The Verminous Horde Invades...

"Squeek"

Sooo, Warhammer Online. I haven't played for a while and now it really shows, as I didn't even know until today that there had been a new patch in October of November last year and that the Skaven are now integrated into Realm V. Realm warfare.

Patch 1.4.0 added "The Verminous Horde" free content for all subscribers that includes the following 4 "Playable" Skaven Classes

Warlock Engineer, Rat Ogre, Pack Master, Gutter Runner

Copyright Mythic Entertainment: Warhammer Online

The new content also included a new dungeon, "Thanquol's Incursion, that promised new loot etc. You can find details of what the update included here.

You can also find a full list of the capabilities of each class here. Although I haven't played any of this content or these guys, I enjoyed reading through this as the abilities lined up somewhat with the content you would expect from the different Skaven classes:
- Warlock Engineer: Doom Rocket (which as well as knocking down the enemy, knocks the WE off his feet too!), Warp-Energy condenser, Death Globe, Warp-fire thrower, etc.
- Gutter Runner: Spy, Gutter Run stealth mode, Sabotage enemy war-machines etc.
- Rat Ogre: Frenzy, Savage Assault, Charge, Roar, Bash etc.
- Pack Master: Supports the Rat Ogre and Increases his effectiveness. "Thwap! Thwap!! Thwap!!!" attack, "Overconfidence", "Scurry Away" (for "when the going gets tough") and "Rats of War" (rats burst from the ground and attack the enemy. Each injury becomes a "Festering Wound")

As you can see, these would seem to try to capture the spirit of the Skaven very nicely, and include some of the dark humour that Skaven players should appreciate. To get a sense of the actual characters in motion, check out the player-made video below:

Now, it is important to note that the Skaven are not a "Playable Race" in the traditional sense of the word. What I mean is that don't you enter the game, choose to be a Skaven and then and level up from 1 all the way through to the highest levels in the game, adding equipment and abilities as you go (the basic gameplay mechanic of most MMORPGs). Instead, I understand that the expanded content for the Skaven is available at the highest level, and in RVR only (realm v. realm).

...what a shame!

Despite some of the really cool ideas that sound like fun (see the vid below where the Rat Ogre's "Hurl" skill is put to - endless - good use) the introduction of the Skaven seems to have satisfied no-one:
From what I hear...
- They aren't a fully playable race.
- They are accessible as mercenaries to both sides, which includes the "Order" faction. (WHAT!!??)
- People playing Skaven routinely get owned by other players as you don't keep your own skills when you become a Skaven player. (Which seems logical to me but...)

Have you played the expansion? Taken charge of the Skaven? Played as one of the classes above? If so let me know in the comments below - I'd like to know more about how the experience was!
In the meantime, here are some pics of some characters you might find familiar, brought to (digital) life in Warhammer Online - The Verminous Horde. (Regardless of how the game plays, I think these look great!)

"Squeek"

Scar -Scath arrives...and is unboxed!

*Squeek*

He has arrived...the great lord that my army has been waiting for! I have magic, I have war-machines, I have muscle, and now, NOW I have otherworldly EVIL as well!
(Insert high-pitched - yet still evil - laugh here!)

...or at least I have a model that COULD stand-in as that embodiment of Skaven evil, the scheming Vermin Lord.


I first came across Scar-Scath, Fiend of Vermin, from a post on another blog, and since then have visited the Bane Legions website several times. The models look great and could well accompany any number of different armies, and the range is expanding, with monsters ranging from tree-men to giants. I determined to buy Scar-Scath, as I thought he might be a really good centerpiece for my Skaven army, striding tall among the bent-backed, scurrying Skaven horde around him, massive polearm in hand.

I recently ordered the model from Maelstrom Games and a box duly arrived from the UK while I was on a business trip. I was really happy to get back and see the box there, not least because anything coming in the post from the UK by Royal Mail makes me worry. (Even worse if it is Parcel Force....Parcel FARCE more like) Note that isn't a slight on Maelstrom (I could choose a safer more expensive shipping option if I wish!), just my fears based on prior experience with the UK postal system.

Anyway, the box did arrive, and in perfect shape too! So what is in it?

Let's take a look...

As a total noob with resin miniatures, I appreciate this!

Wrapped up safe and sound in bubble wrap.

Pieces in a bag.

The head of Scar-Scath.

8 pieces.

The pieces are really clearly defined with lots of detail. The one thing I don't quite understand is that there was no base for the model in the box. Is it the case that with resin models people just always want to sculpt and create their own? Perhaps I missed where it said that on the website? It seems a bit strange as the foot (on the right in the picture) looks as though it has a rod molded for insertion in a hole on a base. I guess I will have to find one somewhere...

After getting out the model and making sure nothing was broken I decided to put Scar-Skath next to one of my Skaven to see how he looked in terms of size. Although Maelstrom have helpfully put sizes (H:84mm x W:96mm) on their site next to pictures of each model (so I had a rough idea) I was definitely nervous as I put him next to a Warlock Engineer for comparison. Would he look ridiculously large? or not impressive enough?

Here is the shot...

Yes, he IS rather large (and will look larger with the head on and when carrying the polearm) but I actually think he is going to look just about right! Not a giant - more a very large and powerful manifestation of a summoned being.

Now the challenge is just to assemble and paint my first ever resin figure!

*Squeek!!*

Skaven Army Update: January 2011

*Squeek*

Here we are, January 2011, with lots of Skaven left to paint! I thought I would take a few moments to look at how far I have come along with this army since April 24th 2010, the date my first box of Skaven arrived, including a Skaven Battalion.

So where are we now?

The boxes arrive. April 24th 2010. Little did I know...

...that I would have so much painting to do!
The original order - assembled.

Grey Seer.

Warlord (with back-banner.)

Chieftain (Battle Standard Bearer)

Chieftain (detail)

"Tetanus" Tweak Vilekin - Warlock Engineer.

 Creak "Boom Boom" Vilekin - Warlock Engineer
(and Tweak's twin...)

Clanrat Unit 1 (x40)

Clanrat Unit 2 (x40)

Skaven Slave Unit 1 (x30) -another 30 underway...
...and yeah, the bases aren't finished!

Warpfire Thrower and Poisoned Wind Mortar crews.

Warpfire Thrower Team 2.

Giant Rats x12 with Pack Master.
x2 Ratswarms (2 bases each.)

Rat Ogres x2 (With Packmasters)

Plague Priest

Plague Monks (x30)

Warplock Jezzails (x1 team)

Warp Lightning Cannon x1

Doomwheel x1

Put that all together and there is probably around 2,000 points of Skaven (if adding in equipment choices, magic items etc.)

Still to do...

x1 Plague Furnace/ Doom Bell and Grey Seer

x1 Clanrat unit (x40, Island of Blood)

x1 Skaven Slaves unit (x30)

x1 Stormvermin Unit (x20)

More Rat Ogres (x4, Island of Blood)

x1 Plague Monk Unit (x20)

Plague Censer Bearers (x10 converted plastic Plague Monk models)

...and I still have to put up a step-by-step guide for the Warlord.

(Sigh) as the man things say:

NO REST FOR THE WICKED!

AHAAHAHAHAHAHA!

*Squeek*

How to Paint a Skaven Warlock Engineer

*Squeek*

At the moment, I haven't even managed to get a game of WFB in, so I don't have any experience of using Warlock Engineers, but from what I gather from reading around these guys make an excellent addition to any force.

1. Decent magic - Warplightning coupled with a Condenser pumps out the pain...
2. Fun - Skitterleap next to the enemy flank and launch a Doomrocket along their line of assault.
3. Cheap - basic unit costs 15 points?? (although adding the fun bits above may not be cheap...)

But as the man says:

"That's not important right now."

'coz the purpose of this post is to look at painting up one of these guys. In particular, this is the sculpt from the new Island of Blood set. Looking around at other WE models on the net, I actually think this is one of the best. It's got some nice detail (posing on a High Elf shield) and yet pretty clean looking. (Unlike the current Ikit Claw model, which looks too "busy" for my taste.)

1. Assembly.

• File down or carefully cut away any flash from the model.
• Glue to base.

2. 1st Basing.

• Paint watered-down PVA glue to the base.
• Dip base into modelling sand
• Shake away excess and leave to dry

3. Undercoat.

• Undercoat whole model Chaos Black (I use GW Spray paint.)

4. Drybrush base.

• Calthan Brown.
• Snakebite Leather

5. Basecoat.

Apply base colours to all parts of the model.

EDIT: Following the launch of the latest Citadel Paint range in 2012, please note that the colours listed below are from the previous range. I hope to have time to rewrite in the future, but for the time being, you can use the conversion chart/ list I made here or use the official Citadel Conversion chart here.

• Boltgun Metal: Armour, glaive blade, warplock weapon barrel, telescopic site, band around warp energy condenser etc.
• Red Gore: Robes.
• Tallarn Flesh: Skin, tail etc.
• Dwarf Bronze: Warp Energy condenser, Skaven charm, armour details
• Bleached Bone: Skull, Glaive handle.
• Dark Angels Green: Warpstone, condenser and weapon pipes/ hoses.
• Regal Blue: High Elf Shield (under his feet)
• Skull White: High Elf Shield
• Blood Red: High Elf Shield

6. Layers.

• Robes: Red Gore/ Blood Red (50/50 Mix), then Red Gore/ Blood Red (25/75 mix) and finally Blood Red.
• Condenser Pipes/ Hoses: Snot Green
• Warpstone: Snot Green
• Skull: Skull White/ Bleached Bone (50/ 50 mix)

7. Washes.

• Skin, Tail/ Ears: Ogryn Flesh.
• Robes: Devlan Mud (example at left above) OR Gryphonne Sepia (example at right above.)
• Armour/ Glaive Blade/ Warplock weapon barrel: Devlan Mud
• Glaive handle: Gryphonne Sepia
• Skull: Gryphonne Sepia
• Elf Shield: Devlan Mud
• Warpstone: Thrakka Green

8. Highlights.

• Armour edges: Boltgun Metal/ Chainmail
• Edge of Glaive blade/ warplock weapon barrel: Chainmail
• Warp Energy Condenser: Dwarf Bronze
• Nails: Bleached Bone
• Skull: Bleached Bone/ Skull White (50/50 mix)
• Skin/ Tail/ Ears: Tallarn Flesh/ Dwarf Flesh (50/50 mix)
• Warpstone/ Pipes/ Hose: Snot Green/ Skull White (75/25 mix)
• Telescopic Sight lens: Snot Green/ Skull White (75/25 mix) then (50/50 mix). Finally a dab of skull white at the top of the lens

7. Final Basing

• Dab on a couple of spots of PVA glue.
• Dip in flock.
• Shake away excess and leave to dry.

Done!

Here's the finished Warlock Engineer...

Hope this is useful!

*Squeek*