| “ | The projectors of their portable, Warp-powered drills gleam with energy, pulverising stone, armour and flesh! | „ |
Warp-Grinders are a 
Skaven melee infantry unit introduced in Total War: Warhammer II with The Shadow and the Blade.
Recruitment[ | ]
Unlocked with: Weapons Dump
Description[ | ]
Warp-Grinders are a smaller and more portable version of a much larger drilling machine first devised by Clan Skryre as a means to tunnel far more quickly than a horde of slaves could ever hope to achieve.
Some of these massive constructs are larger than the grandest ships of the Empire's navy. These huge devices combine great drills with warp energies to vaporise the broken debris as the machine bores. These rare machines are seldom, if ever, seen, but a portable version can be often found on the battlefield.
The more portable Warp-Grinder opens up tunnels. Projectors gleam with warp-energy, pulverising stone and leaving a narrow and smoking passageway in its wake. Small fast-moving units can follow the device, emerging behind enemy lines to cause untold disruption. But it is a perilous trip, as the newly-bored tunnels are prone to cave-ins and the machines can suffer catastrophic meltdowns. When the Warp-grinder breaks through the surface, it will stick with the unit it is attached to, even assisting in close combat. Without the comforting presence of the parent unit, the Weapon Team will flee the battlefield.
Attributes[ | ]
- Weapon Team
- ▲ Armour-Piercing: The damage of armour-piercing weapons mostly ignores the armour of the target, making them the ideal choice against heavily-armoured enemies. They are often heavier and attack at a slower rate though, making them less efficient against poorly-armoured targets.
- ▲ Can Attack Buildings: This unit can attack walls, towers and gates.
- ▲ Vanguard Deployment: This unit can deploy in an expanded deployment area, allowing it to start the battle within striking distance of the enemy - or somewhere unexpected.
armour-piercing weapons mostly ignores the armour of the target, making them the ideal choice against heavily-armoured enemies. They are often heavier and attack at a slower rate though, making them less efficient against poorly-armoured targets.Abilities[ | ]
Strategy[ | ]
Warp Grinders are best used as a utility unit that can stop enemies from moving and deal damage to blobs of units. They are not strong fighters on their own and will not win many melee engagements. Notably, there is no restriction on when they can use their ability, so if 1 Warp Grinder is still alive and uses the ability it can still function. This makes them useful even when they are heavily damaged, so long as you can prevent their Leadership from breaking.
Warp Grinders do have the Siege Attacker trait, which makes them an alternative to artillery or siege equipment when attacking walled settlements. Use them to damage and destroy gates and vulnerable wall segments.
