New Skaven rules are here for Age of Sigmar. Now that the clans will have their own rules all in one book, Games Workshop has some new previews for us!
Warhammer Community announced that they would be giving all of the Skaven clans support in their new Battletome coming to Age of Sigmar. Plus they’ve also given us a taste of what to look forward to with the faction.
If you didn’t know it, Skaven are a race of rat-people that are divided into different clans all specializing something. They worship this “Chaos God” called the Great Horned Rat. Now Skaven aren’t the smartest thing in the Realm, however, their numbers are beyond counting and their determination is unshakable.
Skaven Allegiance Abilities & Hero Rules
There are going to be four total allegiance abilities that can be used by any of the clans as well as six clan-specific allegiance ability rules.
Looking at the Overwhelming Mass ability, it’s similar to the older stock Clanrat rules. Your units became even more killy when they were blobbed together. Just don’t expect your blobs to last too long..They’re wearing T-shirts.
Skaven Leadership has been historically awful so Strength in Numbers helps keep your models from running away with a hefty +2 leadership for every 10 models. You’ll still be having droves run, however.
Skaven heroes are almost always in it for themselves and would rather watch their “friends” take the hit. Normally, you can perform a Look out sir! only from shooting attacks. However, your Skaven hero can duck behind a few Clanrats in melee and not even take a scratch!
Despite common belief, the Skaven are no fools and they know when to pick a fight. If your Skaven hero finds himself in a bad situation, he can Scurry away from combat by retreating out of normal phase sequencing.
Clan Abilities
Clan Pestillens and Skryre are going to look similar from the General’s Handbook. However, the other Clans are getting all new support!
Clan Verminus are the backbone troop supplier to all the Clans. If you bring Clawlords as heroes, you’ll be able to give each one a command trait (up to six total). The only stipulation is that they all have to be different and can’t have more than one. However, you can use any command ability even if they aren’t your general. The Verminus Clan is bringing out all of their Warlords!
Moulder are the Skaven that take pride in genetically experimenting with their own kind. Of course, they have some nasty creations that they aren’t afraid to unleash. So, for each Master Moulder units (probably Moulder Hero) you’ll be able to pick a Fighting Beast (probably something like a Hellpit Abomination). Then, you can add D3 to the wounds characteristic of the model and re-rill hits of 1 for melee attacks.
Skaven Spellcasting
Skaven will have two disciplines to draw their power from. One being Ruin and the other, Warpvolt.
Looking at the Grey Seers, they pull their power from the Ruin lore. Splinter is a new spell that goes of on a 6. It’s got a very short range of only 6″ but you can pick a model and roll a D6. If you roll higher than its wounds characteristic, the model is slain. Realistically, you’ll only be able to pick off a weaker character if you’re lucky. You can also snag a multi-wound model like a Stormcast Eternal battleline consistently.
The Warlocks of the Clans Skryre can use More-More-More Warp Power! This wacky spell goes off on a 7 and you can pick a friendly Skryre unit within 12″ of the caster. You can reroll hit and wound rolls for that unit into your next hero phase. However, they also take D3 mortal wounds. If you take a squad of three Stormfiends with the Flayer Gauntlets, you’ll be able to mulch right through your enemies. So what if they take a couple of mortal wounds? They’ll keep pounding!
This is actually the first time we’ve gotten an inside look at the Skaven since GW mentioned their new Battletome. There’s still plenty in store for us to discover as we’ve only scratched the surface! What do you think about the Skaven’s new rules so far? Will you be bringing these guys back out on the table? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
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Bio: Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4.
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