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I've only played two very small games with my friends, as we are just starting to learn fantasy, but I am wondering about the rules for the rat ogres I got in the Isle of Blood. Do the rat ogres have any save of any kind? In both games I've played they got focused down very quickly, and I couldn't see any obvious save they benefit from, meaning they fall down pretty quick. Am I missing something, or are rat ogres really that fragile?

Unfortunately, no. Rat Ogres have no save whatsoever. You can try keeping them behind other units to get some cover (which doesn't give you a save, but does make it harder to hit them), but really the answer is that they're not that great of a unit.

One option later if your group plays with special characters (mine does not), is to try throwing Skweel Gnawtooth into the group. 1/3 of the time he grants the unit Regeneration, which would give them a 4+ regeneration saves against non-flaming attacks.

Ah, that's too bad that they don't get an armour save, the models that come in the Isle of Blood are really cool. I was thinking of using Skweel Gnawtooth as I'm just about ready to try any Skaven model that isn't painfully dated.

If you don't mind me asking, why do you not use special characters? Is this a common way fantasy groups play that I should be aware of?

mazik765 wrote:Ah, that's too bad that they don't get an armour save, the models that come in the Isle of Blood are really cool. I was thinking of using Skweel Gnawtooth as I'm just about ready to try any Skaven model that isn't painfully dated.

If you don't mind me asking, why do you not use special characters? Is this a common way fantasy groups play that I should be aware of?

I would believe it's the same as why some people who play 40k don't use special characters - they feel that this unique, legendary individual does not really have any reason to be in their army.
My group allows special characters, but no one wants to run them really.
But no, it's not a common thing to "ban" special characters for gaming groups. I've heard that tournaments might ban them though, but that's not relevant to you. You should just play with whatever you feel good playing with.

There are a few that can create some horribly unbalanced situations. Teclis is the most common example, but certainly not the only one. Rather than single out just one or two armies, it was agreed upon (among my friends, not an official gaming club or anything) that we wouldn't use special characters.

Now, we do occassionally allow them, but the general idea when list making is that they're unavailable.