What is 40k skaven?

Skaven in the Warhammer 40,000 universe (40k) are a concept often discussed within the community, but it's crucial to understand they are not officially part of the established setting. Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy/Age of Sigmar are separate universes. Skaven belong to the latter.

However, the thought experiment of what if the Skaven were in 40k is common and often leads to fan-made content.

Here's some hypothetical information based on that premise, imagining how they might fit:

• Origin and Warp Connection: The Skaven, in their original setting, are heavily linked to a Warp entity called the Great%20Horned%20Rat. In 40k, this could mean the Great Horned Rat is a minor Chaos God, or a powerful Warp entity closely aligned with Nurgle due to themes of disease and decay. The Skaven's rapid reproduction and expansion could be a manifestation of the Warp's influence, warping their biology and social structure.

• Civilization and Technology: Skaven society is characterized by constant infighting, treachery, and a rabid pursuit of technological advancement (often with disastrous results). In 40k, this could translate to a technologically inferior, but incredibly numerous, threat to the Imperium. Their Warpstone%20Technology could be a corrupting influence, potentially opening Warp breaches or creating unstable weapons with unpredictable effects.

• Military Doctrine: Skaven armies rely on overwhelming numbers, expendable troops, and unreliable but devastating war machines. This would make them a unique horde faction in 40k. They could be used as a distraction or an annoyance to bigger threats. Their strategies often involve tunneling beneath enemy lines and unleashing swarms of Clanrats, supported by more specialized units like the Stormvermin or weapon teams.

• Planetary Infestation: The Skaven could infest underhives and abandoned cities on Imperial worlds, spreading their influence and eventually destabilizing entire planets. Their presence could lead to widespread plague outbreaks and social unrest, providing opportunities for Chaos cults and other threats to exploit the chaos. Their insidious nature makes rooting them out a challenge, as they thrive in the shadows and are adept at subterfuge. The Council%20of%20Thirteen would potentially try to take their place between the power structures of the setting.