Balrog tries out the Skaven

Balrog · Post by **Balrog** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 10:09 am

Hey guys,
Well, after my rookie wood elf team got trounced 2-0 and had a wardancer and lineman die horribly I decided to try my hand at something new, Skaven.

After scouring this forum for new team ideas, I decided to go with this lineup:

1 Rat Ogre
2 Gutter Runners
2 Storm Vermins
1 Thrower
5 Linerats
1 Apothecary
4 FF
2 Rerolls

I was trying to fit a third reroll and higher fan factor in there, all the while keeping the Rat Ogre, but sadly it wasn't possible. I was afraid the low FF would hurt, but many of the other B division teams also have low FF (I guess we really are B division...).

At first I was a little afraid of the lack of rerolls, but what the heck. I played my first match against a high elf team and beat them 3-0!! No rat has a skill yet, but I am very very pleased with the two Storm Vermins, very useful. My FF went up, and I was able to purchase another Linerat (despite a meager 21k fans showing up for the game).

So, I need some advice from the skaven coaches out there. What should I take on advances with this team? I am especially concerned about the Storm Vermin, I am not quite sure what to give them (assuming normal skill rolls).

The other teams in the B division are:
1 High Elf, 3 Chaos, 1 Norse (after writing this list I see that I am in for a lot of pain).

The rest of the league (TR ~160):
1 Dark Elf, 1 Undead, 1 Dwarf, 1 Orc

Well, anyone got any advice on how I am going to stay alive in this mess?
-Balrog

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 12:03 pm

I think the first thing you have to accept with skaven is that rats are going to die. Unfortunatly with Av7 and without the AG to escape many of the rats will soon be with the big warpstone in the sky. With that in mind I find you have to use your apoth carefully. My motto is to never apoth a lineman unless he has rolled a double, even then the GR's and SV's are more important. I feel sorry for the little buggers, but heh they only cost 50k.

The thing I most like about skaven is their skill access. My prefered SV choices are tackle, guard, stripball (in that order). I would take stripball before guard, but I find they get tied up easily (damn AG3). On doubles I personally would take horns though I know a lot of people like claw/RSC.

Linerats I find are normally a no brainer. First skill on first LR is always kick. Once I have a kicker it's block all round time. Should the little bugger be lucky enough to roll doubles (and therefore add himself to the potential apoth list) I'm a BIG BIG fan of FA. There's nothing I love more than getting an elf in 2 or 3 FA zones, and watching him catch on a 5. The only problem with taking FA in your league is you probably aren't gonna see many passing plays. I guess if you want to try and break things you'll be going for claw (though in your league with all that AV9 breaking things seems less of an option).

And then we come to every skaven player's little darlings, the GR's. Great players, and you get 4 of 'em. I think every player will develop GR's differently because you've got so much choice. Personally I don't like one turners, so I don't develop my GR's like that. Excluding doubles it's the obvious block first for me, then catch on 2 of em and surehands/passblock on the other 2. If I'm lucky enough to roll doubles I get Dauntless and stripball on one. I'm torn at the moment between VLL and FA on my next double's choice. Passblock and FA is a potential -2 to a catch if I get a TZ on, and I might still get a 6 on the INT roll, whereas VLL is countered by safethrow (though if you are going for one turners VLL is a no-brainer)

Hope that helps

Grumbledook · Post by **Grumbledook** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 2:21 pm

you want pass block on the catch guys they get a reroll on the intercept, not everyone has safe throw and they could stil fail it or use a reroll

Rogerg1979 · Post by **Rogerg1979** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 2:29 pm

yup.... I pretty much agree with that...

Line rats: Block and physical traits (FA is quite awesome with Linerats speed)

Gutter Runners: DO NOT mistake the usefulness of horns/duantless/ strip ball... Brilliant, can get anywhere, blitz anyone, and have the speed to scamper off with it afterwards... indeed, every skaven players little baby's

Storm Vermin: The toughie... Only place I kinda disagree with Dan. My GR's are my turnover specialists, SV are for tying up bigger threats, so no strip ball! I generally go for claw/RSC, or guard (ESP guard, ratz need it!) again FA to keep them off the ground so often is also useful... SV can go pretty any which way you want, they're very flexable (Just mind what I said about the GR's).

Hope this helps.

Gk.

Balrog · Post by **Balrog** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 6:21 pm

Hey guys,
Ok, after playing two games (win 3-0, and win 3-1) with my new Skaven team, my roster now looks like this:

The Brotherhood of Evil Rodents:

1x Rat Ogre w/ Block
2x Gutter Runners (1 TD each)
1x Thrower (4 SPPs)
1x Storm Vermin w/ Guard
1x Storm Vermin (5 SPPs)
1x Linerat w/ Kick
5x Linerats

Apothecary
6 Fan Factor
2 Rerolls

Treasury 50k (I've rolled crap for money).

Do you guys think I should buy another linerat right away, or wait after next game to buy a positional player (or reroll if I get lucky with money)?

-Balrog

kaboom · Post by **kaboom** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 6:41 pm

buy a gutter runner more!
____________________________
just puke!!

____________________________

Skummy · Post by **Skummy** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 7:48 pm

Wait on the puchase and pick up a thrower. You'll be surprised at how consistently useful he will be on offence, and it will help to save your rerolls for defensive purposes.

Balrog · Post by **Balrog** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 7:56 pm

Skummy wrote:Wait on the puchase and pick up a thrower. You'll be surprised at how consistently useful he will be on offence, and it will help to save your rerolls for defensive purposes.

That's what I was considering as well, I needed to roll a 3+ on money to get him this game, but sadly I rolled that dreaded 1... However, my one thrower as been well worth it so far.

-Balrog

Skummy · Post by **Skummy** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 8:15 pm

I don't see skill lists for throwers above, but I would highly suggest you take block first, and then accurate. On doubles, Dodge is awfully tempting. With Skaven you always have to think about survivability, and while the 7 movement and Sure Hands can be a lifesafer, it doesn't do you much good if the player's not on the pitch.

Balrog · Post by **Balrog** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 9:21 pm

Block will be his first skill for sure, then maybe Hell Mary Pass. Dodge on doubles for sure (although Big Hand does look interesting).

In fact, I can't see myself taking a mutation over Dodge on any Skaven, it kinda makes access to mutations moot.

-Balrog

Skummy · Post by **Skummy** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 10:30 pm

What about Gutter Runners? They already have dodge.

Amon242 · Post by **Amon242** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 10:32 pm

I would suggest getting all 4 Gutter Runners before buying another thrower. Their movement and agility makes them a very valuable asset for the team. They can score, they can play defense, they have the speed and agility to pickup and clear loose balls, and in a pinch can fill in as a thrower. Rerolls are also nice, because you don't have many built in like you do on the elf teams.

Balrog · Post by **Balrog** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 10:14 am

Wow! I love playing Skaven. I won my third game against a Wood Elf team 4-2. Both my Gutter Runners and my Thrower got Block. And I now enough cash to get my second Thrower. I could buy another Gutter Runner, but I'll wait for the two I have now to get their second skill first.

-Balrog

Amon242 · Post by **Amon242** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 4:03 pm

Balrog wrote:Wow! I love playing Skaven. I won my third game against a Wood Elf team 4-2.

Gotta love the run and shoot teams! Skaven vs. Wood Elves is always a SPP feast.

Longshot · Post by **Longshot** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 5:18 pm

Balrog tries Skaven....is it politicaly correct?

Talk Fantasy Football

Balrog tries out the Skaven

Balrog tries out the Skaven

pretty much agree...