Loathsome History of the Skaven | Building Warhammer Armies

[@SRaburrido]

I love that the Horned Rat has the characteristics of the other Chaos Gods but without their redeeming characteristics. War without honor, Pestilence without rebirth, Machinations and smarts wothout wisdom, and Whatever the fuck Slanesh does but somehow worse.

[@jordansorcery]

That’s a great observation

[@user-bv2by6rd9w]

you only ever see the male rats becues well breeding pits Slanesh covered just furry

[@Rotheric]

Your channel is criminally underrated, IMO. This is exactly the type of Warhams video I want to see more of. Not the 5millionth "lore" channel, simply regurgitating army books' fluff sections but an actual analysis of the design history and influences of the Warhammer races! I can't wait to watch more of this.

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks so much Rotheric, I really appreciate the support and super thanks! I do love a little lore in the mix, but I’m glad I’ve been able to bring some of these behind the scenes stories to light a bit more!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

​@@jordansorcery I have to agree with the original comment. You have a refreshing style and you can clearly see your passion for the old days GW and Fantasy/RPGs. Love the trip down memory lane and even all the weird and strange minis they had back in the day. Not seen the Fur Beast? Probably hunting Skaven hahaha.

[@barbarusbloodshed6347]

Not only that, I'm so tired of 40k... it's freakin' everywhere. I still like it, but if people don't cool it on 40k a little and start appreciating the clearly superior Warhammer Fantasy some more, I'M GONNA LOSE IT!!!

[@lukemclellan2141]

Agreed. I've liked Arbiter Ian since he started for being more "matter-of-fact" than the "in-world" creators. Jordan sorcery takes it a step further with the longer-form videos and interviews.

[@godofzombi]

The irony of chaos ratmen having the most consistent backstory. LOL that Dalek blew my mind! As a Dalek once said: "This is not war! This. is. pest control!"

[@jordansorcery]

It’s perfect irony, isn’t it! What a perfect Dalek quote too!

[@M-E_123]

I always found it interesting that Skaven felt like a faction that combined two Chaos Gods that traditionally were enemies (Tzeentch & Nurgle). In fact the Dark Elves occupied the similar space in between 2 other "opposing God's" (Khorne & Slaanesh) with their worship of Khaine (God of Murder). Part of me suspects the reason Chaos Dwarves didn't thrive to the extent of those other races (Skaven & Dark Elves) is because there's no similar "gap" in the Chaos pantheon for Hashut to easily fit into (and mine for good idea's).

[@jordansorcery]

This is a really interesting theory! Thanks for sharing it!

[@marcraygun6290]

Use to draw that skaven symbol on everything when I was in school after getting that 86 citadel journal

[@jordansorcery]

It really is iconic!

[@IAmTurbogfx]

Skaven are so cool. I finished a Warcry Skaven Pestilens warband last month. They are a joy to paint - they're cute, creepy, jolly and vile at the same time.

[@jordansorcery]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@Rotheric]

Thanks!

[@matthewjarvis3103]

Loathsome and Awesome! Skaven are the heroes, like the movie character that always get the best lines! In WFRP 1st edition Lichemaster book (which sort of followed the old WFB scenario), there is a moment when on the road to La Masiontaal, you take shelter in a Shepherds hut. This hut is full of Skaven who want to reclaim their lost treasure. Our group burst in unaware and had stunned silent standoff before all hell broke loose. This adventure was late 80's early 90's and we talk and laugh about it 30 years later. Another great video, love these Warham-mentary

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you! I’ve never read the WFRP Lichemaster book, but it’s on my priority list - already sounds like a winner!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

I've heard about what you speak off lol. Sadly you don't see many 1st to 3rd ed stuff on here - would love to see some of the older WHFB being played out even the Early RPGs. 👍

[@Blacknight8850]

2:35 - It's wild how long these sculpts in particular lasted. I have a copy of the Mail Order Troll catalogue from when Mordheim launched back in 1999, and it still has some of these "Chaos Ratmen" listed, just under their Skaven names, nearly twenty years later! Can't beat those old metal sculpts for staying power.

[@jordansorcery]

It really is! They were terrific sculpts, but it’s still surprising, especially given how so many other ranges of great miniatures got completely replaced over the same period

[@IainCiplinski]

The entire thought of the Skaven is terrifying, hell of a Bloodbowl team though.

[@Jarumo76]

Those gutter runners, man...

[@jordansorcery]

Totally agree! They would be absolutely nightmarish in real life!

[@necrom6666]

I'm really crying full of nostalgia!!. Thanks again, Jordan, for this compilation of Skaven History

[@jordansorcery]

My pleasure! The ratfolk have a special place in my heart so I share the nostalgic joy!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

I remember those early 90s as a youngster in GW collecting Skaven. Still miss the old magic and power cards lol.

[@FlyingMonkeyDevil]

I still rock my second edition BB team The Limburgh Larcenists!

[@rochedl]

I always found the Skaven to be hilarious, I have a deathwheel on display and when I was at adepticon in 2006 they had that skaven art of Space Rats, but if you were to ask they would just glare at you. They loved talking about the sculpts but not the space rat sketches.

[@jordansorcery]

They are simultaneously adorably hilarious and horrifyingly monstrous! It’s why they’re so fun in my opinion!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

I always found Orcs & Goblins more of the comedy race of WH 😂. The Skaven had some strange things which sometimes went wrong or out of control - the difference is Skaven took their creations seriously 🤣🤣. Unlike the O&G who always came out with some comedic one liner when things go wrong lol.

[@bionicgeekgrrl]

They have tried over the years to expunge any reference to races imported from fantasy and a number of stories have changed in 40k as a result. I doubt we'll ever see space rats in 40k ever.

[@gstellar96]

​@@Mark-nh2hs tbf I find the fact they think they're geniuses when the green magic flame thrower they cobbled together out of warpstone, tape, and hope is what makes Skaven as fun of a faction that they are. While we laugh at Skaven no one else makes more fun of Skaven stupidity than other Skaven who then proceed to do the exact same thing as their neighbor who just blew themselves up with a poison wind globe

[@Mark-nh2hs]

@@gstellar96 oh trust me the Skaven are pure comedy gold but they take themselves seriously - unlike Orcs and Goblins. Let's not forget most of the higher-up Skaven are off their faces and high on Warpstone hahaha. And the Doomwheel a bolt lighting throwing Hamster Wheel hahaha. I love the Skaven and were the first army I collected back in the day......

[@amazinghayes1]

The fact you mentioned the Island of Dr Moreau and Mrs Frisby in the fiest 10 minutes has jnformed me that you are awesome. Have a sub and a like.

[@NummiAFI]

Man-thing has blessed us with more legend-tales, yes-yes! The council is pleased.

[@damienwatson9102]

You have such a natural voice for this. GIVE ME MORE LORE!!

[@jordansorcery]

Very kind of you to say! I’ll definitely be including more lore in some videos!

[@illhob]

Swords of Lankhmar is interesting, the ratmen are far more civilized but it does contain some things like war machines, poison gas and a council of 13. There is a fantastic audiobook adaption on audible if people are interested.

[@jordansorcery]

I’ve heard it’s really worth sampling - I’ve added it to my very long reading list!

[@godofzombi]

15:54 What what? No mention of Ikit Claw, chief warlock engineer of Clan Skryre? Back in 4th edition he could cast spells from every faction's deck, (except waagh) that's amazing.

[@jordansorcery]

So many awesome rats I didn’t have time to include. Ikit was a legend though!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

Hey hey another old school Ikit Claw fan. I had many a great battle with the original Ikit Claw I also enjoyed unleashing High Elf magic back on them and the look of absolute hatred from them 🤣🤣. Sadly he got nurffed over the years - can't have anyone that powerful to rival the poster boy Teclis lol

[@godofzombi]

@@Mark-nh2hs Yup. High magic. Always high magic. Ikkit was in the top 3 of best Warhammer Wizards back in the 90s. Along with Teclis and Nagash. And he definatly had the best mini.

[@Mark-nh2hs]

@@godofzombi totally agree 👍. Then Ingrimm Von Horstmann appeared and there were 4 powerful Wizards lol

[@vetbib]

Very good video. You have a clear and distinct voice, which makes it easier for a hearing impaired foreigner, like me. My own fabulous theory about the origin of the name "Skaven" is someone from GW spent part of their Summer vacation at the same wonderful place as me. At the small village of Skaven at Kållandsö, Sweden. :-)

[@Slev00]

Not bad for man-thing! Been playing Skaven for over three decades thanks to AHQ! They're fantastic!

[@jordansorcery]

AHQ was such a great game, would love to play it again some day! Even if just to see those old rat boys!

[@eriksieurin334]

I love the ratsos! My favorite - if I have a favorite - piece of Skaven Lore is that Skaven map that is maked with various people who live there - man-things, green-things, dead-things... and up by the chaos wastes it said "thing-things"! XD

[@Mark-nh2hs]

Love the Skaven - remember getting into them in the early 90s - Ikit Claw when he was truly amazing and powerful and was one of the few magic users who could match Teclis, push could use all schools of magic, Dark, High Elf, Undead, All Chaos, except Orc and Goblin magic which he couldn't use. The whisper of horror and audible gulps when Deathmaster Snitch appeared on the table out of the Shadows....... All these got nurffed and are a former shadow of themselves.... The only one who seemed to benefit over time is everyone's favourite the Mad Rat.....Queek the Headtaker 🤣🤣 The 1993 Skaven rulebook is still my all time fav rulebook of theirs. It's up there with the original Undead book which came out around the same time...... Such great times. I remember getting Ingrimm Von Horstmann on his two headed dragon (powerful Tzeentch Wizard).... Still have it along with all the old Skaven 80s and 90s WHFB armies I collected back in the day. I always loved the Stormvermin their black fur and Red armour always a fav and not forgetting Tranqual and Boneripper my fav Grey Seer - got the original, the 2000 up dated Boneripper - never got the End times version as I found it lacked mysticism - and Boneripper was way too big for the limited things he could do and died very easily in the previous editions lol. The Screaming Bell original and the 2012 version are my fav and the original Doomwheel has a special place in my heart esp when it misfired or it's warp lighting went totally wrong hahahaha. The Original Greater Daemon of the Horned Rat is still the best looking Greater Daemon - the new versions look way too cute hahaha. I miss those early 90s of WHFB where magic was done with power cards and magic cards - still love that format. Modern GW fantasy fans talk of the early editions in negative light, but should play it and see how much better it was to the bloated beast which had to be extinguished. Also most battles were 1500to 2000 points and you fielded not many units compared to bloated later editions. For 2000 points from memory you could field - 40 clan rats, 10 Stormvermin, (or add a small unit of Plague monks instead of Stormvermin and one unit of Clanrats), a character, 3 rat ogres, Doomwheel and or Screaming bell with Grey Seer and some assassin's and gutterrunners. Oh and two warpfire cannons, or some poison Globbers. Plague monks from what I recall were the most expensive point wise and cheapest were Skaven slaves at 2pts per model. My fav Skaven spell was Plague as how it could spread throughout a unit then spread to any other nearby unit friend or foe within a few inches got it and died lol. I remember playing a campaign around 94 and My Ikit Claw cast it on a unit of high elf spearmen who were in hand to hand combat with my allies the Orcs - sadly by some great dice rolling I wiped out both units with that spell. The Orc player wasn't happy an demanded revenge but after a few zaps of Ikit's Stormdaemon he saw the errors of his ways and conformed hahaha. This was the same campaign battle where The Bloodthirster went hand to hand with Teclis and it was down to the wire....... When the Bloodthirster had 10 attacks and 10 wounds, (note he was badly wounded by this point).... Everyone held their breath as the Chaos player picked up the dice and roll all 1s and two 2s on ten dice...... Everyone gasped.... Me being me burst out laughing - either way Teclis killed him in retaliation.

[@jordansorcery]

Love it! Ikit was a proper legend, loved his lore and his mini, it’s a shame he didn’t make it over to AoS. And I totally agree about the fear some of those characters struck back in the day, classic stuff!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

@@jordansorcery yeah by End times they had nurffed him to a Level 3 wizard and restricted his magic casting - where before he was Level 4 and all magic was open to him except O&G magic. He still is one of my fav characters. Sadly they nurffed Deathmaster Snitch and he became less feared and seen as just a slightly better assassin. Back in the day people also feared Wood Elf Wardancers as they were lethal - they got nurffed and end up being quite useless- mind you they really struggled against Chaos Dwarfs with their fire and Magma/Lava magic. Great period. Sorry for the essay 🤣🤣🤣

[@jamesv.7041]

Another great video! Skaven are in a special place for me; while not my favorite army I now respect them. When I first got into the hobby around 2003-04, I HATED Skaven - could not understand why anyone would choose decrepit and gross ratmen over shining chivalrous knights or hulking orcs. Now, thanks to Vermintide, I gained perspective and, dare I say, a like for the Skaven. I find it crazy how much I gravitated toward Vermintide when it came out - I always describe it as a realtime video game iteration of a dungeon crawler. One fights hordes of enemies, completes quests, obtains loot/gear, has a diverse case of playable characters, etc.

[@jordansorcery]

They make for great enemies I think, and Vermintide does wonders with them! It’s an interesting thing though, which armies appeal to us and why. I’ve collected a bit of everything over the years, but the rats have always been an important one for me!

[@jamesv.7041]

@@jordansorcery I got my first Skaven at the end of 2022, Spiteclaw's Swarm for Lost Relics!

[@jordansorcery]

Excellent choice, incredible sculpts those!

[@jamesv.7041]

@@jordansorcery Yes yes! Good good!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

The Horned Rat nods with approval 🤣

[@minimundus1712]

I watch this video every month its the reason why i own now a small 4 edition skaven army

[@MiniatureRealms]

Really enjoyed this. When I started playing my gaming buddy always played Skaven, and I must have read that Andy Chambers article in WD137 hundreds of times (my first issue was 138, but I was given a huge stack and that was one of the best). I’ve still never played Skaven, but I think I might have to change that one day.

[@jordansorcery]

It’s worth giving them a try, they’re such a characterful army! I inherited a load of old White Dwarfs from before my time too, it was such an incredible window into the ‘other country’ of the past!

[@brionl4741]

I was born in the Year of the Rat, so they've been one of my favorite factions ever since I ran across them. I've got 3 different Skaven Blood Bowl teams, 2nd edition (astrogranite), 3rd edition (living rulebook) and 2016 edition.

[@philipdutre5144]

The Skaven were my favourite army to use in WFB3. I still have a number of conversions in my collection based on 80s skaven figures: skaven mounted on elephants, skaven wolf cavalry, skaven rocket teams, skaven chaos spawn, skaven bowmen, the screaming bell pulled by rat ogres, etc.

[@jordansorcery]

That sounds like a fantastic Skaven force! One of the things I love about them is their versatility in the lore and in modelling

[@stevekearns6173]

The greatest race that has ever lived, and as you said the true heros of the realms. Really love your stuff and when I can will join your pateron! Hazar!

[@martincann5052]

Brave Skaven? Now there's an oxymoron if ever I've heard one.

[@jordansorcery]

I’ve long wanted to tell the story of Ska Bloodtail, pretty much the only brave rat boy on record!

[@Jackalblade9]

Sent this one on to a friend who's deeply into the skaven. I've always loved the little rats myself...when my halfling isn't getting stabbed to death by one of them in WFRP 2E, anyway. Loved the list of influences too, from Fritz Leiber...Sword of Lankhmar is a sadly overlooked classic of fantasy...to the beloved Fighting Fantasy series to Don Bluth's timeless animation, so much good stuff here. And I genuinely had no idea how unchanged the skaven were throughout Warhammer but like you said; they were perfect from their inception. Probably their secretive, hidden nature makes them easy to port over between editions and generations as well. Amazing video as always, sir.

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks Jackal! I’d love to chat with Jes Goodwin about those potential inspirations, I’m super curious what really drove his imagination!

[@ironbomb6753]

Rare Skaven Engineer, nice. 👍 I feel that. 😎

[@danm2966]

Hmm, yes-yes. We definitely enjoyed it! I've been a fan of these ratty boys ever since my brother and I got that 4th edition boxset. They burrowed into my mind and took up residence. Wherever the Skaven were available I played them. Jes Goodwins' old metal versions are still the best imo 😊

[@jordansorcery]

They really infest the mind and then won’t let go don’t they! Jes Goodwin really sculpted them to last - just incredible work!

[@drfishynooooo881]

I dunno if it's been said - magnificent hair. So majestic. Would love to see a history of WHFB Orc & Goblins or Chaos Dwarves

[@jordansorcery]

I’ll take it, thank you! I’m definitely keen to do some more of these army histories for sure!

[@TheCthogua]

I only recently got caught up on all the old Bill King Gotrek and Felix novels, and being a 4th edition Skaven player, I was so stoked to discover Thanquol played such a big role in the early books. (and then equally crestfallen when King stepped away and Orcslayer feature ZERO Thanquol...I assume the tend continues in the novels that follow...) I loved how there was always this dark comedic element to him, his plots, and the fates of his henchmen. His depiction in the novels actually reminded me a lot of the villain Monarch, from the Venture Brothers cartoon. 😂

[@laurentderrien]

my first army, fell in love while browsing my friends' white dwarf magazines such food for my young imagination back then I sold almost everything GW later, but not a single skaven ! planning to paint more for Battle thanks for that great video, and all the others

[@darrenrichardson6146]

Andy Chambers Army was the dream ideal of a Skaven Horde for young players like myself at the time! Love the sneaky Roland Rat image there too! Also I wonder how this video would have turned out if you had made it today, over one year later now knowing that the Skaven have ascended to be the big bad's of Age of Sigmar 4 edition!

[@shiggydiggy6847]

Always loved skaven for how unique and fleshed out they are when it comes to fantasy races. They really stand out from the superficially Tolkien derived races fantasy tends to have. And more often that not intelligent "horde" species tend to be some kind of a hivemind, like tyranids in 40k.

[@Starburst7641]

yes yes. hard agree-gree

[@K_E_Robin]

I hope to see a full retrospective about Dark Elves! 🖤

[@jordansorcery]

In time even the dark ones will get their due!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

Letting out a low grrrrrrrr damn you have to have some kinky Witch elves in your life 🤣

[@musashidanmcgrath]

My first ever Citadel blister pack was Skaven. I was only 10 so I didn't know much about them, but I loved the sculpts and went on to build and paint a huge Skaven army inspired by Andy Chambers' amazing army. Sadly, I lost 100s and 100s of 80s/90s Citadel minis in a house move some 10 years back, including all my painted Skaven, so I wasn't going to watch this video as I feared I would break down in tears seeing all those old Citadel minis and having painted and lost every single one I saw in this vid. 😭 🥲

[@JuniperMe]

Great vid! I've always loved the Skaven vibe since seeing the core set they were in back in the day (island of blood?) But never really ended up with any in my collection. I did buy a box of Advanced Heroquest without the minis once, and there were a couple of random Skaven encounter minis in there, and a dead Skaven miniature lol, I can't remember where I found out that came from, maybe Mordheim? Also, Mordheim reboot when GW!

[@jordansorcery]

There was indeed a great set of Skaven casualties for Mordheim. And I would love to see it get the same quality treatment as Necromunda has had!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

Island of blood was good but back in the early 90s Skaven were special and so new and the original First rule book is still my fav rule book.... It was a different time and to me the Magic system was so different to what magic became.....still preferred the magic and power card combos lol.

[@darrenrichardson6146]

@@jordansorcery there was a "Wounded Skaven" miniature available in the 1991 Red Catalogue Two volume, he slots into a slotta base with a tab on his back, there was at least one for most of the main races at that time, the dwarves getting no fewer then 4!!! Second Edition Blood Bowl also had at least one for most teams as well.

[@Vanguar7d]

Ah that was excellent! Love the peak behind the curtains, better than the "Early Days" part of Warhammer world!

[@jordansorcery]

I’m glad!

[@joshuajupp9037]

Well done on finding that figure.❤

[@AlexJP88]

It’s such a real pity that they haven’t created a Skaven army for 40K. It would make complete sense for them to do so. I know that you can get futuristic Rat Men armies in one page rules though. This was a Skaven-tastic history of the Skaven. Really enjoyed watching this.

[@rexology_bg]

Think I'll have to pull out my 90's Doomwheels, Screaming Bell, Jezzails, and censer bearers. They have been boxed in the past too long. You cannot contain the infestation forever.

[@jordansorcery]

Just when you think you’ve eradicated them a doomwheel rolls out from under the bed!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

The early 90s Jezzails were the best looking versions of this unit - still have my old 90s Skaven army.

[@shelfunit]

Whenever I think of Skaven I always think of the novel Redwall, and Cluny the Scourge - came out in 1986 and really had the full ‘ratty horde’ feel.

[@Rob-nq6br]

Justice for Cluny!

[@jordansorcery]

I picked up Redwall once, but never got around to reading it - Googling Cluny and he looks like a true hero of the books! I did read and love the Deptford Mice around that time though!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

I was about to say Watership Down then remembered it was Rabbits hahaha.

[@shelfunit]

@@Mark-nh2hs they're just long eared, fluffy tailed rats.

[@Mark-nh2hs]

@@shelfunit lmao that same thought did cross my mind 🤣👍

[@darrellslover6834]

i just found your channel and i must say that it is great to see the videos of how warhammer got started i love the old minis thank you for the awesome videos

[@zeno6111753]

Well done and you sure did your research. Many think GWs creations are first with everything. This is very rarely the case. Though I do think GW quite often put a nice twist on things, and especially when it comes to Skaven. My all time favorite WHFB race.

[@garysmith6218]

I was incredibly disappointed when I learned of a new 40k race called Skitterari, only to later discover I'd misheard the name.

[@jordansorcery]

So close yet so far!

[@jeremiahsafford1389]

I mean, aren't the Imperium the closest thing to Skaven in 40k?

[@benjackson-ellery4267]

The screaming bell white dwarf was the first one I bought. It was such an affecting thing to see as I turned the pages as a kid.

[@jordansorcery]

It’s a magnificent model!

[@neilandrews2995]

Great, just great. Skaven were my number 1 army when I played. And will be again altho now I have cunning plans for them...

[@spacechief2000]

Thanks

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you so much!

[@ernestgraves4401]

Amazing research, as allways! Thank you for these kind of videos!

[@mattm3400]

Just discovered this channel...its well good x

[@GreasusGoldtooth]

Skaven have saved the world more than once. So yeah, they're the good guys.

[@TrentRosenbaum]

Your video really filled in a big piece for me. I picked up a few Skaven minis here and there and really enjoyed the art over the years. Also yes I think Rolland Rat is their gid 😂🤣 I'm into blood bowl and Blitzbowl, so it was a nice surprise to see that. For me the Rat Ogres are brilliant. Great one yet again and enjoyed the intro battle play through too. 👍

[@jordansorcery]

The rat ogres are the best bit for me, I’m trying to collect every version they’ve ever released, but I’ve still got a long way to go! Glad you enjoyed the Battle Retort too!

[@percythetroll4945]

Love that you spent a bit of time in this excellent video on Blood Bowl, although I'm more of a Skitter Stab-Stab troll myself. Oh and are you aware that there was a Glart Smashrip Jr. tearing up the pitches for a good long while?

[@Eyeofthemaelstrom]

Great video. Ive just started working on the 4th edition slaven army i could never afford as a child .

[@jordansorcery]

Armies I couldn’t afford as a child has basically hijacked my ‘collecting brain’ the past few years!

[@Mr_Waffle.]

Fantastic video! If they're not gonna give us space skaven then I hope I can one day build a 40k Cheesestealer Cult and pray to the 4-horned Emperor. Glad you got your hands on the skaven engineer!

[@jordansorcery]

Cheers Tony! The Skaven engineer has not left my sight since I got him!

[@digitalwastrel]

great stuff, would love to see similar dives on other warhammer fantasy races!

[@jordansorcery]

In the works! Thanks for watching!

[@maddyleaf]

First time I ever saw the Skaven, I was gifted the 2002 Skaven 6th edition rulebook and I had this massive fever and headache while looking at it, which just made the whole imagery seem much more intense. I have no idea why that is such a core childhood memory of mine, but it certainly cemented my love for these disgusting sewer dwellers.

[@Rob-nq6br]

:O you missed their finest hour!! In disrupting Nagash's rituals during the Malign Portents campaign of AoS they prevented him from literally wiping out all the living of the Mortal Realms! Sure it unleashed the Necroquake but hey...better than eternal death for all.

[@jordansorcery]

See! They’re the heroes we need in these dangerous times!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

The Skaven have always been a thorn in Nagash's side. They even got a Nobleman or Prince to kill Nagash with a magical sword (think the Grey Seers created it been a while, and those who held it went insane) - which they succeed in doing - seriously crippling Nagash and making him disappear for centuries.

[@netherjosh]

Fantastic research, editing, and narration dude! Keep up the good work!

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you!

[@juliestead6888]

Absolutely love these Vids keep them coming !

[@NisGaarde]

Awesome video, sir. And on my birthday birthday! 🤩🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀 Keep up the excellent work PS: Space Skaven ... "Spaven"?

[@jordansorcery]

Happy birthday, Nis-Nis! Spaven certainly leans more adorable than scary, but I wouldn’t be against it!

[@TheMadAfrican1]

Am I the only one that still doesn't understand Age of Sigmar? I don't entirely get what it is. From what I can gather, it's some collection of floating islands or something? And Sigmar has brought back old heroes to wear his weird armour and fight on these islands or something? I am so confused. Help.

[@duesexistat5016]

I’ve wondered that myself. I read the whole first Realmgate Wars omnibus and I’m still confused as to what the different realms are, how they look, physically are, etc. As far as I can tell it’s just a setting for introducing more advanced stuff than regular fantasy Warhammer (steampunk-ish stuff, flying ships, guns, different races).

[@darrenrichardson6146]

@@duesexistat5016 You understand WFB's Winds of Magic yes-yes? In the Age of Sigmar (vile manthing yes-yes) each of the Mortal Realms is a plane of existence that is shaped by one of the 8 schools of magic, cause by the Chaos God's destruction of The Old World's world. The Skaven however tore their city from that dying world wholesale and are now in the new 4th edition infesting one of the realms big time with a huge chunk of the splendid city which is good-good yes-yes!

[@duesexistat5016]

Vile vermin! The eternal warriors of Sigmar will cleanse you soon enough. Anyway, thanks for the clarification. So I assume the Realmgates connect the eight realms?

[@anotherzingbo]

I would recommend adding Rats and Gargoyles by Mary Gentle to your library of books featuring ratmen. It's from 1990 so may have been inspired by the Skaven, and it's mix of the baroque and the horrific sits fairly well next to the tone of much of Warhammer's fiction. Also, 18:50.... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks for this, it looks cool!

[@jonathan2950]

Skaven = Advanced HeroQuest to me! I’ve always liked the Skaven. I’m less into the full on Chaos parts, but I love their basic troops and stuff like rat ogres, that screaming bell and didn’t they have a hamster wheel back in the day too? 😀 (I’m commenting before I’ve watched the video, so you may have covered it). Those Skaven sculpts from Adv HQ will always be classics!

[@jordansorcery]

The AHQ Skaven were so great! But for me, it’s the rat ogres all the way!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

​@@jordansorcery oh the Rat Ogres loved the small stocky originals and dribbled even more at the 4th ed WHFB Rat ogres in their first ed Rule Book.

[@nazteeb]

Awesome! Skaven are just the best. 😁

[@jordansorcery]

No argument here here!

[@imkycarsten]

Cool video 👍 The Skaven were always something I knew of, but never anything about. A quick check on the GW website shows, that they field a unit called „Ratling Gun“ and I am thrilled 😂

[@jordansorcery]

I'm very glad I could introduce you more fully to the ratmen! There are a lot of other fun Skaven puns out there too!

[@josephwiley5880]

Fantastic work!

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you!

[@misomiso8228]

Please do a playthrough of Shadow of the Horned Rat! Would be amazing!

[@Hey_McG]

Great video as always Jordan. Would love to see you stream some of WH Shadow of the Horned Rat, your passion and lore knowledge of these rat boys would make an excellent directors style commentary over the game play. Oh and if Squats can return to 40k as League of Votaan, Space Rats can't be too far behind? (Biker Mice From Mars maybe 😄)

[@jordansorcery]

Shadow of the Horned rat is a proper foundational memory for me - absolutely loved it and would love to spend some time with it so I’m going to think about that! Biker Mice From Mars as a template for 40K Skaven is an unreasonably cool idea!

[@joec9958]

Awesome video as always 👍

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks Joe!

[@valerian9012]

19:40 I'm glad someone finally said what we've all been thinking, 100% true 🐀

[@jordansorcery]

It took the bravery of a Skaven to speak this truth to the world

[@tappajavittu]

Skaven, Lizardmen and the Tomb Kings, my (un)holy trinity of Warhammer fantasy.

[@jordansorcery]

I had a big Lizardmen army through 8th edition and into AoS, but I made right call to return to my ratty roots! Loved some of those Tomb King constructs too!

[@tappajavittu]

@@jordansorcery My first army was a 5th ed fantasy battle lizardmen army, I'm still pissed at myself that I sold them yyyyeeears ago. :(

[@GhostGuitars]

@@tappajavittu haha me too! Also the realization that despite me painting them to completion before selling - the buyer probably stripped them down anyway. Building a collection up again through ebay and kitbashing toy dinosaurs

[@tappajavittu]

@@GhostGuitars kitbashing

[@26snoopy82]

I love the Skaven. You should also talk about the bretonnia knights, femur, zoets, the amazon warriors, the pigmies, the three elven races.

[@jordansorcery]

I’d love to get into some of those topics, great ideas for future videos!

[@bramackermans9153]

Thanks Jordan!

[@jordansorcery]

You bet!

[@godofzombi]

Some of the best Skaven events from the end times: Them blowing up the entire city of Nuln and using some mysterous old ones artifact they find in the cities of the lizardmen to basically make a long distance phone call to the Eldar. (They aren't stated to be the Eldar, but their voices were desribed as bing similar to that of elves. And the only race becides the Slann that has a connection to the Old ones are the Eldar.)

[@jordansorcery]

Some fun stuff in the End Times (even if I’m not the biggest fan of where it actually ends!)

[@leighwoosey]

Please can you do Fighting Fantasy and the associated Roleplaying game, Advanced Roleplaying Game and guides to Titan? Thanks :D

[@jordansorcery]

Watch this space!

[@leighwoosey]

@@jordansorcery Eeeeeee!

[@6Stevo]

Another thoroughly enjoyable and informative video. Thanks 🐀

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks Stevo, I can’t take credit - it was all the rats!

[@grozwald]

Assembling the new Grey Seer to this. Yes-yes!

[@jeremiahsafford1389]

20:21 Biiiiiiiig stretch!

[@FizzyMcPhysics]

I bought a lot of that old army from a friend when I was young. I still have the minis but I think I threw out the army book. Being dyslexic I never read it, but I did pore over the pictures and I did a lot of drawings of my own trying to ape the style. Don't know that I still have those either.

[@jordansorcery]

I managed to buy a complete painted Skaven army when I was much younger and they were a real treat to play. I don’t know what I did with them all, but I miss them a lot!

[@jonathan2950]

Is that Plague Priest (schrolk?) that you can still buy now to the same scale as the original miniature, or is it larger? I’m wondering if it would fit into my Adv HQ games, or be too big

[@jordansorcery]

That is a very good question! I’m not sure tbh, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there’s been some scale creep somehow!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

It's the same size and same miniature - you cannot kill the classic look.

[@JustinCoyote]

I had shadow of the horn rat on ps1 when it came out, spent many hours on that game

[@jordansorcery]

Incredible game!

[@cyberleaderandy1]

The Skaven were my warhammer army. I was always annoyed they were so weak in combat though and havent arrived in Warhammer 40K. The Skaven Engineer is amazing but at 400 quid a bit too rich for my blood sadly 😮

[@Varjokani]

Yes-yes skaven good guys. Clan Mors Ska and Queek are bois who keep my feep my depression away.

[@philipdutre5144]

I think you're wrong about the skaven bell appearing only in WD 193 (which appeared in 1996). I'm pretty sure it had been shown *before* the original screaming bell miniature had been released in 1993(?). Perhaps not in a specific article about Skaven, but maybe in 'Eavy Metal ...I vaguely remember it was shown in WD after the issue that had Andy Chamber's skaven army (137), as an addendum. But I don't have my old issues of WD anymore.

[@jordansorcery]

It’s certainly possible as I’ve not gone through every issue with a fine tooth comb. Magnificent model either way!

[@godofzombi]

In Realms of Chaos: the lost and the damned we find Kweethul Gristlegut, a Skaven Champion who became a daemonic patron, effectivly one of the lesser powers of Chaos with his own daemons and rewards. Most of his rewards were rat based such as Stutter-squeak, Rat leg, Rat familiar and Face of a goat. Another Horned rat if you will.

[@jordansorcery]

Fantastic stuff!

[@minimundus1712]

New Year old skaven video here i come....

[@godofzombi]

The one thing I found odd about the Skaven lore is that people (in the Empire) don't belive they exist. They even have an Emperor named Manfred Skavenslayer! What do they think he slew? Twisted creatures that are a crossbreed between men and goat: "It's just beastmen innit?" Twisted creatures that are a crossbreed between men and rat: "That can't possibly exist! There's no such thing."

[@jordansorcery]

There’s definitely some inconsistency with that ‘the Skaven don’t exist’ stuff, but for me it’s people knowing beastmen etc are real but not being willing to believe that there’s an infinite horde of rat folk living literally right beneath them and planning their downfall through Byzantine conspiracies and assassinations

[@Mark-nh2hs]

I guess Ignorance is Bliss esp in regards to The Empire's attitudes lol

[@Deckaio]

@@jordansorcery It's easy, Skaven are not real. They are just some kind of rat-shaped beastmen! Joking aside, I don't think it's always meant as the do not exist "physically", but if they are a separate species/faction and not just beastmen or mutants. With how many forms beastmen and mutants can take, I don't think it's too far fetched to believe this. I'm sure I even read some Inquisitor or Witch-hunter claiming this in one of the books/magazines ... unfortunately I do not remember where I read it. But I always stuck with me, whenever the discussion about Skaven came up.

[@Slechy_Lesh]

Cover-up by the Witch Hunters.

[@darrenrichardson6146]

@@Slechy_Lesh Yeah, pretty sure it's suppression of the truth by the Elector Counts' and their lackies to prevent widespread knowledge that they really do exist and can strike in the heart of their secure cities at will, even in the Age of Sigmar, it's acknowledged by some that they exist, but the common man on the street (or field) their just rumours. Imagine the panic that would come in a packed city if the entire population became aware of them being a cold hard reality..... That's what Age of Sigmar 4th edition is now all about......

[@MrLinindoll]

I’ve loved your channel, and I hate to say it… it’s all down hill from here. Nothing gets cooler-better than the Skaven, yes-yes.

[@jordansorcery]

I fear you might be right! Hard to top the rat-rats!

[@thewatercyclist]

I was put off Skaven by Advanced Heroquest. Would it have killed GW to do more than one sculpt? I just got bored of painting the same thing over and over. Awesome video though - I can tell you really enjoyed making that one.

[@Lemonhead209]

Totally loving this Channel... And you have a Cat : )

[@jordansorcery]

I’m glad you’re enjoying the channel! (and I totally accept that Martha is the real draw!)

[@Rob-hi4lp]

It’d be great to see the Skaven in 40k turning up on a space hulk or an underhive. Missed opportunity by GW

[@jordansorcery]

That would be a fantastic way to introduce them, and they could be so much fun!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

Yet Mantic capitalise on this and made their own space Rats lol.

[@YOGI-kb9tg]

They already have skaven in 40k or atleast chaos mutated rat men. I can't remember there name but they were in the role playing game.

[@fromdungeonstostarships]

Best video on the subject of the rodents, hope you don't mind I mentioned and linked from my small channels latest video.

[@KaptajnCongoboy]

It is quite obvious that Leiber's Swords of Lankhmar is the main inspiration of the Skaven. It doesn't just have the conniving rat-men, it has the number 13 and bells as a returning theme, biological experimentation in the form of rat-human hybrids, albino leadership caste rats, and a host of other minor details. There is also the Ratmen/Wererats of early D&D (1977), of course, although they are more monstrous. Isn't Skaven just a shortening of Scaven(ger?)

[@Iamtidal]

great vid yes yes

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks-thanks!

[@Bapa_nada]

Im very gRATeful for this lore video video

[@tovarvonbrandt7157]

Loathsome? More like wholesome!

[@jordansorcery]

This is true!

[@chocodoco4855]

18:44 LOL

[@rickstar171]

Good content BUT did you have a good time at Garth Marenghi? ;)

[@jordansorcery]

When the dreamweaver himself entertains an audience then utter, indescribable terror is the only emotion possible!

[@rickstar171]

@@jordansorcery The 'capital D' Dreamweaver