Squats "Rebirth", Like a chubby little pheonix they rise.

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**Wrexasaur**

I had an epiphany

the other day, and yes it did involve Space Dwarves.

If you have a chance please take a minute to share your ideas and any other information that would help this army evolve.

Personally I think the Squat models were probably some of the worst things GW made model-wise. I have no Squats codex, and I never played them. In fact I am new to the game and would love to have a counts as Ork army. I love to sculpt and can back that love up with some serious skill; I'd like to make a new Squats army, using the Ork codex. Not that I don't like Ork models, I just have never been a fan of the idea of buying and painting an entire Ork army. Scratch building Ork stuff will come from my end at some point, but I think I would like to focus my energies into an entirely new set of models.

I plan to make these models in a way that I can make molds and somehow distribute them to friends and possibly even DakkaDakka for a contest prize. I would appreciate with much enthusiasm any input on this subject. I will start the discussion with a rough draft of my conceptual "risen Space Dwarf".

I am not a huge fan of the name Squats, and I think their sudden demise would merit a HUGE change in temperament. Short, wide, and extremely angry three scout colonies have arrived in their home system to find it utterly destroyed. A dwarf is not a kind being when in a fit of rage, and the dwarven armada decided to rampage amongst it's neighboring alien races planets. Going head to head with anything in their path, the dwarves annihilated any who would put a up a struggle. With huge ships designed soley to destroy the Tyranids who ravaged their home-worlds, the dwarves began their mission to destroy the "bugs" down to the last writhing putrid scaled one of them! One could say their is somewhat of an alliance between (specifically) the space wolves as the dwarves had their only setbacks in encounters with these hardened warriors. There appears to be no true planet the dwarves have chosen to inhabit, instead they have adopted a nomadic way of life that increases their chances of finding a good fight. The dwarves truly pity the Tyranids, and see them as an abomination to be driven into the void, along with all of the other evil forces. Some say that their are dwarves that ritually travel into the most infested planets just to find what they call "the jewels". The jewels are nothing of material substance so far as the rest of the universes prying eyes know. Most theorize that the dwarves have found a way to train the Tyranids through sheer willpower, and in essence a psychic power much stronger than any seen before. This power is accesable only through ancient runes believed to be pieces of the origin of the universe. There have been dwarven shamans since the beginning of this long story; long before even Eldar knew of such things. As the Eldar have their warlocks, the dwarves have a more war-like group of "ancients" as they are known. Many psykers have been heard talking to these phantom "ancients", even without the psykers own knowledge the dwarves can simply force such mental power as to drive a single person beyond the brink of insanity. In some battles with the dwarves, many imperial guard have lost control of their bodily functions merely by the prescence of a dwarven high shaman, or "ancient".

The technology of the dwarves has been shrouded in secrecy since they first learned to strike a stone to stone, then take that stone and form a hammer to do with what they would. In essence it is widely known how most of the basic dwarven technology works, what is not known is how they can achieve such power with so little effort. Warrior elders have been frequently known to "melt" in a blaze of magma when in the heat of a battle. Truly a fearful thing to be hit by the relic weapons crafted by dwarven smiths eons ago; the weapons burn through nearly anything, and do so with such force that they can achieve the same effect from a distance. The Eldar will often opt to settle any "misunderstanding" with the dwarves through a tournament of their highest champions. None of the pheonix lords have bested a dwarven elder yet, though it would seem the Eldar try only slightly less than the dwarves. One would think that they do such things out of sheer spite, and the dwarves know this as a fact. As the leader of the dwarven nomadic nation says, "If they don't want it, we do; and if they do want it, they can't have it". No one knows his name yet, even though many leaders of other nations have met and spoke with him; perhaps he has none.

I took a bit of time to think of how to roughly figure the "counts as" from a conceptual perspective.

Infantry=
Ork Warboss= Dwarven War-master
Ork Mekboy= Dwarven Smith-master
Ork Nob= Dwarven War Veteran
Ork Painboyz= Dwarven Beserkers
Ork Kommandoz= Dwarven Assassin
Ork Boyz= Dwarven Warriors
Grots= Dwarven Gremlins (Dwarves who have fallen in battle, and had their spirits channeled by shaman into bodies too frail to break their bond with the afterlife)

Vehicles=
Ork Buggies= Dwarven Landspeeder
Ork Trukks= Dwarven Walker Transports
Ork Looted wagons= Dwarven Skimmer Transport (Dwarves are not really the best drivers, and the tiny personal changes they make to their vehicles can go from functional to functionally dangerous very quickly. For instance Gredtoe the Maddened one, takes the liberty of destroying all "unnecessary" gauges and buttons he sees fit too; "This will not end well said one of the other Warriors in the now careening skimmer".)
Ork Battle Wagon= Dwarven "Transport" Battle Ram (This "vehicle" if you want to call it that, is used commonly as a way of landing the first head-butts of the battle. Dwarves relish in a good head-butt, and will actually begin head-butting each other as well as the "transport". They do this war-like "dance" inside the vehicle causing it to A.) Go just a tiny bit faster and B.) Cover the whole vehicle with profuse amounts of their blood. Dwarves have an uncanny ability to produce blood as a cow would milk.)
Ork Killa Kanz= Dwarven Clock-work Sentries
Ork Deff dread= Dwarven Elite Axe-men (Dwarven Axe-Dwarves.... hmm)

Weapons=
Choppa= One-handed Impact-hammer (akin to a cattle prod attached to a hammer)
Big Choppa= Two-handed Impact-hammer (akin to bigger therefore better cattle prod attached to a hammer, the hammer itself is just fine thank you! "No need to weigh me down as I launch head-butt first into the ranks of our enemies", a quote from "Felter, the one with the big boots and equally big title to match

")
Shoota= A real peashooter by even Dwarven standards, and they treat it as such with the title of "Tyranid burger and fries", because it is a standard sidearm for nearly every Dwarven civilian.
Big shoota= Well one day there were a few Smiths making a gun that would Dwarf even a carnifex (oh yes the pun was most certainly intended thank you!) and some of the shop gremlins got stuck in the furnace. The fact remains that no one knows how this happened but the smiths side-arms became fused together... They were intrigued by this, although it seemed very crude. After several minutes of tinkering they figured out a way to mass produce the guns, and effectively arm their warriors for ranged encounters.
Burnas= Dwarves are not exactly afraid of fire if you didn't know already, and their choice of flame-launching apparatus speaks very truly of this. Some Dwarves put shows on with their flamers, and in an attempt to "scare" the enemy they ultimately end up using the now super heated weapon to carve holes in walls... and occasionally a few in transports... when they are in them.
Boom gun= It is a big gun, not much more to be said. Well... it does fire rotten carcasses, just a side note really.

Bomb squig= Some gremlins become aware of their lowly position in the ranks of the Dwarves; because of this they do attempt to end their shame in the most "explosive" way possible. Making a Dwarf feel shame is akin to gently tickling a horses "jewels" and being surprised when you are swiftly decapitated by a kick to the old squash.
Dakkaguns= This contraption was designed by a Smith-Master who had fallen to the level of a gremlin in battle. He had no intention of leaving before he completed his final idea, and continues to live to this day. Taking high quality weapons crafted for use on tanks and making them mountable on smaller quicker units, who can unleash hell on their whim.
Deffguns= A further elaboration on the "fused-sidearm".... "idea", taken to an extreme unseen in any other weapon. Dwarves like their guns too have enough kick to knock them over when they fire; this is the preferred weapon of many Dwarven Warrior "Marksmen"... and I wouldn't recommend making fun of a Dwarfs shooting, they take great pride in their ability to hit the broad side of a barn.
Grabba stick= Hard to say what these actually are, most "Gremlin-herders" are only part time and really don't care what they use as long as it grabs well. Quite frankly most of these improvised devices are tossed aside as the Dwarf simply uses his tremendous grip combined with some fancy rope work.
Grotzooka= A small cannon that fire high velocity shrapnel using heat from radiated stones.
Kannon= Usually it is actually a cannon, but Dwarven smiths have been known to employ all types of experimental... well I guess you could call them guns.
Killcannon= This follow the same principles of the fused sidearm, taking it to such an extreme that most of the parts don't actually have the capacity to fire anymore. Some times a rare error is made and these guns fall to pieces as they are being mounted. Works of art really.
Kustom mega-blasta= This weapon is very powerful, and truly speaks of the ingenuity of the high War-smiths. Not following the usual "more is better" rule, this gun stands only half the height of a Dwarf and packs enough punch to knock over Takifrs the mountain-footed.
Lobba= Dwarves have no need for grenades when they can simply shout through the giant ice-cream truck mega phone.

I will start a list of links with concept art that I would like to work a bit with.=

http://cbpye.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/bruenor____by_direnayhan_by_dwarves.jpg
http://www.celestialheavens.com/homm5/images/artwork/Fortress/HeroesV_HF_Dwarves_01_Defender.jpg
http://www.celestialheavens.com/homm5/images/artwork/Fortress/HeroesV_HF_Dwarves_03_Bear%20Rider.jpg
http://www.ldsknights.org/world/dwarf.JPG

Ooooh... I really like this one = http://www.shadowoflegend.com/Files/Site/Image/2007/09/05135233.jpg
OOOOOOoooh and this one too= http://media.photobucket.com/image/dwarves/Heddrick/Personal%20-%20Kel/Dwarves.jpg (I hope it stays around)
Very nice indeed= http://www.maps4heroes.com/heroes5/pictures/fortress/heroes/Fortress_Wulfstan.jpg (armor like this eh?)
Oh man, that is sweet= http://images.mmosite.com/news/2008/03/21/creature30322.jpg
I wonder if the book is as good as the cover?= http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n7/n37381.jpg (super sweet)
Wait... what the heck is this doing here= http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.healthgap.org/press_releases/img/dwarves.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.healthgap.org/press_releases/03/060303_HGAP_PS_G8_deadly_dwarves.html&usg=__8p-30e9NkFLrXaylnA5cR9D_T3U=&h=504&w=864&sz=220&hl=en&start=78&um=1&tbnid=xQs9zr8ibwYp4M:&tbnh=85&tbnw=145&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddwarves%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US

fficial%26sa%3DN%26start%3D72%26um%3D1

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/RacesNClasses_Gallery/111113.jpg (you had better believe I will have female warriors... think about it for a while)
http://www.slashhug.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/dwarves.png
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/fr/fr11.jpg&imgrefurl=http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/fr/fr11.htm&usg=__D9Ginz2O2K89F_uzoswLiw1HLM4=&h=582&w=447&sz=90&hl=en&start=79&um=1&tbnid=mx19JLajvO3tdM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=103&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddwarves%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US

fficial%26sa%3DN%26start%3D72%26um%3D1
http://s.guildomatic.com/40471/host/31/31fad32d8af52194fe35759d821b02da.jpg

"Note" the Orks are invading through the links, bring up the cannons

..........

http://paizo.com/image/content/RiseOfTheRunelords/Harsk-DwarfIconic.jpg (very cool Dwarven assassin)

WAAAAAY too many tyranid burgers

... this is seriously funny though.= http://www.karoath.com/graphics/gallery/mordheim/DwarvesCenter.jpg

I was thinking of something along these lines for some of the armor= http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/43136

Very cool.= http://www.warlordccg.de/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/remorhaz-warrior.jpg

Perhaps a warrior, I think it would look pretty nice. = http://www.khoras.net/Khoras/Races/Greater%20Races/Dwarves/Dwarf.jpg

Yes, the Dwarf wants to "tell you something", so bend over = http://www.alliancedeadlands.com/images/artwork/fullDwarves.jpg

Way to awesome not to put up here = http://students.cec.wustl.edu/~naw1/nh/nhgallery/dwarves.gif

Yes another that hold the awesome power of put it up = http://www.elfwood.com/art/j/a/jaybraun/3_cartoon_dwarves.jpg

Ok... prepare yourself for... well yeah it is just too funny = http://www.vulturedroppings.com/images/display/565blog_midget_dwarf_crimin.gif

This is actually pretty cool imho = http://help.utopiakingdoms.com/helpimages/uk/Race4-dwarf.jpg

Indeed it is cousin it after a good shave, how insightful = http://www.karoath.com/graphics/gallery/mordheim/DwarvesTrollslayer.jpg

Now that is freaking awesome = http://static.gamesradar.com/images/mb/GamesRadar/us/Games/L/Lord%20of%20the%20Rings%20Online%20Moria/Bulk%20Viewers/PC/2008-09-24/Dwarf%20Mod_Pose_A--article_image.jpg

WoW would obviously have some really good inspiration = http://www.wow-europe.com/shared/wow-com/images/info/races/index/en/dwarves.jpg

Well hey there, how to draw Dwarves guy = www.ehow.com/video_4987427_draw-dwarves.html

And here is the finished product = http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/quickblade22/Castle/Dwarves/dwarfthane.jpg .....

I am liking this armor... but that is no Dwarf = http://www.dccomics.com/media/product/8/4/8453_c_full.jpg

That is pretty cool though, nice idea for a terrain piece = http://www.sqpn.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/slotr05_thorinshall.jpg

The three wise Dwarves = http://www.jeffhandel.com/photo/misc/images/(31)%20Seven%20Dwarves.jpg

Seriously...freaking...super...awesome... why are the weapons so... umbrella-like...??? = http://www.warcraftfigures.com/WebRoot/Shangadb/Shops/Shanga/MediaGallery/Thargas_540x.jpg (Oh man I hope it doesn't rain... aww geez, of all the...)

Yes these are the Smith-Masters and gremlin assistants; hmm... I like it = http://www.playwithknives.com/Gallery/dwarves.jpg (very gothic-noir)

Oh, yes there is always time for seahorses = http://www.seahorse.org/library/articles/dwarfguide/9buycb.jpg (are you ok google?)

I would say boob-butt... but it doesn't really explain the head-butt joke I am trying to make here = http://www.blogcdn.com/www.wow.com/media/2008/09/korea-alliance-dwarf-female.jpg

The Dwarven War-masters closest advisors = http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpL870wV2A4/R4eaFmt4TJI/AAAAAAAABnQ/HA8A8Za8Hyw/s400/dwarves4.jpg

Seriously though folks... these jokes write themselves I simply cannot be held responsible.
"Note"
I really mean no offense here I am just trying to keep my research lively, and have a good time. Yes I make dead-stuff jokes when I make demon and zombie-stuff.

"GET OFF THAT BEAR YOUNG MAN" = https://www.wargamersheadquarters.com/image.php?type=P&id=81091

Ok... Wow. I have to say that again WOW. = https://www.wargamersheadquarters.com/image.php?type=P&id=82277 So nice, I can't imagine a better example, very very well done. I simply have to get this model. All of these models are pretty cool for the dwarves. Hold on some of these contain lead... Hmm. Some don't, some do. I didn't even know they could do that anymore.

Ok here is the website link to all the Dwarven minis. It seems that most are made of a mix of tin and lead... which is odd for me at least. They are very cheap, but I imagine it is because... they are made of lead.

Google has been very kind to me today. Thank you search bar

**Vipera**

interesting. it sounds cool, except for them being such incredible Psykers. It seems more like dwarves for them to harness warp powers through runes. and maybe its just because I'm an eldar player, but beating the pheonix lords is like beating Marneus Calgar and his chapter master friends. I like the really huge ships idea, dwarves like to make things, so they should have all sorts of power armor, walkers, tanks, no grav though, thats too flitty (eldar) I'm thinking penetent engines, but smaller (like the difference between killer cans and deffdreads) I love dwarves, if there was a 40k dwarf race, then I probably would be playing them. The Anti-tyranids thing is awsome. Every race has an arch-enemy, but I cant think of a race that really is all against them. you know, eldar-necrons, space marines-chaos space marines, tau-orks, etc.

I agree with using the ork codex, I've seen a squat counts as imperial guard army, but it seems really weak in close combat for dwarves.

Oh, and make their armor really intricate. that seems like something that dwarves would spend a lot of time on.