate it's a 40mm too? Ala Nurglitch, the only giant rat mount model available
Warlitter - 'cavalry', and I'd say 40mm too, for the 4 attaks and all that. I have no idea on US there, how does the palanquin count for the chaos dudes?

- Salvage

Palanquin I believe makes him US 3-4 total, IE no killing blow, but not enough for US 5 to negate ranks. Still good question for purposes of establishing who has outnumber. Is there an official US ruling on Palanquin (i'm at work, no access to faq/ army book to check)

Unless it states otherwise, any mount which does not have a wound characterisitic above 1 makes you US2.

I´m picking up my book next weekend but I´d guess 40*20. GW may have been vauge so players can model as they feel like (doubt it though). It would be better if it was 40*40 (as it takes up two more spaces for rank bonus´

Any 1-wound mount makes you US2, and you are NOT immune to killing blow [as you are a US1 character on a 1 wound mount]. Anything with more than 1 wound is a monstrous mount - STILL not immune to killing blow, as you are a US1 character on top of a USx mount.

The dwarf shieldbearers are not a US2 mount with a US1 lord on them, they together become a US3 model, which is immune to killing blow.

I hate dwarves so damn much.....


As far as base size, it's kind of arbitrary really. Model it how you want it to look in a way that looks the best to you, and put it on a suitable base. The most someone can complain about is that you're taking up too much room in your unit.

i just wanted to point out that chaos palanquins dont make you US3 they are cavalry mounts on 50 or 40mm bases.

Boy I wish GW would clarify some of this stuff sometimes.
On the same token, what base size is the general consensus for the Hellpit Abomination? Some folks are talking 50x50, while others are saying 50x100. . . . I guess it could make a big difference with the random attacks that hurt all enemies in BSB (imagine flanking that sucker on a 50x100, then having all guys in BSB take a Str6 hit or initiative test. Ouch!