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I've done a lot of research but no field testing as of yet. The following is my best attempt at a magic heavy skaven just using these lovely forums and other such sources as a tactical guide.

Thaqquol - 450

Plague Priest - 289
lvl 2, Furnace, Flail

Warlock - 115
lvl 2, Warp Condenser, Doom Rocket

Warlock Engineer - 174
lvl 2, Warp Scroll, Flail

25 x Clanrats - 120
Command

25 x Clanrats - 120
Command

20 x Slaves - 40

6 x Giant Rats - 26
1 x Packmaster

6 x Giant Rats - 26
1 x Packmaster

20 x Plague Monks - 165
Full command (Pushing the Furnace)

27 x plague Monks - 244
Command,

6 x Plague Censer Bearers - 96

Hellpit - 235

Doomwheel - 150

2250

There is plenty I would have liked to have included in the list but just didn't have the room. I am also considering dropping the Doomwheel for a Warp Lightning cannon but the wheel is oh so pretty at the moment.

I am simply looking for advice on how to round out this list to be competitive as my local meta is very much so.

I would be inclined to drop the 2nd unit of PM's, use some of them to bulk up the unit with the Furnace - 20 isn't very many esp. if you come up against something killy like a lord on a dragon.

You could then use points left for another 1 (or 2 units) of PCB's. If you can stop them from being lured out by fast cav, flyers, etc., these guys really hit hard .

I always take a couple of dispel scrolls at 2K + to increase your protection. Thanquol should give you good offensive magic, but you risk not having enough defensive.

id drop the furnace for the bell, the furnace has a big SHOOT ME CANNONS! sign with its lack of ward save and it can be baited so easily because its frenzied, get a second unit of pcb's maybe some jezzails and some warp fire throwers

Yeah - someone else posting Skaven armies. I've concluded that either A. People aren't buying Skaven or B. They are so good people don't want others to see their combos. J/K. Okay for your list:

1. I'm guessing thats a typo on the Warlock Engineer with the Warp Scroll and Flail - Plague Priest maybe?
2. You really do need a bigger unit pushing the furnace. As well, I would look at giving them a magic banner - either the stormbanner (which will complement nicely with keeping your furnace alive a bit longer) or the Banner of the Under-Empire. Yeah its only 2d6 Str2, but they are automatic hits which go before impact hits, ASF, etc. etc. Plus counts for combat res.
3. Increase the size of the plague monk unit and drop the second - add in another unit of PCB. Agree with the other comment - keep these guys screened and then charge them in - just plain nasty. Plus they'll be stubborn if they're near your furnace.
4. I would add the Warpstone spikes to your hellpit - MR1 and magic attacks is too good to pass up for 15 pts.
5. Although the doomwheel looks cool (I painted one just for the looks), it really doesn't do a whole lot unless your really lucky. I would drop it for the WarpLightning Cannon, which although has random Str, is a beast when you learn how to use it correctly. Small blast with no partials equals something like 16 guys out of 20 in a 20mm unit, no AS and D6 wounds!
6. Thanquol is pretty good - just don't try claiming Boneripper as your general.
7. The plague furnance can be a big liability - artillery tears it up, while the bigger your unit is - its still frenzied. Wheeling and charges can be a real pain with it.
8. I would still work in 2 scrolls or so, even with that many dispel dice, as uber-magic lists are still out there in the tournament scene.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
If you want one thats themed, magic heavy and will drive opponents nuts, try this one:

Grey Seer, 2 Power Stone, Foul Pendant, 1 Dispel Scroll
Warlock, Lvl 2, 1 Dispel Scroll, Warp Energy Condenser
Warlock, Lvl 2, Brass Orb
Warlock, Lvl 2, Doomrocket

4 Units 30 Clanrats, Full Command, Shields
4 Warp Fire Throwers
1 Unit 24 Clanrats, Full Command, Shields
1 Warp Fire Thrower

2 Units of 5 Jezzails

2 Warp Lightning Cannons

As with everyone else I would say drop the second monk unit. However, i like 20 pushing the bell. It works nicely. Use the points to buy another censur bearer unit and another clanrat unit. Buy your clanrats shields.

You could also use some more rat units. Magic armies need something to slow up the enemy and push them over when they get to you. Clanrats accomplish the second, you have nothing for the first. Enemies will just charge into you and start ripping.

Give the abomination spikes. To good not to.

as a sugestion for the doomwheel and the hell pit, either take 2 of one or keep them as far away from each other as possible,

my last game turn 1 doomwheel shot hell pit delt 1 wound, multiplied into 3

Remember that the doomwheel shoots the nearest unit, so providing you make sure that you have a sacrifical unit of slaves, clan rats, giant rats, etc. nearby to eat lightning, then you can run both on the same flank. Yes the random movement distance means to have to allow for the randomness, but would can move the doomwheel first, then the hell pit - that way you should be able to make sure the HP isn't the closest unit.
Don't forget that you can try to stop from shooting as well - Ld7 means you have a 50 / 50 chance of restraining.

I've been running both A-bomb & doomwheel in 2K list since the new book was released & have coped okay.

If you're likely to come up against shooty armies or flyers, then the Storm Banner is a must (at least until the FAQ makes it 1 use only), just don't expect to make too many friends when you shut down your opponents shooting phase (esp. if you get & cast Howling Warpgale)

FordPrefect wrote:If you're likely to come up against shooty armies or flyers, then the Storm Banner is a must (at least until the FAQ makes it 1 use only), just don't expect to make too many friends when you shut down your opponents shooting phase (esp. if you get & cast Howling Warpgale)

Don't expect to make too many friends if you insist on the Storm Banner not being one use only. The fact that most people recognize it should be one use only but some of them go on to add the addendum "until the FAQ/Errata makes it one use only" shows how it should be played and how certain people are choosing to play it.

Howling Warpgale is just plain mean. It shut down my Dark Elf Manticore for a decisive turn, made me sad. Great spell against those it affects.

Edited for clarity.

Kirbinator wrote:

FordPrefect wrote:If you're likely to come up against shooty armies or flyers, then the Storm Banner is a must (at least until the FAQ makes it 1 use only), just don't expect to make too many friends when you shut down your opponents shooting phase (esp. if you get & cast Howling Warpgale)

Don't expect to make too many friends if you insist on the Storm Banner not being one use only. The fact that most people recognize it should be one use only but some of them go on to add the addendum "until the FAQ/Errata makes it one use only" shows how it should be played and how certain people are choosing to play it.

But you are assuming that GW are consistant with magic item / points values - I wouldn' stake my life on that !

Having said that, at the current points value, I DO agree with your comment. The SB would be ridiculously over powerful if it WASN'T 1 use onyl

Kirbinator wrote:

FordPrefect wrote:If you're likely to come up against shooty armies or flyers, then the Storm Banner is a must (at least until the FAQ makes it 1 use only), just don't expect to make too many friends when you shut down your opponents shooting phase (esp. if you get & cast Howling Warpgale)

Don't expect to make too many friends if you insist on the Storm Banner not being one use only. The fact that most people recognize it should be one use only but some of them go on to add the addendum "until the FAQ/Errata makes it one use only" shows how it should be played and how certain people are choosing to play it.

Howling Warpgale is just plain mean. It shut down my Dark Elf Manticore for a decisive turn, made me sad. Great spell against those it affects.

Edited for clarity.

Heck, I'm a skaven player and I play it one use only. Anything else is... too much. At least, in my opinion.

FordPrefect wrote:But you are assuming that GW are consistant with magic item / points values - I wouldn' stake my life on that !

Oh my, no. I'm assuming that because it's written One Use Only in five other languages, the English guy happened to overlook it and it's a typo to not be One Use Only. Why would it have deactivation rules if it weren't One Use Only? You'd just keep turning it on every round it wore off, that'd be even beyond GW-dumb.

There are plenty of undercosted items and units roaming around. Heck, 80% of the DoC book for starters.


More clarity edits. One day I'll proofread myself...