Skaven (Warhammer Age of Sigmar): A Buyer's Guide to the Ratmen Army

Skaven are the scheming ratmen of Warhammer Age of Sigmar: a swarm army built on numbers, treachery and unstable warpstone technology. They suit collectors who like big units of cheap-looking bodies, eccentric war machines and a faction that wins by being slippery rather than noble. A good first purchase is a core infantry unit, one specialist kit and a leader, plus the Skaven battletome.

What are Skaven in Age of Sigmar?

Skaven are a vast, scurrying civilisation of rat-people that lurks beneath the surface of the Mortal Realms. They worship the Horned Rat, they are obsessed with warpstone, and they are constantly plotting against each other as much as against anyone else. The faction belongs to the Chaos side of the game.

The army is split into clans, each with its own speciality. Clan Skryre builds warpstone-powered weapons and gadgets. Clan Moulder breeds monstrous creatures. Clan Eshin supplies assassins and skirmishers. Clan Pestilens spreads plague. You can focus on one clan or mix several, which is part of the appeal.

How do Skaven play?

In broad terms, Skaven are an army of quantity, nasty surprises and expendable troops. You field many models, accept that some will die, and rely on support, ranged firepower and clever positioning to make the numbers count. They reward players who enjoy tactical tricks and are comfortable with a slightly chaotic army.

If you want a more disciplined, heroic force, the Stormcast Eternals guide covers a very different style. If you prefer other Chaos or undead options, look at our guides to Slaves To Darkness and Soulblight Gravelords.

Where should you start a Skaven army?

Start small and build around a theme. A sensible first wave has three parts: a core infantry unit to hold the line, a ranged or support kit you enjoy assembling, and a leader to give the army a face.

1. The rulebook. Pick up the Chaos Battletome: Skaven (English) first. It shows you which units work together and helps you avoid buying kits you will not use.
2. A core unit. The Stormvermin are the elite armoured guard of the Skaven and a satisfying kit to build and paint.
3. A leader. Vizzik Skour, Prophet of the Horned Rat is a character model that gives a new army a strong centrepiece.
4. The paints. The Skaven Paint Set gets you started on the faction's colours without buying pots one by one.

If you are new to the wider hobby, the Warhammer Age of Sigmar guide explains how the game works, and the complete Warhammer buying guide covers the hobby as a whole.

Which Skaven kits are worth knowing?

Infantry and skirmishers

Infantry give a Skaven army its character. The Stormvermin fill the heavy-infantry role. The Gutter Runners are Clan Eshin's fast, sneaky killers and suit players who like a more mobile army. The Acolyte Globadiers are Clan Skryre grenade-throwers, handy for adding ranged pressure.

Clan Skryre weapons and war machines

Skryre is where the faction's most outlandish technology lives. The Warplock Jezzails are long-range marksmen, and the Ratling Warpblaster is a crewed rapid-fire weapon. The Warpspark Weapon Battery and the Warp-Grinder bring artillery and war-machine flavour. The Stormfiends are big, heavily augmented fighters for players who want something chunky on the table.

For specialist characters, the Warlock Bombardier and the Warlock Galvaneer lean into the mad-scientist side of the army.

Clan Moulder monsters

Clan Moulder breeds the army's biggest creatures. The Rat Ogors are hulking, bred-for-war brutes. The Brood Terror is a large monster kit that makes a strong centrepiece. The Master Moulder is the breeder-handler who fits naturally alongside them.

Heroes and big characters

Two characters stand out for collectors. Thanquol and Boneripper is a famously scheming Grey Seer paired with his monstrous bodyguard, and it is a showpiece kit. The Verminlord Corruptor is a towering daemon of the Horned Rat and a good choice for anyone who likes painting a big, dramatic model.

How do you paint Skaven?

Skaven are a forgiving faction to paint. Fur, leather, rusted metal and glowing warpstone give you plenty of texture, and the army looks good even with a fairly simple scheme. Consistency matters more than perfection, so choose a few fur tones, one metal and one glow colour, and repeat them across every unit.

The Skaven Paint Set is a convenient way to begin. When you are ready for more colours, our Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide explains the range, and how to start painting Warhammer miniatures walks through the basics step by step.

Because Skaven units are large, batch painting works well. Build and prime a full unit at once, then paint each stage across all the models before moving on.

Which book do you need for Skaven?

The Chaos Battletome: Skaven (English) is the army book. It collects the faction's background, the units available to you and the rules that make the army distinctive. Read it before you commit to a large purchase, because it shows which clans and units suit the way you want to play.

Skaven FAQ

Are Skaven good for beginners?

Yes, if you are happy to build and paint a fair number of models. The rules are not necessarily simple, but a small core of infantry, a leader and one support kit is enough to play a first game. Starting small keeps the painting manageable.

Do I need to pick one clan?

No. Many collectors blend units from several clans, although choosing a theme can make the army look more cohesive. Check the battletome to see how different units fit together before you buy.

What is the best first Skaven kit?

The Stormvermin are a strong first choice as a core infantry unit. Pair them with a character such as Vizzik Skour and the battletome for a well-rounded start. If you prefer ranged units, the Warplock Jezzails are a good alternative.

Are Skaven hard to paint?

Not especially. Fur, cloth and metal can be handled with simple techniques, and warpstone glow is an easy way to add a focal point. A paint set and a basic painting guide are enough to get a unit finished.

Does Universe TCG ship Skaven abroad?

Yes. Universe TCG ships worldwide from Spain, and you can also visit our shops in Mollet del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès and Segovia.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Warhammer Age of Sigmar
• Slaves To Darkness (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Soulblight Gravelords (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Stormcast Eternals (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Seraphon (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Ossiarch Bonereapers (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures