[Skaven] Let There Be Blight (Crunch Them All)

[Rusty]

I have a(nother) new CTA team that looks like this after a 2-1 win in my first game:

Thrower
2x Stormvermin
Gutter Runner (1 SPP)
2x Gutter Runner (3 SPP)
Gutter Runner (6 SPP) +AG
3x Linerat
Linerat MNG+Niggling injury
Apothecary
3 Rerolls
80k gold

I had tonnes of fun playing with them, even though I'm not totally happy with how it went. My main impression from this game is that it'll be hard to stop anyone scoring without a Rat Ogre - especially without Kick (1st pick on a Linerat). So my first thought is to not spend anything yet and save up for a Rat Ogre. If I do this, what should I do if a Stormvermin or Gutter Runner gets retired next game - replace it first, or still buy the Rat Ogre first? Also, the +AG Gutter Runner should be made into a blitzer/sacker right? How would you build him from here?

[Barninho]

For Skaven I would recommend delaying the purchase of the Rat Ogre, I know a lot of people don't go for it till the 14th or 15th player and in those cases sometimes they only use him on defence.

The key for Skaven is a swarming defence that can make picking up the ball and getting it into a safe position a nightmare. What you need much more than a Rat Ogre is a kicker. That will put fear into the bash teams you might face. Might even be worth trying to run a linerat in for a couple of scores and speeding up the process.

I like Rat Ogres, but they don't really fit in to the Skaven style of play and I know a lot of people would rather spread the cost of that player across the team.

[John McGuirk]

Wrestle, Horns, Leap, Strip Ball, Tackle, would be my build if you wanted him for blitzing. I would be tempted to give him Wrestle, Big Hand, Extra Arms, Sure Hands, Leap and make him into a ball retriever/handler/thrower to really get the most out of that agility though.

Also, the team name. What can be said? It's fantastic.

[Netsmurf]

If he gets a double its guard, then leap, that way you have a 2+ roll for an assist when blitzing into a cage with your other leap +ST gutter (or dauntless if you coach poorly in the doping department.)

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Barninho

For Skaven I would recommend delaying the purchase of the Rat Ogre, I know a lot of people don't go for it till the 14th or 15th player and in those cases sometimes they only use him on defence.

The key for Skaven is a swarming defence that can make picking up the ball and getting it into a safe position a nightmare. What you need much more than a Rat Ogre is a kicker. That will put fear into the bash teams you might face. Might even be worth trying to run a linerat in for a couple of scores and speeding up the process.

I like Rat Ogres, but they don't really fit in to the Skaven style of play and I know a lot of people would rather spread the cost of that player across the team.

Absolutely, Kicking to a good place to stop the cage from forming is the most important thing. But the problem I have is when the cage is formed - should I be swarming the cage with Linerats and Stormvermin in the hope that they can't all be cleared to leave the cage safe for the next turn? That'll hurt.

Originally Posted by John McGuirk

Wrestle, Horns, Leap, Strip Ball, Tackle, would be my build if you wanted him for blitzing. I would be tempted to give him Wrestle, Big Hand, Extra Arms, Sure Hands, Leap and make him into a ball retriever/handler/thrower to really get the most out of that agility though.

Also, the team name. What can be said? It's fantastic.

Thanks! Took me about an hour to think of it. My players are all named after poisons.

For that Gutter Runner, if I do make him a blitzer (and it'll depend on how the rest of my team goes as well), Horns needs a double. If I don't get one by his third skill would you take Dauntless?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Netsmurf

If he gets a double its guard, then leap, that way you have a 2+ roll for an assist when blitzing into a cage with your other leap +ST gutter (or dauntless if you coach poorly in the doping department.)

Now that idea I like... c'mon doubles.

[John McGuirk]

Ugh, for some reason I thought Skaven were like Chaos. I blame... the Underworld team?

In that case I'm really not sure what I'd do without a double. I'm really not a fan of ST2 Blitzer builds, Horns, sure, but Dauntless is just begging for some bad Nuffling :/

It's like making a GFI before every blitz attempt.

[Dr Bork]

Love the team name lol

Brilliant (pun intended)...

[Narly Bird]

Im glad to hear that it was my match vs you that inspired you to keep going with the Skaven. It was a good match and really close actually. I was also impressed by the ability of the Gutters to get anywhere. And they really can punish any mistake! I am also in agreement with you about getting that Rat Ogre. He is great for busting into cages and also marking up players with his prehensile tail. I would say you can take the loss of 1 GR. 3 is enough. So keep saving for the Rat Ogre. However, if you lose a Stormvermin I would probably spring for another Stormy first. Block and AV8 is too good to miss out on.

[Rusty]

Thanks for the advice so far. I need some more though!

A second win, 3-1 this time, has given me two more skills on Gutter Runners.

Thrower (1 SPP)
Stormvermin (2 SPP)
Stormvermin (0 SPP)
Gutter Runner (2 SPP, -AV MNG)
Gutter Runner (11 SPP) +AG
Gutter Runner (7 SPP)
Gutter Runner (9 SPP)
Linerat (2 SPP)
3x Linerat (0 SPP)
Apothecary
3 Rerolls
130k gold

One of those Gutter Runners rolled a double, the other a normal skill. So what to do with the double? Horns for a blitzer? Guard to support a blitzer? Forget the double? And based on that decision, would you give the other one Block or Wrestle? I can see too many ways to go, especially when you bring the +AG Gutter into play, that I can't get my head around what would be best. Ultimately I want two blitzing Gutters and two marking Gutters, I'm just not sure how to go about it with these rolls.

And yes, I should be getting a Linerat Kick asap as well. I just keep forgetting.