Purpose: The purpose of this thread is to collect FAQs & Errata needed to clarify the 7th Edition Skaven rulebook.

End Product: At the end of this "project" the work product will be used by the Direwolf FAQ Council and also delivered to Alessio Cavatore.

Timeframe: Closing 2009-12-08 (Tues)

Last Update: 2009-12-03 1200GMT

Rules of the Thread:

#1 - This thread is to collect Skaven rules issues that need to be addressed...NOT to debate them. A bit of discussion is bound to occur, but if you wish to debate Skaven issues please start a SEPARATE thread.

Moderators - Please delete posts which do not obey this rule.

#2 - Before posting an issue to this thread please make sure that you have done your homework by reviewing the Skaven rulebook and all relevant main rules.

#3 - Lastly, when posting an issue, please also provide commentary on why you believe this to be an issue, and any page numbers from the relevant books.

The Questions

Throughout the book, the rules say that models "touched" by a template are hit. Does this mean that Skaven templates never cause partial hits?
Commentary : This is a marked departure from the standard rules, and leads to a 3" template inflicting 200-300% more guaranteed hits than would normally be expected.
S. Rulebook pp28, Warhammer Armies:Skaven

The Bestiary

Special Rules

Can Skaven characters that refuse a challenge continue to use magic items and other abilities while in the rear ranks?
Commentary : The “Verminous Valour” rule refers only to leadership and battle standards, and makes no reference to other advantages, all of which are lost when a character refuses a challenge.
S. Rulebook pp77, Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp33

For the purposes of “Strength in Numbers”, what is a Leadership-based test?
Commentary : Leadership-based test is undefined in the rules, and it is unclear whether it includes any roll involving Leadership (Banshee's Howl, Light of Death, etc) or only “tests” as defined in the rulebook.
S. Rulebook pp5, Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp33

Verminous Valour says "if a skaven character refuses a challenge" and details the consequences. Challenges are not normally refused by individual characters, but by players, and the model retired to the rear ranks is selected by the opponent. How is Verminous Valour intended to work?
Commentary : The wording of Verminous Valour is incompatible with the challenge rules, so it is unclear how to resolve the two together. Please clarify.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp33, Rulebook pp77

The Scavenge Pile

Does "Poisoned Attacks" benefit a character's mount?
Commentary: The rule says that all close combat attacks made by the model are poisoned. and lists some exceptions. Mounts are not among these exceptions, and a character and mount are a single model.
S. Rulebook pp7,59 Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp33

Can models purchase more than one of each item in the Scavenge Pile?
Commentary : No limitation is placed on purchases other than a points limit - this means a Lord can potentially purchase 20 rat-hounds for +20 S3 attacks.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp33

Does a Warplock Pistol grant magical attacks when used as a hand weapon in close combat?
Commentary : The Warplock Pistol is a Warpstone Weapon. It is unclear whether this applies only to shooting, or to CC as well.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp33

Units

The cornered rats rule states that Slave units inflict an extra hit per rank of slaves behind the first. If a unit is in single file, does this mean a unit of 20 slaves inflicts D3+19 hits on all units in range?
Commentary : A unit in single file has a number of ranks equal to the number of models in the unit. Note that "rank bonus" would mean that slaves engaged to the flank or rear might not cause these hits, so a wording like "each rank of 5 or more models behind the first" would be required to preserve them.
S. Rulebook pp6, Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp36

Are Skaven units immune to panic caused by enemy slave shooting?
Commentary : Expendable states that “All skaven units are immune to panic caused by slaves”.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp36

If a template weapon fires into combat under Expendable, how are hits distributed?
Commentary: Expendable states that all hits are randomised. This could lead to a small unit taking more hits than there are models in the unit because the template covers a large number of slaves. The rulebook rules for resolving templates in combat only cover accidental shots into combat.
S. Rulebook pp26, Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp36

Do Rat Swarms block line of sight to other rat swarms? Do they block the line of sight of other rat swarms?
Commentary : The small rule states that Rat Swarms never block line of sight, but this leads to rat swarms being both taller and smaller than other rat swarms simultaneously. Contrast this with "Large Target", where large targets block LOS to and from other Large Targets.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp37

What is the unit strength and base size of a character riding a War-litter?
Commentary : the rules do not specify.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp39

What is the base size of a Rat Ogre Bonebreaker?
Commentary : As a monstrous mount based on an ogre in an army of 20mm bases, it would seem that 40mm is the best choice, however most monstrous mounts are on 50mm bases.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp39

Is a Vermin Lord affected by spells, items, and rules that affect monsters?
Commentary : The rules say that the Vermin Lord is a monster, so it would appear that it is so affected.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp40

If a Screaming Bell is purchased in an army without any Clanrats or Stormvermin, what happens?
Commentary : The rules say it must be deployed in a unit of clanrats or stormvermin, but it can be bought without either being in the army.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp43Here are two questions that have popped up on the Underempire a lot that concern a Warlord on Rat Ogre Bonebreaker.


Once a Screaming Bell has been wounded by a missile of S5 or more, will it ring every phase thereafter?
Commentary : The “Ringing the Bell” rule says to roll once per phase, regardless of the number of hits. Zero hits is therefore included.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43

Is the Bell/Furnace a monster? If not, what is it (infantry?), and what is its unit strength?
Commentary: The bell is a mount with more than one wound and is not a chariot, so is a monstrous mount by definition.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43

Can the Bell/Furnace move within the ranks to reach a fighting position?
Commentary : "Pushed into Battle" says that the model must be deployed in the front rank as centrally as possible, but no further limitations are placed on it. This seems to parallel the normal rule that characters must be placed in the front rank. Since characters can normally move to a fighting position, wherever it may be in the unit, it seems that the Bell/Furnace can do so as there is no limitation beyond initial placement.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43, Rulebook pp74

What manoeuvres, if any, are permitted with the D6” of movement granted by the “Unholy Clamour” and “Avalanche of Energy” results on the Bell chart?
Commentary : No restrictions are placed on the movement – this would appear to allow a free reform, turns, etc.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43

Are buildings which collapse due to "Deafening Peals" removed in the same way as buildings affected by Cracks Call?
Commentary : The rules say to treat models as for Cracks Call, but does not specify what happens to the building, if anything.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43

How are impact hits distributed against a unit pushing a Screaming Bell (or Plague Furnace)? Do they hit only the unit, are the split evenly, or something else?
Commentary : Ordinarily impact hits are distributed as shooting, yet when shooting at a unit containing a character/mount with US5 or more, the shooter chooses which to target.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43

What is the Leadership value of a Screaming Bell/Plague Furnace?
Commentary : It appears that these models have a Leadership of 0, which would mean a single hit from the Blade of Realities would destroy it, as it auto-fails any Leadership test.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43

Are the Screaming Bell and Plague Furnace Unbreakable?
Commentary : The rules for these models make the rider and unit pushing them Unbreakable, but it would appear that if alone (because the unit/rider have been killed) the model is subject to psychology and break tests, which it will automatically fail as it has Leadership 0.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43

Can more than one Bell or Furnace be placed in a single unit?
Commentary : The rules do not specify.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43

If the Grey Seer or Plague Priest riding a bell or furnace is killed, is the bell/furnace ejected fromthe unit at the end of the phase?
Commentary : The bell/furnace is a mount, and ordinarily mounts are ejected if the rider dies as the unit formed is illegal. However, this would lead to the bell/furnace being alone with M0 and Ld0. The rules state that the unit and bell/furnace cannot separate voluntarily, but ejection is not voluntary.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43

May characters (other than those on the bell/furnace) join a unit pushing a bell or furnace?
Commentary : Characters cannot join units that are unbreakable
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp43

If a friendly model finds itself in base contact with a Plague Censer Bearer at the start of the combat phase but neither model/unit is in combat, must the friendly model test for damage?
Commentary : The rules for Censers state only that base contact is required, not combat.
S.Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp46

If a character buys both a Plague Censer and a magic weapon, must models in base contact still test for damage from the Censer?
Commentary : The Censer rules say that any model in base contact with the bearer of a censer must test. A model with a magic close combat weapon must use it, but it is not clear whether that supersedes the character being the bearer of the censer.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp46

What is the Stubborn Ld value of Plague Censer bearers if they are within 6" of a plague monk unit and 12" of the Plague Furnace. Stubborn Ld 5, or up to Stubborn Ld 8 (depending on rank bonus).
Commentary - The Plague disciple rules state that the Plague monks are able to modify their own Ld value with that of the Plague Monks' rank bonus. However, the stubborn rules (pg 53) state that Stubborn units use the Ld value on their profile (Ld 5 in this case)
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp46, Rulebook pp53

When a model with a Plague Censer causes a wound on a ridden monster or other model with separate targetable components, how is the damage distributed?
Commentary : A model in base contact with one or more censers takes a wound on a failed toughness test. A ridden monster is a single model, so it appears it would take one wound on the toughness most likely to pass the test, but no instruction is given on how to distribute that damage.
S. Warhammer Armies : Skaven pp46

If a Plagueclaw Catapult or Warplightning Cannon is targeted with Rancid Visitation, which Toughness is used?
Commentary : The Skaven rules say to use the machine's Toughness when targeted by spells, however Rancid Visitation says to use the lowest toughness, a direct contradiction.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp47

If a Plague Furnace is purchased in an army with no plague monks, what happens?
Commentary : The rules say that the Furnace must be deployed in a unit of Plague Monks, however it is possible to purchase it without any plague monks being present.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp49

Can a Plague Furnace assault buildings?
Commentary : The Furnace rules say that it is moved like a Screaming Bell, but it is not clear whether this includes the ability to assault buildings
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp49

Can "Billowing Death" be used when the unit marches?
Commentary : It is a shooting attack, and so the default would be no, however it is similar to a breath weapon.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp49

How many attacks does the Plague Furnace gain from Frenzy?
Commentary : Frenzy ordinarily gives +1 attack to each component of a multipart model (such as a chariot). It is unclear how many Plague Monks crew the Furnace.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp49

Are the hits inflicted by “Enshrouded by Fog” resolved each combat phase, or only once at the start of combat?
Commentary : The rule states “at the start of any close combat”, which would indicate the latter.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp49

Is the Wrecker Attack only resolved once it is determined that all enemy units are fleeing or wiped out and the combat has ended?
Commentary : The Wrecker Attack "happens last in any close combat the Plague Furnace is involved in".
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp49

Are the wounds caused on the Plague Monk unit pushing the Furnace by “Maddening Fumes” counted towards combat resolution? If so, which side's?
Commentary : The rule only mentions counting casualties caused by the extra round of attacks.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp49

Do we count wounds or casualties towards combat resolution when “Maddening Fumes” is resolved?
Commentary : Ordinarily one point of combat resolution is scored per wound, however the Maddening Fumes Rule says to count casualties, not wounds.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp49

Is the "Wrecker Attack" optional? If so, when do we decide to use it or not, at the beginning of the close combat or after all other blows are struck?
Commentary : Models must normally attack in combat, however the Wrecker uses the word "can", which indicates it may be optional.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp49

Can a unit of Night Runners accompanied by a character make a "Slinking Advance" move?
Commentary : The rules do not specify
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp50

Do we add +1 to the roll for “Sneaky Infiltrators” per turn or per game turn?
Commentary : The rulebook tells us to treat any occurrence of “turn” as “player turn” unless specified otherwise.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp51, Rulebook pp10

Can an Assassin hide in an enemy unit?
Commentary: The rules say any assassin can hide in any unit of Slaves, Clanrats, Night Runners, Stormvermin or Gutter Runners, and does not specify that it must be a friendly unit.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp52

Can Assassins be revealed only when the unit hiding them is in combat?
Commentary : The placement rules only allow assassins to be placed where they can fight.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp52

Does an Assassin's Poisoned Attacks rule apply to close combat, ranged attacks, or both?
Commentary : The Poisoned Attacks rule says that a unit's entry will specify, and the Assassin's entry does not. The matter is further clouded by the presence of the "Poisoned Attacks" scavenge-pile item, however since "Poisoned Attacks" is listed as a special rule and not equipment, it appears it refers to the rulebook entry.
S, Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp52, Rulebook pp95

How are ranks determined for Rat Ogre packs (Mixed Unit, what size base is used for the model count)?
Commentary: Now that we have precedent from the Lizardmen their Mixed Units rule explicitly uses the smallest base in the unit. Rat Ogre's Mixed Unit rule makes no mention in any way. The "Running with the Pack" rule exempts the number of Packmasters, but does not specify which base size is used for counting "spaces" in the ranks.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp53, Warhammer Armies:Lizardmen pp41

Can a Master Moulder be placed in the rear ranks of a unit?
Commentary: Master Moulders are champions in all respects. Champions must be placed in the front rank of a unit, and the unit has no special rules to override this.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp53, Rulebook pp80

If a Rat Pack has no remaining Packmaster and has no visible enemy to move towards, must it reform to face the closest enemy even if it is not possible to draw line of sight to that enemy?
Commentary : The rule specifies only the closest enemy, and not the closest enemy in line of sight.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp54

Do Rat Ogres and Giant Rats lose the Strength in Numbers rule when unaccompanied by a Packmaster or Master Moulder?
Commentary : The Rat Pack and Beast Pack rules state that while a Packmaster/MM remains with the unit the unit can use his Ld and SiN rule. However, the units have the SiN rule themselves.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp54,55

Is a Master-Bred Rat Ogre considered a champion? If so, does this mean a Rat Ogre Pack can have two champions? If not, how are wounds distributed to the unit? Must an opponent allocate attacks to specific Rat Ogres, and do wounds carry over between the Master-Bred Ogre and the unit and vice versa?
Commentary : The rules do not state either way if the Master-Bred Ogre is a champion. If he is not, then the rules do not specify how to handle the mixed unit.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp55

How far does an Abomination flee and pursue?
Commentary : The rules do not specify
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp56,57

Are the rat swarms generated by “The Rats Emerge” worth any victory points?
Commentary: No mention is made of their value
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp57

The “Berserk Abomination” result “Blind Fury” addresses the situation where the random movement takes the Abomination off the table. Does this mean that the Abomination leaves the table if it contacts the edge when under the influence of "Berserk Abomination"?
Commentary : The table edge is impassable unless fleeing or pursuing, and the Abomination rules make no mention of overriding that rule - it would appear the clause that deals with this situation is redundant, as the table edge is impassable and the Abomination already has rules that deal with contacting impassable terrain.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp57, Rulebook pp15

When an Abomination flees, does it pass through friendly units or stop as specified by "Shambling Horror"? If it passes through, does it cause impact hits?
Commentary : The rules state it inflicts impact hits and moves back 1", but fleeing units normally pass through friendlies.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp57

What is the base size of an abomination?
Commentary : The rules do not specify and there is no model available. It should be noted that spawn-like movement with a non-square base is quite problematic.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp57

If an Abomination suffers a "Fluid Injected!" result, are any subsequent close combat hits resolved at S7?
Commentary : The attacks chart says that hits are at S6, so it is unclear whether increasing the Abomination's strength affects those hits.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp57

What happens if an Abomination rolls "It's Alive!" but there is insufficient room to replace the model within 3" of the marker and 1" from enemy?
Commentary: "The Rats Emerge" deals with the situation where there is insufficient room to deploy the rat swarms, but "It's Alive!" does not do so with respect to the Abomination.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp57

Does a Warlock Engineer's ability to swap one spell for Warp Lightning replace the normal ability to swap one spell for the first in the Lore?
Commentary : The Grey Seer rules explicitly state that they can swap for either Skitterleap or the 13th spell, and the High Elf Dragon Mage says that the ability to swap for Flaming Sword replaces the normal ability of wizards to take the first spell. The Skaven rules appear to give the ability in addition to the default ability of all wizards.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp58, Rulebook pp111

What range is used for a Warpfire Thrower's Stand and Shoot reaction?
Commentary : Stand and Shoot reactions are resolved as soon as the charger comes into range, however the Warpfire Thrower has no fixed range.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp60

Does a "Bbbbrrrrrttt!" result include the shots from the dice that caused the misfire?
Commentary : The "Spins Wildly" result explicitly states that it does, but the "Bbbbrrrrrttt!" result does not.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp61

Are the shots from a “Spin Wildly” result limited by the weapon's range?
Commentary : The result says the first unit in the rolled direction, with no mention of range.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp61

At what strength are impact hits from the Doom-Flayer resolved?
Commentary : The rules for impact hits state to resolve impact hits at the strength of the model (in this case 3), however the doom-flayer normally inflicts S4 hits at -2 to armour saves in combat.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp62

If a Doom-flayer misfires in combat, do wounds caused count towards Combat Resolution? If so, which side's?
Commentary : The rules do not specify.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp62

For the purposes of the "Wildly Out of Control" misfire result, what is the "intended position"?
Commentary : It is unclear whether the intended position is the position selected as a target, or the position the template was placed in the direction of the target at the distance guessed. Any ambiguity about where the "intended" position was leads to placing the template within 3d6" of that position impossible.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp63

For the purposes of the "Wildly Out of Control" misfire result, does placing the template "anywhere he likes" allow the opponent to place the template on a Skaven unit in combat? If so, are any hits randomised?
Commentary : "Anywhere he likes" seems fairly conclusive, however it does not explicitly overrule the normal targeting restrictions.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp63

If a Warp-grinder or the unit it accompanies emerges beneath an enemy unit and there is no room to place the emerging unit in contact with the front of the enemy unit, what happens?
Commentary : The front may be obstructed by other units, impassable terrain, or other features.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp64

Does the placement of a Warp-Grinder marker count as a deployment when players a taking turns to deploy one unit at a time?
Commentary: The "Deploying via Tunnel" rule says that the marker is placed during deployment, but does not specify oif this counts for such purposes.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp64

What happens if a tunneling marker is not under a unit, but there is insufficient room to deploy the emerging units touching the marker?
Commentary : The rules do not specify whether the unit will charge (in the case of obstructing enemy), be placed as close as possible, or some other solution.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp64

Are Weapons Teams and Jezzails cavalry? If not, what is their Unit Strength, and what arc of sight do Weapons Teams and lone Jezzails have?
Commentary : These models are mounted on 25x50mm bases, which under the normal rules makes them cavalry
S. Rulebook pp7 Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp65

What is the Doomwheel's Unit Strength? Is it a monster?
Commentary: The doomwheel is a monster by the rulebook definition.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp67

Does a Doomwheel declare charges (like a chariot) or charge upon contact with enemy (like a spawn or Abomination)? If like a chariot, does it double its Movement rate when charging?
Commentary : The movement rules state that if the Doomwheel comes into contact with an enemy, it will inflict impact hits. However, no details are given regarding whether this counts as a charge, whether the enemy is permitted a charge reaction, or any of the other information required to resolve such movement. In addition, without such language, the Doomwheel can never touch enemy units, as it must stop 1" away when not charging. If it charges like a chariot, then its movement would be doubled as the rules do not give an exception.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp67

Can an out of control doomwheel leave the gaming table?
Commentary : The table edge is impassable unless fleeing or pursuing, and the Doomwheel rules make no mention of an exception. The clause covering return to the table seems redundant, as the Doomwheel rules say that the model stops on contact with impassable terrain.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp67

If a Doomwheel suffers more than 1 wound in a phase, and subsequently rolls more than one 1 for “Loss of Control”, does it make one “Out of Control” move per 1 rolled, or only one regardless of the number of 1s rolled?
Commentary : The text is unclear
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp67

Can a Doomwheel shoot units in close combat? If so, are the hits randomised as with Expendable?
Commentary : Ordinarily a unit cannot shoot at enemies in close combat. The Doomwheel always shoots the closest unit, and it is unclear whether this overrides the prohibition.
S. Warhammer Armies :Skaven pp67

Must a Doomwheel roll to hit with each "Zzzzap!" bolt?
Commentary : The Zzzzap! rules do not state that the bolts hit automatically, and the default is for shooting attacks to roll to hit using BS.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp67

When a Doomwheel flees, does it pass through units, or does it stop as specified by "Rolling Doom"? If it passes through, does it inflict impact hits?
Commentary : Rolling Doom states that the Doomwheel stops on contact with enemies, or is pushed back 1" in the case of friendlies. Fleeing units usually pass through enemies (of US 4 or less) and friendlies.

S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp67

Is the Doomwheel affected by spells and effects that affect the movement of chariots (such as Commandment of Brass)?
Commentary : The Doomwheel "moves like a chariot". It is unclear exactly what this entails. Please clarify.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp67

Can a Doomwheel stand and shoot? If so, will it target the closest unit or the charger?
Commentary : The rules do not specify an exception.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp67

If a Doomwheel goes "Out of Control", does it move a random distance, or does it move 6 times however many D6 its current random movement is?
Commentary : The "Out of Control" rules say it moves its "full random distance", which could be interpreted either way.
S.Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp67

What is the maximum range of the Warp Lightning Cannon?
Commentary : The rules say it fires like a cannon, however the generic cannon rules do not specify a maximum range.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp68, Rulebook pp87

What is the unit strength of the Warp Lightning Cannon?
Commentary : The cannon is a war machine, and so has unit strength equal to the number of crew, however the Cannon has no separate crew.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp68

When a Warp Lightning Cannon suffers an "Energy Overload", is the line that emanates from the barrel "along the ground" considered to be the "bounce", ie are models under the line hit, or only the template?
Commentary : the misfire uses different language to the Cannon and Warp Lightning Cannon, and so it is unclear how to resolve the shot.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp68

How is a Warplightning Cannon shot resolved against a model with multiple separable parts such as a ridden monster? Is the line resolved as a cannon shot and the template resolved as a template? If so, what happens if such a model is under both the line and the template?
Commentary : The WLC rules say it fires like a cannon, but it has its own rules for allocating hits. It is unclear to what extent these overrule the normal rules for cannonshots and templates. It is also the only attack with a mix of line and template, and so it is unclear how to resolve the case where the two overlap.
Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp68

Does Storm Daemon's lightning attack ignore armour saves?
Commentary : The text says that Storm Daemon ignores armour saves, but it is unclear whether this applies only in close combat.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp69

Does the -2 Leadership penalty from the Whip of Domination affect the model wounded, or the unit?
Commentary : The text simply says "any enemy that takes an unsaved wound". This could mean the model which would not adversely affect break tests if the unit all has the same Leadership, or the unit which would.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp70

Is "Verminous Bodyguard" resolved once at the beginning of a combat, or each combat round?
Commentary : The text indicates the former.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp71

If Queek is engaged in a challenge with a model with T2 or less, does he automatically wound that model?
Commentary : Queek is S4, meaning that normally he would wound a T2 model on 2+, but his special rules grant him +1 to wound in a challenge. There is no "1 always fails" on to-wound rolls.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp72

If Dwarf-Gouger is destroyed by some means, is Queek's attack profile reduced?
Commentary : Dwarf Gouger's rules include an additional hand weapon, with the +1 attack already represented in Queek's profile.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp72

Can Tretch use “Stay Here, I'll Get Help!” to join or leave a unit in combat?
Commentary : Characters cannot normally join or leave units in combat
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp73

What happens if Snikch is undetected and is in the path of movement other than a charge?
Commentary : Snikch is moved out of the way of charges, but if he stands 1” in front of a unit it appears he can prevent them moving forward despite being invisible.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp75

Is Boneripper a character? If not, is he a monster?
Commentary : He is bought from the character allowance, which is the only normal indicator of these things. If he is not a character, then he follows all the rulebook definitions for a monster.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp76,98

How many victory points is Boneripper worth?
Commentary : "Bodyguard of Thanquol" states that if the game ends with Boneripper disabled he counts as a casualty, indicating that he can surrender VPs independently of Thanquol. However, no points value is listed for Boneripper alone. Please clarify.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp76,98

Can Boneripper fire his Warpfire Thrower while shut down?
Commentary : The rules state he cannot move or fight in combat, but place no restriction on shooting.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp77

Skaven Magic

Are the effects of Wither, Bless with Filth and Death Frenzy ended by Miscast 8-9?
Commentary : The second rulebook FAQ says that all spell effects lasting a certain length of time are ended. it is unclear whether the above spells fall into that category - certainly the rest of the game is a certain length of time if a game of fixed length is being played.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp78-79, Rulebook FAQ Part 2 ppXX

Does Scorch "target" the point at which the template is placed?
Commentary : Whether it targets or not is important for various effects (Ring of Hotek for instance).
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp78

Is the template for Scorch placed before or after the spell is successfully cast?
Commentary : Ordinarily range is checked after the casting roll and dispel attempts, which would mean that the template is placed before rolling, and the spell fails if it is later found to be outside range. It is unclear which is the case in this instance.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp78

Are eligible characters permitted a "Look Out, Sir!" roll against Cracks Call?
Commentary: "Look Out, Sir!" applies to war machines that do not use BS, and to spells that use templates. Crack's Call does not use a template. Burning Head is similar, but expressly uses the cannon rules for working out hits, thus triggering "LO,S!".
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp78

Must a building be in the path of the crack from Cracks Call to risk collapse?
Commentary : The spell only says that "Buildings collapse on the roll of a 5+", citing no requirement that those buildings be touched by the crack.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp78

Must models in a building hit by Crack's Call take an Initiative test regardless of whether the building collapses?
Commentary : The wording of the rule seems to place the two occurrences in separate clauses, much as the "Steal Soul" spell grants a wound to the caster even if the target passes his saves.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp78

What effect (if any) does Cracks Call have on models (such as the Casket of Souls, Cauldron of Blood, Anvil of Doom) which ignore ranged attacks or hits?
Commentary: The Casket of Souls, the Cauldron of Blood, the Anvil of Doom are all war machines which have immunity to ranged attacks, hits, and attacks respectively. It is unclear whether Cracks Call overrides any or all of these immunities. Cracks call does not inflict hits, and it is unclear whether it is an "attack".
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp78

If a unit that has Wither cast upon it subsequently has models added to it (Undead for example), are these models affected by the reduction in Toughness? If not, how is the mixed unit handled?
Commentary : Models not in the unit at the time of casting do not appear to be affected by the spell
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp79

If a character is in a unit that has Wither cast upon it and subsequently leaves, is the character still affected by the reduction in Toughness?
Commentary : It is unclear whether the effect that lasts for the rest of the game is "The Toughness of all models in the unit is reduced by -1[sic]" or the effect is simply the reduction in Toughness, ie whether the reduction is predicated on being a member of the unit or not.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp79

Is the direction for Vermintide chosen before or after rolling the distance?
Commentary : The spell does not specify.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp79

How are casualties from Curse of the Horned Rat distributed? Can characters in a unit of 5 or more rank and file models be harmed?
Commentary : Spells that cause hits or wounds are distributed as shooting, but Curse inflicts casualties, and so it is unclear how to apportion the damage
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp79

Is an infantry unit joined by a character on a cavalry or monstrous mount still considered an infantry unit for the purposes of Curse of the Horned Rat? If so, can the character be harmed?
Commentary : It is unclear whether such units are valid targets, and whether the character becomes vulnerable while in the unit.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp79

Following from the above, if a character on monstrous mount can be so harmed, does the model count as one casualty or two?
Commentary : The rules treat ridden monsters as single models and multiple models for different purposes, and it is unclear which would apply in this case.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp79

If a unit is wiped out by Curse of the Horned Rat, must the resulting clanrat unit be placed in the same formation and facing as the destroyed unit?
Commentary: The rules do not specify.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp79

Following from the above, and if the unit must be placed in the same formation and position, if the targeted unit is a unit of skirmishers, how are the Clanrats positioned?
Commentary: The rules do not specify.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp79

Can "Glean Magic" be used to cast "Curse of the Horned Rat" if the target unit has 25 or more models?
Commentary : Glean Magic does not allow the caster to cast spells that raise new models, but if the target unit is 25 or more strong, the spell will not raise models.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp79, Warhammer Armies: Daemons of Chaos ppXX

Skaven Army List

Can a Warlock engineer buy 2 warplock pistols, since he has access to them as an equipment upgrade and also from his point allowance in the scavenge pile? If so, do they follow the rules for a brace of pistols?
Commentary: The rules place no restriction.
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp100,33

Several models have magic items named as options (Warlock Engineers with Augmented Weapons, Bombardiers with Death Globes, etc.). Are these items non-unique, ie can several models be equipped with them?
Commentary : Magic items are unique unless otherwise stated. These options are magic items, and so are unique, but the manner in which they are listed is unconventional which suggests that they are intended to be exceptional, but no exception is listed.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp100&105, Rulebook pp120

Can a chieftain battle standard bearer carry a magic banner and also take items from the Scavenge-Pile?
Commentary : The Chieftain has access to up to 50 points of scavenge-pile items, and the rules say he cannot take both a a magic banner and other magic items. Scavenge Pile items are explicitly not magic items
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp101,33

Can a unit of Giant Rats or Rat Ogres upgrade a Packmaster to Skweel if the unit has already upgraded a Packmaster to Master Moulder, and vice versa?
Commentary : Ordinarily a unit can contain only one champion upgrade, but the options appear to allow both a MM and Skweel in one unit.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp103

Is the limit on packmasters a limit on the number that can be added, or the number that can be bought in total?
Commentary : The rule says that any number can be added, but no more that 1 per X rats/ogres. This seems to say that the number of packmasters in a unit of rat ogres is capped at half the number of ogres (rounding down) plus 1, ie 2 ogres can be accompanied by 2 packmasters (1 in the original pack, and 1 added per 2 rat ogres).
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp103,104

When Gutter Runners buy poisoned attacks, do their ranged attacks become poisoned, their combat attacks, or both?
Commentary - The poison special rules state to refer to the unit entry in the army books for clarification, and the Skaven book doesn't specify whether both are effected.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp104,51, Rulebook pp95

Tools of Supremacy

Who rerolls successful ward saves due to the Fellblade?
Commentary : The instruction to reroll ward saves appears in a sentence where only the bearer is mentioned. It seems odd that a sword would have such an effect on it's wielder. Please clarify.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp107

If the wielder of the Fellblade suffers a wound from it's side effects, must he reroll successful Ward saves against that wound?
Commentary: This question depends on the question above.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp107

In what circumstances can the Blade of Corruption wound the bearer?
Commentary : The rules say that the Blade wounds its bearer if any to-hit roll contains more than one 1. A to-hit roll is by definition the roll of a single dice, and so it is impossible for a to-hit roll to contain 2 or more 1s.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp107

If the bearer of the Blade of Corruption is wounded by the Blade, is he permitted any saves? If so, at what armour save modifier? Do these wounds count towards Combat Resolution?
Commentary: The Blade does not specify
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp107

Does the bonus strength from the Blade of Corruption and Dwarf Bane apply to attacks made with a Tail Weapon, Rat Hound, or other bonus attacks?
Commentary : Both items say that "all attacks made in close combat" are affected.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp107

When facing Dwarfs, can the wielder of Dwarf Bane reroll to wound with shooting and magic, and are his ranged attacks armour piercing?
Commentary : The weapon says that when facing dwarfs, all hits are armour piercing and the user rerolls all failed To Wound rolls.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp107

If a model wearing Worlds Edge Armour is subject to an attack that does not allow armour saves and kills outright (Blade of Realities, Curse of the Horned Rat), is he saved or does he die?
Commentary : The armour says the wound is discounted, however these attacks do not inflict wounds
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp108

Are Warpstone Tokens "One Use Only"?
Commentary : The rules for the items appear to allow a dice to be added to every casting attempt for each Token a Warlock or Seer purchases.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp108

How long does the Rival Hide Talisman's effect last?
Commentary : The rules do not specify
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp108

Can Warpstone Armour and World's Edge Armour be combined with other armour (such as shields and the mounted bonus) as normal?
Commentary : The armours lack the normal permission to combine with other equipment.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp108

If a model wearing Warpstone Armour is struck by his own Rat Hound, will saving the wound result in the Armour inflicting a S4 hit on the model itself?
Commentary : The armour inflicts a S4 hit on the model that inflicted the wound for every successful save - in the case of the Rat Hound, that model is the wearer of the armour himself.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp108,33

When can Skavenbrew be used?
Commentary : The rules do not specify
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp109

Can Skavenbrew be fed to enemy units?
Commentary : The rules do not specify
S. Warhammer Armies: Skaven pp109

Can Skavenbrew be fed to multiple units?
Commentary: The text says that it can be fed to any unit in base contact with the bearer. This can be satisfied by any number of units, who would all be affected.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp109

If a flying unit fails the Leadership test required by Pipes of Piebald, does it move it's full 20"? Does this allow Enemy in the Way on any encountered enemies?
Commentary : Flyers that fail a charge are moved their full 20", however this can obviously lead to odd situations if the 20" move takes the flyers into fresh enemy or even the unit that has the Pipes.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp109

What is the range of Warpstone Stars?
Commentary : No range is listed.One reroll, or no rerolls, the outcome is the same.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp109

What happens if a unit fails the Leadership test triggered by the Pipes of Piebald, but is within its normal Move distance of the unit?
Commentary : The Pipes force the charge to fail, but a failed charge move may still be sufficient to reach the enemy
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp109

Is a Warp Scroll a scroll as defined in the rulebook?
Commentary : Scrolls can be taken in multiples by multiple models in the same army
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp110

Is the Storm Banner One Use Only?
Commentary: It appears that the banner can be reactivated multiple times. It appears there is nothing preventing it being re-activated the same turn it ends.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp111

If a unit capable of multiple shooting attacks that do not use BS to hit (eg 2 or more Salamanders) is under the influence of the Storm Banner, must a 4+ be rolled for each attack, or once for the whole unit?
Commentary : The item states all non-magical missile attacks that do not use BS must roll 4+ to work, it is unclear whether this means the whole unit can fire or whether a 4+ must be rolled for each attack.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp111

Are wounds inflicted by the “Banner of the Under Empire” and the “Shroud of Dripping Death” counted towards combat resolution?.
Commentary: The items do not specify.
S. Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp111

When is a Doomrocket used?
Commentary : The description does not have any instructions as to when it is permitted to be used.
Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp114

Can a Doomrocket be used to stand and shoot? If so, at what range is the shot resolved?
Commentary : S&S is resolved when the enemy come into range. It is unclear whether the Doomrocket is a missile weapon in the traditional sense.
Warhammer Armies:Skaven pp114

Something else to clarify about the Doomwheel, which might answer multiple questions.

The doomwheel moves 3d6" in the compulsory phase, and if it hits friend or foe it stops and does impact his. All similar units (hoppers, spawn, pumpwagons, abomination) say something to the effect of "pivot the model, move the full rolled distance in a straight line". The Doomwheel doesn't have this text, but it doesn't say "Note that unlike the pump wagon, the doomwheel can back up, spin, change direction multiples times." This opens the movement up to debate.

Why do I need to have read the Warriors of Chaos book to discuss Skaven rules issues?


Cheers,

Trim

Why?

Wording on these first two needs work ....

What is the leadership of a Plague Furnace or Screaming Bell? (see Blade of Realities, etc). What if the rider is dead?

What happens to a Plague Furnace or Screaming Bell if the unit around it is killed, and the rider is also dead? Is the Furnace/Bell removed as a casualty? If not, is it still Unbreakable?



If the Plague Furnace or Screaming Bell are not considered monsters, what are they? What is their unit strength? Can they be affected by things that only affect whatever they are? (monsters/cavalry/infantry)?


Addition to the Storm Banner commentary: "Although obviously abusive, by the strict wording, there is nothing preventing it being re-activated the same turn it turns end."

The rules for general movement work just fine as they're written - it has a M rate of 3d6 and moves like a chariot.
It's only the situation where it hits an enemy unit (which cannot happen, 1" rule) that is problematic. In fact, if that sentence didn't exist i would just assume that it declares charges normally.
I missed one.

The only thing worse than a smartarse is a slow smartarse

0, as indicated in the profile.
No reason to assume it is removed - it cannot move as per the rules for pushing it, but it has its own Wounds, just like a TK chariot or War Altar.
I hope that's covered by the question on the bell charging buildings. I sincerely hope so, because if it's infantry, then it can skitterleap

Darn! That will teach me!

I agree that it isn't removed, I just dropped that in. The potential for it fleeing or taking leadership tests is why I put in those questions. I really really doubt they mean for it to take any tests on leadership 0 (aka auto-fail), but maybe I'm making assumptions.



Imagine the nearly useless answers you can get if you don't ask the question explicitly. For example, based on previous (awful) FAQ answers, I can see an answer to your wording of "The Bell can charge buildings because its rules say it can".
How about, "Is the Bell/Furnace a monster? If not, what is it (infantry?), and what is its unit strength?"
Commentary: The bell is a mount with more than one wound and is not a chariot, so is a monstrous mount by definition. Yet the rules for the Bell mention charging a unit in a buidling, something monsters cannot do.

Second question like your original. "Is the Bell allowed to charge a building, despite being a monster?"
Commentary: Monsters cannot charge a building. Yet the Bell rules mention charging a building.

Added/edited questions about bell/furnace.

A) What is the magical shooting, that the Storm Banner does not affect? Flamers, Jezzials, Dwarf warmachines with runes (and then when), certain wood elf arrows, etc? Or something else entirely (if so what)?

B) Does every plague censer bearer in a unit take a T-test if the unit is in combat as well as models in contact with the PCBs, or only the actual PCB model(s) fighting and those in base contact with it/them?

Notice: The questions could might be worded better - if se feel free to improve on them:)

Why do people think that Flamers and Jezzails aren't effected by the banner? It states that all shooting is at -2.

The next sentence says that any non magical missile attacks, that don't use a BS to hit need a 4+ to work.

Simples.

&rew

Not sure if you're looking for this sort of thing Grot, but here are a few mechanical issues:


Apostrophe





The questions seem excellent so far otherwise.

Hey, Andrew, I would prefer everything from the shooting phase was affected equally (and I read it that way) but others see it differently. Instead of arguing over what magical shooting* is, I'd rather want it FAQ'ed.

*That should be the actual words used AFAIK.

I don't like the wording of the question about the Storm Banner, with it being described as 'obviously abusive'. The questions submitted to the design team should be free from our own biases, and a seeking of clarification. At present the opinion of one side of the debate is clearly represented in the question, but the discussion on this forum demonstrates that the interpretation is anything but clear. The question can be simplified.

The Storm Banner: Is this banner one use only? If no, can the banner be reactivated in the same turn that it runs out?


Cheers,

Trim

I agree, I like that!

A few questions of my own that i have asked quite a few staff in OZ

What is the Stubborn Ld value of Plague Censer bearers if they are within 6" of a plague monk unit (with up to 3ranks) and 12" of the Plague Furnace. Stubborn Ld 5, or up to Stubborn Ld 8 (depending on rank bonus).
Commentary - The Plague disciple rules state that the Plague monks are able to modify their own Ld value with that of the Plague Monks rank bonus. However, the stubborn rules (pg 53) state that Stubborn units use the Ld value on their profile (Ld 5 in this case)

What base size should a Rat Ogre Bonebreaker be on? 40mm or 50mm?
Commentary - No monstrous mounts are model on 40mm bases, but the Rat Ogre Bonebreaker may only join units with 20mm bases or 40mm bases.

Can Ikit Klaw stand and shoot with his built in Warp Fire thrower?
Commentary - Follows the rules for firing like a warpfire thrower, which inlcude stand and shoot reactions.

Is the Doomwheel allowed to change direction during its compulsory movement, provided that it moves the full distance?
Commentary - the normal wording; 'pick a direction' or 'moves in a straight line' for other compulsory movement is not found in its description.

EDIT;
Although the edge of the board is considered impassable terrain for everything except pursuit and over run rolls, it also states that if it specifies in a unit entry, it can also move off the board.
Thus, because it specifies that a Hell-pit Abomination and a Doomwheel can both move off the table, they are allowed to.
Page 15

Can Skaven Characters take more than one of each item from the "Scrap Pile"?

They're not magic items, sooo....

Nasty way to give a character a whole bunch of extra attacks for +5 points each!

An awful lot of Pegasus, Terradon and Great Eagle riders would like to have a word with you.

A couple that I ran into that made me wonder...

How are ranks determined for Rat Ogre packs (Mixed Unit, what size base is used for the model count)?
Commentary: Now that we have precedent from the Lizardmen (page 41, Lizardman Army Book) their Mixed Units rule explicitly uses smallest base in the unit. Rat Ogre's Mixed Unit rule makes no mention in any way. Which precedent applies?

The 13th Spell states that it targets "infantry units" and is distributed as shooting. Can it target a unit of infantry with a mounted character? Does it matter if the character is on a monstrous mount instead of a cavalry mount? If the attack does more casualties than there are infantry models to a unit with more than 5 R&F models to begin, can it kill the character and does it remove a character on monstrous mount as one casualty or two? What if there were only 4 R&F models in a unit with a mounted character? On a monstrous mount?
Commentary: Shooting a unit with more than 5 R&F models cannot allocate into a champion or character (need BRB page reference) and thus cannot kill them. Shooting at a unit with less than 5 R&F models would allow the spell to kill a mounted model and it is unclear how that should be handled for a monstrous mount at the least.

Excess wounds caused on the unit is inflicted ( ) on the champion. Hence no problems there. Though a character will save the unit from being turned into Vile Ratmen, he is a hero and all.

Pegasus and Terradons have a single wound, and great eagles are mounted on a 50mm base.

Then my Bret book is lying when it says the Royal Pegasus have 3 wounds?

as does the Imperial version.

and Great Eagles are on 40s.

Actually the last Great Eagle I bought from GW mail order came with a 50 mm base, so I could understand if someone fresh off the street became confused.

@ScoJu: Pegasus Knights and Terradon Riders have 2 wounds and special profile where the mount is listed as having no wounds (same for WE Warhawk Riders). Only the Terradon mount for Skink characters is listed as having 1 wound (same for the VC Hellsteed, but that is one a cavalry base AFAIK).

- Dr.

The German book does indeed say that the Stormbanner is one-use... it also says the same for the Warp Scroll, though the BRB already mentions that scrolls in general are one-use, so I think it's safe to say that the Warp Scroll is a scroll.

Are they mounted on 40mm or 50mm. If the Royal Pegasus model is on 40mm, I got it wrong, but;


That was my point. They either have a combined profile, or the character mounts have a single wound, and thus arent monstrous mounts.
Wood Elf Great Eagles definitely are on 50mm bases. High Elf great Eagles have been superseded by a new model that is also mounted on 50mm (which should be the norm now).

Either way, Sorry to the mods.

Back on topic;

When Night Runners/ Gutter Runners buy poisoned attacks, do their ranged attacks become poisoned, their combat attacks, or both?
Commentary - The poison special rules state to refer to the unit entry in the army books for clarification, and the Skaven book doesnt specify this

If Ikit Klaw's Magic armour is destroyed, does he become Strength 2?
Commentary - His strength value in his profile is listed as an unmodified value, but his profile description states that without his armour, he would only be Strength 2.

With a WLC, it says to place a template (large or small depending on situation) at the end of a line. Do you place the center or the edge of the template at the end of the line? If you place the center at the end of the line, do models under the line *and* the template get hit twice?

On one of the misfire results for a WLC it can roll a scatter die to determine a new direction and then fire 4d6" "on the ground" before terminating in a large template. Does it hit everything that it passes through "on the ground" or is it bouncing over those targets and only affecting the large template?

What base size should a Hellpit Abomination have? Normally we use whatever the model comes with, but no model is avaliable.

The only magical shooting that the banner does not affect is magical shooting that does not use BS - Dwarf runic cannons etc.

This doesn't need an FAQ - if it's magical and doesn't use BS, it isn't affected. Otherwise, it is.

Again, not in need of an FAQ - the rule is that any model in base contact with a PCB tests at the start of the CC phase.

Added.

There is no fixed base size for monstrous mounts, and so the question is based entirely on a false premise.

You've answered your own question.

Yes, it is. It moves like a chariot with variable movement.

I don't think that telling us what to do in the case of leaving the board is "specifying" that the board edge is not impassable. It isn't nearly specific enough to be so. I am open to persuasion though.

Can the question be modifed to also include what happens if the unit of Slaves is flanked by a unit that breaks ranks?
If they come out and clarify that it is indeed "Rank Bonus" not just ranks that gets the additional hits I realise that a rank breaker would deny rank bonus BUT I would have thought that being flanked/rear charged would make the slaves feel even more cornered!