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.

Recently I was lucky enough to purchase a huge lot of fantasy and 40K miniatures from a classified ad. Among the many armies present in the lot, was a formidable and very incompletely assembled Skaven horde. Owing to my personal preference for 40K flavored armies, I promptly started to look for ways to make these little ratmen into a proper 40K army. My solution is to work them as a counts as Skitarii army. Luckily the weapons for the Skitarii even hold up well to the Skaven design of Jezzails and esoteric looking weapons.

My original layout of models ready to begin conversions.



Two Skaven lords. I am undecided exactly how I will work special characters into the army. I hope that the rumors of a combined mechanicus codex offers some possibilities for HQ type models.



Skaven footsoldiers. Counts as Ranger.




Skaven Elite soldiers. Counts as Vanguard.

That is a genius idea! I was looking at the spare arms from the Skitarii box the other day and was wondering what to do with them.
Time to dig out my Island of Blood Skaven

Very cool idea! I've always had a fondness for Skaven and the skitarii arms look like they match up perfectly

This is such a cool idea! As previously mentioned, the arms are a perfect match, which should make the conversion work that bit easier...

As to a HQ, what with GW seemingly mixing the two codices together (I'm thinking of the 'Start Collecting' boxes), I'd say using the Cult Mechanicus HQ for your ratmen in space would be fine. Wowzers, the thought of that model converted to be a Skaven is mouthwatering!

What other models do you have access to for your burgeoning force? I'll be watching your progress keenly!

Damn....combining my two favourite armies I don't play. You, sir, just introduced me to a great way to waste my time and money TT

The Horned God is pleased ^_^

Great idea. I'll be following this to see how I progresses.

EDC

They look good. The arms match really well to the bodies! Will you transfer them all to round bases?

really surprised how well those arms match up.
id really like to see an iob clan rat conversion. I could never figure out what to do with the shield arm.
this is also great for those of us looking for cheaper jezzail teams in our aos skaven force

Thank you for all the nice replies. I have been quite excited to get this army started ever since I realized how many models I had to work with and how well the Skitarii/Mechanicus army lists could work for a Skaven force.

I took a current full army shot. and a upcoming army shot. And then I also took a shot of the remaining fantasy models that I might be converting to 40K. The clanrats with shield are a real challenge to convert in a convincing manner. The models without a shield should be easier and I have ordered some parts that might work to convert them. I also ordered some backpacks and special weapons to round out my vanguard units.

I do plan to move all these guys to round bases. I ordered a pack of 75 round 25mm bases to start rebasing these guys onto. Hopefully I can salvage a bunch of circular bases from other models in the lot I bought.

My airbrush I ordered for Christmas should arrive soon. I much finish my converting all my models and prepare... for paint!

Here are some images of the models I have to work with still.

Currently converted full army shot. 3 squads of Rangers, 5 partial squads of Vanguard. I have two conversions for plasma caliver for each squad still to finish. Also a HQ team. I think I need to read up on 30K HQ options and maybe find some good options there.


My Magos awaiting tubification (?). I ordered a greenstuff tentacle maker and plan to make this guy into a horror show of tubes.


A weapons servitor possibly.... He came mostly assembled like this and is unique enough for me to want to make him into something special.


My remaining models ready for conversion. I am waiting on some Veer Myn heads, some special weapons and assorted conversion bits and bases to turn what is left of these guys into my infantry heavy Skaven force.


Some of the oddball models and rats I have for conversions. I expect several models will end up as tiny dioramas.




After all these are finished, I still have a formidable force for fantasy. Of all these guys, I only am considering converting the clanrats without shields into rifle bearing troops (Rangers). I have also looked at using some of the plague censure bearers as some form of servitor melee beasts.

Hello!

I have completed a fair amount of rebasing these models to round bases. In the process of doing this I have added some greenstuff stamp moulding to give the bases some detail. My idea is to have the Skaven bases look like slightly flooded cobblestones with standing water between some of the cobbles. I picked up some poly varnish to use to make the water effect between the stones. I even subtly trimmed some feet down while removing the old bases (totally on purpose and not followed by cursing). I am going to make it look like some of the Skavens feet are partially submerged.

I also have received most of the steampunk backpacks and alternate weapons for the Skaven to represent different weapons. I also have started adding pouches and bags to the models. Finally, I have received a tentacle maker and kinda went nutso making tentacly bits for my higher level models. These will be painted metalic colors and serve as counts as servitor arms, power fists and servo harnesses. Well except for my battery guy. His tentacles are normal power conduits.

Here are some pics.

Army shot showing fully rebased troops. 29 Rangers with a commander pointing his sword behind them.
Three squads of 5 Vanguards and one full squad of ten vanguard
One Tech-Priest Dominus and two Cybernetica datasmiths


Close up showing the mechanical arm and modern pouches added often to the Skaven Rangers.
I am still waiting for my final bits to arrive and add pirate hats, goggles and other items to the models.


Command section with flag, bells and holy scripture.


Skaven flagbearer for Command squad of Rangers.


Flagbearer for Vanguard section of troops. Aid to the Dominus.


Vanguard specialist weapon soldier. Oversized backpack and special rifle to depict as Plasma Caliver.



Vanguard trooper with carbine backpack.


Both troop models side by side.


The battery guy. Not sure what to make him into. But he was fun to put together.


And Lastly, the Tech Dominus. Oozing with tentacles and powered by glowing green warpstone,
this cheerful little guy will act as the leader of my entire force.

Now to go over all these guys and clean up all the missed mouldlines and greenstuff clumps I
have created by adding all this additional stuff to my models.

Holy rats, great to see this is still going strong, such an unique project !
Loving what you did with the dominus and the battery guy !

Those are some really neat conversions!

Looking forward to seeing them painted up.

Dang these guys are stupendous ! I can Imagine the Stormfeinds would make and awesome addition to the army

Have airbrush, will paint!

Red basecoat and zenithal highlights added to Rangers and black basecoat with first (of many) layers of orangey red tunics.

I had wanted to do 40K Skaven, but never came across a decent lot of them, then GW killed Fantasy.

Love what you've done here. A lot of cool conversions and kitbashes, and the Skitarii aesthetic lends itself quite well to the Skaven. Especially the armored Stomvermin. Heck, the aesthetic almost fits the Skaven better than it does the Skitarii.

Entertained to see where you go from here.

I really like the idea behind these conversions. Looking good too! I've always wanted to do a mass conversion like this. Makes me jealous.

Looking great so far. Looking forward to seeing some fully painted models soon. Airbrushes are really great for getting a basecoat and highlights done eh?!

EDC