Stormvermin are the best Skaven unit to build a battle line around. They are the only Skaven melee unit that Total War Academy describes as armoured enough to hold against a cavalry charge, which makes them the anchor that lets cheaper units and faster flankers do their work. The rest of this ranking follows from that role.
This is an editorial ranking, not an official one from SEGA or Creative Assembly. It is written for battles, where the tactical guidance is most specific, and it includes DLC units. The order weighs battlefield role, versatility, survivability, and how much setup a unit needs from the player. Cost efficiency is part of the reasoning, but the sources used here do not give unit costs, so those are not quoted.
How this ranking works
No single source settles a top-ten order across every mode, faction, patch, and DLC combination. The ranking therefore rests on four things:
- Battlefield role: what job the unit does on the field, as described in Total War Academy’s Skaven battle tactics guidance.
- Versatility: whether the unit can fill more than one job, such as holding a line, flanking, or striking a single target.
- Survivability: how well the unit withstands the attacks it is likely to face, based on the Academy’s notes on armour and cavalry.
- Player attention: how much positioning or timing a unit needs before it pays off. A unit that needs little management ranks higher than one that only works with careful setup.
The ranking covers battle use only. Multiplayer and campaign-specific performance are not separately assessed, because the sources available do not break unit performance down by those modes. No win rates, pick rates, or gameplay test results are used anywhere in this article.
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The ranking at a glance
| Rank | Unit | Main battlefield job | DLC status | Key evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stormvermin | Armoured melee anchor, flank protection | No DLC note in the sources reviewed | Total War Academy, “Skaven: Battle Tactics” |
| 2 | Rat Ogres | Flanking charge | No DLC note in the sources reviewed | Total War Academy |
| 3 | Doomwheel | Flank charge with repeated passes | No DLC note in the sources reviewed | Total War Academy |
| 4 | Gutter Runners | Ambush and vanguard deployment | No DLC note in the sources reviewed | Total War Academy |
| 5 | Warp Lightning Cannon | Long-range attack on strong single targets | No DLC note in the sources reviewed | Total War Academy |
| 6 | Hell Pit Abomination | Heavy monster against armoured enemies | No DLC note in the sources reviewed | Total War Academy |
| 7 | Clanrats | Expendable line unit that absorbs attacks and pins enemies | No DLC note in the sources reviewed | Total War Academy |
| 8 | Skavenslaves | Cheapest screen, absorbs attacks | No DLC note in the sources reviewed | Total War Academy |
| 9 | Stormfiends | Melee and missile variants | Included in Thanquol – Lords of the End Times | Steam store listing; no tactical data in the sources |
| 10 | Thanquol | Lord; slot included for DLC context | Thanquol – Lords of the End Times | Steam store listing; no tactical data in the sources |
The ten units, in order
1. Stormvermin
The Academy calls Stormvermin the only Skaven melee unit armoured enough to withstand a cavalry charge, and recommends placing some of them near the flanks. That combination of durability and a defensive job is why they rank first. They are the unit that keeps cheaper troops from being overrun while more valuable units act. Their main limit is that they do not provide the flanking or ranged threat that other units on this list supply.
2. Rat Ogres
The Academy notes that Rat Ogres have the highest charge bonus on the Skaven roster and recommends them for flanking. A strong charge is most useful when it lands on a flank at the right moment, so Rat Ogres need a plan rather than a simple advance. Their rank reflects the impact they can deliver in a single charge, balanced against the timing they require.
3. Doomwheel
The Doomwheel is most effective on the flank, according to the Academy. It can charge through an enemy’s side, retreat, and charge again. That repeated pattern gives it more sustained value than a single heavy charge. It ranks just behind Rat Ogres because it works best when the player steers it into the right position, rather than acting as a reliable default.
Rank #2
- Empire Total War Complete Edition
4. Gutter Runners
Gutter Runners can ambush while moving unseen and deploy with vanguard. The Academy describes them as a flanking and ambush tool rather than a general-purpose skirmisher. They are placed fourth because their value depends on surprise, which is harder to plan around than the steady pressure offered by the units above.
5. Warp Lightning Cannon
The Academy describes the Warp Lightning Cannon as long-range and hard-hitting against strong single targets. It is the clearest ranged option in this list. Its ranking reflects a narrower job than the melee and flanking units above it: it is best against a few high-value targets rather than large groups. Exact range and damage figures are patch-sensitive, so check them in the current game data before comparing them with other ranged units.
6. Hell Pit Abomination
The Academy calls the Hell Pit Abomination a high-end Clan Moulder monster. It can regain health or release Skaven when death is imminent, and it is recommended against heavily armoured enemies. The same guidance warns that it is weak to fire, so it needs the right matchups. The monster role is expensive, and that cost is the main reason it sits below the flanking and ambush units.
Rank #3
- Warhammer 40,000
7. Clanrats
The Academy describes Clanrats as expendable units that can absorb attacks and pin enemies while more valuable units strike. They rank above Skavenslaves because they hold their ground better, but they do not carry the individual punch of the units above them. Their value comes from number and position, not from any single strong ability.
8. Skavenslaves
Skavenslaves are the most expendable units in the Academy’s guidance, used to absorb attacks and pin enemies. They are the cheapest way to fill a line and screen the army’s more valuable troops. Their rank is low because they contribute little on their own, although they are useful in the right role.
9. Stormfiends
Stormfiends are included in the Thanquol – Lords of the End Times DLC. According to the Steam store listing, they come in melee variants (Grinderfists, Doom-flayer Gauntlets, Shock Gauntlets) and missile variants (Ratling Cannons, Windlaunchers, Warpfire Projectors). The sources reviewed contain no tactical testing or role guidance for them, so this placement reflects the breadth of their variants rather than a measured performance judgment. Their ownership status is covered in the DLC section below.
Rank #4
- Tabletop game
- Easy to use
- Premium quality
10. Thanquol
Thanquol is a lord rather than a standard unit. He appears in the Thanquol – Lords of the End Times DLC, and the TW Database lists lords separately from units. He is included here so that the DLC’s core content is visible in the ranking. The sources reviewed do not describe his battlefield role, so his position reflects inclusion rather than a judgment of performance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.DLC ownership and access
SEGA’s official Immortal Empires DLC ownership guide, updated June 18, 2026, says that access to some races and lords depends on owning the associated game or DLC. Purchases must be made on the same client. The same guide notes that DLC can unlock associated lords without owning the original game. Before assuming a unit on this list is available to you, check the following:
- Whether you own Total War: WARHAMMER III.
- Whether the DLC containing a unit, such as Thanquol – Lords of the End Times, is attached to the same client account.
- Whether the unit or lord is part of the Immortal Empires access rules described in SEGA’s guide.
Stormfiends and Thanquol belong to the DLC. The base-game units in ranks 1 through 8 are not flagged as DLC in the sources reviewed.
Best Value
Roster context and data source
The unofficial TW Database lists 91 Skaven units in Total War: WARHAMMER III, using patch 9.0.2 data dated October 1, 2026. Its figures come from game data tables at Ultra unit size, rank 0, with no skills, items, or buffs applied. Treat those numbers as baseline values rather than tested results. The site separates lords, heroes, unit classes, and Regiments of Renown, which is why Thanquol is discussed separately from the units above.
Roster size, unit availability, and balance can change with patches and DLC, so the ranking should be read against the current patch rather than as a permanent order.
Other rankings and where they differ
Creator rankings also exist. Total War Therapy published a “Skaven BEST & WORST Units” video on May 6, 2026, which includes DLC units. It is one creator’s opinion, not a consensus. This article’s order differs mainly because it prioritises the Academy’s battlefield guidance and treats DLC units as a separate access question.
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