Squats in The Citadel Journal 1999-2002

Squats in The Citadel Journal 1999-2002:
Historia Squatitcus Appendix 1a

Citadel Journal 29 (Winter 1999, WD 229)

Finally a Squat joke. You'd think there would be more, silly name and all that nonsense.

Anyway, a certain editor is reported to have “horrific sideburns … never even been spoken to by a girl, lives in a squat with students...” prompting our editor to insert “urgh, that sounds messy, I wouldn't have thought there was that much room in a space dwarf...” (p. 1)

A variant on a Groucho Marx line, but we all know that GW's sense of humor had really plummeted by the late 1990s, and rarely moved beyond puns anyway. But you would be surprised how many Nurglings you can fit inside a space dwarf.

An advertisement on p. 63 announces the publication of Firepower magazine, devoted to Epic 40,000, compiling material from WD, CJ, and adding some new material. The ad highlights the inclusion of the Squats Army List from CJ 20: “The little chaps with huge War Machines, the Squats, are back thanks to Warwick Kinrade with his concise Squats army list.”

*****

Citadel Journal 30 (Early Spring 99)

Squat-Friend Warwick Kinrade is given space to voice a different opinion of the degree of compatibility of Warhammer 40K 3^rd Edition Rules with 40K 2^nd Edition armies and units than the chirpy denial of White Dwarf 226. Let us recall what was said in WD 226:

“Now I can't guarantee that someone, somewhere won't have a specially converted Aspiring Champion of Khorne riding a unicycle with a warp banner that they can't use in the new lists, but 99% of the miniatures people have already collected will still be useable.” (p. 14)

Kinrade, on the other hand, spends a page describing the changes needed to his Space Wolves army (i.e., his easiest one) for 3^rd edition, leading him to estimate that “there is at least a months work here, converting, painting, basing, etc.” (p. 23)

Ever hopeful, Kinrade goes on to say “That's one army reorganized, just my Imperial Guard, Tyranids, Genestealer Cult and Squats left.” (p. 23)

I guess no one told him the bad news, despite him being a new columnist for CJ. Good luck updating that Cult and those Squats, Warwick!

p. 87 features a brief reader rant demanding, amongst others, rules for Squats Gangs in Necromunda.

*****

Citadel Journal 31 (Late Spring 99)

As in issue 26, a Warhammer 40K campaign starts off with Humans causing Chaos in Squatsville (p. 4-13). “The Solace system, lies due galactic south of the Maelstrom, almost on top of the Squat Homeworlds. For that reason alone it remained uncolonized until eight-hundred years ago...” when some megalomaniac human claims the planet (p. 4) and his inbred spawn lure an Ork Fleet to the system. Resulting in the Orks capturing many Termites that were leased to the Humans (and not compensated for) and much general destruction.

And don't think we didn't notice the “on top” of the Squats slur.

The old Squat Tinboy makes an appearance as an Epic Ork Stompa on p. 70.

*****

Citadel Journal 32 (Early Summer 99)

An article featuring 40K rules for “Imperial Support Weapons” by Dave McClumpha (p. 52-55) shows that 40K fans can't do without their Squats (the editors note that Dave is “trying to find some way of re-introducing Squats to the game, p. 52).

It also airs more of the sordid history of treachery by Humans against the Squats. The Mole Mortar is reported to have been incorporated in the armory of the Imperium at this time. The Adeptus Mechanicus are said to have been terribly impressed by the effectiveness of the Mole Mortar “during the bitter and inconclusive struggle to conquer the Squat Homeworlds.” (p. 52-53).

Hungry Ghosts is not sure where the “inconclusive” part of the “bitter and inconclusive” war comes from: the Humans invaded, they were repelled after stealing some intellectual property, and the Squat Homeworlds remained independent, conclusively. And bitterly.

*****

Citadel Journal 33 (Late Summer 99)

Some foolish mortal offers his Squats army in The Trading Post on p. 3. The army includes a scratch-built Iron Eagle Gyrocopter, making us wish there were more pictures in CJ.

This issue also features an article, "Standing in for the Little Guy," on how to use your Squats in the new 3rd edition of Warhammer 40K by Jervis Johnson (p. 20-21).Johnson begins by noting there has been much questioning of the absence of the Squats in 40K 3rd ed.

As we have seen in other discussions of the Squats, the decision to discontinue the army was a process that took place over several years, and not an abrupt chuck in the rubbish bin in 1994, as some Elf-Friends would have you believe.

JJ explains that the GW development teams come up with a lot of ideas that vary in quality or usefulness, and, of course, not all can lead to finished products. According to Johnson, the creative teams at GW in the mid 1990s felt that the Squats were not as good an army as others, due to the well-known “silly name” and “greasy bikers are dumb” beliefs of a number of the decision-makers.

So, Johnson explained, “after literally years of trying to with a way of making them more interesting, none of which have worked, we've decided to retire them from the game. In the future we want to return to the Squats, but whatever we do will be radically different to what has gone on before (and they'll be called something other than Squats to boot!).” (p. 20)

Since Johnson is writing this in mid 1999, and says the revitalizing of the Squats is being put off for the future, and the Demiurg appear in White Dwarf 241 just a few months later, it seems unlikely that the Demiurg are the “return to the Squats” that Johnson is referring to.

But our Squats are not useless, and Johnson suggests using them in the “counts as” manner as having the units and stats of an existing army.

First, JJ suggests creating Squat Imperial Guard regiments. The story behind this “counts as” variant is that almost all of the Squat Homeworlds have been incorporated into the Imperium and partially colonized by humans. These worlds then contribute their meat-tithe to the Guard in the usual manner, just some are short and hairy. In this scenario, Johnson envisions mixed Human & Squat Imperial Guard armies as well as all-Squat variants. As the average Guardsman has a lower Leadership value than the Squats had, Johnson recommends attributing this to feeling bad about being conquered.

In a second variation, Johnson proposes using the Orks army list for Renegade Squat forces, battling for freedom and gold. Their zeal for independence is said to account for the increase in Toughness, while the poor BS is due to lack of proper ability to maintain their weaponry in the GRIMDARK space they live in.

And the Squat army pictured for the article includes an *Ambull*.

“Tank Shock!” provides unofficial rules for Imperial Guard super-heavy tanks includes black & white photos and an illustration of the mad author's 40K-scale Leviathan (p. 44-45). He fails to attribute the development of the Leviathan to the Squats. We will forgive Mr Thompson's oversight because he made the cargo bay of the Leviathan fully functional instead of a static slab of plasticard.

*****

Citadel Journal 34 (Early Fall 99): none

*****

Citadel Journal 35 (Late Fall 99)

An advertisement for Gang War issue 4 promotes Squat content “'Hi-Ho' Squat Miner gangs are digging around the Underhive in search valuable ores and precious Archaeotech and bring some strange new weapons and equipment to the fray.” (p. 35)

*****

Citadel Journal 36 (Winter 2000, WD 240)

The Imperial Leviathan, of Squat origin, is featured in an article on super heavy vehicles in 40K, mostly the new Forge World Baneblade (p. 33-39). Henceforth, we will ignore references to the Squat-Sourced Leviathan, as it grows tiresome, and there never has, nor likely will ever be, a 40K model. Or Epic.

*****

Citadel Journal 37 (Early Spring 00)

Another reader letter asking about the Squats: “Everyone loves these beer swilling stunties. Who else to help the Imperium against the alien scum of the universe?”

This is met with the now-familiar editorial dismissal: “Somebody with a less silly name?”

Attention Games Workshop Workers: If yu fink itz funnie ter maek Orkz spel rong yu shudn't critterize anniboddies namz. Den dere's Bludd Bole. Dem Fancy Fangy gitz an Mummies playin ball wit walkin Treez and Ratlings. Droopy-titty Orky cheeerleeederz an chainsoard loonies. Sillie allaround.

Issue 37 is also the first to leave “Squats” off the list of trademarks in GW's little IP notice. Used to be between Squigs and Spyrers. Squigs. Not a silly name there, no sir.

But seriously: Despite the most effusive goodwill expressed toward the Squats by Jervis Johnson over the years, there must have been a contingent of creative types in GW that burned with a hatred for the Squats.

*****

Citadel Journal 38 (Late Spring 00): none

*****

With this issue Citadel Journal changes to the B6 / comic book size it will wear until its end.

Citadel Journal 39 (Early Summer 00)

Jervis Johnson takes over the CJ, and the not-40K or WFB games are grouped into the Fanatic Games division, and each is given its own magazine. The tree of GW subdivisions is in full bloom, and in addition to Games Workshop and Citadel Miniatures, we also now have Forge World for resin models, the Black Library for fiction, and Fanatic Games for things not-White-Dwarfable.

The excellent miniature sculpturing work of Igor Karpov from Russia is featured. Among other original epoxy sculpts, Karpov says he has made “several Squat warriors.. .based on sketches in the 1994 Annual and back issues of White Dwarf magazine” in response to the lack of 40K Squats from Citadel. Unfortunately, the Squats are not among the minis shown in the article. (p. 14-16)

Ye Olde Maile-Bagge features an analysis of the use of allies in 40K from the Ork's point-of-view (p. 39-40). Warlord Ug Urderub quite correctly reports that the Squats will not ally with Orks for any purposes.

*****

Citadel Journal 40 (Late Summer 00): none

*****

Citadel Journal 41 (Early Fall 00)

Just a reader, mentioning re-organizing his Squats army in sadness, on his way to being distracted by Imperial Assassins (p. 34).

*****

Citadel Journal 42 (Late Fall 00): none

*****

Citadel Journal 43 (End of 2000)

This issue announces a new direction toward 40K and WFB content that is more specialized than the White Dwarf fare (i.e. expensive Forge World and conversion packages, and old ranges with new rules and prices).

Squats in the Mailbag again (p. 44-45). This time, a reader asks for re-release of the old Epic infantry sprues, specifically asking “I would like to see the Squat sprues re-released, also the Eldar sprues, my tanks all have the old design...”

The editorial response is interesting: “The Infantry sprues are also back in stock and if you live in the UK you can now pick then up for the ultra-low price of £1.50 per stand.”

This response indicates that the Epic Squat sprues were made available at this time for use with the new Epic 40,000 rules (the Squats army list having been published in Citadel Journal 20 and republished in Epic: Firepower 1).

*****

Citadel Journal 44 (Winter 2001, WD 252): none

*****

Citadel Journal 45 (Spring 01)

One last visit into the Mailbag. Our loyal Warhammer fan suggests some articles on Fimir, Zoats, etc., and then “Note I've not mentioned Squats...which I've just done” (p. 32)

*****

Citadel Journal 46 (Summer 01): none

Citadel Journal 47 (Fall 01): none

Citadel Journal 48 (Winter 2002, WD 266): none

Citadel Journal 49 (Spring 02): none

*****

Citadel Journal 50 (Summer 02)

Warwick Kinrade mentions the Squats “Counts As” article from issue 33 as one of his favorite articles (p. 7).

While they were banned from White Dwarf in 1999, the Citadel Journal provided a warm refuge for the Squats until 2002.

*****

Troll had 80 issues published from January 1998 (White Dwarf 216) and October 2004 (White Dwarf 297). Troll was a supplement that was sent to White Dwarf subscribers in the US and Canada, usually 8 or so black and white pages, but some issues were much larger with color pictures. Troll also occasionally featured conversion kits along with stats for using them, as well as offering some limited release miniatures.

Despite its main mission of selling old range miniatures, Troll magazine was a Squat-Free Zone, with the exception of Issue 7, which offered the Epic-scale Thunderfire for use with the Bommerz at da Sulfur River air-combat board game.

Chaos Commissars for Khorne: Your Living Ancestors Have a Dark Secret

Today the Commissars for the Hungry Ghosts make their appearance; Commissar Ob Dniepr on the left, Commissar Amur Yenesei on the right. As the Hungry Ghosts are Undead, of the Revenant Berzerker strain, the notion of Living Ancestors was philosophically challenging. But Christmas is coming up, and the urge to paint some Squats like Nazi Santas was overwhelming.

I decided to make these Commissars look very similar, in contrast to most of the army, since they will need to be noticeable in the field in their assigned squads. I also went with a starker color scheme of the Black-Red-Metal typical of Khorne, with white to indicate their age and authority. In Hungry Ghosts fluff, their red skin is a gift from Khorne for their long and glorious service, making them look more like His daemons. They also have Skull-headed ornaments attached to their right ears, just like those of famous ally-slayer Kharn the Betrayer. Exactly like them.

Here is a closer view at Cmsr Yenesei. Both Commissars were given Plasma Pistol, the version from the 40k 2nd edition Chaos Marines Close Combat Weapons sprue. The Plasma Pistols have been painted to contrast with the heads of the Squats: they are white at the top/back and red at the bottom/front. Both pistols have Space Wolf Tails attached as trophies (and to fill some of the negative space these minis have).

To emphasize his authority, Commissar Yenesei has a severed Squat hand laying at his feet, painted to blend with Yenesei's metal areas.

Both Living Ancestors were sculpted with large metal ring collars to indicate their high status. These were made bigger and spikier, in accordance with Khorne's commands. The thicker spiked ridge is from the 40K Ork Boyz sprue, while the more delicate one is from the Space Marine Commander sprue (with the middle part cut out).

To go along with all the other spikes and curved parts of this mini, the Commissars were given a symbol a wolf on their capes, from the WFB Knights of the White Wolf sprue. The Living Ancestor minis were not sculpted with interesting backs, so the Wolf Symbols and the Spiked Collars work well to add needed detail consistent with their Chaotic allegiance. These Hungry Ghosts with the Wolf symbols are also designed to cause Duran Duran to sap the opponent's valuable attentional resources.

Here is Commissar Dniepr from his left side. To distinguish him from Yenesei, Cmsr Dniepr's thin spikes are positioned above the head, more like a crown than a collar.

Commissar Dniepr also has his Wolf Tail at the trailing end of a chain, this time a metal bit, part of the Chains from the first version Dark Eldar Jetbike. Overall, the Commissars are accessorized to display their ferocious canine aspects.

This Commissar holds the Power Stick, so long thin cylindrical forms were needed for his accessories. Along with the chain, a broken piece of Imperial Tank was used to counterbalance the Power Stick; tilting forward on the right while the Stick tilts backward on the left. (Yenesei has a zig-zag appearance to match his Power Sword.)

It was fun to use such as stark color range with these fellows. And while GW's Dwarfs have never been known for their legs, these Commissars look like floating heads with their bulky beard covered bellies and giant collars, while their legs fade into the black landscape.

It's Fluff Season in Illinois!
http://tiny.cc/nus88

Squats in White Dwarf 1996-2000, Historia Squataticus Volume 3

This is the third half of my adventure through the volumes of White Dwarfs to record the great achievements of the might Squat race. Like many third halves, it arrived like a Vorpal Kitten: Great fun, but completely unexpected.

The first two halves of the Historia Squataticus were based on some notes I had taken on the side about 5 years ago, while primarily looking through my White Dwarfs for Eldar material. I stopped at about issue 200 because there were no new articles with the Squats in a leading role since issue 190, and no new Squats minis since the Thunderfire for Epic. I was not yet fully possessed with the Chaos Squats Fever and did not take the time to look beyond the headline for additional writings about the Squats.

Knowing this, for Historia Squataticus Vols 1 & 2 I looked through each White Dwarf anew, for discussion or artwork involving the Squats in articles not directly about them. So Gavin Thorpe's article in WD 191 stating that the Squats were the creators of most of the Epic Ordinatus War Machines came as much as a surprise to me as to you.

This of course means that the review must continue beyond 1995's issues of White Dwarf, for completeness and because there are still important unanswered questions. When was the final appearance of the Squats in White Dwarf? From whence did the “Eaten by Tyranids” myth arise? Is a silly name such a handicap? Will Gavin Thorpe's contradictory claims about the Squats leave him in the Book of Grudges?

Part 9: Squats Fade to Black, 1996-1998

While we have pleasantly re-discovered that the written life of the Squats continued in the pages of White Dwarf long after the production of new 40K Squats models was halted. But they appeared under the names of other forces, and were declared to be Innovators and Engineers for the Adeptus Mechanicus and The Cult of The Machine God. Squats also continued their trigger-happy thousand-year march under the banner of the Eight-Pointed Star with Bolters (and worse) eternally ready for action.

But we also know that the AM Ordinatus War Machines were the last models released by Games Workshop for the Epic Space Marine/Titan Legions 2nd Edition rules. Due to the termination of this iteration of ESM, there were several planned models were not put into general release, most prominently the long awaited Eldar Exodites.

The 3rd Edition of Epic, now named Epic 40,000, would introduce many new miniatures, replacing nearly all of the previous models and infantry sprues in the late 1990s. These minis made each Epic Armies have more unified appearance, and more similar in appearance to the Warhammer 40K vehicles available at the time and those that would come. The new Chaos sprue did not include Chaos Squats.

These will be rough years for the Squats, and our best hope for their survival is in the flacts of 40K articles about other races and armies, and defiant Golden Demon entries. But that is small beer indeed.


White Dwarf 193 (February 1996) (there was no North American WD dated January 1996)
p. 73-77: “Unsung Heroes” Infantry Tactics for Epic by Adrian Wood, including Squats. Properly notes that Squat Thunderers are the best Heavy Infantry.
***

White Dwarf 194 (March 1996)
p. 39-43: “Converting The Mighty Abominatus, Chaos Lord Titan of Khorne”. Bow before the Blood God Made Metal! Adrian Wood's army features many converted Titans of Khorne (built and maintained by Chaos Squats), and legions of Squat troopers at their feet.

p. 83: Squat-manufactured Leviathan shown under Imperial command against Tyranids.
***

White Dwarf 195 (April 1996)
p. 69: Games Day Epic Mass Battle invites players to “bring one Titan or Squat super heavy vehicle”
***

White Dwarf 196 (May 1996)
p. 29: Games Day Epic Mass Battle invites players to “bring one Titan or Squat super heavy vehicle”
***

White Dwarf 197 (June1996)
p. 39: Hurrmm... “Many Imperial anthropologists and religious researchers have put forward the theory that the Ratskins are descended from the original Adeptus Mechanicus who colonized Necromunda.”

Soo.. some human homeworlds emerge from the anthropocentric Dark Age of Technology and Age of Strife with a superior physique and an advanced technology, go on to supply the Imperium with the critical technology and the blood of many battle-brothers to allow it to survive the Horus Heresy and a thousand thousand Waaaghs, and get declared “silly.” Others emerge living and dressing like Skaven and are somehow “cool”. Book of Grudges for you, Ratskins Gang. Book of Grudges.

p. 94-107: “Reign of Fire” Epic 40,000 battle report using new objectives rules (Greenskins vs Red Smurfs). Picture for Rescue objective shows a Squat Colossus (p. 94)
***

White Dwarf 198 (July 1996)
p. 55-59: Necromunda Scavvies, Scalies, Pit Zombies rules by Andy Chambers, 'Eavy Metal pictures of same and Pit Slaves.

“The most common Human sub-species in the Imperium are the abhuman races of Ogryns, Ratlings, and Squats [as if a Squat would mate with aught but another Squat]. The Scalies are another such sub-species.” (p. 57) Scavvies and Scalies, and the Squats cry “who has the silly name?” into the Ash Wastes...
***

White Dwarf 199 (August 1996)
p. 10-19: Introduction of the 2nd Ed 40K Chaos Codex, in which the Chaos Gods were considered to be of differing power, with Khorne the most powerful, then Tzeentch, Nurgle, and finally Slaanesh. (p. 14)

Also nicely converted World Eaters Marines from Fred Marcarini's army (p. 26-7), and introduction to Abaddon the Despoiler (fluff & stats, p. 69-72), but no Squats (but we know who is engineering the Titans of the Black Crusades).
***

White Dwarf 200 (September 1996)
p. 21-25: “Faith in the Emperor” 40K article about designing armies with fluff in mind, p. 22 has John Blanche illustration on Inquisitor with a (probably) Squat Servitor

p. 78: Squat Cyclops by Shawn Gleason, 3rd place for Epic Titans Category
***

White Dwarf 201 (October 1996): Khârn the Betrayer Arrives, but no Chaos Squats follow him. Too fat of foot.
***

White Dwarf 202 (November 1996)
p. 5: News that Epic Space Marine/Titan Legions and their supplements will be removed from shelves on 30 Sept 1996, in anticipation of new rules and miniatures releases. It is not clear whether the existing Epic models were removed from circulation as well. This may be the date when sale of the Epic Squats line was ended, or perhaps removed to Mail Order only.
***

White Dwarf 203 (December 1996): None. Note that by this time the NA and UK White Dwarfs have become out of sync by a month. I'm not sure when it started, but my copy of 203 is the UK edition and dated November, same as the NA issue 202. All dates used have been, and will continue to be, the North America publication dates after the NA/UK date-disturbance.
***

White Dwarf 204 (January 1997)
p. 89 Index Astartes (of WD articles) includes Squats in Epic category (for Cyclops in WD 170)
***

White Dwarf 205 (February 1997): None
***

White Dwarf 206 (March 1997)
p. 23-27: “Small is Beautiful” by Adrian Wood, about small battles in 40K, p. 27 refers to battling Nick Davis's Squats.
***

White Dwarf 207 (April 1997)
p. 66: Epic 40,000 introductory article mentions Squat Army in previous edition of Epic
***

White Dwarf 208 (May 1997)
p. 8-15: Second Epic 40,000 introductory article points out that Rules Books in boxed set contain all the army lists for all of the races in this edition; planned are Chaos, Eldar, Imperial, Orks, and Tyranids. While we all know that GW's palantiri show things as they will be, might be, or may have been, but nonetheless this casts a Great Maw shaped-shadow over the Land Train depot.

p. 117: Epic Battle Report refers to Leviathan, but as an Imperial vehicle. The Shadow Grows.
***

White Dwarf 209 (June 1997)
p. 57: The Emperor's propagandists once again claim the Leviathan as an Imperial Guard vehicle.
***

White Dwarf 210 (July 1997)
p. 108: Bitz and Archive minis now available in North America, making Squats easier to get there
***

White Dwarf 211 (August 1997): None
***
White Dwarf 212 (September 1997): None.
***
White Dwarf 213 (October 1997): None
***
White Dwarf 214 (November 1997): None
***

White Dwarf 215 (December 1997)
p. 61: Squat Thudd Gun shown in the collection of Master Model-Maker Dave Andrews. Dave Andrews has been an inspiration to Hungry Ghosts through his many excellent dioramas and hundreds of expertly converted miniatures; a man who makes full use of the Citadel bitz catalogs and beyond.

***
A Decade in the GRIMDARK Future

We are now approximately 10 years after the release of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader and Epic-scale 40K. This is a shameful period of decadent barbarism for Games Workshop: Warhammer 40K 2nd edition comes with the foul Orks. Epic 40,000 comes with the vile Greenskins. And GorkaMorka spews forth, allowing the GW staff to revel in the Orky orgy of destruction of self-destruction and their shamefully barbaric attempts at engineering war machines. The corrupt Ork-fever even leads to the creation of a gang of humans who worship Orks as their technological and cultural superiors (the Diggas).

Table 37: Imperials and Eldar Welcome Orks as Allies but Not Squats!

Much is made of the Infamous Red Period of the early 1990s, but less is said about this Ork-Dominated Great Green Period that followed in the later 1990s. In addition to the growing hordes of Orks in every game possible, the 40K and Epic table-tops have become traffic-snarled pits of green Imperial Guard tanks and infantry in sensible camouflage patterns. The Great Green Period also featured a Bad Moon Nob's Teef number of Dark Angels Space Marines articles. A pox-wagon full of Nurgle followers (Great Unclean One, Plaguebearers, Nurglings, Plague Marines) would start off the redesign of the Chaos Daemons. The 40K and Epic Leaf-Muncher studio armies are painted in the green and white colors of Biel-Tan. Meanwhile in the new WFB 5th edition, the Old World is dominated by Lizardmen and lush jungle terrain.

There may have been some Bretonnians as well, but they dress like Harlequins and are not to be taken seriously. Nor was WFB 5th edition, which would soon be replaced with a 6th edition set featuring Orcs. Later, a 7th edition would be released featuring Goblins. And then those awesome Jungle Trees appeared in the Warhammer 40K 3rd Edition boxed set....

During the Great Green Period, even GW Staff wore GorkaMorka Green Shirts!

***

White Dwarf 216 (January 1998): None
***

White Dwarf 217 (February 1998):

p. 2: Editor's Soapbox reports that “What's happening with the Squats?” was the most common concern from meetings with US retailers. No response is given, report moves to other topics.
***

White Dwarf 218 (March 1998): None
***
White Dwarf 219 (April 1998): None
***
White Dwarf 220 (May 1998): None
***
White Dwarf 221 (June 1998): None
***
White Dwarf 222 (July 1998): None
***

White Dwarf 223 (August 1998)
p. 56: The Chaos Army arrives for Epic 40,000 with a new improved sprue of daemons and marines. Sadly, Chaos Squats were not on the sprue, and designers Tim Adcock and Aly Morrison are treading dangerously close to occupancy in The Book of Grudges. Yes, they had to get rid of the Space Trolls with Warp Clubs and the Warp Minotaurs with Space Axes on the old sprue, but bearded berzerkers with bolters and beer are beneficial on any battlefield.
***

White Dwarf 224 (September 1998)
p. 72-75: “Lords of Battle: Titan Tactics for the 41st Millenium” by Iain Compton. Mr Compton's article reflects the power of the Great Green Period by focusing on Orks, Imperials, and Eldar, all of whom use much green on their titans. So great is the pull of the Great Green Period at this time that Mr Compton reports that only Imperials and Orks build Imperator-size Titans, a claim demonstrated to be false by the presence of the mighty Abominatus of Khorne shown on page 101 of this very issue.

p. 100-101: Adrian Wood's Epic Khorne Titan Army from WD 194 reappears in ad for Epic Titan Bitz. Chaos Squat Troopers may be seen providing infantry support.
***

White Dwarf 225 (October 1998): None
***

Part 10: Welcome to the Memory Hole, 1998- 2000.

White Dwarf 226 (November 1998)
p. 12-37 : Warhammer 40K 3rd Edition is released in time for Christmas, a time when we gather in our torture chambers to worship sadistic pointy ear bastard races, as we have done for centuries past.

That was a joke. This is not a joke:
“The new Warhammer 40,000 book includes full army lists for all of the major armies – Space Marines, Eldar, Dark Eldar, Imperial Guard, Chaos Space Marines, Orks, Tyranids, Sisters of Battle, and Heroes of the Imperium [i.e., the freak show that became the Witch Hunters/Daemon Hunters in the early 2000s]” (p. 14)

Here the Dark Eldar are instantly invoked as a “major army” while Squats are erased from existence by GW's Thought Police. This Newspeak tidbit would earn GW the scorn of both Squats enthusiasts and Dark Eldar freaks, who would have to twist and writhe for over a decade before the next codex for their so-called major race.

To twist the truth further: “Now I can't guarantee that someone, somewhere won't have a specially converted Aspiring Champion of Khorne riding a unicycle with a warp banner that they can't use in the new lists, but 99% of the miniatures people have already collected will still be useable.” (p. 14)

Here we have a straw-man argument, one which manages to fall into both the class of “damn lies” and “statistics” in the “there are lies, damn lies, and statistics” scale of truthiness. Aside from the Squats, and many of the Chaos Renegades and Champions alleged otherwise right above, no longer useable miniatures would include Eldar Harlequins, Exodites, and Guardians armed with las weapons. No longer useable would be the many Imperial Army troopers and Space Marines with exotic weaponry (Webbers!) or vehicles (Imperial Jetbikes!). Also killed was the diverse bloody toothy froth that was Orky Kultcha....hundreds of miniatures released before 1991 were rendered useless.

Such is the Price we pay for “4 Complete Jungle Trees.”

The smoke-and-mirrors show continues as Andy Chambers shows us how easy it will be to tweak existing armies for 3rd Edition by using his Blood Angels (p. 20-21). A non-challenge in a game molded around maintaining Space Marine Fever, further eased by the fact that the 3rd Ed Blood Angels Codex was already pretty much done at the time. (p.27)

At least on p. 32 Jes Goodwin admits that the 2nd edition plastic Space Marines were terrible.
***

White Dwarf 227 (December 1998): None
***

White Dwarf 228 (January 1999)
p. 87: 40K 3rd Ed Questions & Answers reveals the great length to which GW would stretch its Myth of Model Usability put forth in issue 226:

Q: “In spite of reassurances that old armies would be compatible with new 40K, I've discovered that my Eldar Guardians can no longer have lasguns. Do I need to change their weapons to shuriken catapults?”

A: “Obviously you're confusing the alternative pattern shuriken catapults which have long been misidentified as lasguns by Imperial scholars. While the weapons carried by some Eldar Guardians bear some superficial resemblance to Imperial lasguns, closer examination reveals a number of differences... etc, etc. Just as with the power swords question above, it's not really necessary to change your models, simply make it clear what's going on at the start of the game. Of course since all Guardians use shurikens these days, there's nothing for the opponent to get confused about.”

The “I can't use my power swords and axes” problem was resolved with a recommendation to re-paint them as normal swords and axes or tell your opponent to ignore their high-tech appearance. The “what happened to Ork Clans?” concern was dismissed by saying you can paint your Orks whatever color you want but they will all be the same in game terms.

In the new Millennium, only the color of Space Marines would matter.

***

White Dwarf 229 (February 1999): None
***
White Dwarf 230 (March 1999): None
***
White Dwarf 231 (April 1999): None
***
White Dwarf 232 (May 1999): None
***
White Dwarf 233 (June 1999): None
***
White Dwarf 234 (July 1999): None?
It seems that I somehow have the southern hemisphere's version of White Dwarf 234. It contains substantial local material, including an excellent highly converted and diverse World Eaters Army belonging to Ian Dearie of the Perth region. But no Squats here, and probably not in any other versions of WD 234.
***
White Dwarf 235 (August 1999): None
***
White Dwarf 236 (September 1999): None
***
White Dwarf 237 (October 1999): None
***
White Dwarf 238 (November 1999): None
***
White Dwarf 239 (December 1999): None.
***

White Dwarf 240 (January 2000)

This is the issue that spawned forth the lies about the extinction of the Squats, in the Mailbox page (p. 97). The letter and response are below.

Letter from Concerned Squats Commander:

“WE WANT SQUATS!
Sorry, I just assumed this was how most people have been reacting since the Squats were dropped from the 40K universe. This race was the reason I joined the Games Workshop family in the first place. If I was so impatient back in mid-2nd edition and started collecting my second choice army (Space Marines), I would have quickly lost interest and never became the obsessed freak over the game that I am today.

The history and characteristics of the Squats are interesting and unique in the 40K universe. In the 2nd edition rules they were a mix of Orks, Imperial Guard, and Space Marines... with a grudge! The honor, toughness, and excellent weaponry (I would have loved to see a Mole Mortar in action) were the big draws to this under-appreciated army. Also, something very cool about the 40K universe was the fact that it was a sci-fi mirror of the Fantasy world. Nearly every race from Fantasy had its high-tech cousins represented in the 'far, distant future', and that's how the people liked it! Would you even consider robbing the Fantasy world of Dwarfs. With their wonderful weapons and bitter-sweet rivalry with the Elves? I don't think so! Nor should we players of 40K have to do without. Just the humble opinion of one dedicated fan. Tim Gutierrez”

Response from Games Workshop:

“Would you believe they were all eaten by the Tyranid invasion? Or, due to the Squats biker life style, everyone of the was arrested for disturbing the peace and sacrificed to the Emperor. Where do you think they get all of those souls anyway? All kidding aside, it doesn't seem likely the Squats will ever again see the light of day. When they were out they never seemed very popular, showed up at our stores, or tournaments, and didn't sell on top of all that [Note that this claim is directly contradicted by Jervis Johnson in 2002]. Their look was really outdated compared to the hundreds of other great Warhammer 40,000 models. Don't send us hate mail, it's just the cold hard facts of the 41st Millennium.”

Commentary from Hungry Ghosts:

Would you believe you sound like a huge dick? All kidding aside, this is a flippant and disrespectful response to a devoted and enthusiastic customer about a favorite product. Comments like this are why there is so much Internet Hate for Games Workshop.

But let's make it clear: the “Eaten by Tyranids” comment is not Warhammer 40K Canon. It is just an asinine comment by an unidentified GW employee who does not understand:
1. Squats (very few of them have a Biker lifestyle, and the comment about the lifestyle is insulting to actual real world human bikers),
2. GW's business (Squats were not selling poorly),
3. or customer service (the sarcastic tone of the response).

Let us also make it clear: Based on our source above, there is an equal chance that “The Emperor Ate All The Squats” as “The Tyranids Ate All The Squats”.

***

Conclusions for Volume 3

Just a month before the Squats letter, WD issue 239's Mailbox page provided a terse, no-explanation notice that GW were no longer actively developing the Gorkamorka or Epic 40,000 games (p. 30, poor little games didn't even make it to 3 years old).

At this point, GW says they are redirecting their energies to developing their Black Library literary products (p. 27-29), the burnt ruins of Mordheim and the blackened pages of its Town Cryer (with a 26 page pull out in WD 239), and the blackness of space with the recently-released Battlefleet Gothic game. A new Black Age for both the colors of GW's upcoming products and for the fans of those games swept aside.

Comments like those in WD 239 and 240, combined with the lies and back-peddling about just how many models would remain useable in 40K 3rd Edition armies in earlier issues are not acceptable business behavior. It seems at this point, Games Workshop has lost the distinction between Fiction and Lies.

With this disgusting slaughter of miniatures and their mythos, we will stop to mourn, and to fill the pages of the Book of Grudges. Then the sharpening of Axes.

Thus ends the Great Green Period. Now comes the Black Age of the New Millenium.

Squats in White Dwarf 1992-1995, Historia Squataticus Volume 2

Here we have the Second Half of our investigation of Squats in the pages of White Dwarf.

Part 5: The Second Epic Explosion of the Squats Army, 1992-1993.

This period sees the flowering of the Epic Squats Army as a unique force, rather than a sprue with access to Imperial equipment. The Epic game was reorganized with the publishing of a collection of earlier White Dwarf articles and the Epic Space Marine boxed set, which focused on infantry, transports, and tanks. This set contained new rules, and sprues for basic infantry and tanks/transports for Space Marines, Eldar, and Orks.

The development of the Epic Squats Army, like the other Armies, continued in the pages of White Dwarf, and as part of a series of rules supplements containing counters and cards for two armies in each box (SM & IG, Eldar & Chaos, Orks & Squats) for the new vehicles and big guns produced for the Squats.

Given all the attention paid to developing the Dwarfs and Chaos Dwarfs for their other games, a new round of 40K was still in the plans at this time, in the “once we've made it through all the other games” stage. But GW was a gushing torrent of different ways to play with their core creatures & mythos, seeming to be trying to include every type of setting (fantasy, sci-fi, naval, outerspace, football, etc.) and every type of gaming (board, solo, tiles, minis, etc.).


White Dwarf 150 (June 1992)
Back Inside Cover: Painted Mole in ad for Epic Battle Paint Set

Back Cover: Epic Battle Scene Orks assault Squat Stronghold
***

White Dwarf 151 (July 1992) Cover Art from Ork & Squat Warlords Supplement
p. 38-49: “Mekboyz and Squats” for Epic Space Marine by Andy Chambers, Squats content below.
p.41: Template for Land Train Dragon Firethrower
45-48: Fluff, Rules, Stat Cards, and for Epic Land Trains and Iron Eagle Gyrocopters by Andy Chambers p. 47: A mighty Squat Land Train forges into attacking Evil Sunz Orks, B/W art by John Blanche (full illustration of picture on Land Train card)

p. 50-53: Squat Land Trains, plastic Infantry & Support Units ('Eavy Metal, by Tim Prow)
“Each carriage of the Land Train is dedicated to one of the revered Squat ancestors...” “Banners form a very important part of Squat Tradition. The large banners on the Land Trains show the most revered ancestors of a particular stronghold while the pennants display runic slogans.” (p. 53)

p. 54: Ork and Squat Warlords Supplement for Epic Space Marine (Color Ad £12.99)

p. 59-61, 64-65, 68-69: Battle for Armageddon: The Chaos Wars- additional Chaos counters and cards, including Nurgle Chaos Squat units, for BfA boardgame by Jervis Johnson

p. 78: B/W Catalog Page for Land Train Engine (angled prow), Battlecar Chassis (thick section at rear), and all 4 Battlecar weapons (Berserker, Dragon, Bomb, Mortar (designed by Norman Swales, 4.99 for Engine & Car, 1.75 per Car)
***

White Dwarf 152 (August 1992)
p. 3: Converted Squat Adventurer (SmurfHat) by Massimo Colombari ('Eavy Metal)

p. 40-42: Epic Battle Scenes of Chaos army attacking Squat Stronghold (scratchbuilt from polystyrene and cardstock, painted mountains in background), Modelling Workshop Hills and Woods article and terrain by Adrian Wild.

p. 78: B/W Catalog Page for New Releases-Land Train (Train & Car £4.99, £1.75), Colossus with Iron Eagle Gyrocopter (£7.99, £1.75 for Gyro) (designed by Norman Swales)
***

White Dwarf 153 (September 1992)
p. 2: notice that Agmat is the official importer and translators for GW in France. Agmat produced a rare alternate version of the Thudd Gun (notice is in French)
http://collecting-citadel-miniatures.com/wiki/index.php/Image:Limited_Release_-_Imperium_Imperial_Thudd_Gun.jpg

p. 11: Squat Epic War Machines- Colossus, Goliath, Iron Eagle, Overlord, Infantry ('Eavy Metal)
“The Guild of Engineers is a powerful part of Squat society. It knowledge and experience in the art [of] mechanical construction is legendary.”

p. 32: Ork and Squat Warlords Supplement for Epic Space Marine (Color Ad, £12.99)

p. 74-75: B/W Catalog Pages for Land Train (Train & Car £4.99, Car £1.75), Colossus with Iron Eagle Gyrocopter (£7.99, Gyro £1.35), Goliath Mega-Cannon £3.99), Overlord Airship (£3.99)
***

White Dwarf 154 (October 1992)
p. 34-50: Epic Battle Report: Battle for Golgotha Squats vs Orks, Johnson vs Chambers.
Squats led by Commissar Yarrick, many Battle Scenes, recycled art, B/W Illustration of 2nd Ed Squat on p. 49, Squat Army deal for £51.90 on p. 69

p. 71: B/W Catalog Page for Goliath, Overlord, with Mark Gibbons pencil art Squat Infantry (in gear similar to the few 2nd Edition Squats) vs World Eaters, dated 1992.
p. 72: B/W Catalog Page for Land Train, Colossus, Gyrocopter (same prices as WD 153)
***

White Dwarf 155 (November 1993): None
***
White Dwarf 156 (December 1993): None
***

White Dwarf 157 (January 1993)
Front Inside Cover: An Epic Eldar Force Launches an Atttack Against a Squat Stronghold
***

White Dwarf 158 (February 1993): None

White Dwarf 159 (March 1993): None
***

White Dwarf 160 (April 1993)
p. 72: B/W Catalog Page for Leviathan
***

White Dwarf 161 (May 1993)
p. 11-21: Chaos Dwarfs Blast Forth from The Dark Lands and Dominate White Dwarf for 1993!
“The gates [of Zharr-Naggrund] are almost as high as the walls and massive beyond any obvious need.” (p. 13)

Center Insert: supplemental Warmaster rules & counters for use with Horus Heresy boardgame, includes a Chaos Squat squad.

p. 59: Vikas Ingram and plastic Squat with Helmet head in 'Eavy Metal Painting Guide
***

White Dwarf 162 (June 1993) p. 17-20: Tyranid Attack Dreadnoughts by Jervis Johnson
“Relatively few [Chaos Dreadnoughts] survive and they are carefully maintained and repaired by Chaos Dwarfs artificers”

p. 44: Squats Warriors & Chaos Horde Epic Boxed Sets (Color Ad for small version, $12.99)
Squat Warriors has 20 Bikes, 5 Guild Weapon Teams, 5 Thudd Guns, 5 Mole Mortars, 130 Infantry; Chaos Horde has 105 Chaos Infantry (incl Chaos Squats), 30 Riding Beasts, 10 Minotaurs, 10 Trolls
***

White Dwarf 163 (July 1993)
p. 2: News including picture of prototype of Banelord Titan, text saying Leviathan variants are being worked on.

p. 9: New pewter range for North America, blister of 2 Squats $4.99, 2 bikes $9.99, 2 Heavy Weapons $5.99

p. 48: Squats Warriors & Chaos Horde Epic Boxed Sets (Color Ad for small version)
***

White Dwarf 164 (August 1993)
Front Inside Cover: Chaos Squats in Epic Host of Khorne ('Eavy Metal)

p. 84-end: B/W Catalog Pages for entire Epic line, including Squats, Tunnelers, Chaos Engines and Titans
***

Part 6: The Last Chance for New Squats in Warhammer 40K, 1993-4.

Warhammer 40K 2nd edition was released in the Autumn of 1993. This basic rules set contained “get-you-by-until-a-Codex-is-published” army lists for the various forces, including Squats. However, while the other armies got their codex and promotion in White Dwarf, the Squats were on the sideline waiting for development. Squats received some attention in the Dark Millenium supplement, but did not develop further as a 40K army.

Attempts at development of new 40K Squats resulted in the creation of at least 8 new Squats (3 Champions, 3 Berserkers, 1 Exo-Armor, and 1 Trooper). These were very briefly available, but the Squats never received a 2nd Edition Codex.

White Dwarf 165 (September 1993): None
***
White Dwarf 166 (October 1993): None
***
White Dwarf 167 (December 1993)): None
***

White Dwarf 168 (December 1993)
p. 40-44: Warhammer 40K Assault Squads by Andy Chambers. “All Squats are excellent hand to hand combat troops by nature.” (p. 40)
***

White Dwarf 169 (January 1994)
p. 11: 'Eavy Metal Painting Guide to include pages for Squats.
***

White Dwarf 170 (February 1994)
p. 3: Squat Cyclops (Color Ad, New Release $14.99)
“Armed with the Hellfury Cannon, the Cyclops is able to pulverize even the largest of Titans into bubbling piles of slag.”

p. 5-8: Squat Psyker Powers briefly discussed in intro to Dark Millenium Andy Chambers

p. 11-13: Squat Cyclops rules & pictures (by Chambers & Thorpe). Includes Mark Gibbons pencil art Squat Infantry (in gear similar to the few 2nd Edition Squats)vs World Eaters, dated 1992.

p. 39-45: Epic Eldar Tactics by Mark Watts, p. 45 Battle scene with Leviathan under Imperial command against Eldar.
“Squats are particularly difficult opponents as they have lots of firepower (greater to some extent than the Imperial Guard), good mobility and reasonably good close combat abilities plus a very high breakpoint.” (p. 45)
***

White Dwarf 171 (March 1994)
p. 7-11: Squat Psyker Powers briefly discussed in intro to Dark Millenium Andy Chambers, on p. 11 with Ink & Wash ill. of Squat Leader by John Blanche. Illustration is likely for 2nd Ed Squat design development.

p. 25-35: Epic Chaos Tactics by Mark Watts, many pictures and illustrations. p. 26 shows Squats defending stronghold from Chaos.
“One of the races where many of their number fell prey to the temptations of Chaos were the Squats. The twisted brethren of this noble race are responsible for constructing many of the special weapons and war machines that feature so strongly in all Chaos armies. On the battlefield Chaos Squats fight with great ferocity, favouring, like their still loyal brothers, the use of heavy weapons to eliminate their foes.” (p. 28)
***

White Dwarf 172 (April 1994): None
***

Part 7: The Epic Squats Army Stalls, 1994.

Throughout the first half of the 1990s, the Epic Squat Army appeared more frequently than the 40K Squats because GW had built their Epic terrain table with a Squat Stronghold on it back in 1992. Despite this privileged terrain, the Squats did not develop much further as an Army, perhaps due to the creation of an additional Epic Ork Village terrain table in 1994. The Squats were included as a separate force in the revised Epic Titan Legion rules, but the expansion plans reported in White Dwarf were never completed. The 1993 Cyclops and 1994 Thunder-Fire would be the last models produced for the Squats Army.

In Warhammer 40K articles, Squats would continue to be mentioned as adversaries in updated rules for the more favored Armies for several years, and would make the occasional appearance in Golden Daemon entries and unofficial rules publications until the current day.

White Dwarf 173 (May 1994)
Front Inside Cover: Epic Battle Scene - A Squat Army in Combat with Blood Angels Space Marines

p. 37-40 Epic Q&A, several questions involve Squats.
“Squats would never deliberately shoot at one of their own units. This rule doesn't apply to... Chaos who regard casualties caused by their own weapons as an acceptable fact of war, or simply bad luck.[Also as a cure for boredom, for the sheer joy of explosions, for satiating the red thirst, or just to see if you can hit them, according to General Stalkarlik]” (p. 39)
***

White Dwarf 174 (June 1994): None
***

White Dwarf 175 (July 1994)
p. 19-22: Epic Q&A by Mark Watts,
p. 19 has a Battle Scene of a Squats Army assaulting an Ork Town, p. 22 reprint of Warlords box art. p. 21-22 have Questions re Barrage Weapons, Overlord, and Cyclops Hellfury Cannon.
***

White Dwarf 176 (August 1994): None
***

White Dwarf 177 (September 1994)
p. 29: Golden Demon 1994: Overlord Airship by Jeff Durocha, 1st Place Epic Model

p. 31-34: Epic Tactics by Mark Watts, with Squats & Eldar vs Chaos Battle Scene (p. 31)
"The Squat Army is an extremely tough force.....don't let the Squats dictate the battle, take the fight to them. Because of their extremely high break points the only way really to neutralize them is to wipe them out." (p. 34)
***

White Dwarf 178 (October 1994)
p. 6-12: Epic Titan Legions introduction rules & models boxed set by Andy Chambers
“the Squats were tenacious and commanded the most awesome firepower imaginable” (p. 8)
“Norman Swales is also hard at work creating a new range of Adeptus Mechanicus super heavy war machines [the Ordinatus models] and Squat Juggernauts [Who knows?].” (p. 12)

p. 80: B/W Catalog Page for Colossus, Gyrocopter, Goliath, Overlord
***

White Dwarf 179 (November 1994)
p. 74: B/W Catalog Page for new release Thunder-Fire Cannon (2 for $7.99)

p. 80: B/W Catalog Page for Colossus, Gyrocopter, Goliath, Overlord
***

White Dwarf 180 (December 1994)
p. 31: Mole, Thunder-Fire, Leviathan, Scene of Stormhammers & Squats vs Host of Khorne ('Eavy Metal)

p. 79: B/W Catalog Page for Colossus and Leviathan
***

Part 8: Squats Disappear into the Core of Warhammer 40K, 1995.

The common belief is that the Squats as a race were simply gradually forgotten about once new Squat Army models were no longer produced, or, more amusingly, that they were eaten to extinction by the Tyranids because they had a silly name. But a closer look reveals that the Squats, instead of being forgotten, infiltrated the core functions of both the Imperium's Cult of the Machine God and the War Engines of the Ruinous Powers.

The Adeptus Mechanicus's Epic Ordinatus war machines are revealed to have been largely created by Squat members of the Cult. The Squat Tech Priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus battled back the mighty Ghazghull Thrakka, and remain the rulers of the mighty Imperial Forge World of Golgotha.

Similarly, Chaos Squats remain integral to the creation and maintenance of not only the massive Chaos Titans and Khorne's War Machines, but also to the armor of Chaos Terminators and Dreadnoughts. Chaos Squats have been a welcome source of heavy infantry since the Horus Heresy as well.

White Dwarf 181 (January 1995)
p. 23-30: Imperator Titan by Gavin Thorpe. p. 27 contains vile lies about how to kill Land Trains and Leviathans with the Imperator Titan

p. 40: Imperial Termites in 'Eavy Metal

p. 74: B/W Catalog Page for re-release of Imperial Mole ($8.50) and Termites (3 for $8.50)
***

White Dwarf 182 (February 1995)
p. 16-24: Waaagh Da Orks Epic tactics guide by Gavin Thorpe.
p. 22-23 provide unreliable rumors about how to combat Squat Super Heavy vehicles.

p. 52: 1995 Golden Demon Guide with Overlord Airship by Jeff Durocha from 1994 GD
***

White Dwarf 183 (March 1995)
Front Inside Cover: Cyclops and Squat Infantry assault Trygon and Gargoyles
***

White Dwarf 184 (April 1995)
p. 37-40: 1995 Games Day / Golden Demon Guide with picture of Overlord Airship by Jeff Durocha from 1994 GD. Squat Superheavies invited for Epic Group Battle vs Tyranids

p. 77: B/W Catalog Page for Thunder-Fire (2 for $8.50)
***

White Dwarf 185 (May 1995): None
***

White Dwarf 186 (June 1995)
p. 19-20: 40K article on Ratling Snipers, with comparison to Squats.
“Extreme cases of physical adaptation have produced mutant populations which are no longer human. Squats are the most important of these mutants and the most widespread.” (p. 19)
***

White Dwarf 187 (July 1995): None
***

White Dwarf 188 (August 1995)
Congratulations to Papa Nurgle on his exciting new Plague Towers!

p. 79: B/W Catalog Page Imperial Mole and Termites
***

White Dwarf 189 (September 1995)
p. 19-21: Epic Irresistible Onslaught Tyranid tactics.

Gavin Thorpe foolishly underestimates the power of the Squat Super Heavy Tanks against Tyranid Bio-Titans, while praising efficacy of Eldar Doom-Weavers. You are in The Book of Grudges now, Mr. Thorpe.
***

White Dwarf 190 (October 1995)
p. 21-24: 40K Callidus Assassin rules, Polymorphine Wargear allows Assassin to appear as a Squat.

p. 26: Epic Squat League Defends Stronghold against Tyranids ('Eavy Metal)

p. 37-41: 40K Tyranid Warriors tactics by Andy Chambers.
p. 38 falsely accuses Squats of being slow-witted, like Orks. Slow-footed is not slow-witted. Book of Grudges for you, el Andy.
***

White Dwarf 191 (November 1995)
p. 40-46 Dwarf Tacticus (for WFB) by Jeremy Vetlock.
“After my Dwarf Army was well underway...I began keeping my own Book of Grudges. This is great fun! … It's very pleasing when you avenge yourself and can cross off a past dishonor!” (p. 46)
***
p. 48-53: Epic Ordinatus rules and tactics by Gavin Thorpe, showing Squats to be the creators of Ordinatus technology.

p. 48: “This huge tunnelling machine [Ordinatus Priam] was assembled during the siege of Priam, a city overrun by the traitor forces in the Horus Heresy. The immense creation was designed to tunnel through the planet's crust and and then navigate through the white-hot mantle underneath. This rendered it undetectable to Priam's defences and allowed four companies of elite Imperial Guard troops to storm the city's Generatum Vulcanis, breaking the siege. However, Ordinatus Priam was irrevocably damaged during the attack, as parts of its heatshielding gave way.”

p. 50: Epic Battle Scene - The Hellfire missiles of Ordinatus Golgotha devastated the Ork army of Warlord Ghazghull Thraka, driving him from the Squat Homeworld of Golgotha and freeing the inhabitants from slavery – Squat Stronghold terrain with Bikers, Russes & the Ord.

p. 51: “Ordinatus Golgotha was constructed in the recaptured strongholds of the Squats. Golgotha's terrifying Hellfire missiles devastated the Orks, slaying thousands over the course of a week. The Orks were routed from the Squat Homeworld and since then the Ordinatus Golgotha has always been in the forefront of any battle against enemies who have a strong numerical advantage.”

p.52: “Geronimus Undersen devised an Ordinatus [Armageddon] as a defence against the marauding war machines [of Chaos]. Undersen mounted a massive starship weapon onto a land-bound chassis, giving the Imperial forces an immense machine powerful enough to destroy even the largest and most heavily armored foes. This idea was by no means original, and followed the concept behind the famous Squat Titan-killer – the Cyclops.”
***

White Dwarf 192 (December 1995)
p. 51-56: “Death from Above” Epic Air Tactics by Gavin Thorpe, includes discussion of Squat Overlord and Iron Eagle, battle scenes vs Eldar and Orks showing most of range of minis.
“the Overlord can lay down a murderous curtain of fire before the enemy can even try to shoot at it...Groups of Overlords are capable of obliterating whole companies of enemy troops at a single blow!” (p. 56, excited, though logically inconsistent)

p. 97-109: Eldar vs Chaos Epic Battle Report, Eldar player reported as usually Squat Commander (Steve Anastasoff)

p. 120: B/W Catalog Page for Adeptus Mechanicus Ordinatus Mars, Golgotha, and Armageddon
***

Conclusion?

So now we've made it halfway through the 1990s, and roughly halfway through the history of Warhammer 40,000 and Epic Space Marine. Many of the Rogue Trader Era 40K armies have their 2nd Edition Codexes already (Eldar, Orks, Tyranids, assorted Space Marines) or would soon have them (IG, Chaos, more Marines), with only the Squats and Inquisition/Arbites left out. The Inquisition/AAs would have their own bumpy ride splitting them into multiple codices and introducing new types of troops. They would eventually have an interesting range of miniatures develop. Then stagnate. But that is someone else's war.

Our sturdy Squats had already seen some R&D that resulted in 8 Squats, most of which were much more similar to their contemporaneous WFB and Blood Bowl Brother-Dwarfs than the Rogue Trader Squats had been to the WFB & BB Dwarfs of their time. Whether due to neglect or lack of interesting ideas, this narrowing of design was in contrast to the general trend toward increasing the variety of the other forces, the endless fractination of Space Marines that look alike but fight different, the endless stream of Imperial Guard that look different but fight the same.

1995, however, also saw the introduction of a new game that was destined to greatly expand the variety of Citadel miniatures in type and individual appearances for years to come: Necromunda.

While the semi-serious official line is that the Squats were eaten by Tyranids, the true story ends with the Squats digging deeper into the fabric of the Imperium and the warp of Chaos to let us explore human jungles of The Underhive.

Though it was a worthy trade of Squats for Necromunda, we all know that those 3 Squat Berserkers would have made much more sense as Underhive Outlanders than the Eldar Farseer and Fire Dragons.

Squats in White Dwarf 1987-1992, Historia Squataticus Volume 1

Today we have the first half of my overly detailed list of Squats / Space Dwarfs appearances in White Dwarf magazine for Warhammer 40,000 and Epic Space Marine 40,000.

Along the way, we'll pause for some White Dwarf wisdom and interesting flacts. Flacts. Is that going to fly as a contraction of "fluff" and "facts"? Only you can decide, bitchcakes.

Part 1: Rogue Trader 40K, the Disorganized Period. 1987-1989.

This my name for the early years of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. A time before detailed army lists, dominated by spurts of troopers with dozens of exotic weapons, and by the over-sharing of vehicles and heavy weapons.

White Dwarf 93 (September 1987)
p. 39: 2 Squat Warriors, Color Ill. (artist uncredited, from Rogue Trader)

"Players have the opportunity to command not only ordinary humans but the various abhuman morphs including squats, ogryns, beastmen and psykers." (p. 39)

p. 40: 3 Squat Warriors, B/W Ill. (artist uncredited, from Rogue Trader)

p. 72: 6 RT03 Space Dwarfs painted by John Blanche (?) ('Eavy Metal)
(Gunslinger, Gatt, Twelvebore, Stoner, Smith, and Wesson
***

White Dwarf 94 (October 1987)
p. 58: RT03 Space Dwarfs (Color Ad for all 20, designer/painter uncredited, 5 for £2.50) http://www.solegends.com/citrt/rt03spacedwarfs.htm
***

White Dwarf 95 (November 1987)
p. 43: Irn Bonce the Squat in Color Ad for RT7 Mercenaries series (Naismith & Perrys, 5 for £2.50) http://www.solegends.com/citrt/rt7mercenaries.htm
***

White Dwarf 96: none.

***

White Dwarf 97 (January 1988)
p. 58: Squat Warriors in Battle, B/W Ill. (Ian Miller)

Back Inside Cover: RT302 Space Dwarfs Command Group (Color Ad for 8 but 12 in series)
(designed by Michael & Alan Perry, Standard, Champion, & Officer for £2.50)
http://www.solegends.com/citrt/rt302spacedwfcommand.htm

Back Inside Cover: RT303 Space Dwarf Heavy Weapons (Color Ad for all 6 in series)
(designed by Michael & Alan Perry, Gunner, Loader, & Commander for £2.50) http://www.solegends.com/citrt/rt303spacedwarfheavies.htm
***

White Dwarf 98 (February 1988)
pp. 67-68: 8 Squats from RT03 and RT302 ('Eavy Metal, painted by Mike & Sid McVey)

"Again Blanchitsu refers us to the work of the guru, who estimates 'an evening, a day, and then some,' to work on a 28mm figure from start to finish." (John Blanche & Sean Masterson)

Back Inside Cover: Devastators Set includes Mole Mortar and 2 Squat Crew
(Color Ad, designed by Perrys, £9.99, also included SM Land Speeder and IG Tarantula) http://www.solegends.com/citrt/rtb03devastators.htm
***

White Dwarf 99 (March 1988)
p. 7: RT601 Adventurers with Squat Miner and Engineer (Color Ad, Trish & Aly Morrison, Bob Naismith, Mark Copplestone, 5 for £2.50) http://www.solegends.com/citrt/rt601adventurers.htm

p. 62-63: Rules for Mole Mortar, Chapter Approved (by Rick Priestly),
Painted Mole Mortar & Crew, and exploded illustration
***

White Dwarf 100 (April 1988)
p. 18: Iron Claw Squats Color Ad (all 32, designed by Bob Olley, 5 for £2.50) http://www.polycon.org/squats/unIDIronClaw.html

"Squat rebellions are not infrequent events. The oppressed masses have been incited by belligerent clan leaders and manipulated by scheming renegade Imperial Commanders. Criminal Squats are even found amongst the piratical and bandit armies of the less salubrious regions of Imperial Space" by Bob Olley?
***

White Dwarf 101 (May 1988)
p. 2: Thudd Gun with Operator, Color Ad with exploded illustration.(des. A&M Perry, £3.50) http://www.solegends.com/citrt/rt304thuddgun.htm

p. 54-55: Thudd Gun rules & templates, Chapter Approved (by Priestly & Johnson).
***

White Dwarf 102 (June 1988)
p. 46: Blish Browning painted by Mike McVey ('Eavy Metal)

p. 71-80: Medics rules, art, painted examples (Index Astartes, by Priestly & Davis et al).
(des. Trish & Aly Morrison, Bob Naismith, Mark Copplestone, 3 for £2.50, 2 Squats Medics) http://www.solegends.com/citrt/rt701medics.htm
***

White Dwarf 103 (July 1988)
p. 18: Squat Bikes in Color Ad & exploded illustration.
(designed by Michael & Alan Perry, 4 Single-piece Riders & Single-seat Cycles, £2.50 each) http://www.solegends.com/citrt/rt305squatbikes.htm
***

White Dwarf 104 (August 1988)
p.8-9: 40K Bike rules with B/W ill. of Squat Trike
***

White Dwarf 105: none.

***

White Dwarf 106 (October 1988)
p. 70-71: Vikras Ingram & Gunner Karl with Heavy Plasma Gun ('Eavy Metal)
***

White Dwarf 107 (November 1988)
p. 7: David Gallagher, Squats & Imperials vs Orks painting (Illuminations)
***
White Dwarf 108 (December 1988)
p. 71: Iron Claw Squat Warriors (Color Ad for all 28, by Bob Olley, 5 for £2.50) http://www.polycon.org/squats/unID1988squats.html
***

White Dwarf 109: none.

***

White Dwarf 110 (February 1989)
p. 62: Squat Thudd Gun against Phantom Titan, B/W ill.
***

Part 2: Rogue Trader 40K Squats Army List, 1989.

Spring of 1989 saw the release of the first Squat Army List, as well as the expansion of the miniatures line with Space Dwarfs plastics box and hybrid metal-body/plastic-arm Squats. The variety of Squat troop types expanded, but the exotic weapons were exchanged for standard Imperial issue weaponry. Aside from their Bikes and Trikes, the Squats would continue to share the vehicles of the Imperium as well.

Most of the new models were released during 1989. After that, the Squats appeared briefly in the numerous revisions to the vehicle rules that plagued Rogue Trader, and the occasional 'Eavy Metal picture.

White Dwarf 111 (March 1989) Cover uses art from the Space Dwarfs box
Front Inside Cover: Space Dwarfs box Color Ad, shows bits and assembled minis (£9.99, $22.95)
http://www.polycon.org/squats/images/p60.jpg

p. 27-50: 40K Squats Army List, for Homeworld, Imperial, or Chaos Squats (by Ansell, Stillman, & Davis). Includes fluff, stats, color & b/w illustrations, painted minis. Squats could use Imperial Robots, Rhinos, and Land Raiders in this first army list. Includes-
p. 39: painted Biker, Guardsmen/Warriors, Guild Master, Wounded Squats (plastic arms series)
p. 43: painted plastic Space Dwarfs fighting along Imperial Guard
p. 47: painted Squat Servitor
p. 50: B/W Catalog Page for Warlord & Hearthguard, Living Ancestors, Bikers, Guards/Warriors, Wounded (plastic arms), Adeptus Mechanicus & Exo-Armor 3 http://www.polycon.org/squats/part2Hearthguard.html

"(T)here are many strongholds and Brotherhoods who have sided with Chaos. During the wars of the Horus Heresy, Squat forces fought on both sides, and inevitably some fell prey to the corruption of Chaos. Like other followers of Horus, these have now largely been banished to the Eye of Terror, but there are always rumours of isolated groups of Chaos Squat raiders in varioys parts of the Imperium.

It has even been rumoured that some of the strongholds which were lost to the warpstorms in the Age of Isolation may have survived, their horribly-mutated inhabitants raiding into the Imperium from time to time." (p. 30)

p. 75: plastic Squats with Lasgun & Hvy Bolter ('Eavy Metal)

Back Cover: 40K Squats and Marines battle Orks, diorama by Mike McVey
***

White Dwarf 112 (April 1989)
p. 7: Squat Trikes with Biker 1 and 5 and Heavy Trikes with Warlord & Living Ancestor Sidecar and Guildmaster with Standing Biker 3 in Color Ad

p. 21: B/W Catalog Page for all Squat Bikers, Bike and Trike parts (Alan & Michael Perry), with exploded illustration (£2.99 each for 1 Trike, 1 Bike, with Rider) http://www.polycon.org/squats/images/p56.jpg

p. 75: Warlord, Living Ancestor w/ Sword, 5 Hearthguards (painted by Rich Hodgkins). Also Ancestor with Staff, 2 versions of Tech Priest, and Exo-Armor 3 ('Eavy Metal)
***

White Dwarf 113 (May 1989)
p. 3-4: Volksheim Brotherhood B/W ill. by Paul Bonner

p. 10: 3 Chaos Squats in Power Armor, Chaos Squat with Horns ('Eavy Metal)

p. 41, 48: Vikas Ingram and Colt Stoner in How to Paint Citadel Miniatures guide

p. 77: B/W Catalog Page for Squat Adventurers (6) and Chaos Squats (8) (both 6 for £2.99)
http://www.polycon.org/squats/unIDWD113.html

Back Cover: Iron Claw Squats and Mole Mortar join IG to battle Harlequins
***

White Dwarf 114 (June 1989)
p. 52: Adventurer 2 and 3 ('Eavy Metal)
***

White Dwarf 115 (July 1989)
p. 26-27: Adventurer 5, Chaos Exo-Armor 1 ('Eavy Metal)

p. 49: Exo-Armor 3 & Living Ancestor w/ Sword (by Dale Hurst, 'Eavy Metal)

p. 74: Living Ancestor & Warlord in Genestealer Caverns, B/W ill. with brief story

p. 80: B/W Catalog Page for Chaos Squats in Exo-Armor (£ 2.99 for 3)
***

Part 3: Squats Get Smaller for Epic Space Marine, 1989-1990.

In the 6mm scene, the Epic Marines and Guard would develop their non-Titan forces, producing a number of vehicles that would be shared with Squats, especially the Tunneling Trooper Transports. Unfortunately, the Squats did not receive their Infantry Sprue until the summer of 1990, making stunty-lovers wait anxiously for some Hearthguard to fill their Hellbores.

White Dwarf 116 (August 1989)
p. 10-19: Rules for Tunneling Vehicles including Mole and Termite, and for Light Vehicles Rapier, Tarantula, Mole Mortar, Thudd Gun. Lots of B/W art.

p. 78: B/W Catalog Page for Epic Artillery (Thudd Gun, Tarantula, Mole Mortar, Rapier v1, Land Speeder, Jet Bike) (designed by Mark Copplestone, 2 of each for £2.99)
***

White Dwarf 117: none.

***

White Dwarf 118 (October 1989)
p. 66: B/W Catalog Pages for 2 Squat Medics (packed with 2 Imperial Guard Medics) http://www.solegends.com/citcat89autumn/c89aut-072117-3-02.htm

p. 67: B/W Catalog Pages for Squat Servitor (packed with Adeptus with Axe and 2 Human Servitors), Squat Adeptus Mechanicus (packed with 2 Human Adepti, probably £2.99 per pack) http://www.solegends.com/citcat89autumn/c89aut-072117-4-02.htm
***

White Dwarf 119 (November 1989)
p. 78: B/W Catalog Page for Epic Artillery (Thudd Gun, Tarantula, Mole Mortar, Rapier v1, Land Speeder, Jet Bike, 2 of each for £2.99), Mole (£2.99), and Termite (3 for £2.99) (designed by Mark Copplestone) http://www.solegends.com/citcat89winter/cat89wint023x-02.htm
***

White Dwarf 120 (December 1989)
p. 5: B/W picture of assembled Hellbore (designed by Goodwin, Copplestone, Naismith, & Dixon)

p.9: Rules for Hellbore with B/W art

p. 42: Epic Mole and Termite (designed by Mark Copplestone, 'Eavy Metal)
***

White Dwarf 121 (January 1990)
p. 58: Hellebore ('Eavy Metal)

p. 78-80: B/W Catalog Pages Epic Artillery pieces now randomly put 1 per pack with Vehicles & Titans
***

White Dwarf 122 (February 1990)
p. 79-80: B/W Catalog Pages for Hellbore Heavy Mole (£7.99), Mole (£2.99), Termites (3 for £2.99) (1 Epic Artillery piece randomly put in each blister pack with Vehicles & Titans) http://www.polycon.org/squats/unIDWD113.html (Hellbore)

***

White Dwarf 123 (March 1990)
p. 21-28: Epic War Machine rules (by Karl Tebbutt and Roger Gerrish). Includes Termite, Mole, Hellbore with B/W ill.

p. 74-75: B/W Catalog Pages for Mole (£2.99), Termites (3 for £2.99) (1 Epic Artillery piece randomly put in each blister pack with Vehicles & Titans)

Back Cover: Imperial Army with Hellbore advancing against Word Bearers
***

White Dwarf 124-126: none.

***

White Dwarf 127 (July 1990)
p. 56-71: Epic Army List for Squats by Andy Chambers, stats & counters, no pictures of minis

p. 76: Epic Squat Warriors box released (B/W Ad for large version, £7.99, $16.95)

***

Part 4: Squats Won't Shout While You Fiddle About, 1990-1992.

After both the 40K and Epic Squats Army Lists and accompanying miniature releases, our Space Dwarfs appeared only sporadically in the pages of White Dwarf, in rules updates and the pages of 'Eavy Metal.

It is also likely that the not-cataloged 10 Squat Pirates were released in this period, see WD 140.

White Dwarf 128 (August 1990)
p. 22-35: 40K New Vehicle Rules by Rick Priestly including Squat Bikes & Trikes
***

White Dwarf 129 (September 1990)
Front Cover: Imperials including Squats battling Genestealers

p. 69: Nurgle Squat Power Armor w/Horns, Tzeentch Squat Power Armor w/Sword ('Eavy Metal)
***

White Dwarf 130 (October 1990)
p. 45: Warhammer 40K League Stats for Squat Combat Squads, B/W ill. of 3 Squats by Paul Bonner

p. 48-51: New rules for Hellbore by Andy Chambers
***

White Dwarf 131 (November 1990)
p. 14-30: Epic Chaos Hordes by Andy Chambers, including Chaos Squats & Squat Artillery

"Chaos Squats are armourers and artificers of the armies of Chaos. With devilish cunning they construct weapons and engines of war which defy sanity. Each new creation is magnificently built to evoke the correct aura of terror and majesty. It is thought that the Chaos Squats are responsible for the maintenance and reconstruction of Chaos Titans and the fearsome Artifact Weapons of Chaos. Chaos Squats fight with unparalleled ferocity on the field of battle, favouring heavy firepower to slaughter their foes." p. 22

"As terminators are killed in action, their armour is retrieved and repaired by Chaos Squats" p. 22
***

White Dwarf 132-134: none.

***

White Dwarf 135 (March 1991)
p. 50-51: 40K New Vehicle Points Values (by Nigel Stillman) includes Squat Trike and Bonner B/W ill. with heavy trike and biker
***

White Dwarf 136 (April 1991)
p. 75: B/W Catalog Page for Mole, Termite
***

White Dwarf 137-139: none.

***

White Dwarf 140 ( August 1991)
p. 31: Golden Demon: Squat Command by David Knowles (4 converted Pirates w/ SM Flight Packs) http://www.polycon.org/squats/unIDPirates.html

p. 61: "The technical achievements of ... isolated human civilizations, such as the Squats, are of almost enough interest to the Adeptus Mechanicus as rumours concerning the STC." (Space Fleet article)
***

White Dwarf 141 ( September 1991)
p. 6-7: Epic preview reports Norman Swales is working on Squats Land Trains and more.
***

White Dwarf 142: none.

***

White Dwarf 143 (November 1991)

p. 12-20: Epic rules for Chaos Androids and Mole Mortars from Stompers set (Rick Priestly)

The Chaos Android is a shining skeleton of hardened plasteel. Its cunning construction is a secret known only to certain tainted Squat fabricators working in league with Chaos Renegades (p. 13).

Back Inside Cover: Epic Stompers box with Mole Mortar Color Ad (new release, £9.99)
***

White Dwarf 144 (December 1991)
p. 16: Hellbore shown in action against Marines

p. 27-35: Epic Vehicle Rules for Hellbore, Mole, Termite, & Leviathan rules (Johnson, Priestly, Chambers). Painted models in Necromunda colors shown on p. 35 in 'Eavy Metal.

"The Hellbore is so huge that it is almost unstoppable in close combat, grinding infantry and lighter vehicles into the ground as it advances!" (p. 27)

" This awesome vehicle [the Leviathan] is made by Squats and supplied to the Imperial Guard as part of the mutual exchange of materials between the Squat Homeworlds and the Imperium." (p. 30)

p. 73: Epic Stompers box with Mole Mortar Color Ad

p. 76, 78: B/W Catalog pages for Leviathan (new release, £5.99) and Hellbore (£11.99) http://www.solegends.com/citcat9x3/c92414epicimpwarmachines-02.htm
***

White Dwarf 145 (January 1992)
Back inside Cover: Epic Attack Force (£14.99), War Horde (£12.99), and Battle Group (£14.99) sets Color Ad. War Horde contains Squats sprues and Mole Mortars from Stompers, Battle Group has Chaos Squats. (New releases)
***

White Dwarf 146: none.

***

White Dwarf 147 (March 1992)
p. 78 B/W Catalog Page for Leviathan (£5.99)
***

White Dwarf 148: none.

***

White Dwarf 149 (May 1992)
p. 32-40: 40K New Vehicle Rules for Bikes, Trikes and War Walkers rules by Andy Chambers.

Includes painted pictures of Squat Motorcycle Mark 2 w/ Biker 4, Cycle Mark 1 w/ Biker 6, Heavy Trike w/ Biker 2 and Standing Biker 4, B/W Illustrations of Squat Bikers

p. 78-79: B/W Catalog Pages reprinting p. 54-55 in Blue Catalog

***