Tomorrow my rats will be heading up to Northampton for a one-day event and I thought it would be fun to do a bit of a breakdown of my list, and the models making it up. For experienced ratkin players it will be a great opportunity to giggle at my ineptitude, but for those newer to Ratkin I’m hoping this gives a bit of an insight (regardless of how misguided) into the sort of mechanics that make rats a fun, if slightly mind-boggling army to play.
The optional hordes
There is a perception that Ratkin should be played as a horde army. It’s really not the case, but I do believe ratkin need a solid lump of nerve anchoring their lines. I’m an infantry fan (except when it comes to painting) which is why I’ve gone for four hordes. One horde of warriors, two of spears and one of Shocktroops. They all have plague pots and as much phalanx as I can get my hands on. My experience with rats is that speed 6 means you can avoid most infantry-based threats, but you’re really susceptible to mutli-charges from fast units, phalanx helps deal with these threats.
The other massive thing about these hordes it that they have the rally special rule that really bolsters the rest of the force.
I’m like the mantic rat warriors and the ambition is to upgrade the GW spears, but at my painting rate it’ll be a few months off yet. I also love the little plague pots on the warrior sprues, which is another great reason to use them.
The vermin
Consisting of the big and the small, a regiment of vermintide, the Tangle and two Mutant Rat Fiends. These units have a lovely radiance of life interaction, with each of these units able to pick up D3 radiance of life from the Mutant Rat Fiends. The Fiends are absolutely the powerhouses of this list. Thanks to strider they reliably deliver about 6 points of damage a turn to most things, and their rallying compliments the radiance of life.
They are massively squishy though, so they have to pick their fights, but with a potential -/20 nerve and regen they can easily survive to the end of a game. The Tangle gets extra magic dice from all these units, as well as the hordes, which makes it a really reliable magic source, and in return the Tangle offers a source of weakness which can really take the edge off an attack, especially when combined with phalanx or ensnare. My one concession to the lovely mantic range for these beauties is the Grey Seer from the original Screaming Bell who I prefer to Mantic rider.
The guns
Ratkin have some of the best short-range shooting in the game. My 3 war engine teams can be absolutely devastating working together but are not so expensive that they can’t be thrown away to block up the opponent. When fully rallied to 10/12 nerve, together with defence 5, there’s no guarantee they’re going to break quickly if an individual goes in to try and shut them down.
The Death Engine Spewer is a recent addition. Piercing 2 shooting is always welcome in a list, piercing 2 shooting on a height 5 chariot is just brilliant. Admittedly it’s not got steady aim, but in an infantry army I don’t think it should be the biggest ask to get it parked up with charges from enemies blocked and no cover to have to worry about. It’s also not too shabby on the offensive with crushing strength 1. I’ve only used this a couple of times, but I’ve been impressed both times.
The bosses
The two brute enforcers are real must haves in any Ratkin list. They are incredibly versatile and surprisingly survivable, model wise I love the Mantic one far more than the GW one, but for characters I don’t like to repeat models, so I’m keeping the GW one until another Mantic option arrives. So many people rave about Brood Mothers, personally I’m not a fan so this is the first tournament I have ever taken this model to. I know she is a good pick, I’m just a little contrary, and I’m looking forward to her proving her mettle and leaving me wondering why I haven’t taken her before.
She who must be taken
Mother Cryza is, for me, an absolute must have. I have to admit it took me a bit of time to really appreciate her, but now I’ve crossed the Rubicon I find it odd to write a list without her. Fully rallied she comes in at 15/17, combined with her ensnare she is an incredibly reliable roadblock, which means you get the most out of her Cloak of Death.
I bashed the character together from a Ratkin warlock and a Vermyn character to replace the classic GW Thanquol and Boneripper that had previously represented the maleficent matriarch.
The special character
This event features an extra giant character, and whilst it would have been nice to add another Mantic beastie to the ranks this GW monstrosity fits perfectly.
Can wait to unleash the rats once again. Keep your eyes peeled for the tournament report. You can always drop your email below and subscribe to make sure you don’t miss it.
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