So, as the title indicates, here is a list of my thirteen all-time favourite Skaven miniatures, stretching across every iteration of Warhammer Fantasy. For practicality's sake, this list not not include any Skaven warmachines (which will be getting their own list), nor any Skaven proxies (a subject already covered by my "Rat By Any Other Name" series), only 28mm "heroic scale" miniatures released by Citadel/Games Workshop.
For anyone new to the blog who has not encountered it yet, here is the link to my Skaven Collector's Guide, where you will find the models in context organized by their year of release...
And with the introductions out of the way, on to the list...
XIII. Lair Warden (Vermyn)
XII. Carver
XI. Rasta Tailspike
Sculpted by...well, Jes Goodwin again. About that...
X. Nightrunner
Case in point, C47-01 "Nightrunner", the very first Skaven released and at the same time perfectly encapsulating Clan Eshin. I'm not certain if Splinter of Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comics, debuting in 1984, inspired the inclusion of ninja rats to the Skaven roster, or the two ideas were arrived at separately, both riding some sort of mid 80's martial-arts-rodent zeitgeist. But it is curious that Eshin remained one of the only few acknowledgements in miniature form of the Old World continent of Cathay, which at one time was meant to get it's own supplement.
(I've heard it suggested the major Clans of the Skaven army are modelled after or represent the Axis Powers of World War 2, but I have no idea of the veracity of that interpretation.)
IX. Skryre Rat Ogre
AKA "Hey it's not a Jes Goodwin!"
Excuse me, I mean...
Skaven are such a good counterpoint to the dwarves, instead of superior craftsmen, they are just a race brimming with mad scientists unleashing insane anachronistic horrors. The Skrye Rat Ogre is halfway between a cyborg and an animated corpse, obviously purely created to cause mayhem. I use these models for my Stormfiends, paired with the second Boneripper.
VIII. Spyne Blightmaster
(I miss the days when everybody in Warhammer got a name, not just the special snowflake Leaders.)
VII. Malis Manwrack
VI. Ikit Klaw
V. Eshin Assassin
which were strong contenders for this list.
IV. Vermin Lord
the photos in my inspiration folder, and reverse image searches turn up bumpkiss.
If anyone knows the artist please let me know so I can give proper credit.
Sculpted by none other than Michael Perry of the Inestimable Perry Brothers (if you haven't seen their War of the Roses plastics yet, stop what you are doing right now and Google that.)
III. Skreth The Ironclad
II. Gnawdoom
without further ado, our Number One...
Deathmaster Snikch
Deathmaster frelling Snikch.
Agree/Disagree? Leet me know what models would make the cut for your Top 13.
Coming Up: At some point I'll do a "Runners Up" post, explaining what miniatures almost made it and why they didn't. And then maybe a "13 Worst Skaven Sculpts", but in the meantime a return to our Tour of the Underhive...