The Skaven are true Warhammer originals. Bursting from dark tunnels under the World-that-Was like a tide of, well, rats, these backstabbing, bickering ratmen scuttle a fine line between humour and terror. For every 10,000 skittering cowards, there was an infamous antihero not to be trifled with, yes-yes!
Deathmaster Snikch is the most murderous of all the assassins of Clan Eshin*, the living embodiment of the treacherous nature of all Skaven.
A supernaturally skilled assassin armed with three weeping blades – one clutched in his tail – dripping corrosive venom, Snikch was notorious for his ability to get into any palace, keep, or warren at the decree of his master, Nightlord Sneek.
This classic miniature used his Cloak of Shadows, a magical garment made from stolen human hair and spider silk, to sneak into combat. He was a terror on the tabletop, practically invisible and with inhuman strength – his elusive skills and wargear also made him difficult to engage, as he could only be targeted by attacks or charges if they rolled a 6 (wizards could cast at him on a 5+). Even if his foes marched right over him, he’d just scoot to the side and toss poisoned throwing stars at the unfortunate Hero leading the attack.
Eshin was one of the four Great Clans, each exemplifying a part of the Skaven gestalt. The assassins of Clan Eshin were joined by the warpstone-fuelled warlocks of Clan Skryre, the rotten plague wizards of Clans Pestilens, and the twisted packmasters of Clan Moulder. All of these infighting institutions were led by the Lords of Decay, unnaturally long-lived Skaven who made up the shadowy Council of Thirteen.**
Much of the joy of collecting Skaven came from the comedy in commanding them on the tabletop. Skaven armies were unlike any other, a terrifying rodent-shaped Rube Goldberg machine just one nudge away from victory or disaster. Armies numbering in the hundreds consisted of battle fodder regiments of Skavenslaves pushed along by Stormvermin elites, scuttling into battle alongside rickety war machines, mutant monstrosities, and Grey Seers swinging off screaming bells, intoxicated by warpstone chips.***
When a unit broke in combat, hordes of cowardly Skaven turned tail and ran away with the deserters, meanwhile if the Horned Rat didn’t favour your dice rolls batteries of overcharged Warp Lightning Cannons and malfunctioning Warpfire Throwers exploded in concert, throwing singed Skaven around like furry confetti. If fortune smiled, Skaven armies could swarm over all, Grey Seers calling great Warp Lightning Storms to scorch and sunder the earth. Every game was an explosive treat and a challenge for generals.
Not even the apocalypse was enough to eradicate them from reality. Like true vermin, they survived the complete annihilation of the World-that-Was, taking up residence in the decaying realm-straddling cesspit known as Blight City in the Mortal Realms.
Skaven now burrow through reality via gnawholes, manifesting across every realm in untold numbers, bringing disease and treachery wherever they go. The Skaven have changed little, only growing more cruel and duplicitous, yet still winning the hearts and minds of legions of loyal fans.
Neegh!
* Who in the Mortal Realms have multiplied to be the more numerous Clans Eshin.
** Technically, there were only 12 Lords of Decay at any one time, with the 13th seat of the Council occupied by the Great Horned Rat itself.
*** Warpstone tokens were used to boost their spellcasting – and were once memorably replaced in a White Dwarf battle report with green Jelly Babies to be consumed at the same time…