Skaven
Tier 1About
The Skaven are the speed demons of Blood Bowl, a chittering horde of ratmen who rely on blistering pace and overwhelming numbers to run rings around the opposition. At the top of their game, a Skaven team can score in two turns or fewer, leaving even the most prepared coaches scrambling to respond. The stars of the show are the Gutter Runners, blessed with MA9, AG2+, Dodge, and the sinister Weeping Dagger -- making them among the fastest and most dangerous ball carriers in the entire game.
Beyond the Gutter Runners, the Skaven roster is surprisingly well-rounded for a speed team. Blitzers bring natural Block for hitting power, Throwers offer Pass and Sure Hands for a reliable passing game, and even the humble Clanrat linemen are respectably fast at MA7 with decent AV8+ armour. The Rat Ogre adds a chaotic element with Frenzy, Mighty Blow +1, and Prehensile Tail, providing both hitting power and a dangerous tail that makes dodging away from it treacherous.
The price for all this speed is fragility. Skaven players go down easily and stay down often. A bash-heavy opponent who can get their hands on your Gutter Runners will make your life miserable. Coaching the Skaven means accepting that you will lose players, that things will go wrong, and that your best response is always to score before the damage becomes terminal. When in doubt, run faster.
Positionals
| Position | MA | ST | AG | PA | AV | Cost | Starting Skills | Primary | Secondary | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skaven Clanrat | 7 | 3 | 3+ | 4+ | 8+ | 50k | None | Devious, General | Agility, Mutation, Strength, Devious | 16 |
| Skaven Thrower | 7 | 3 | 3+ | 2+ | 8+ | 80k | PassSure Hands | General, Passing | Agility, Devious, Mutation, Strength | 2 |
| Gutter Runner | 9 | 2 | 2+ | 4+ | 8+ | 85k | DodgeStab | Agility, Devious, General | Mutation, Strength | 2 |
| Skaven Blitzer | 8 | 3 | 3+ | 4+ | 9+ | 90k | BlockStrip Ball | General, Strength | Agility, Devious, Mutation | 2 |
| Rat Ogre | 6 | 5 | 4+ | 6+ | 9+ | 150k | Animal SavageryFrenzyLoner (4+)Mighty Blow (+1)Prehensile Tail | Strength | Agility, General, Mutation | 1 |
Strengths
- Gutter Runners with MA9 and AG2+ are among the fastest and most agile players in the game
- Excellent passing game with Throwers providing Pass and Sure Hands
- Clanrat linemen are solid with MA7 and AV8+, better than most fodder linemen
- Rat Ogre with Prehensile Tail makes it difficult for opponents to dodge away from your line
Weaknesses
- Fragile players who suffer badly against sustained bashy pressure
- Gutter Runners are high-value targets that opponents will focus on removing
- Rat Ogre has Wild Animal and Loner 4+, making it unreliable in key moments
- Low overall strength means losing the blocking battle against most bash teams
Tips & Strategy
- Score fast and score often -- do not try to hold the ball and grind, that plays into your opponent's hands
- Keep Gutter Runners away from the fight; use them on the flanks where they can exploit their speed
- Develop Block on your Gutter Runners early to help them survive contact
- Use the Rat Ogre's Prehensile Tail to anchor one side of the line and funnel opponents into traps