Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So a couple of years back I got some skaven after playing with them in the store (back when Island of Blood had just been released). I loved how they played and, me being the fool I am, instantly bought both Island of blood and the skaven battalion. The thing is, I haven't gotten any further than assembling the models after two years, mainly because I didn't have the money to buy enough to complete a playable list and army. Anyway, what should I do with the models? Please bear in mind that I still would like to keep the price low and am a very slow and unpracticed painter.

Well...

Either sell them. Or sell other stuff to pay for more Skaven.

Or write up a small (800-1000pts) list and see if anyone in your group would be up for games that size, I'm sure they would.

Giant rats have always seemed like cool units to me, how many rats should you have per packmaster? Just wondering.

If you want to keep it cheap, Skaven are the completely wrong army - they are extremely expensive as you need loads and loads of infantry models.

Start modelling, and make some rat warriors of chaos. Will probably still be cheaper than playing skaven. ^^

With the models that you have all you need to add is a few more rats, easily done with another island of blood.
sell or trade the elves to help get a hell pit abomination or a doomwheel.
With another island of blood you will also have 6 rat ogres.
You will be able to play 1500 in no time.
Skaven are well worth the investment. They look great and there are plenty of viable builds.
All in all the startup costs for all the armies are about the same, plus you already have a head start.

Google "filler bases for whfb skaven"