Squats in Non-GW
Magazines, Historia
Squataticus:
Appendix 13
Le
Héraut
Citadel.
This
was a French language magazine published by Agmat (maker of the Agmat
Thudd Gun) on an irregular schedule in the mid- to late 1980s. I have
only issue 5, dated June 1988. Like White Dwarf at the time, this
magazine was shifting from a mix of TSR, Chaosium, MERP, and Games
Workshop content toward being entirely devoted to GW. I am not sure
how many issues were published; issue 5 is the only one I have.
Issue
5 features a black & white picture of the Squat Mole Mortar
(unpainted) on p. 15 along with other black & white and color
pictures of Warhammer 40K and WFB models.
Inquisitor
(Epicast / Armorcast).
This
18-issue magazine was published at an erratic schedule by Tim
Dupertuis. Tim was the man behind Epicast and then with Armorcast, so
it is understandable that there would be some trade-offs between
publishing issues and production of models. Armorcast still produces
a fine range of wargaming terrain and miniatures
(http://www.armorcast.com/),
some of which can be seen in Hungry Ghosts posts, particularly the
Alien Plants series.
The
dates on the covers of the issues do not necessarily correspond to
the actual time of publication, but may reflect the intended date
rather than the actual date as was common for small publications of
this time.
Number
1 (June 1991): No Squats
Number
2 (September 1991): Squats-free
Number
3 (January 1992): Disturbing absence of Squats.
Number
4 (April 1992): Advertisement for Epicast U.S.A. Termite and
Falcon, page 10. This is probably the first ad for the Termite ($20).
Given the overlapping ownership between Inquisitor and Epicast, all
future issues feature an ad for the Termite somewhere in them and
will not be included here.
Page
18: points values for various Squats-associated weaponry included in
a Space Marine Army record sheet, including the Mole Mortar, Thudd
Gun, Rapier, all Tarantula variations, and the Leviathan for those
ambitious enough to construct such a monster (500 pts). Note that we
are dealing with the Rogue Trader rules at this time.
Number
5 (June1992): Page 5, Q&A with Andy Chambers, including
Squats questions about Exo Armor, Power Lance, squad and ally options
and requirements.
Number
6 (September 1992): Page 4 notes the sad absence of Squat
Champion units.
Page
14 index of White Dwarf articles from issue 93-151 reveals the
conspicuous absence of Squats articles, limited to the Army List in
111 and the Land Train rules in 151. But it also foolishly includes
the Mole Mortar in the Imperial section, along with generally shared
systems Rapier and Tarantula, and bikes of all sorts.
Want
Ads on page 19: Dwarf-friends in Alaska and Hawaii are still
searching for Squat Musicians and Heavy Weapons Trikes. Good luck
sirs, Inquisitor's publication numbers were measured in the low
100's. We had trouble in NYC getting minis in the 1980s and early
1990s, Alaskans and Hawaiians must be truly in dire circumstances.
Number
7
(February 1993): Article on pages 6-9 on Scout and Recon units.
Provides rules and stats for Squats Scout/Recon squads. Reports that
Squats do not distinguish between Scouts and Recon types, related to
their heavy-handed approach to gathering information. Rules and Stats
for a Jeep type recon vehicle in use by the Imperials and Squats
(basically, touch it and it explodes).
Page
17 Want Ads. Our friends in Alaska and Hawaii continue their
searches. Their pleas will continue, but will no longer be reported
here.
Number
8 (Spring 1993): Squat Engineers on Bikes appear on the cover.
Pages
5-7, article on Combat Engineers, including Squats rules & stats.
Squats also have access to specialized Rhinos with engineering
modifications (bridge-laying, mine-sweeping), as well as Termite,
Mole, and Hellbore tunnelers and the Gorgon (rules for which were
promised in issue 9 but never appeared, except for Gorgon).
Page
13, Q&A with Andy Chambers notes that the Mole Mortar as detailed
in the Battle Manual is far more accurate than any other weapon.
Page
18-19: Updated points values and equipment lists for Squats armies.
Number
9 (Summer 1993): Pas des Nains d'espace.
Number
10
(Fall 1993): Warhammer 40K 2nd
Edition appears with minimal army lists. Page 5 notes that it is
likely that a full Squats army list will not be seen soon...
Pp.
16-17, updated points values for 2nd
Edition.
P.
18: Vain hopes for new Squats miniatures in 40K 2nd
Ed.
Number
11 (Winter 93/94): Page 4, Squats Living Ancestor Dark
Millennium psychic powers noted, as well as vulnerability of tightly
clustered Squats armies (among others) to Virus Grenades.
Obstacles
and Line of Sight rules on pages 10-14 discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of being shorter than Humans, Orks, and Keeblars.
Features illustrative photographs including Squats.
Number
12 (Spring 1994): No Squats.
Number
13 (February 1995): Vehicle System Update (pages 14-29) provides
generalized rules for military vehicle classes and attempts to rein
in the (literal) overkill allowed to Imperial Land Raiders and
Dreadnoughts. Vehicle weapon points are adjusted for BS of crew,
including Squats.
Also,
the particular converted-into-superheavy-APC Soviet T34 tank shown in
the picture on p. 13 was purchased by Hungry Ghosts and is now in
their service. Counts as Gorgon (with the traditional 40K “Bag of
Holding” troop carrying capacity compared to transport size), with
stats on p. 26.
Number
14 (September 1996): Cauldron of Blood ($40) and Cannon of Khorne
($30) are now available from Armorcast (p. 2) and featured in an
article on adapting WFB Chaos for 40K fun (pp. 5-7). Exo Armor Chaos
Squats appear prominently in the army photo on p. 5.
Review
of Galaktik Taktik spacecraft from Pewtercraft USA of Jackson NJ (p.
11) notes that the Colonial Forces ships would work well for Squats.
Hungry Ghosts says, yes, but needs more skulls and tentacles.
Number
15 (August 1997): Armorcast High Tech Walls now available and
seen in the background of many Hungry Ghosts blog posts (p. 2).
More
importantly, this issue is devoted to remedying the missing Squats
Codex for 40K 2nd
Edition (pp. 5-24). A b/w illustration of an angry Squat with a large
Bolter by Joel Phillips appears on p. 3.
The
Squats Army List starts on p. 5. It is broken up into a Brotherhood
Army List (pp. 8-13) including an assortment of converted WFB minis
filling in the gaps in the product like, and an Engineer Guild Army
List (pp. 14-17).
The
Squats Army is equipped with vehicles from Simtac's Kryomek line of
Nexus Marines, in pictures as well as rules.
The
photographs included reinforce the belief that only a few Iron Claw
Squats appeared in North America (Numbers 1, 5, 10, 17).
The
illustrations by Joel Phillips seem to indicate that pictures or
copies of the unreleased 2nd
Edition Squats had been seen, or at least the Champions and Trooper.
Number
16 (November 1997): No Squats.
Number
17
(February 1998): Update of Combat Engineers article for 40K 2nd
Edition rules, including Squats units (pp. 5-9).
Squats
Army List errata on p. 25.
Number
18
(May 1999): In 18 issues Inquisitor has traveled from Rogue Trader to
40K 3rd
Edition.
Page
12 gives a system for determining points costs of troops based on a
average human model with additions for improvements. This system was
used in assigning points costs in the Squats army lists that appeared
in Number 15.
Page
25 Q&A includes discussion of weapons access for troop types in
the Squats army lists.
Australian
Realms.
From
the vast wilderness of Western Australia, a bimonthly magazine
covering all sorts of fantasy and sci-fi games – miniatures, RPGs,
CCGs. I have only issue 21, dated January/February 1995. No Squats
here.
The
Dark Library: A magazine for the Warhammer 40,000 gamer.
Issue 1 from Autumn 1994 includes
an article on boats in Warhammer 40K which reports that Squats do not
have specialized Frogmen-type troops, as “squats rarely have much
experience with water” (p. 6). But they do have much experience
with beer, and have specialist Grogbrothers, who maintain the
integrity of the vast beer production facilities found on every
Squats Homeworld, expeditionary base, and spacecraft. They also care
for the Beerquariums common to Squats entertainment parks (“The
Happiest Fish in the Galaxy”).
The inside back cover reports that the
next issue will feature Squats material, noting that “Squat players
haven't had much to play with for quite a while now – the only new
squat miniature released by GW in the past year or so was the mark 2
motorbike – and we hope to remedy some of that.
However, it goes on to state “If
you're a squat player and would like to contribute something on
squats, please send it in!”.
Open solicitation for material for the
next issue is never a good sign in terms of maintaining a regular
publication schedule.
Issue 3 from Spring 1995 is a
much improved publication in terms of quality of content and format.
A scenario named “Irregularities on
Vauxhault II” forbids allies for the mixed force of Imperial Guard
and Space Marines, including Squats, which does not bode well for the
humans.
An article on “Warhammer 40,000 Night
Battles” reports the obvious – the superior genetic composition
of the mighty Squats includes Infravision, “a second sight which
allows them to not only see colors as humans do, but to see heat as
well,” allowing them to function in the night without any deficit.
On the other hand, it states that flashlights are useless to Squats.
This is simply not true for a race as ingenious as the Squats.
Amongst other functions, they can be sold or traded, used to make the
ignorant think that Squats do not have Infravision, used to
temporarily blind others by shining the lights in the eyes, or as a
general whacking stick (pp. 21-22).
Page 26 features an ad for Nick
Tompkins's Epicast U.S.A. resin vehicles, including the Termite
($22.00).
Page 29 introduces the new regular
feature “Toshe Tales: Great Squat Lore”, concerning the mighty
deeds of the Toshe Clan Stronghold. In this issue, the defeat of Ork
Blood Axe Clan Kaptain Ironlung's Kommandos by a combined force of
Squat Gyrocopters and Sky Surfers(!), taking special advantage of
their geologic knowledge of the terrain.
The
article includes rules (40K 2nd
Ed) for Squat Sky Surfers troop type in addition to the story, as
well as the Camo-Cloaks, Power Boards, and the Longrifles used by the
Sky Surfers and Squat snipers. (pp. 29-32)
Issue 4 (Winter 1995) starts off
with an editorial whining about the price of the Rhino transport used
by Squats and other less important beings - $15! (p. 2).
Page 7: another ad from Epicast offering
the Termite.
Page
11: a little complaint about the allies system for 40K 2nd
Ed, noting that former enemies Squats and Eldar can now cooperate,
and that Squats will condescend to ally with Space Marines.
Pages 21-35: Space Slann are back! On
pp. 28-29, there is a sidebar discussion of an entity known as Saul
of Nenuphar, a very ancient entity who appears in legends from just
about every known race, including Squats. Saul is believed to have
been a Slann. Or maybe a Dragon.
Imperial
Dispatches: A Warhammer 40,000 Fanzine.
Broadcast
from Alameda California, said to be quarterly. I have only Volume 2
issue 1, dated February 1992. Features a less-than-flattering
illustration of the Emperor of Mankind on the cover.
A
brief article titled “Artillery, the King of Battle” concerning
artillery in (Epic) Space Marine notes that the rules are intended to
be for general use, including Squats (p. 6).
Louis
Porter's Fallout
I have Issues 3-6, March May July
September 1995.
Issue 3 (March 1995): Page 7,
picture of Imperial Commissars who have stolen a Squat Termite.
Page 12, article on efficient Space
Marines point spending advises use of the Thudd Gun.
Issue 4 (May 1995): Page 8, quiz
offering fabulous prizes for answering questions about Mole Mortars
and less important things. Also discussion about people wanting GW to
make some vehicles for armies besides the Smurfs and Imperial Grots,
including Squats. Notes that Epicast offers such things, including
the Termite, with ad for Epicast with Termite on page 12.
Issue 5 (July 1995): 40K
scenario, Mission Delta: Assimilation, features Squats battling
Tyranids for possession of a Squat Homeworld alternatively referred
to as Drun Kale or Darmer, said to be closest to the Tyranid infested
part of the galaxy (pp. 8-11).
Epicast ad for Termite etc p. 12.
Pages 14-17 feature 40K rules for the
Blood Slaughterer of Khorne and the Holocaust tank, created by Khorne
Cult engineers (i.e., Chaos Squats Adeptus Mechanicii).
Issue 6 (September 1995): Rules
for Termite on pages 11-12 and 14. “Virtually invulnerable and
invincible” while underground.
Mars:
Adventures in Miniature
A
quarterly magazine focusing on miniatures-based games from all
companies, published in Vancouver Canada. I have only issues 3 and 4,
from Summer and Fall 1997.
The
letters column of issue 3 (“Martian Mail”) includes a silly idea
from a reader, combining Battletech miniatures with Warhammer 40K.
Noting that the Battletech mecha are of similar size to a Space
Marine, our reader created a new race of tiny Gnomes. Our Gnomes
pilot the mecha against 40K opponents who will tolerate such
nonsense. The same reader reports that he is busily working on a
Squat Codex, which would be of dubious quality from someone who would
play silly Gnomes instead of just using the Battletech mecha as Epic
40K Squats Knight Titans, as any sensible person would do (p. 2).
A
snippet on page 39 notes that the home planet of the White Scars
Space Marines, Tengri, is near the Squat Homeworlds.
No
Squats in issue 4.