Skaven 500 points, New Skaven player

Well, spreading out into Fantasy I decided to give the new ratmen a try (I still can't believe I managed to tame my impatience and wait a whole year for this release).

I'm starting Fantasy, together with several other players in my town. 500 points of fantasy goodness to begin with, only upping the points at the point where each of us has painted what he already has.

Comments would be appreciated, though I understand that few people will have that much experience with the new skaven already

I apologize if some names sound weird, since I live in austria and only have access to the german armybook I'm forced to translate some of the names I don't already know in english rather literal.

Heroes

1 x Warlockengineer

60 Points

1 x Chieftain

52 Points

Core

20 x Clanrats

110 Points

20 x Skavenslaves

40 Punkte

Special

2 x Ratogres

88 Points

Rare

1 x Doomwheel

150 Punkte

Total: 500 Points


In general, my main enemies will be Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos and later on Wood Elves.

PS. I admit I copy-pasta'ed this from the warseer thread, it has been a long day and this old rat is rather tired. No stabbity-stab, please?

Hiya, I also live near you, in Switzerland, and I may get the german book too, so dont worry. Also the list is pretty solid, just drop the Ogres and put some Censerbearers (Seuchenschleuderer) and drop the Chieftain and get some more clanrats. Pretty good semi-horde list!

So, I should drop the 2 orgres for 5 censerbearers?

Though I'm a bit doubtful about losing the chieftain, since his LD of 6 might be needed against my friends Vampire Counts and their evil evil Fear

I would recommend fielding more troops. I would suggest dropping the doomwheel and using the points for a second clanrat regiment. Also, I would strongly recommend fielding you clanrats 25 strong.

I disagree with Blitz's suggestion to drop the chieftain, a chieftain is a much better general than the warlock. If you are considering dropping a hero, it should be the warlock engineer.

I realize it will be a devil to paint, but at points as low as 500 the ideal skaven force should probably be one with HUGE numbers. I'm getting into a map campaign that's starting us at 500 pts. per banner. I've been thinking 2 clanrat units @ 25 with music and standard, 2 Slave units @ 20 with music, a Giant Rat unit of like 18 rats, 3 packmasters and a nicely tricked out Chieftain to lead the horde. Over 100 models at a mere 500 points, I'm hoping to leave my opponents to wonder how they can take on that many at once.

From the starting point you've got, I'd work along the lines pilgrim was mentioning. 2 clanrat units of 25 will make a solid core to build your army around, and it will easily outnumber your enemies, while still leaving you about half your points for a solid Chief, Warlock and some other goodies.
I wouldn't drop the Chief, especially against vampires. Extra leadership is always a good thing when you're up against an army of fear causers.