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So with the second wave of skaven goodies coming out, I've been looking at a few new unit options, trying to see what I could piece together. When I first really got into Skaven, I was immediately drawn to Clan Skyre for all their warp-punky goodness (since it's not really steam after all) but lately the background for Pestelins has sort of taken over. With that in mind, I present the Outbreak of Plague Priest Blightwave for your review.


Lords
Vermin Lord (500)


Heroes
Chieftan Scabin(102)
-Battle Standard Bearer
-Shield
-Foul Pendant

*Plague Priest Blightwave (339)
-Level 2 Wizard
-Flail
-Plague Furnace
-Iron Curse Icon
-Talisman of Preservation


Core
Skavenslaves x50 (102)
-Musician

Clan Rats x40 (265)
-Full Command
-Plague Mortar (poisoned wind mortar)

Clan Rats x40 (265)
-Full Command
-Plague Mortar (poisoned wind mortar)

Giant Rats x35 (137)
-Packmaster x4


Special
Plague Monks x40 (355)
-Full Command
-Storm Banner


Rare
Plague Claw Catapult (100)

Plague Claw Catapult (100)

Hellpit Abomination (235)

Total: 2,500 (assuming my math is right )

The Vermin Lord really gets to take best advantage of the Lore of Plague, which tends to have shorter range for its spells. With the Plague Priest on the Furnace, his Inspiring Presence range is upped to 18", so even if his Ld is only 1 higher than a clan rat, it's reach will at least be a nice three foot bubble. The Chieftain will ride along with one of the Clan Rat units, while the Plague Monks will obviously push the Furnace. The Giant Rats will probably try to keep up with the Vermin Lord, to supply a bit of backup. If I can hit them with "Bless With Filth" on at least a semi regular basis, their extra ranks and possibly horde formation will allow them to force a good number of saves. The Slaves look to tarpit dangerous units while the Mortars and Catapults rain death from afar. The Hellpit is probably not the best fit, theme wise, but I really, really want to try out the model and rules.


Thoughts? Critiques? Hate mail?

The storm banner works against all you're shooting too (see FAQ). I would consider not taking it.
I'd pull 10 clan rats out of each 30 block and make another block of 20 (for the BSB to hide in).
I'd also put the +1 Ld banner on the plague monks (giving your general Ld7 over 18").
I would lose the giant rats in favor of poison wind globadiers with a 3rd mortar.

Because I like hurting my own troops, I always give the guy on the furnace a censor. Typically I do as much damage to me as the 4-5 enemies I'm touching, but more often than not, they are way more expensive then my guys.

-Matt

I knew the Storm Banner worked on my shooting, but the Monks are a relatively fragile unit (with no save) so I figured activating it on the enemy turn would at least buy me one round of safety with a 50/50 chance that it would end on my turn. I figure the Furnace will be a bit of a bit target, and being able to protect it / the monks for a round would keep more models in for when it does slam into enemy lines.

You think a unit of 20 behind lines will protect the BSB better than a unit of 40 in half back?

I like the banner idea, assuming I drop the Storm Banner of course. I know the Monks can't use his Leadership but as they're Unbreakable while pushing a Furnace and Immune to Psychology while they still Frenzy, that's not any loss at all.


As for Globadiers, I haven't really had much luck with them. I find the short 8" range and mediocre BS mean I rarely manage to hit anything before I get charged. The Giant Rats are more an homage to the old Plague Rats unit from 7th. With a 7 wide front against a normal 5 wide, I'll be getting 21 (hopefully poisoned) attacks plus 4 whip attacks.

It's a solid list. The BSB, in my opinion, could use some extra protection (Charmed Shield?).

I like the giant rats, you've got two units that unleash a storm of attacks, and enough things to deal with armour to stay balanced.

Also, I think you could afford to drop the Stormbanner, if you're not worried about your monsters (I think they'll attract all the fire, not your Monks).

And on the Abomination, I think he can fit the theme just fine; make sure to give him the censer-arm and paint him all sticky and gross!

Minor edits then: swapping the Storm Banner for the Standard of Discipline, Picking up an enchanted shield on my BSB, and using the remaining points to boost my number of Giant Rats and add a Pawleader to the slaves (had 4 spare points )

Lords
Vermin Lord (500)


Heroes
Chieftan Scabin(110)
-Battle Standard Bearer
-Enchanted Shield
-Foul Pendant

*Plague Priest Blightwave (339)
-Level 2 Wizard
-Flail
-Plague Furnace
-Iron Curse Icon
-Talisman of Preservation


Core
Skavenslaves x50 (106)
-Paw Leader
-Musician

Clan Rats x40 (265)
-Full Command
-Plague Mortar (poisoned wind mortar)

Clan Rats x40 (265)
-Full Command
-Plague Mortar (poisoned wind mortar)

Giant Rats x40 (160)
-Packmaster x5


Special
Plague Monks x40 (320)
-Full Command
-Standard of Discipline


Rare
Plague Claw Catapult (100)

Plague Claw Catapult (100)

Hellpit Abomination (235)

Total: 2,500


Now the hardest part: finding 40 giant rats