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So based only on speculation I'd like to posit a theory about what really happened to the Squats and their homeworlds, and would solve another large mystery in 40k: Overtime they were converted into the main armory worlds for the Primaris project. At first this consisted mainly in terms of production since it was easier to keep a secret since they communicated less with the wider Imperium, and didn't necessarily understand the components they were producing were not for normal gear for any known regiments; however as the pool of materials built up, and production increased, to keep this mammoth project secret communications for anything but official business were eventually choked off. Many components were built elsewhere, and merely assembled on their worlds under close Mechanicus supervision, and the Squats by and large saw this as just their Imperial tithe.

When people started noticing the shutdown in communications, and the disappearance of Squat regiments from the Imperial Guard, eventually a cover story was invented that they'd all been eaten by the Tyranids. It didn't make much sense, but without any real investigations it did the trick.

Once again this is just my own speculation, but it is a fun theory, and would explain their absence from a critical period (does nothing to explain them being written out of books taking place before it) and would also excuse a renewed presence since the restrictions would no longer serve any purpose.

There is no way an Ancestor Lord/Leagues would do that for the Admech. Squats are significantly more technologically advanced both in their approach and execution, than the Mechanicum. It would be more plausible if the Admech quietly stole and killed them, then created the cover story.

Racerguy180 wrote:
There is no way an Ancestor Lord/Leagues would do that for the Admech. Squats are significantly more technologically advanced both in their approach and execution, than the Mechanicum. It would be more plausible if the Admech quietly stole and killed them, then created the cover story.

I kind of like that. The problem though is how could they do it? The Squats must have had a very tiny empire. Even in the fluff it sounds like the Squats only owned one world or something

123ply wrote:
The Squats must have had a very tiny empire. Even in the fluff it sounds like the Squats only owned one world or something

They had a substantial empire (in 2nd Ed, anyway) -



My favourite theory is they foresaw the decline of the Imperium and decided to fall back to their homeworlds (and fortify), and since they were all underground the Tyranid fleet 'missed' them.

The Squats having excellent technology only backs up my theory. In terms of size I think the spot on the map exaggerates the number of worlds which I've seen put at about thirty main planets and probably some additional recourse colonies. The Tyranid explanation never made much sense since these worlds were well defended and poor in biomass, and were nowhere near the paths of the earlier hive fleets.

the problem with the tyranid explanation is, it was a dumbass zero thought excuse for their own moronic reasons.

Racerguy180 wrote:
the problem with the tyranid explanation is, it was a dumbass zero thought excuse for their own moronic reasons.

Preach. GW didn't think they could make space dwarves work.

Now we get Kharadron Overlords in AoS and are left to wonder what could have been. Squats on trikes seems pedestrian now.

I know, just looking at the Overlords & Grombrindal (40th anniversary & new techpriest) pisses me right the feth off.

 Ashes and Temples wrote:
So based only on speculation I'd like to posit a theory about what really happened to the Squats and their homeworlds, and would solve another large mystery in 40k: Overtime they were converted into the main armory worlds for the Primaris project. At first this consisted mainly in terms of production since it was easier to keep a secret since they communicated less with the wider Imperium, and didn't necessarily understand the components they were producing were not for normal gear for any known regiments; however as the pool of materials built up, and production increased, to keep this mammoth project secret communications for anything but official business were eventually choked off. Many components were built elsewhere, and merely assembled on their worlds under close Mechanicus supervision, and the Squats by and large saw this as just their Imperial tithe.

When people started noticing the shutdown in communications, and the disappearance of Squat regiments from the Imperial Guard, eventually a cover story was invented that they'd all been eaten by the Tyranids. It didn't make much sense, but without any real investigations it did the trick.

Once again this is just my own speculation, but it is a fun theory, and would explain their absence from a critical period (does nothing to explain them being written out of books taking place before it) and would also excuse a renewed presence since the restrictions would no longer serve any purpose.

Well, it is definitely a step up in plausibility for both the disappearing of the Squads and Cawl magic.

Imo the real story is that their consumption by the Tyranids is one of the most successful propaganda campaigns ever run in the imperium.

There is literally no biomass on the squat homeworlds besides the squats themselves. They are like a desert to a dying man - utterly pointless.

The real story
The squats tired of the imperium's ignorance and superstition - they made their pact with the emperor and not the high lords. With his apparent death, they saw no value in carrying the mechanicus and their ignorance.

So they orchestrated a highly sophisticated misinformation campaign, using captured nid bioformes released on the borders of squat space, destroyed squat ships and equipment left floating in the void.

Some clans took the oath of sacrifice, acting as refugees fleeing to the imperium to sell the ruse. Their technical know how was always valued by the imperium so they were secure in their enclaves as mercenaries and engineering specialists.

Now with the cicatrix splitting their homeworlds they have come out in force from their self imposed isolation. The emperor's son has returned and by blood carries the oath of fealty. So the clans amass for war, ready to fulfill the dead oath in battle.

This makes sense. Codex Squats inbound(reset the clock!)

They could keep hold of the nid story and still bring them back. Some good ideas here. Maybe the nids attacked and the squat had developed a weapon but the Admech declared it heresy and sabotaged. Squats suffer heavy damage and have gone to ground secretly rebuilding waiting to get revenge. Maybe they have been waking up necrons strategically in an attempt to soften up their foes.

Or maybe they have secretly kept an old complete STC which the admech are trying to steal in a war they are keeping secret from the imperium.

Obviously the name squat would go the way of the name eldar. And they GW would need to drop the old space biker look. But a new race with something unique on the battlefield would be good

They still use the name in necromunda, so obviously they're not averse to it

If Squats are super techy and think the Imperium is oppressive, they may be a Tau alien auxiliary race who helped the Tau achieve the technological awesomeness that keeps the greater good alive.

Also, Kharadon Overlord models are almost techy enough to pass on a 40k table. I'd LOVE to see squats return.

PenitentJake wrote:
If Squats are super techy and think the Imperium is oppressive, they may be a Tau alien auxiliary race who helped the Tau achieve the technological awesomeness that keeps the greater good alive.

Also, Kharadon Overlord models are almost techy enough to pass on a 40k table. I'd LOVE to see squats return.

Indeed they were already retconned. The demiurgs are Tau auxiliaries, and they are dwarves... However I believe in some recent products GW mentioned squats as well.

Seraf wrote:

PenitentJake wrote:
If Squats are super techy and think the Imperium is oppressive, they may be a Tau alien auxiliary race who helped the Tau achieve the technological awesomeness that keeps the greater good alive.

Also, Kharadon Overlord models are almost techy enough to pass on a 40k table. I'd LOVE to see squats return.

Indeed they were already retconned. The demiurgs are Tau auxiliaries, and they are dwarves... However I believe in some recent products GW mentioned squats as well.

There are literally new squat models available for necromunda

https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-AU/Grendl-Grendlsen-Squat-Bounty-Hunter-2018

Cool, there’s a couple on there. Would be good if they are making a come back as long as it’s well thought through. I still think they need to be quite a unique army as opposed to short tough imperial guard.

mrFickle wrote:
Cool, there’s a couple on there. Would be good if they are making a come back as long as it’s well thought through. I still think they need to be quite a unique army as opposed to short tough imperial guard.

Burly, hairy dudes drinking lots of alcohol, being loud and riding louder bikes. I've always pictured squats as Space Hells Angels. How can you not make something like that ultra cool?

That’s my memory of the old models and I don’t think it appealed. I think an army that’s going to exist in the 40k universe needs a more serious idea surrounding it. As stupid as the orks can be the GW seem to have spent a long time putting together a serious story line to justify their existence and the silly things they do in a universe that is so grim

Yeah, that was basically the official complaint by the design team: Beer drinking dwarven bikers is a one note joke.

I mean, what they'd written by the time of Epic w/ the land trains etc. was basically a well off sub-species. (Independent tech from the rest of the Imperium, etc.) Where's the GrimDark in that?

If you take that away, so that Squats are equals of the Ratlings and Ogryns, what's a Squat going to do in 40k? The Mechinarium already has the weird tech stuff. If they've abandoned stuff like the Rough Riders in Guard leaving just stuff like the resin Death Riders, that probably doesn't bode well for the sort of light cavalry that a biker unit would represent.

Tiennos wrote:

mrFickle wrote:
Cool, there’s a couple on there. Would be good if they are making a come back as long as it’s well thought through. I still think they need to be quite a unique army as opposed to short tough imperial guard.

Burly, hairy dudes drinking lots of alcohol, being loud and riding louder bikes. I've always pictured squats as Space Hells Angels. How can you not make something like that ultra cool?

My Squats in 40k were a prison biker gang.


But in epic they were more than one note, gyrocopters, thudd guns, etc could easily be developed to 40k scale in plastic. they could easily add new units to fill in the gaps.
Something like this:

HQ - Ancestor
HQ - "new"

TROOPS - Squat Trooper (las-blasters) 10/squad
TROOPS - Squat Grenadier (bombard launchers) 5/squad
TROOPS - Squat Gunner (multi-las) 5/squad

ELITES - Hearthguard 5-10/squad
ELITES - ??

FAST ATTACK - Squat grav booters 10/squad
FAST ATTACK - Squat biker 3/squad
FAST ATTACK - Squat Trike 1-2/squad

HEAVY SUPPORT - Thudd Gun 1-3/unit
HEAVY SUPPORT - Iron Eagle Gyrocopter
HEAVY SUPPORT - Squat las drill

DEDICATED TRANSPORT - Squat Mining skiff
DEDICATED TRANSPORT - Squat Exploratory Lander