The Elusive Skaven in the 41st Millennium: A Deep Dive into Warhammer 40K’s Ratmen

The question of Skaven in the grim darkness of the far future is a persistent one amongst Warhammer 40,000 fans. The answer, however, is complex and often frustrating for those who love the rat-like hordes of the Old World. Simply put, there are no official, established Skaven as a playable faction in Warhammer 40K. The iconic ratmen, with their vast under-empires and treacherous schemes, are a fixture of Warhammer Fantasy Battles and Age of Sigmar, but they have never made a direct transition into the science-fiction setting of the 41st millennium. However, this doesn’t mean their presence is completely absent. Instead, they exist as fleeting hints, sly references, and recurring thematic elements, fueling fan speculation and making their absence all the more intriguing.

The Absence of a Ratmen Faction in 40K

The primary reason for the Skaven’s exclusion from Warhammer 40K lies in the lore’s evolution. Early conceptions of 40K did include elements suggestive of a Skaven-like presence. However, as the setting matured and the universe expanded, the need for a direct “ratmen” analogue diminished. The Imperium of Man’s advanced technology, particularly its surveillance capabilities and weaponry, made the idea of a vast, hidden subterranean civilization of rat-men somewhat implausible. The lore suggested that, had Skaven existed in the 41st millennium in any significant number, their presence would have been far easier for the forces of the Imperium to detect and eradicate.

This does not mean, however, that Games Workshop has completely ignored the Skaven’s legacy. Their influence can be seen in the following ways:

• Thematic Resonances: The sheer scale of the Skaven’s Under-Empire, a hidden, ever-expanding blight beneath the surface, echoes through several 40K factions. The Genestealer Cults with their insidious, infiltrating nature and the Tyranids, with their overwhelming hordes, both bear a resemblance to the Skaven’s modus operandi. The idea of a teeming mass of creatures undermining civilization from within is a consistent theme.
• Cryptic Hints and Teasers: Games Workshop has, over the decades, tossed out occasional hints and allusions, keeping the possibility of Skaven in 40K alive in the minds of fans. These include Easter Eggs in art and in-universe documents that seem to suggest a connection or possible crossover, if subtle. These deliberate teases fuel the idea that the Skaven are not entirely absent, but rather lurking in the shadows.
• The “Warp Rat” Speculation: Some theories among fans suggest that the Skaven’s Great Horned Rat, a Chaos God, could have a minor influence on the 40K universe. The Warp, being the realm of Chaos, is not limited by space and time as they exist in the material universe. While there are no official statements in the lore backing it up, fans posit the possibility that the chaos energies that corrupted the Skaven in Warhammer Fantasy might have some degree of presence in 40K, resulting in bizarre, rat-like mutations in a small number of individuals.

Skaven Influence: Not a Faction, but a Specter

While a distinct Skaven army might not be appearing on a 40K tabletop anytime soon, their presence can be felt as a conceptual force. The themes of societal decay, hidden treachery, and overwhelming numbers are all present in various corners of the 40K universe. They are a phantom limb of Warhammer’s past, a race that never quite arrived but whose influence still lingers. It’s the unseen menace beneath the sprawling cities of the Imperium, a reminder that even in the technological utopia of the Imperium’s vision, chaos and squalor can fester.

The Skaven, for all intents and purposes, are not a part of 40K’s narrative in a directly actionable way. But their legacy as a race built on treachery, cunning, and a vast subterranean empire remains, woven into the broader tapestry of the 41st Millennium. They serve as a reminder that no matter how far humanity advances, there will always be something lurking beneath the surface, ready to undermine and consume.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Skaven in 40K

Here are 15 FAQs to further illuminate the topic of Skaven and their presence (or lack thereof) in Warhammer 40,000:

1. Are there actual Skaven units in the 40K game?

No. There are no units or models that are officially recognized as Skaven in the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop game. They are a distinct entity confined to the Warhammer Fantasy and Age of Sigmar settings.

2. Why were Skaven excluded from 40K?

The primary reason is that the Imperium’s advanced technology would make a large, underground Skaven empire too easy to locate and eradicate. Additionally, the setting evolved to incorporate other, similar thematic elements into pre-existing factions.

3. Could a Skaven-like faction ever appear in 40K?

While not impossible, it’s highly improbable. Games Workshop seems set on maintaining the separation between the two settings. Any addition of a faction resembling Skaven would require significant lore adjustments.

4. What 40K factions are most like Skaven?

Tyranids and Genestealer Cults are often cited as bearing the closest similarities. The Tyranids’ vast numbers and the Genestealer Cults’ infiltrating nature share thematic elements with the Skaven.

5. Is the Great Horned Rat a Chaos God in 40K?

The Great Horned Rat is a Chaos God in the Age of Sigmar setting. There is no direct confirmation of his existence or influence within the 40K universe. Any potential presence would be indirect and minor.

6. Are the Skaven connected to the Warp?

In Warhammer Fantasy, they are heavily connected to Warpstone, the physical manifestation of Chaos energy. In 40K, the Warp exists as a much more pervasive force, but any direct connection to Skaven is purely speculative.

7. Do Skaven exist as “mutants” in 40K?

While the Imperium does deal with mutants, there’s no lore explicitly connecting them to Skaven. However, the possibility of bizarre, rat-like mutations in the 40K setting is occasionally theorized among fans.

8. Can the forces of 40k defeat Skaven?

In the context of Warhammer Fantasy, they are a major threat. In 40K, however, given the Imperium’s technology, a “real” Skaven force would theoretically be at a massive disadvantage.

9. Did the Skaven destroy the world in Warhammer Fantasy?

During the End Times, the Skaven played a major role in cataclysmic events, but they did not fully destroy the world of Warhammer Fantasy. They significantly damaged it but it was eventually reborn as the Mortal Realms of Age of Sigmar.

10. Are there any Skaven-related Easter Eggs in 40K lore?

Yes. There have been hints and allusions throughout 40K’s history. These often manifest as in-universe notes referencing unusual sightings or mutations, hinting at a potential Skaven-like presence.

11. What are “Warp Rats”?

“Warp Rats” is a fan theory suggesting a minor influence of the Great Horned Rat in the 40K universe, leading to minor, rat-like mutations. It’s purely speculative and not official lore.

12. What is the Skaven’s Under-Empire?

The Under-Empire is the vast subterranean network controlled by the Skaven in Warhammer Fantasy, comprising tunnels, cities, and breeding grounds. There is no established Under-Empire within 40K.

13. Do Skaven have genders?

Yes, female Skaven do exist, though they are hidden and used primarily for breeding, not combat or leadership.

14. What does Skaven fur color mean?

In Warhammer Fantasy, fur color denotes social status, with black fur for Stormvermin, grey fur for Grey Seers, and white fur for elite council members. This doesn’t apply in 40K.

15. Are Skaven “furries”?

No. They are fictional, evil rat-men representing themes of chaos and corruption. Their status as bipedal, furry creatures does not equate to a connection with the real-world furry subculture.