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Hi! Im just getting started on skaven and I am already in with a Spire of Dawn Box and another 40 clanrats (thank you ebay) and im wanting to get the Clan Pesitlens box (or possibly another Spire box? The value is outstanding and I have a spare order army on top of it) and I cannot decided how to kit them out. So I have a couple of questions about effectiveness

1. Warplightning vs Plague Claw: one dishes out mortal wounds, one has a nice ranged anti-horde option (but can be screwed over by a nurgle opponent) what should I try? Ive been tempted to magnetize but I was not pleased on how some of the turtorials I found looked afterwards

2. Screaming Bell vs Plague Furnace: I am seeing the plague furnace being much more consistent over time, despite the bell looking really cool and being very very unpredictable.

3. Pestilens Vs Mixed: Pestilens looks like a lot of fun and very consistent, as well as being an "officially" supported army choice, is it worth going all Pestilens or simply taking the mix of the best of Skaven, like the heavy weapon teams?

Edit: Is it worth mixing in other Chaos units or is pure Skaven the only right way to play it? (or else the Horned Rat be displeased)

The plagueclaw catapult simply costs more points that it is worth (though if you are looking for a more casual list they are a decent option). There are, however, two instances where synergy makes it strong enough to be viable; the Foulrain Contagion battalion and in a Nurgle army using Epidemius.

A Skaven army tends to work better without other Chaos mixed in (though other Chaos can benefit from mixing in Skaven) simply because they have all the tools they need within their various sub-factions. Mixed Skaven are viable, but so is mono-Pestilens. I would suggest playing with a mixed approach first and seeing what you like playing with.

By the way, you'll be making a lot of use of the artifact that allows for an extra Inspiring Presence.

 NinthMusketeer wrote:


By the way, you'll be making a lot of use of the artifact that allows for an extra Inspiring Presence.

In my few test games I have discovered that inspired and mystic shielded Clanrats are hard to stop! I just can't decide between the extra range of spears over the extra wound on swords

 generalchaos34 wrote:

 NinthMusketeer wrote:


By the way, you'll be making a lot of use of the artifact that allows for an extra Inspiring Presence.

In my few test games I have discovered that inspired and mystic shielded Clanrats are hard to stop! I just can't decide between the extra range of spears over the extra wound on swords

I'd say you'll get plenty more milieage on spears: let's you make more attacks without exposing your forces too much, as you don't have such a big foot-print as having to deploy in a single row.

 generalchaos34 wrote:

 NinthMusketeer wrote:


By the way, you'll be making a lot of use of the artifact that allows for an extra Inspiring Presence.

In my few test games I have discovered that inspired and mystic shielded Clanrats are hard to stop! I just can't decide between the extra range of spears over the extra wound on swords

10-man use swords, 20+ use spears.

Warplightning Cannon for sure. First off, you are removing the roll to hit (hence some of the randomness). Also something to consider, if you roll a 1 it's auto 6 Mortal Wounds! This big bug zapper has murdered many a hero in it's day.

As above, Swords in units of 10 and spears in 20+. Don't forget, the more you take the better they hit and wound. You add 1 to wound if they have 20 or more, and at 30 or more it's add 1 to hit and wound! So taking units of 40 with Spears and Shields is the way to go...and don't forget adding +1 to bravery for every 10 models.

I highly recommend building your list around The Verminus Clawpack battalion. It's really solid, and taking it with lots of Clan Rats works great. They now get +2 Bravery per 10, and all units are effected by Gnash-Gnaw on their Bones which adds +1 attack. Stormvermin are murderous little guys, I recommend a unit of 30 and they will just blend things. For your Weapon Teams, I've found Ratling Guns are good because you get more range and a ton of shots. Great at whittling down hordes and murdering the all important heroes! Warpfire Throwers are good to hold near your objectives as well. The other force multiplier to add to this is Tretch Craventail, whose Command Ability adds -1 Rend and on 6's to wound does double damage. Now, think about your wonderful Stormvermin. 90 attacks, hitting on 3's, wounding on 3's, Rend -2 and on 6's double damage. I've fully destroyed the Elite/Stronger half (yes half!) of a Bretonnian army with this unit alone. Give it Inspiring Presence, and it will murder and lock down just about anything.

So, get another Spire of Dawn box or 3

 Dez wrote:
Warplightning Cannon for sure. First off, you are removing the roll to hit (hence some of the randomness). Also something to consider, if you roll a 1 it's auto 6 Mortal Wounds! This big bug zapper has murdered many a hero in it's day.

As above, Swords in units of 10 and spears in 20+. Don't forget, the more you take the better they hit and wound. You add 1 to wound if they have 20 or more, and at 30 or more it's add 1 to hit and wound! So taking units of 40 with Spears and Shields is the way to go...and don't forget adding +1 to bravery for every 10 models.

I highly recommend building your list around The Verminus Clawpack battalion. It's really solid, and taking it with lots of Clan Rats works great. They now get +2 Bravery per 10, and all units are effected by Gnash-Gnaw on their Bones which adds +1 attack. Stormvermin are murderous little guys, I recommend a unit of 30 and they will just blend things. For your Weapon Teams, I've found Ratling Guns are good because you get more range and a ton of shots. Great at whittling down hordes and murdering the all important heroes! Warpfire Throwers are good to hold near your objectives as well. The other force multiplier to add to this is Tretch Craventail, whose Command Ability adds -1 Rend and on 6's to wound does double damage. Now, think about your wonderful Stormvermin. 90 attacks, hitting on 3's, wounding on 3's, Rend -2 and on 6's double damage. I've fully destroyed the Elite/Stronger half (yes half!) of a Bretonnian army with this unit alone. Give it Inspiring Presence, and it will murder and lock down just about anything.

So, get another Spire of Dawn box or 3

I LOVE that idea, and it works in my love of guardsman as well "Send in the next wave!" Looks like im almost there with some lucky ebay grabs of clanrats so far, just need to snag some stormvermin.

With the battalions. If I took the Verminus Clawpack do its clanrats count as my battle line for when I want to field other things? Meaning can I take a Clawpack can I simply tack on some Warplightning cannons and Doomwheels to make a complete list for matched play?

Yes.