Ratling Gunner

Lore & Background

The Ratling Gunner is a product of Clan Skryre's warped ingenuity, combining stolen dwarf engineering with warpstone-fueled madness. Unlike common Skaven slaves, these gunners are often promoted from the ranks for their cruelty and mechanical aptitude, though they remain expendable in the eyes of their warlords. Their weapon, the Ratling Gun, is a multi-barreled contraption that fires a continuous stream of projectiles, its unstable warpstone core occasionally causing it to overheat or jam—a flaw the heroes can exploit.

In the world of Vermintide, Ratling Gunners are deployed to break up formations and pin down the Ubersreik Five, forcing them into cover or into the path of other threats. They are often found in open areas or on elevated positions, their gunfire audible as a distinctive, chugging roar. The Skaven view them as valuable assets, but their reckless use of warpstone means they are as dangerous to their own kind as to the enemy, with misfires sometimes causing chaos in Skaven ranks.

The Ratling Gunner's presence in the End Times reflects the Skaven's industrial desperation, as they pour resources into weapons that can turn the tide of battle. For the heroes, each encounter is a test of coordination—someone must close the distance and disrupt the gunner before the team is torn apart. Their death often triggers a satisfying explosion, a testament to the volatile technology they wield.

In Their Own Story

The tunnel reeked of warpstone and fear. Kruber pressed his back against the crumbling wall, the roar of the Ratling Gun drowning out the screams of his comrades. 'Keep your heads down!' he bellowed, but the bullets chewed through stone, forcing them to scatter. Saltzpyre cursed, his pistol clicking empty. Then Sienna laughed—a wild, desperate sound—and a wave of fire licked at the gunner's position. The Skaven shrieked, its weapon spinning wild, and Kruber charged, his sword finding the gap between its armor plates. The gunner fell, its weapon coughing a final burst before exploding in a shower of green sparks that sizzled against the tunnel floor.

Reader's Guide

In Vermintide 2, the Ratling Gunner is a special enemy that excels at area denial and long-range suppression. Unlike generic Warhammer Fantasy Ratling Gunners, which are often static or suicidal, Vermintide's version is mobile and aggressive, advancing on the party while firing. Their gun has a wind-up time and can overheat, creating windows for counterplay. Players must prioritize them: dodge laterally, use terrain for cover, or rely on ranged attacks to stagger them. A well-timed push or ability can interrupt their fire, saving a pinned teammate. Key relationships include their vulnerability to Sienna's fire (which can cause the gun to overheat faster) and to Bardin's Drakefire Pistols, which can stagger them from a distance. If you hear that distinctive chugging roar, mark the gunner immediately—hesitation means a shredded party.

Did You Know?

• The Ratling Gun's barrels spin due to a crude crank mechanism, often operated by a second Skaven ratling in lore, though Vermintide shows a single gunner—meaning the gunner must crank and fire simultaneously, a testament
• If a Ratling Gunner overheats, it will pause to cool the weapon, leaving it vulnerable to attack. Skilled players can bait this by forcing sustained fire with a shield or blocking.
• Their warpstone ammunition can cause a green glow on impact, a visual cue of its corrupting nature. This glow can linger on surfaces for a moment, marking where the gunner was aiming.
• In Vermintide 2, killing a Ratling Gunner with a melee attack triggers a unique kill animation where the hero rips the gun from its grasp, often causing a small warpstone explosion that damages nearby enemies.