Warhammer 6th Edition Skaven Tactics by Ryan Koester

Core Units:


Clanrats - I always take a unit of these guys and stack 'em as deep as I can for the leadership bonus. Unit sizes start from 30 - 40 and go up to infinity. Use them to tie up the strongest enemy units. Always include Assassins, Warpfire Throwers and Poison Wind Globadiers.

Stormvermin - I didn't really use these guys in 5th edition, but now I use them all the time. They have higher weapon skill and strength than the clanrats but have toughness 3 so they will die just as easily so be careful.They can be equipped with halberds which means + 1 strength and they can attack in 2 ranks. A must. Recommended unit size: 20 - 30

Skaven Slaves - Use these guys to screen your special units and/or more expensive units. 20 slaves should work. Don't get bummed when they die 'cause that's what they do best.

Rat Swarms - For me, it's either Rat Swarms or slaves. I'm usually inclined to take rat swarms because of their 5 wounds and their unbreakableness (is that a word?)Use them to protect your units flanks. I usually take 4 or 5 bases.

Giant Rats - I never use these. Use slaves instead.

Special Units:

Plague Monks - Always take one unit of these guys. Toughness 4 and subject to frenzy. They're great! Give them additional hand weapons for 2 attacks and a magical banner cause they're one of your only chances to take one. Unit size - 20 +

Gutter Runners - These guys are pretty good, but don't over-rely on them. You can use them to take out war machines, but I have seen battles where they don't even do anything. Give them additional Hand weapons and nets if you decide to use them.

Poison Wind Globadiers - When they work right, these things are amazing. Of course when you use them you have a chance of hitting your own guys but they have a great psychological effect on the enemy. I don't know what the rules are on attaching these guys to clanrats or stormvermin regiments but if possible, I definitely would do it.

Jezzail Teams - Strength 5, d3 wounds is good, but these guys are very expensive and their ballistic skill is low. For these guys to work effectively, they would have to be in large groups but their cost prohibits that. Maybe someday...

Warpfire Thrower Teams - These guys can take out entire regiments, or your own regiments. Always take these. If possible, attach them to stormvermin or clanrat regiments.

Rat Ogres - These are good except for their stupidity and low leadership. They are very strong, though. A must against armies with lots of cavalry. Use  more than one packmaster to keep them in line.

Rare Units:

Plague Censer Bearers - I always take 6 of these. They are nott quite as good as they were in 5th edition but I still HIGHLY recommend them.

Doom Wheel - This is very fun to play with but I wouldn't recommend it for one reason. It is too unpredictible. It can take out a whole regiment of Chaos Knights if it works right but it could take out a whole regiment of your guys and lose the game for you if something goes wrong.

Characters:

Assassin: Very strong but very expensive and it counts as one character choice but I still recommend using it in one of your core units.

Warlord (Counts as Lord Choice): Your general. Somewhat strong. Since your units w/ in a certain range of him can use his leadership, move him where necessary.

Grey Seer (Counts as Lord choice): Somewhat powerful and decently magically skilled. I recommend either shadow, fire or death lore depending on who you're playing against. Use your best judgement.

Chieftain: Include in regiments like skaven slaves and clanrats that need a little more punch to them.

Vermin Lord (1 Lord and 1 Character choice): He is very strong and can beat up almost any one except for the Bloodthirster. When playing against Chaos always take this demonic rat and some Jezzail teams because Chaos lack the war machines very dangerous to this rat. He is also a level 4 wizard.

OVERVIEW --
- Always use Clanrats and stack 'em deep.
- Always use Plague Monks and give them a magical banner when possible.
- Always use Plague Censer Bearers.
- Don't use giant rats.
- Always beef up your units w/ all the available goodies (warpfire  throwers, poison wind globadiers and assassins)
- Take either rat swarms or slaves.
- Always use superior numbers to your advantage.

Divide your army into three main groups:(1) Your main attack force (2) Flank attack force/ supporting units (3) Flank defense (Units protecting your units behinds)
                                          --Ryan