Squigs

"Fast and vicious, you don't want to get caught by them. Still they're not too hard to slay - a good downright blow will kill one of them. You have to be quick, though, or they're past you and gallivanting all over the battlefield."

—Alphonse, Bretonnian man-at-arms^[6a]

A Cave Squig, the most common variant of the Squig species.

Squigs, short for "Squiggly Beasts,"^[4f] are considered by many to be the simplest form of Greenskin life and like the Greenskins themselves, they share a similar fungal biology and partial anatomy.^[4a][8a]

Squigs seems to be extremely simple in terms of their motivations. So far, they have only ever been reliably observed exhibiting two behavioural patterns; eat anything edible that is nearby, then move more-or-less randomly until there is something else to eat within range and once more wander about aimlessly.

A number of bizarre offshoots of Squigs have been seen in various locations within the Old World, though they inevitably favour lightless areas such as caves and underground tunnels. They generally seem adapted to whatever environment they grew up in. Humans unfortunate enough to encounter a Squig generally meet one of the variations of the common Cave Squigs kept by the Night Goblins.

Most Squigs move by launching themselves into great leaps with their powerful legs, then bouncing upwards again as soon as they hit the ground. They seem to be quite shortsighted, presumably on account of their upbringing in the darkness of underground cave systems. Their movements often have no discernible pattern; they will bounce in a random direction in the hopes of landing near another food source.

A manuscript depicting a Horned Squig by Tobias Helmgart, located within the Oubliettes of Miragliano.

Squigs are used by Night Goblin tribes as beasts of war, sources of food, mounts^[4d], and guards.^[5a] Getting the foul-tempered, lethal Squigs into their cages is one thing, keeping your fingers whilst feeding them is quite another.^[7a]

Naturally, wrangling Squigs is a tricky business, and an even trickier business for the Goblins assigned to have a care for their well being. Squigs are useful on the battlefield, but when not fighting they have to be caged to prevent the indiscriminate murder of the whole tribe. This in turn presents its own set of problems. Over time, and after many casualties, Squig handlers have learned that if you feed the greedy, ferocious gits a constant supply of mushrooms this stops them from eating each other.^[7a]

However, getting caught with your arm in their cage and without a mushroom in your hand and it’s probably game over for you. Even if they beat the odds and live to tell the tale, maimed former-handlers are of little further use to the Warboss. If he has an imagination, they get strapped to wings and fired at the enemy as Doom Divers; if he hasn’t then the Squigs get a tasty treat at feeding time.^[7a]

Quick Answers

What is the simplest form of Greenskin life in the Warhammer universe?

In the Warhammer universe, Squigs represent the most basic form of Greenskin life. Their motivations are simple, primarily focused on eating anything edible in their vicinity and wandering randomly until they locate more food. Various unusual variants of Squigs have also been reported.

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What is the best strategy to kill a Squig in Warhammer?

In Warhammer, overcoming a Squig requires careful terrain selection and distance engagement. The Squig, while heavily armored, has a vital vulnerability - the mastermind on its back. By interrupting its attacks, maintaining awareness of your surroundings, and coordinating a team charge to target the mastermind, you can effectively combat a Squig.

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What is the biology and anatomy of a Squig?

Squigs, part fungus and flesh, have spheroid bodies, beady eyes, and maws filled with dagger-like teeth. Breeds include Cave Squig, Great Cave Squig, Colossal Squig, and variants like Squig Gobba, Horned Squig, Gas Squig, and Spiked Squig. Some squigs carry mutations like regeneration or blood lust. Used by Night Goblin tribes, squigs serve as war beasts, food sources, mounts, and guards.

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What is the meaning of the term 'Squig' in Warhammer 40k?

In Warhammer 40k, 'Squig' refers to 'Squiggly Beasts', the most basic form of Greenskin life. These creatures, half-fungoid and half-flesh, breed in symbiosis with the brutal and warlike Greenskins, including Orcs and Goblins. Squigs possess beneficial mutations like regeneration and blood lust. Despite their speed and ferocity, they can be defeated with a swift, powerful attack.

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What is the behavior of Squigs in the battlefield?

In the battlefield, squigs are unpredictable, capable of either devastating the enemy or causing collateral damage to their own side. Squig Hoppers, who ride squigs, often face the harshest fighting as squigs engage with the toughest enemies. Mangler Squigs are known for their obliviousness and propensity for bloody accidents. Squig Herds, consisting of captured Cave Squigs, are driven into combat by Night Goblins.

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Squig Breeds

• Cave Squig - The Cave Squig is the most common variant of the Squig.

• Great Cave Squig - The Great Cave Squig is a larger variant of the common Cave Squig.

• Colossal Squig - The Colossal Squig is the largest Squig breed to ever live.

• Squig Gobba - The Squig Gobba is an odd variant of the Cave Squig that shoots noxious liquids at its enemy.

• Horned Squig - The Horned Squig is a Squig which is gifted with a long, sharp horn protruding from its forehead.

• Gas Squig - The Gas Squig is an odd variant of Squig that spews noxious gases continuously out of its many pores.

• Spiked Squig - The Spiked Squig is another variant of the common Cave Squig that is covered in lethal spikes.

• Grass Squigs - Grass Squigs are one of the few surface-dwelling Squig sub-species.

Videos

Total War WARHAMMER - Introducing... Squigs

Total War WARHAMMER - Introducing... Squigs

Sources

• 1: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (4th Edition)
  • 1a: pg. 91
  • 1b: pg. 92
• 2: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (6th Edition)
  • 2a: pg. 18
  • 2b: pg. 19
• 3: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (7th Edition)
  • 3a: pg. 26
  • 3b: pg. 38
• 4: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (8th Edition)
  • 4a: pg. 54
  • 4b: pg. 55
  • 4c: pg. 56
  • 4d: pg. 62
  • 4e: pg. 68
  • 4f: pg. 66
• 5: Warhammer Invasion (Card Game)
  • 5a: Guard Squigs (Capital #71)
• 6: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Old World Bestiary (RPG)
  • 6a: pg. 24
• 7: Total War: Warhammer (PC Game)
  • 7a: Squig Cages (building description)
• 8: Skarsnik (Novel) by Guy Haley
  • 8a: Ch. 6: "A Runt Spawned"