As has been said, I’m getting a little tired of the Skaven getting all the goodies, as they have been getting stuff since the Island of Blood box. I wouldn’t mind if their previous incarnations sucked, but I thought they were just as cool, if not cooler and they aren’t getting a new book yet (the Greenskins are. Of course, out of all the new imbalances in the lists, they need it first ).

That being said, I will comment on everything with an unjaded viewpoint.

The abomination – I agree that it looks great and is certainly representative of the fluff. What I absolutely hate is that all HPAs will look almost exactly the same, which is like having Chaos Spawn all be the exact same model. Even with all of the gubbins, the silhouette of the model is the same and it prevents the encouragement of people creating their own horrific beauties as they’d rather just buy one (not everyone, but the majority). I’ll miss the scratchbuilt ones as they all come out just as cool as this, but you never find two the same. Which is a pity. But, to reitigate, I do think the model perfectly captures the fluff, just not in multiples.

Warp Lightning Cannon – What on Earth has gone on here? It now looks hollow, with the runes being built from plastic (not referring to the fact it’s made of plastic, but the runes should look as though they are metal. Not explaining that well, but I don’t know how to say it better) and the wood, combined with extra height, just makes it look entirely wrong. I think the warpstone part looks cool, as does the crewmember, but that’s it. MUCH prefer the old model. Another problem is when it is built at its highest, it would fall forwards if made from actual materials and that helps to prevent suspension of disbelief.

Plague Claw Catapault – Conversely, I think this looks excellent. One problem is the highest setting (again), but not as problematic. I love the goo as well. I think this is well done and the wood helps it to have a more putrescent/rotting feel. A combined kit for these two didn’t work in both directions, but got a cool piece for one weapon at least.

Doomflayer – The “rider” looks really poor: the stance is entriely unnatural, even for a man-sized rat. Could’ve been positioned so much better. As for the machine, it looks like it’s just whirling and cogs, unlike its description of dozens of spinning blades that pulp you. The fluff and rules make it seem that if you’re in its way, you’re not even registered as dead because you’re not intact enough, but the piece looks very slow and like a simple step to the side or standing between the middle and the side would keep you alive without a problem. Not impressed by any of this piece except the cleanliness of the sculpt and the paintjob.

Warp Grinder – Beautiful piece again, although it would’ve been cool to try and make it fit the look of the Gutter Runners/Night Runners a little more, but only because it stands out a little TOO much from them for my tastes. But, it’s a problem that’s too small to care much about. It really envokes a feeling of grinding away, with green lightning sparking off and reducing solid rock to dust at a slow walk’s pace. Excellent job here.

Tretch Craventail – I find things I dislike, but can’t put my finger on them, but the same goes for things that I like. Nothing stands out as particularly bad, but nothing gets me excited about him. Would’ve been cool to have him upside and clinging to the ceiling like the fluff, but tricky and odd, so this is probably better. Nothing to shout home about, but nothing wrong with it, so quite good and nicely done.

Ikit Claw – Extremely cool and nice model. Makes me think of mech suits and such like. Two problems for me though: the flamer claw means he can’t grip things, so can’t hold someone’s head in the bladed claw and crush it whilst blasting green flame into the face, but it’s a bearable design flaw of his weapon hand. The other problem is the banner pole: the height works, but it’s the circle/symbol that seems to take me out of the rest of the design flow. Nonetheless, very beautiful piece.

Overall comments: I don’t see why everybody else is getting neglected for the Skaven, I also don’t see why they need new models, some of them don’t work, some prevent the crazy Skaven creativity and some are extremely cool and pretty pieces 😉