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Genestealer

2022-05-23T20:17:23Z

2601:188:C300:64B8:8C20:7464:5A21:328E: /* Gallery */

[[Image:GenestealerBroodlord.jpg|thumb|right|They're not just called Genestealers for nothing!]]
{{Topquote|Iä! Iä! Tyrannicus fhtagn!|One of many unholy Genestealer Cult prayers}}

{{Topquote|Praise be! The star children deliver us!|White Dwarf October 2016}}

{{Topquote|Mankind has always looked to the stars for salvation...and finally, THE STARS HAVE ANSWERED!|Unnamed Magus}}

'''Genestealers''' (''Corporaptor hominis'') are [[xenos|alien]] creatures in the [[Warhammer 40,000]] universe. They have undergone many [[fluff]] revisions since their inception, but they have always been lethal in melee (so deadly that [[Space Marine]] [[power armor]] is like tissue paper to them, no exaggeration), preternaturally fast, pseudo-insectoid in form, protected by a thick shell of [[Carapace]] and reliant on other species for reproduction.

Basically what would happen if the Xenomorphs decided to run a Lovecraftian doomsday [[Genestealer Cult|cult]]... IN SPAAAAACE!

== Rogue Trader ==
[[Image:Oldschool genestealers.png|thumb|right|The 2nd edition pic that has defined the identity of Genestealer Cults for decades.]]
In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]] (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), Genestealers were simply one of many creatures encountered in space, spreading from the moon of Ymgarl. They could be extremely dangerous in close quarters, as each of their six strong limbs ended in [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Rending Claws|sharp claws]], and they had a gruesome lifecycle reminiscent of the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise, but otherwise had little to distinguish themselves. Most notably, they were not connected with the [[Tyranids]] at all. Indeed, the core rulebook noted that Genestealers with [[human]] ancestry could be intelligent, and even friendly! Their natural form had an almost leech-like head, and they were specifically described as "vampirish." They also ignored armour saves until 4th ed. That was annoying.

== Space Hulk ==
When the [[Space Hulk]] board game was released a few years after 40k: Rogue Trader, Genestealers received a significant bump in their threat level. The game made it clear that the Genestealers were a much more virulent and widespread menace than their initial description, and their head was changed to have a much toothier mouth. In keeping with GW's ripping off the Xenomorphs, Genestealers would use stealth to approach the Marine player's [[Terminators]] as "blips" of some unknown number of Genestealers, and then come out of hiding once they had a good ambush prepared. They achieved a super-human level of coordination via a [[Hive Mind|hive mind]], represented by the Genestealer player having unlimited time to move his pieces.

== Later Editions ==
In later editions of [[Warhammer 40,000]], the Genestealers were revealed to be (or [[retcon]]ned into, depending on your point of view) vanguard organisms for the [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. They are capable of thinking for themselves and operating without the Hive Mind's leadership, a rare trait among Tyranids, although they are not synapse creatures. [[Space Hulk]]-era Genestealers were re-designated "Purestrain Genestealers," created by the Hive Fleets themselves.

Genestealers are sent to infest Space Hulks and spread among the stars. Their long tongues contain a barbed ovipositor; when they encounter sentient anthropoid, they [[Rape|use this ovipositor to inject a "seed" into the host's body]], combining the host species' genome with the greater Tyranid genome (hence the name Gene-stealer.) This is a method called the "Genestealer's Kiss," which is either a face-biting parody of a kiss or an injection under the ribcage. Fun fact, this biological process exists in real life under the name of "horizontal gene transfer", and is mostly used by bacteria to help other bacteria develop resistances to antibiotics, and more importantly is the main process involved in genetic engineering! More recently, the Genestealer Cult of the Twisted Helix has discovered how to extract this "seed" for use in contaminating food and medicine, allowing the Genestealer curse to spread to locations far removed from any actual Genestealer.

Regardless of the vector, the seed greatly alters the host's body on both physical and psychological levels over the course of a few hours, causing them to forget all about the infection and become subservient to the Purestrain's brood. The host is also driven to have children, even if they didn't want any before becoming infected; their partner does not have to be likewise infected, but it doesn't hurt. After a pregnant host (or whoever they impregnated) gives birth, their viciously malformed offspring creates a hive mind connection between itself, its parents, and the Genestealers (though this raises the question of how anyone else in the room during the birth, such as midwives, would react.) This connection and the mutations brought on by the Genestealer's seed proceed to subliminally twist the minds of both parents so that they unconditionally love their child and revere the Genestealers either as gods or as creatures sent by gods (the exact interpretation varies, you understand), usually fleeing into darkened tunnels, catacombs or sewers to avoid discovery. It is not even uncommon for a [[Genestealer Cult]] to present, at least outwardly, as Emperor-worshipers, although inevitably they have some funky iconography like the whole four arms thing. Some of them, at least the rank and file, may even ''believe'' they're worshiping the Emperor instead of spacebugs. And, when not doing dastardly Genestealer things, they may really be about the overall work of the Imperium on a day-to-day basis, which is of course part and parcel with their infiltrationist aspects.

Eventually these infected individuals and their growing brood of offspring will come together with kindred spirits (that is, other Genestealer hybrids and their infected parents) to form a community/family dedicated to the Genestealers in both body and soul. As the family grows, they will continue to isolate themselves, eventually forming a Genestealer Cult. What follows is an ongoing process of hybrids breeding with captured and infected humans, with their human parents kept around both as breeding stock and for nursing and child-rearing. The second generation hybrids aren't as ugly as their parents, appearing more "normal"-looking but still obviously alien. However, that becomes a moot point once the third and fourth generation roll around, the fourth actually being virtually indistinguishable from actual full-members of their parent species. The uglier members and Purestrain Genestealers typically lurk in the shadows far away from civilisation, while the intelligent and "human" members infiltrate and spy in almost every sector of society. Their psychic network lets them communicate with one another, even though some of the less-human hybrids (and the Purestrains) are incapable of speech, and when the brood mind becomes powerful enough, it will act as a beacon to [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. These fleets travel at various different speeds according to various different authors although generally always slower than Imperial warp drives, which means it is impractical for them to travel blindly, so they home in on the signal created by a large Genestealer Cult. When their arrival is imminent, they will directly contact the Cult, which will then engage in a full rebellion, sabotaging their planet's defenses in preparation for the fleet. This scenario is usually a win-win for the Tyranids, as even if the insurrection is crushed, they still probably went down swinging and cost the defenders valuable manpower and resources they needed to fight what's coming.

The exact manner in which a Cult reacts to the arrival of the Tyranids varies. According to the backstory for [[Hive Fleet Kraken]], a planet called Larnarno was infiltrated by a Cult calling themselves the Celebrants of Nihilism. When the Tyranids showed up to consume the planet, 75% of the population ''calmly marched towards and aboard the bio-ships where they gladly accepted being brought to the digestion pits''. However, a Cult generally has no idea what is about to happen to them, fully believing that the Tyranids are wonderful, enlightened beings and when they show up they'll all become one big happy space family. And for a bit, [[troll|the Hive Mind actually leads them on and doesn't target the cult]]. For a brief moment the cultists get to live their dream of fighting alongside their beloved star gods, but as soon as the planet's defenses are basically done for, they are on the menu just like everybody else. Even worse, the Hive Mind overrides the independence of the Patriarch and Purestrains, at which point the glamour surrounding the Tyranid horrors fades, the cultists get a good look at what their angels ''really'' look like and they have just enough time to [[Call of Cthulhu|fail their SAN checks and scream]]. Any cultists that try to flee are [[grimdark|consumed by the very father they worshiped and the very children they raised]].

Some may ask, why would GW do this? Does GW ''hate'' the idea that anyone who is not of an Imperial faction might be allowed to have a happy ending? If you have to ask these questions, you probably don't understand the situation. The Genestealer Cults are literally nothing more than convenient tools that the Tyranids use to prepare worlds for consumption. The very genetic fabric of each Cult member, right down to the most lowly cultist, has been hijacked to achieve this end. If they fail, they will be destroyed by the civilizations they are attempting to infiltrate. If they succeed, they will be assimilated by the Hive Mind. Therefore for the Genestealer Cults, one way or the other, there can be no happy ending.

Way back in the days of Rogue Trader, Genestealer Cults also used to be able to be devoted to Chaos. That disappeared from the tabletop along with the old incarnation of the army, but in the fluff, this can apparently still happen, in certain very rare circumstances. One account describes a truly hilarious case of turnabout when a Cult's ship is sucked into a Warp storm and dumped on the edges of Nurgle's Garden, where the Genestealers and their minions get taught a thing or two about ''real'' corruption and parasitism by the Chaos God who wrote the book on it. Nurgle does eventually let the Cult go, because he's a nice guy, ''after'' he's thoroughly had his way with them of course, and they come back into realspace as basically a Plaguestealer Cult. What might've happened if the Cult had fallen into Slaanesh's domain, officially, we'll never know, because family-friendly GW doesn't have the balls to go there. Unofficially, [[Hivestrain Azure|we can make a pretty good guess]]. As a contrariwise example, there's a genestealer cult in a Inquisitor Czevak story who, marooned on a daemon world in the [[Eye of Terror|Eye]] after their [[space hulk]] was unfortunate enough to crash there, nonetheless hate and resist chaos and maintain a lot of Imperial iconography and so on (although they ''do'' consort with xenos and mutants, which, while heretical, is probably still well above par for the course given their living situation).

Interestingly, it appears that the rare Genestealer Cults that fall to Chaos worship may become decidedly unappetizing to the Tyranids, to the point where a hive fleet will ''ignore'' the cult's call and merrily skip past them to go chow down on some forest-moon instead of the world the cult had been desperately calling them towards. This ends up pushing a cult even further into Chaos worship, unaware that they are not in fact following the Hivemind but instead possibly a demented purple whore or a bloated pus-covered maggot man.

=== Genestealer Variants ===
The first Genestealer to infect a host (or hosts) grows larger and more intelligent with each mind added to the cult/family/whatever, eventually far surpassing its kin in strength, size and cunning, even becoming a powerful psyker. This Genestealer is known as the [[Genestealer Patriarch|Patriarch]], and acts as both the cult's leader and the object of its devotion. The Patriarch's psychic connection to the Hive Mind allows it to maintain iron control over his brood as well as other lesser Tyranid organisms.

After the Purestrain infects a host, a Genestealer Cult will end up with members with various levels of Genestealer ancestry. In general, Genestealer Hybrids will breed with their non-Genestealer parent species, and their descendants will resemble that species, until the fourth hybrid generation, whose children will be Purestrain Genestealers capable of "founding" new Genestealer Cults.

The [[Rogue Trader]]-era Genestealers also get a special mention, in the form of "Ymgarl Genestealers," a strain that supposedly comes from a population of Genestealers that got isolated on the moons of Ymgarl. They have tentacled, lamprey-like mouths and the ability to partially transform themselves depending on the circumstances, at the cost of being genetically unstable and only being able to feed on blood. In fact, they're so unstable that the Hive Mind deliberately abandoned them for fear that they would contaminate the Tyranid gene pool. Because of this, they compulsively seek to reach planets that have recently been visited by the Tyranids in a futile attempt to be reabsorbed into the Hive Fleets. If they weren't horrible monstrosities, their predicament would almost be sad. However, at some point between 5th and 6th Edition, the Ymgarl Genestealers lucked out and got absorbed into a Hive Fleet by some very desperate/caring Norn Queen. The result of this is that 6E Tyranids now have a Bio-Artefact (If you feel unclean about the name, that's natural) called the ''Ymgarl Factor'' that gives any Tyranid unit the same unstable properties rule, but now lack the assaulting from Outflanking.

=== Non-human Hybrids ===

As a final note, [[Warhammer 40,000]] fiction is very [[human]]-centric, and so most Genestealer infestations depicted have occurred among human populations, but the [[Ciaphas Cain]] novels have suggested that [[Tau]] and [[Orks]] are also susceptible to Genestealer infection. The novel ''Death of Integrity'' also confirms that Genestealers will attack and assimilate other xenos, though this plot point lasts about one paragraph. <s>What, exactly, a Tau Genestealer Hybrid would look like is the subject of much speculation.</s> The short story ''The Greater Evil'' depicts one, and the answer is: Horrifying, and obviously blue. As shown in the later short story ''The Voice of Experience'', the Tau are also well-aware of Genestealers by this point and the threat they pose. There is old canon art of Ork Genestealer hybrids, but given the vast amount of retcons since then its canon status is questionable...

==== Orks ====

It should be noted that Orks reproduce asexually by way of fungal spores they secrete both at a perpetual slow trickle from their skin while alive and ''en masse'' while a decaying corpse (and also that "Ork" is but one of many many different Orkoid phenotypes that a given spore might develop into depending on environmental conditions, so one has to wonder how the genestealer mutations might interact with a spore that grew into, say, a mushroom), so it's pretty hard to envision an Orkified Genestealer Cult actually working, or lasting beyond the first generation or two, since they have no ways of mixing genes to produce purestrains in time. Even if they could, the Orks have an inherent ability to determine if one of their own isn't proppa Orky and will inevitably krump the gits. Some old, old fluff portrayed Purestrain genestealers descended from Ork hybrids as having denser musculature (and most likely greater physical strength). In another of these dusty accounts, an incident on the fringe of the Octarius system had a massive, purple, six-limbed Gargant attacking a Guard regiment. When it was melta'd open, purestrain genestealers emerged to eat the Guardsmen. You are encouraged to take these older bits of fluff with a generous pinch of salt. In any event, ancient and likely non-canonical fluff aside, the unique quirks of Ork biology boil down to the fact any attempt to infest an Ork warband would almost certainly fail and not be worth the effort in the first place. Commissar Cain encountered a genestealer infested space hulk in which genestealers were using infested orks to guard their hibernation chambers.

As of 2021, [[GW|GeeDubs]] has recently reaffirmed their existence in a White Dwarf. According to the article, they generally show up in Ork [[Kommando]]s, as they tend to live away from the main force of Orks, making it easier to slip in. Also in the article, they showed you [[Awesome|how to make your own out of Acolyte Hybrids, Abberants, and the new Kommandos.]] That's right, [[Wat|GW is encouraging you to kitbash.]] Did we slip into an alternate dimension?

==== Tau ====

Tau, similarly, have certain complications which may prevent Genestealer infestation. Firstly, their Kroot allies can tell if a person is infected or not simply by tasting some of their blood, and secondly, Tau-tech is certainly advanced enough to scan for this threat once they know about it. Furthermore, Tau explicitly practice caste-restricted bureaucratically arranged breeding processes; Tau don't have kids until their higher ups decide they should, and they don't even get to pick their own partners. Two Tau get paired up by the decision of a committee, spend a couple of days off work having sex, then separate and go their separate ways. This means the genestealer taint is seriously difficult to spread amongst the race. The caste-based structure of Tau society also poses problems to any potential Tauified Genestealers, and that's without presuming the caste-system is now so inherent that different castes can't even physically breed with each other anymore. All that being said, according to the new Genestealer Cults Codex, not only can Tau-Genestealer hybrids happen, but one time they were ''deliberately'' created by a team of Earth Caste researchers who wanted to see what would happen. The infection got out of control and actually ended in violence. It's even implied that they may have produced a hybrid Ethereal, which would be a disaster for the Tau given how obedience to the Ethereal caste is basically hard coded into their DNA.

==== Eldar ====

While it is possible for Genestealers to infect the [[Eldar]], it's extremely hard for them to get anywhere with any of the four varieties due to their highly advanced medical technology (all four, yes even the Exodites), universal emphatic abilities, very regimented lifestyles (Craftworld), slow breeding rate and the fact that irregular psychic activity amongst them gets located and dealt with very quickly (all four, heck mind bulletry is pretty much the only thing the [[Dark Eldar]] ban). Even when they are infected, the taint spreads much more slowly due to the Eldar's prolonged gestation period, which makes infecting them more trouble than it is worth in most situations.

So far the only examples among Eldar are those who knowingly and openly embraced their pants-thieving overlords. In the novel "Ghost Warrior", we have Genestealer Eldar on a lost [[Craftworld]] named [[Yvraine#Craftworld_Zaisuthra|Zaisuthra]]. Needless to say, the other [[Ynnari]] who contacted them were ''pissed.'' This was done in their misguided attempt to avoid getting consumed by Slaanesh because this Craftworld had left before the Infinity Circuit was invented and thus didn't have one; their logic was that if they gave themselves over to the Broodmind, their souls would be assimilated before Slaanesh could consume them. There is also something of a Genestealer cult growing among the Dark Eldar in Commorragh. After a raid with lots of captives taken to Commorragh, the Haemonculi found out some of them were Genestealer cultists. The hybrids were singled out and experimented on so their mutations would emerge. When some bored Dark Eldar among the social elite found out about this, they paid the Haemonculi to graft these Genestealer body parts on them for kicks (given how Genestealer reproduction involve a genetic re-write of infected hosts using the Stealer's own DNA, you can see what a stupid idea this is). It looks like the Hive Mind might find a way into Commorragh given how these Dark Eldar, who collectively call themselves the Vorgani, started forming tight-knit groups and share a singular obsession over a Tyranid-infested planet trapped in the Webway.

And of course, the haemonculi know this and think this is just a jolly and amusing thing because of course the sickest fucks in all the galaxy would look at this and think, "what an interesting turn of events!".

==== Others ====

If a Genestealer Cult somehow got somewhere near a [[Stryxis]] convoy and for some reason decided they wanted to interbreed with them they would quickly run into two main problems; the first being that Stryxis are extremely untrustworthy little shits so they don't exactly operate in large enough groups to be really worth the effort, the second problem also being that the Stryxis are untrustworthy little shits and would probably scam the Genestealer cult of all its possessions before enslaving the bastards (assuming they don't "trade" a few hundred bullets in exchange for the Tyranids [[Teef| teeth]] to sell to some orks or somthing)

As for the [[Necrons]], they're goddamn undead robots. If you even consider this possibility you're the biggest idiot since [[Magnus the Red]].

In earlier editions, Ymgarl Genestealers were said to be hybrids with a native, leechlike sapient race to Ymgarl, the Csith. The Salamanders wiped out the Csith, but were unable to wipe out the Ymgarl Genestealers.

Finally, and perhaps most troubling, is the mention that Tyranids have been targeting [[Hrud]] warrens. Hrud lack the defenses of the above races and are naturally predisposed towards infesting a planet and migrating en mass to a new one. The Genestealer hybrids, likewise, gain enhanced stealth and reaction speed (such as those 5++ saves the 'stealers now enjoy.)

== Dawn of War 2 ==
[[Image:Jeanstealers.jpg|250px|thumb|right|An Assault Terminator trying to protect his power pants from Jeanstealers]]
Genestealers are pretty lore accurate in Dawn of War 2. They eat whatever they face. They act as the ultimate melee troops for Tyranids '''in tier 2.''' Let's run some numbers: A regular Tactical Marine starts with 60 melee skill, a standard melee squad starts with 70. These motherfuckers are starting with 80 by default! And this even gets worse if they have any synapse support. If they are under Improved Synapse of the Hive Tyrant, their health increases by 25%. If they ever get into the melee synapse of Warrior Brood, their health increases by '''75%''', and melee skill by 10, and you can combine these 2 synapses together! Yeah, they can basically murderfuck anything in melee combat. And this gets even worse if they use their Adrenal Rush ability. Gains increased speed and damage, gains small amount of health in each hit they make, and decreases incoming ranged damage.

Everything aside, the most simple solution to deal with them is to get a walker out. Genestealers can't purchase their anti vehicle klaws until tier 3. That makes them balanced right? I hope so. But when they get them, they can solo a Dreadnought! Thankfully, they have light infantry armour, which means that they can be killed easily with most ranged weaponry and struggle against melee fighters that are able to survive long enough to get a few hits in themselves. AoE melee attacks are your friend against them.

== On the Tabletop ==
[[Image:Genestealers-in-the-grass.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Fist of the North Star|You're already dead]].]]Both Ymgarl and Purestrain Genestealers are ridiculously deadly in melee, both in fluff and crunch. On the tabletop, when a brood of Genestealers charges something, it's very unlikely to survive to the next turn unless it's a [[Land Raider]] due to their massive number of good strength attacks, rending, and high weapon skill that means they hit most things on 3s (seriously, these guys have higher weapons skill than a lot things made out to be close-combat experts), not to mention that they are fast little fuckers. A Zerg rush has ''nothing'' on these guys. In the fluff, their [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Rending Claws|claws]] are so damned sharp that they might as well be power weapons (back in 2nd Edition and pre-codex 3rd Edition they WERE power weapons), slicing through armor and walls like a chainsaw going through rice paper. Their hypnotic eye powers show up irregularly in the fluff, showing up in the Dark Disciples Novel but not Ciaphas Cain; Hero of the Imperium for example. The fact they are '''[[derp|faster than Eldar]]''' lets them laugh at any unit they charge/charging them, and they are usually deployed a-la Kroot Carnivores (parking them behind a windowless wall 12-18" from the enemy). Unlike Kroots though, they are not there to slow the enemy, they provide a hazardous area for the first turns and then, when the main force has reached their position, they jump out to help OMNOMMing.

In some editions Genestealer broods could upgrade one of the members to a [[Broodlord]], which formerly had a major role due to the biomorphs it could use and psyker powers, but being reduced to a sergeant basically made it just add an extra punch, though it still had a better statline than any non Special-Character Space Marine HQs (except the CSM's daemon prince). Sixth Edition turned Broodlords into rape machines in challenges, as they are able to bring down almost any independent character in the game without eternal warrior, while costing much, MUCH less.

In 8th Edition, Genestealers are still great, but other armies have some melee options that are pretty on-par with them. A horde of Ork Boyz, for example, can pump out 30 more melee attacks in a turn, and cost 110 points less. Granted, they don't have the 5++ invuln, but they still will wreck a horde of Genestealers' shit if they get the first attack. On the other hand, the Genestealers are also very speedy and can rocket to the other side of the board with the right Stratagems. They can also charge after advancing (or lose that ability in exchange for a better armor save that can go up to MEQ-tier if in cover or under the benefits of Jormungandr's Hive Fleet Attribute) and can take [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Acid Maw|Acid Maws]] for a few extra MEQ-killing attacks. Oh, and they also get a Deep Strike similar to a Terminator's teleport homers. They're especially potent with Hive Fleet Kraken since they'll have better advances as well as the ability to charge after falling back, which not only saves them from running the risk of being trapped in melee with something too tough for them to deal with but also improves their already impressive maneuverability and ensures that they'll always get the first swing in.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Genestealer_orks.jpg| ORKY NIDS!!!!!!!!!!!
File:Warhammer 40k the tyranid outcast by randize-d4jl7lq.jpg|
File:Ymgarl.jpg
</gallery>

== See Also ==

*[[Genestealer Cult]]
*[[Jeanstealer]] - One of /tg/'s creations. A rather confused Tyranid genestealer that is only driven to steal denim trousers.
*[[Hivestrain Azure]]- A fapfic about a particularly unusual strain of genestealer, likely part of a cult tainted by [[Slaanesh]].
*[[Zoats]]

[[Category: Warhammer 40,000]]

[[Category: Dawn of War]]

[[Category: Xenos]]

[[Category: Tyranid]]

[[Category: Genestealer Cults]]

{{Template:Tyranids-Creatures}}

{{Template:Genestealer-Cult}}

{{WH40k-Factions}}

Genestealer

2022-05-23T20:15:49Z

2601:188:C300:64B8:8C20:7464:5A21:328E: /* Others */

[[Image:GenestealerBroodlord.jpg|thumb|right|They're not just called Genestealers for nothing!]]
{{Topquote|Iä! Iä! Tyrannicus fhtagn!|One of many unholy Genestealer Cult prayers}}

{{Topquote|Praise be! The star children deliver us!|White Dwarf October 2016}}

{{Topquote|Mankind has always looked to the stars for salvation...and finally, THE STARS HAVE ANSWERED!|Unnamed Magus}}

'''Genestealers''' (''Corporaptor hominis'') are [[xenos|alien]] creatures in the [[Warhammer 40,000]] universe. They have undergone many [[fluff]] revisions since their inception, but they have always been lethal in melee (so deadly that [[Space Marine]] [[power armor]] is like tissue paper to them, no exaggeration), preternaturally fast, pseudo-insectoid in form, protected by a thick shell of [[Carapace]] and reliant on other species for reproduction.

Basically what would happen if the Xenomorphs decided to run a Lovecraftian doomsday [[Genestealer Cult|cult]]... IN SPAAAAACE!

== Rogue Trader ==
[[Image:Oldschool genestealers.png|thumb|right|The 2nd edition pic that has defined the identity of Genestealer Cults for decades.]]
In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]] (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), Genestealers were simply one of many creatures encountered in space, spreading from the moon of Ymgarl. They could be extremely dangerous in close quarters, as each of their six strong limbs ended in [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Rending Claws|sharp claws]], and they had a gruesome lifecycle reminiscent of the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise, but otherwise had little to distinguish themselves. Most notably, they were not connected with the [[Tyranids]] at all. Indeed, the core rulebook noted that Genestealers with [[human]] ancestry could be intelligent, and even friendly! Their natural form had an almost leech-like head, and they were specifically described as "vampirish." They also ignored armour saves until 4th ed. That was annoying.

== Space Hulk ==
When the [[Space Hulk]] board game was released a few years after 40k: Rogue Trader, Genestealers received a significant bump in their threat level. The game made it clear that the Genestealers were a much more virulent and widespread menace than their initial description, and their head was changed to have a much toothier mouth. In keeping with GW's ripping off the Xenomorphs, Genestealers would use stealth to approach the Marine player's [[Terminators]] as "blips" of some unknown number of Genestealers, and then come out of hiding once they had a good ambush prepared. They achieved a super-human level of coordination via a [[Hive Mind|hive mind]], represented by the Genestealer player having unlimited time to move his pieces.

== Later Editions ==
In later editions of [[Warhammer 40,000]], the Genestealers were revealed to be (or [[retcon]]ned into, depending on your point of view) vanguard organisms for the [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. They are capable of thinking for themselves and operating without the Hive Mind's leadership, a rare trait among Tyranids, although they are not synapse creatures. [[Space Hulk]]-era Genestealers were re-designated "Purestrain Genestealers," created by the Hive Fleets themselves.

Genestealers are sent to infest Space Hulks and spread among the stars. Their long tongues contain a barbed ovipositor; when they encounter sentient anthropoid, they [[Rape|use this ovipositor to inject a "seed" into the host's body]], combining the host species' genome with the greater Tyranid genome (hence the name Gene-stealer.) This is a method called the "Genestealer's Kiss," which is either a face-biting parody of a kiss or an injection under the ribcage. Fun fact, this biological process exists in real life under the name of "horizontal gene transfer", and is mostly used by bacteria to help other bacteria develop resistances to antibiotics, and more importantly is the main process involved in genetic engineering! More recently, the Genestealer Cult of the Twisted Helix has discovered how to extract this "seed" for use in contaminating food and medicine, allowing the Genestealer curse to spread to locations far removed from any actual Genestealer.

Regardless of the vector, the seed greatly alters the host's body on both physical and psychological levels over the course of a few hours, causing them to forget all about the infection and become subservient to the Purestrain's brood. The host is also driven to have children, even if they didn't want any before becoming infected; their partner does not have to be likewise infected, but it doesn't hurt. After a pregnant host (or whoever they impregnated) gives birth, their viciously malformed offspring creates a hive mind connection between itself, its parents, and the Genestealers (though this raises the question of how anyone else in the room during the birth, such as midwives, would react.) This connection and the mutations brought on by the Genestealer's seed proceed to subliminally twist the minds of both parents so that they unconditionally love their child and revere the Genestealers either as gods or as creatures sent by gods (the exact interpretation varies, you understand), usually fleeing into darkened tunnels, catacombs or sewers to avoid discovery. It is not even uncommon for a [[Genestealer Cult]] to present, at least outwardly, as Emperor-worshipers, although inevitably they have some funky iconography like the whole four arms thing. Some of them, at least the rank and file, may even ''believe'' they're worshiping the Emperor instead of spacebugs. And, when not doing dastardly Genestealer things, they may really be about the overall work of the Imperium on a day-to-day basis, which is of course part and parcel with their infiltrationist aspects.

Eventually these infected individuals and their growing brood of offspring will come together with kindred spirits (that is, other Genestealer hybrids and their infected parents) to form a community/family dedicated to the Genestealers in both body and soul. As the family grows, they will continue to isolate themselves, eventually forming a Genestealer Cult. What follows is an ongoing process of hybrids breeding with captured and infected humans, with their human parents kept around both as breeding stock and for nursing and child-rearing. The second generation hybrids aren't as ugly as their parents, appearing more "normal"-looking but still obviously alien. However, that becomes a moot point once the third and fourth generation roll around, the fourth actually being virtually indistinguishable from actual full-members of their parent species. The uglier members and Purestrain Genestealers typically lurk in the shadows far away from civilisation, while the intelligent and "human" members infiltrate and spy in almost every sector of society. Their psychic network lets them communicate with one another, even though some of the less-human hybrids (and the Purestrains) are incapable of speech, and when the brood mind becomes powerful enough, it will act as a beacon to [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. These fleets travel at various different speeds according to various different authors although generally always slower than Imperial warp drives, which means it is impractical for them to travel blindly, so they home in on the signal created by a large Genestealer Cult. When their arrival is imminent, they will directly contact the Cult, which will then engage in a full rebellion, sabotaging their planet's defenses in preparation for the fleet. This scenario is usually a win-win for the Tyranids, as even if the insurrection is crushed, they still probably went down swinging and cost the defenders valuable manpower and resources they needed to fight what's coming.

The exact manner in which a Cult reacts to the arrival of the Tyranids varies. According to the backstory for [[Hive Fleet Kraken]], a planet called Larnarno was infiltrated by a Cult calling themselves the Celebrants of Nihilism. When the Tyranids showed up to consume the planet, 75% of the population ''calmly marched towards and aboard the bio-ships where they gladly accepted being brought to the digestion pits''. However, a Cult generally has no idea what is about to happen to them, fully believing that the Tyranids are wonderful, enlightened beings and when they show up they'll all become one big happy space family. And for a bit, [[troll|the Hive Mind actually leads them on and doesn't target the cult]]. For a brief moment the cultists get to live their dream of fighting alongside their beloved star gods, but as soon as the planet's defenses are basically done for, they are on the menu just like everybody else. Even worse, the Hive Mind overrides the independence of the Patriarch and Purestrains, at which point the glamour surrounding the Tyranid horrors fades, the cultists get a good look at what their angels ''really'' look like and they have just enough time to [[Call of Cthulhu|fail their SAN checks and scream]]. Any cultists that try to flee are [[grimdark|consumed by the very father they worshiped and the very children they raised]].

Some may ask, why would GW do this? Does GW ''hate'' the idea that anyone who is not of an Imperial faction might be allowed to have a happy ending? If you have to ask these questions, you probably don't understand the situation. The Genestealer Cults are literally nothing more than convenient tools that the Tyranids use to prepare worlds for consumption. The very genetic fabric of each Cult member, right down to the most lowly cultist, has been hijacked to achieve this end. If they fail, they will be destroyed by the civilizations they are attempting to infiltrate. If they succeed, they will be assimilated by the Hive Mind. Therefore for the Genestealer Cults, one way or the other, there can be no happy ending.

Way back in the days of Rogue Trader, Genestealer Cults also used to be able to be devoted to Chaos. That disappeared from the tabletop along with the old incarnation of the army, but in the fluff, this can apparently still happen, in certain very rare circumstances. One account describes a truly hilarious case of turnabout when a Cult's ship is sucked into a Warp storm and dumped on the edges of Nurgle's Garden, where the Genestealers and their minions get taught a thing or two about ''real'' corruption and parasitism by the Chaos God who wrote the book on it. Nurgle does eventually let the Cult go, because he's a nice guy, ''after'' he's thoroughly had his way with them of course, and they come back into realspace as basically a Plaguestealer Cult. What might've happened if the Cult had fallen into Slaanesh's domain, officially, we'll never know, because family-friendly GW doesn't have the balls to go there. Unofficially, [[Hivestrain Azure|we can make a pretty good guess]]. As a contrariwise example, there's a genestealer cult in a Inquisitor Czevak story who, marooned on a daemon world in the [[Eye of Terror|Eye]] after their [[space hulk]] was unfortunate enough to crash there, nonetheless hate and resist chaos and maintain a lot of Imperial iconography and so on (although they ''do'' consort with xenos and mutants, which, while heretical, is probably still well above par for the course given their living situation).

Interestingly, it appears that the rare Genestealer Cults that fall to Chaos worship may become decidedly unappetizing to the Tyranids, to the point where a hive fleet will ''ignore'' the cult's call and merrily skip past them to go chow down on some forest-moon instead of the world the cult had been desperately calling them towards. This ends up pushing a cult even further into Chaos worship, unaware that they are not in fact following the Hivemind but instead possibly a demented purple whore or a bloated pus-covered maggot man.

=== Genestealer Variants ===
The first Genestealer to infect a host (or hosts) grows larger and more intelligent with each mind added to the cult/family/whatever, eventually far surpassing its kin in strength, size and cunning, even becoming a powerful psyker. This Genestealer is known as the [[Genestealer Patriarch|Patriarch]], and acts as both the cult's leader and the object of its devotion. The Patriarch's psychic connection to the Hive Mind allows it to maintain iron control over his brood as well as other lesser Tyranid organisms.

After the Purestrain infects a host, a Genestealer Cult will end up with members with various levels of Genestealer ancestry. In general, Genestealer Hybrids will breed with their non-Genestealer parent species, and their descendants will resemble that species, until the fourth hybrid generation, whose children will be Purestrain Genestealers capable of "founding" new Genestealer Cults.

The [[Rogue Trader]]-era Genestealers also get a special mention, in the form of "Ymgarl Genestealers," a strain that supposedly comes from a population of Genestealers that got isolated on the moons of Ymgarl. They have tentacled, lamprey-like mouths and the ability to partially transform themselves depending on the circumstances, at the cost of being genetically unstable and only being able to feed on blood. In fact, they're so unstable that the Hive Mind deliberately abandoned them for fear that they would contaminate the Tyranid gene pool. Because of this, they compulsively seek to reach planets that have recently been visited by the Tyranids in a futile attempt to be reabsorbed into the Hive Fleets. If they weren't horrible monstrosities, their predicament would almost be sad. However, at some point between 5th and 6th Edition, the Ymgarl Genestealers lucked out and got absorbed into a Hive Fleet by some very desperate/caring Norn Queen. The result of this is that 6E Tyranids now have a Bio-Artefact (If you feel unclean about the name, that's natural) called the ''Ymgarl Factor'' that gives any Tyranid unit the same unstable properties rule, but now lack the assaulting from Outflanking.

=== Non-human Hybrids ===

As a final note, [[Warhammer 40,000]] fiction is very [[human]]-centric, and so most Genestealer infestations depicted have occurred among human populations, but the [[Ciaphas Cain]] novels have suggested that [[Tau]] and [[Orks]] are also susceptible to Genestealer infection. The novel ''Death of Integrity'' also confirms that Genestealers will attack and assimilate other xenos, though this plot point lasts about one paragraph. <s>What, exactly, a Tau Genestealer Hybrid would look like is the subject of much speculation.</s> The short story ''The Greater Evil'' depicts one, and the answer is: Horrifying, and obviously blue. As shown in the later short story ''The Voice of Experience'', the Tau are also well-aware of Genestealers by this point and the threat they pose. There is old canon art of Ork Genestealer hybrids, but given the vast amount of retcons since then its canon status is questionable...

==== Orks ====

It should be noted that Orks reproduce asexually by way of fungal spores they secrete both at a perpetual slow trickle from their skin while alive and ''en masse'' while a decaying corpse (and also that "Ork" is but one of many many different Orkoid phenotypes that a given spore might develop into depending on environmental conditions, so one has to wonder how the genestealer mutations might interact with a spore that grew into, say, a mushroom), so it's pretty hard to envision an Orkified Genestealer Cult actually working, or lasting beyond the first generation or two, since they have no ways of mixing genes to produce purestrains in time. Even if they could, the Orks have an inherent ability to determine if one of their own isn't proppa Orky and will inevitably krump the gits. Some old, old fluff portrayed Purestrain genestealers descended from Ork hybrids as having denser musculature (and most likely greater physical strength). In another of these dusty accounts, an incident on the fringe of the Octarius system had a massive, purple, six-limbed Gargant attacking a Guard regiment. When it was melta'd open, purestrain genestealers emerged to eat the Guardsmen. You are encouraged to take these older bits of fluff with a generous pinch of salt. In any event, ancient and likely non-canonical fluff aside, the unique quirks of Ork biology boil down to the fact any attempt to infest an Ork warband would almost certainly fail and not be worth the effort in the first place. Commissar Cain encountered a genestealer infested space hulk in which genestealers were using infested orks to guard their hibernation chambers.

As of 2021, [[GW|GeeDubs]] has recently reaffirmed their existence in a White Dwarf. According to the article, they generally show up in Ork [[Kommando]]s, as they tend to live away from the main force of Orks, making it easier to slip in. Also in the article, they showed you [[Awesome|how to make your own out of Acolyte Hybrids, Abberants, and the new Kommandos.]] That's right, [[Wat|GW is encouraging you to kitbash.]] Did we slip into an alternate dimension?

==== Tau ====

Tau, similarly, have certain complications which may prevent Genestealer infestation. Firstly, their Kroot allies can tell if a person is infected or not simply by tasting some of their blood, and secondly, Tau-tech is certainly advanced enough to scan for this threat once they know about it. Furthermore, Tau explicitly practice caste-restricted bureaucratically arranged breeding processes; Tau don't have kids until their higher ups decide they should, and they don't even get to pick their own partners. Two Tau get paired up by the decision of a committee, spend a couple of days off work having sex, then separate and go their separate ways. This means the genestealer taint is seriously difficult to spread amongst the race. The caste-based structure of Tau society also poses problems to any potential Tauified Genestealers, and that's without presuming the caste-system is now so inherent that different castes can't even physically breed with each other anymore. All that being said, according to the new Genestealer Cults Codex, not only can Tau-Genestealer hybrids happen, but one time they were ''deliberately'' created by a team of Earth Caste researchers who wanted to see what would happen. The infection got out of control and actually ended in violence. It's even implied that they may have produced a hybrid Ethereal, which would be a disaster for the Tau given how obedience to the Ethereal caste is basically hard coded into their DNA.

==== Eldar ====

While it is possible for Genestealers to infect the [[Eldar]], it's extremely hard for them to get anywhere with any of the four varieties due to their highly advanced medical technology (all four, yes even the Exodites), universal emphatic abilities, very regimented lifestyles (Craftworld), slow breeding rate and the fact that irregular psychic activity amongst them gets located and dealt with very quickly (all four, heck mind bulletry is pretty much the only thing the [[Dark Eldar]] ban). Even when they are infected, the taint spreads much more slowly due to the Eldar's prolonged gestation period, which makes infecting them more trouble than it is worth in most situations.

So far the only examples among Eldar are those who knowingly and openly embraced their pants-thieving overlords. In the novel "Ghost Warrior", we have Genestealer Eldar on a lost [[Craftworld]] named [[Yvraine#Craftworld_Zaisuthra|Zaisuthra]]. Needless to say, the other [[Ynnari]] who contacted them were ''pissed.'' This was done in their misguided attempt to avoid getting consumed by Slaanesh because this Craftworld had left before the Infinity Circuit was invented and thus didn't have one; their logic was that if they gave themselves over to the Broodmind, their souls would be assimilated before Slaanesh could consume them. There is also something of a Genestealer cult growing among the Dark Eldar in Commorragh. After a raid with lots of captives taken to Commorragh, the Haemonculi found out some of them were Genestealer cultists. The hybrids were singled out and experimented on so their mutations would emerge. When some bored Dark Eldar among the social elite found out about this, they paid the Haemonculi to graft these Genestealer body parts on them for kicks (given how Genestealer reproduction involve a genetic re-write of infected hosts using the Stealer's own DNA, you can see what a stupid idea this is). It looks like the Hive Mind might find a way into Commorragh given how these Dark Eldar, who collectively call themselves the Vorgani, started forming tight-knit groups and share a singular obsession over a Tyranid-infested planet trapped in the Webway.

And of course, the haemonculi know this and think this is just a jolly and amusing thing because of course the sickest fucks in all the galaxy would look at this and think, "what an interesting turn of events!".

==== Others ====

If a Genestealer Cult somehow got somewhere near a [[Stryxis]] convoy and for some reason decided they wanted to interbreed with them they would quickly run into two main problems; the first being that Stryxis are extremely untrustworthy little shits so they don't exactly operate in large enough groups to be really worth the effort, the second problem also being that the Stryxis are untrustworthy little shits and would probably scam the Genestealer cult of all its possessions before enslaving the bastards (assuming they don't "trade" a few hundred bullets in exchange for the Tyranids [[Teef| teeth]] to sell to some orks or somthing)

As for the [[Necrons]], they're goddamn undead robots. If you even consider this possibility you're the biggest idiot since [[Magnus the Red]].

In earlier editions, Ymgarl Genestealers were said to be hybrids with a native, leechlike sapient race to Ymgarl, the Csith. The Salamanders wiped out the Csith, but were unable to wipe out the Ymgarl Genestealers.

Finally, and perhaps most troubling, is the mention that Tyranids have been targeting [[Hrud]] warrens. Hrud lack the defenses of the above races and are naturally predisposed towards infesting a planet and migrating en mass to a new one. The Genestealer hybrids, likewise, gain enhanced stealth and reaction speed (such as those 5++ saves the 'stealers now enjoy.)

== Dawn of War 2 ==
[[Image:Jeanstealers.jpg|250px|thumb|right|An Assault Terminator trying to protect his power pants from Jeanstealers]]
Genestealers are pretty lore accurate in Dawn of War 2. They eat whatever they face. They act as the ultimate melee troops for Tyranids '''in tier 2.''' Let's run some numbers: A regular Tactical Marine starts with 60 melee skill, a standard melee squad starts with 70. These motherfuckers are starting with 80 by default! And this even gets worse if they have any synapse support. If they are under Improved Synapse of the Hive Tyrant, their health increases by 25%. If they ever get into the melee synapse of Warrior Brood, their health increases by '''75%''', and melee skill by 10, and you can combine these 2 synapses together! Yeah, they can basically murderfuck anything in melee combat. And this gets even worse if they use their Adrenal Rush ability. Gains increased speed and damage, gains small amount of health in each hit they make, and decreases incoming ranged damage.

Everything aside, the most simple solution to deal with them is to get a walker out. Genestealers can't purchase their anti vehicle klaws until tier 3. That makes them balanced right? I hope so. But when they get them, they can solo a Dreadnought! Thankfully, they have light infantry armour, which means that they can be killed easily with most ranged weaponry and struggle against melee fighters that are able to survive long enough to get a few hits in themselves. AoE melee attacks are your friend against them.

== On the Tabletop ==
[[Image:Genestealers-in-the-grass.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Fist of the North Star|You're already dead]].]]Both Ymgarl and Purestrain Genestealers are ridiculously deadly in melee, both in fluff and crunch. On the tabletop, when a brood of Genestealers charges something, it's very unlikely to survive to the next turn unless it's a [[Land Raider]] due to their massive number of good strength attacks, rending, and high weapon skill that means they hit most things on 3s (seriously, these guys have higher weapons skill than a lot things made out to be close-combat experts), not to mention that they are fast little fuckers. A Zerg rush has ''nothing'' on these guys. In the fluff, their [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Rending Claws|claws]] are so damned sharp that they might as well be power weapons (back in 2nd Edition and pre-codex 3rd Edition they WERE power weapons), slicing through armor and walls like a chainsaw going through rice paper. Their hypnotic eye powers show up irregularly in the fluff, showing up in the Dark Disciples Novel but not Ciaphas Cain; Hero of the Imperium for example. The fact they are '''[[derp|faster than Eldar]]''' lets them laugh at any unit they charge/charging them, and they are usually deployed a-la Kroot Carnivores (parking them behind a windowless wall 12-18" from the enemy). Unlike Kroots though, they are not there to slow the enemy, they provide a hazardous area for the first turns and then, when the main force has reached their position, they jump out to help OMNOMMing.

In some editions Genestealer broods could upgrade one of the members to a [[Broodlord]], which formerly had a major role due to the biomorphs it could use and psyker powers, but being reduced to a sergeant basically made it just add an extra punch, though it still had a better statline than any non Special-Character Space Marine HQs (except the CSM's daemon prince). Sixth Edition turned Broodlords into rape machines in challenges, as they are able to bring down almost any independent character in the game without eternal warrior, while costing much, MUCH less.

In 8th Edition, Genestealers are still great, but other armies have some melee options that are pretty on-par with them. A horde of Ork Boyz, for example, can pump out 30 more melee attacks in a turn, and cost 110 points less. Granted, they don't have the 5++ invuln, but they still will wreck a horde of Genestealers' shit if they get the first attack. On the other hand, the Genestealers are also very speedy and can rocket to the other side of the board with the right Stratagems. They can also charge after advancing (or lose that ability in exchange for a better armor save that can go up to MEQ-tier if in cover or under the benefits of Jormungandr's Hive Fleet Attribute) and can take [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Acid Maw|Acid Maws]] for a few extra MEQ-killing attacks. Oh, and they also get a Deep Strike similar to a Terminator's teleport homers. They're especially potent with Hive Fleet Kraken since they'll have better advances as well as the ability to charge after falling back, which not only saves them from running the risk of being trapped in melee with something too tough for them to deal with but also improves their already impressive maneuverability and ensures that they'll always get the first swing in.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Genestealer_orks.jpg| ORKY NIDS!!!!!!!!!!!
File:Warhammer 40k the tyranid outcast by randize-d4jl7lq.jpg|
</gallery>

== See Also ==

*[[Genestealer Cult]]
*[[Jeanstealer]] - One of /tg/'s creations. A rather confused Tyranid genestealer that is only driven to steal denim trousers.
*[[Hivestrain Azure]]- A fapfic about a particularly unusual strain of genestealer, likely part of a cult tainted by [[Slaanesh]].
*[[Zoats]]

[[Category: Warhammer 40,000]]

[[Category: Dawn of War]]

[[Category: Xenos]]

[[Category: Tyranid]]

[[Category: Genestealer Cults]]

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{{Template:Genestealer-Cult}}

{{WH40k-Factions}}

Genestealer

2022-05-23T20:15:03Z

2601:188:C300:64B8:8C20:7464:5A21:328E: /* Others */

[[Image:GenestealerBroodlord.jpg|thumb|right|They're not just called Genestealers for nothing!]]
{{Topquote|Iä! Iä! Tyrannicus fhtagn!|One of many unholy Genestealer Cult prayers}}

{{Topquote|Praise be! The star children deliver us!|White Dwarf October 2016}}

{{Topquote|Mankind has always looked to the stars for salvation...and finally, THE STARS HAVE ANSWERED!|Unnamed Magus}}

'''Genestealers''' (''Corporaptor hominis'') are [[xenos|alien]] creatures in the [[Warhammer 40,000]] universe. They have undergone many [[fluff]] revisions since their inception, but they have always been lethal in melee (so deadly that [[Space Marine]] [[power armor]] is like tissue paper to them, no exaggeration), preternaturally fast, pseudo-insectoid in form, protected by a thick shell of [[Carapace]] and reliant on other species for reproduction.

Basically what would happen if the Xenomorphs decided to run a Lovecraftian doomsday [[Genestealer Cult|cult]]... IN SPAAAAACE!

== Rogue Trader ==
[[Image:Oldschool genestealers.png|thumb|right|The 2nd edition pic that has defined the identity of Genestealer Cults for decades.]]
In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]] (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), Genestealers were simply one of many creatures encountered in space, spreading from the moon of Ymgarl. They could be extremely dangerous in close quarters, as each of their six strong limbs ended in [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Rending Claws|sharp claws]], and they had a gruesome lifecycle reminiscent of the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise, but otherwise had little to distinguish themselves. Most notably, they were not connected with the [[Tyranids]] at all. Indeed, the core rulebook noted that Genestealers with [[human]] ancestry could be intelligent, and even friendly! Their natural form had an almost leech-like head, and they were specifically described as "vampirish." They also ignored armour saves until 4th ed. That was annoying.

== Space Hulk ==
When the [[Space Hulk]] board game was released a few years after 40k: Rogue Trader, Genestealers received a significant bump in their threat level. The game made it clear that the Genestealers were a much more virulent and widespread menace than their initial description, and their head was changed to have a much toothier mouth. In keeping with GW's ripping off the Xenomorphs, Genestealers would use stealth to approach the Marine player's [[Terminators]] as "blips" of some unknown number of Genestealers, and then come out of hiding once they had a good ambush prepared. They achieved a super-human level of coordination via a [[Hive Mind|hive mind]], represented by the Genestealer player having unlimited time to move his pieces.

== Later Editions ==
In later editions of [[Warhammer 40,000]], the Genestealers were revealed to be (or [[retcon]]ned into, depending on your point of view) vanguard organisms for the [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. They are capable of thinking for themselves and operating without the Hive Mind's leadership, a rare trait among Tyranids, although they are not synapse creatures. [[Space Hulk]]-era Genestealers were re-designated "Purestrain Genestealers," created by the Hive Fleets themselves.

Genestealers are sent to infest Space Hulks and spread among the stars. Their long tongues contain a barbed ovipositor; when they encounter sentient anthropoid, they [[Rape|use this ovipositor to inject a "seed" into the host's body]], combining the host species' genome with the greater Tyranid genome (hence the name Gene-stealer.) This is a method called the "Genestealer's Kiss," which is either a face-biting parody of a kiss or an injection under the ribcage. Fun fact, this biological process exists in real life under the name of "horizontal gene transfer", and is mostly used by bacteria to help other bacteria develop resistances to antibiotics, and more importantly is the main process involved in genetic engineering! More recently, the Genestealer Cult of the Twisted Helix has discovered how to extract this "seed" for use in contaminating food and medicine, allowing the Genestealer curse to spread to locations far removed from any actual Genestealer.

Regardless of the vector, the seed greatly alters the host's body on both physical and psychological levels over the course of a few hours, causing them to forget all about the infection and become subservient to the Purestrain's brood. The host is also driven to have children, even if they didn't want any before becoming infected; their partner does not have to be likewise infected, but it doesn't hurt. After a pregnant host (or whoever they impregnated) gives birth, their viciously malformed offspring creates a hive mind connection between itself, its parents, and the Genestealers (though this raises the question of how anyone else in the room during the birth, such as midwives, would react.) This connection and the mutations brought on by the Genestealer's seed proceed to subliminally twist the minds of both parents so that they unconditionally love their child and revere the Genestealers either as gods or as creatures sent by gods (the exact interpretation varies, you understand), usually fleeing into darkened tunnels, catacombs or sewers to avoid discovery. It is not even uncommon for a [[Genestealer Cult]] to present, at least outwardly, as Emperor-worshipers, although inevitably they have some funky iconography like the whole four arms thing. Some of them, at least the rank and file, may even ''believe'' they're worshiping the Emperor instead of spacebugs. And, when not doing dastardly Genestealer things, they may really be about the overall work of the Imperium on a day-to-day basis, which is of course part and parcel with their infiltrationist aspects.

Eventually these infected individuals and their growing brood of offspring will come together with kindred spirits (that is, other Genestealer hybrids and their infected parents) to form a community/family dedicated to the Genestealers in both body and soul. As the family grows, they will continue to isolate themselves, eventually forming a Genestealer Cult. What follows is an ongoing process of hybrids breeding with captured and infected humans, with their human parents kept around both as breeding stock and for nursing and child-rearing. The second generation hybrids aren't as ugly as their parents, appearing more "normal"-looking but still obviously alien. However, that becomes a moot point once the third and fourth generation roll around, the fourth actually being virtually indistinguishable from actual full-members of their parent species. The uglier members and Purestrain Genestealers typically lurk in the shadows far away from civilisation, while the intelligent and "human" members infiltrate and spy in almost every sector of society. Their psychic network lets them communicate with one another, even though some of the less-human hybrids (and the Purestrains) are incapable of speech, and when the brood mind becomes powerful enough, it will act as a beacon to [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. These fleets travel at various different speeds according to various different authors although generally always slower than Imperial warp drives, which means it is impractical for them to travel blindly, so they home in on the signal created by a large Genestealer Cult. When their arrival is imminent, they will directly contact the Cult, which will then engage in a full rebellion, sabotaging their planet's defenses in preparation for the fleet. This scenario is usually a win-win for the Tyranids, as even if the insurrection is crushed, they still probably went down swinging and cost the defenders valuable manpower and resources they needed to fight what's coming.

The exact manner in which a Cult reacts to the arrival of the Tyranids varies. According to the backstory for [[Hive Fleet Kraken]], a planet called Larnarno was infiltrated by a Cult calling themselves the Celebrants of Nihilism. When the Tyranids showed up to consume the planet, 75% of the population ''calmly marched towards and aboard the bio-ships where they gladly accepted being brought to the digestion pits''. However, a Cult generally has no idea what is about to happen to them, fully believing that the Tyranids are wonderful, enlightened beings and when they show up they'll all become one big happy space family. And for a bit, [[troll|the Hive Mind actually leads them on and doesn't target the cult]]. For a brief moment the cultists get to live their dream of fighting alongside their beloved star gods, but as soon as the planet's defenses are basically done for, they are on the menu just like everybody else. Even worse, the Hive Mind overrides the independence of the Patriarch and Purestrains, at which point the glamour surrounding the Tyranid horrors fades, the cultists get a good look at what their angels ''really'' look like and they have just enough time to [[Call of Cthulhu|fail their SAN checks and scream]]. Any cultists that try to flee are [[grimdark|consumed by the very father they worshiped and the very children they raised]].

Some may ask, why would GW do this? Does GW ''hate'' the idea that anyone who is not of an Imperial faction might be allowed to have a happy ending? If you have to ask these questions, you probably don't understand the situation. The Genestealer Cults are literally nothing more than convenient tools that the Tyranids use to prepare worlds for consumption. The very genetic fabric of each Cult member, right down to the most lowly cultist, has been hijacked to achieve this end. If they fail, they will be destroyed by the civilizations they are attempting to infiltrate. If they succeed, they will be assimilated by the Hive Mind. Therefore for the Genestealer Cults, one way or the other, there can be no happy ending.

Way back in the days of Rogue Trader, Genestealer Cults also used to be able to be devoted to Chaos. That disappeared from the tabletop along with the old incarnation of the army, but in the fluff, this can apparently still happen, in certain very rare circumstances. One account describes a truly hilarious case of turnabout when a Cult's ship is sucked into a Warp storm and dumped on the edges of Nurgle's Garden, where the Genestealers and their minions get taught a thing or two about ''real'' corruption and parasitism by the Chaos God who wrote the book on it. Nurgle does eventually let the Cult go, because he's a nice guy, ''after'' he's thoroughly had his way with them of course, and they come back into realspace as basically a Plaguestealer Cult. What might've happened if the Cult had fallen into Slaanesh's domain, officially, we'll never know, because family-friendly GW doesn't have the balls to go there. Unofficially, [[Hivestrain Azure|we can make a pretty good guess]]. As a contrariwise example, there's a genestealer cult in a Inquisitor Czevak story who, marooned on a daemon world in the [[Eye of Terror|Eye]] after their [[space hulk]] was unfortunate enough to crash there, nonetheless hate and resist chaos and maintain a lot of Imperial iconography and so on (although they ''do'' consort with xenos and mutants, which, while heretical, is probably still well above par for the course given their living situation).

Interestingly, it appears that the rare Genestealer Cults that fall to Chaos worship may become decidedly unappetizing to the Tyranids, to the point where a hive fleet will ''ignore'' the cult's call and merrily skip past them to go chow down on some forest-moon instead of the world the cult had been desperately calling them towards. This ends up pushing a cult even further into Chaos worship, unaware that they are not in fact following the Hivemind but instead possibly a demented purple whore or a bloated pus-covered maggot man.

=== Genestealer Variants ===
The first Genestealer to infect a host (or hosts) grows larger and more intelligent with each mind added to the cult/family/whatever, eventually far surpassing its kin in strength, size and cunning, even becoming a powerful psyker. This Genestealer is known as the [[Genestealer Patriarch|Patriarch]], and acts as both the cult's leader and the object of its devotion. The Patriarch's psychic connection to the Hive Mind allows it to maintain iron control over his brood as well as other lesser Tyranid organisms.

After the Purestrain infects a host, a Genestealer Cult will end up with members with various levels of Genestealer ancestry. In general, Genestealer Hybrids will breed with their non-Genestealer parent species, and their descendants will resemble that species, until the fourth hybrid generation, whose children will be Purestrain Genestealers capable of "founding" new Genestealer Cults.

The [[Rogue Trader]]-era Genestealers also get a special mention, in the form of "Ymgarl Genestealers," a strain that supposedly comes from a population of Genestealers that got isolated on the moons of Ymgarl. They have tentacled, lamprey-like mouths and the ability to partially transform themselves depending on the circumstances, at the cost of being genetically unstable and only being able to feed on blood. In fact, they're so unstable that the Hive Mind deliberately abandoned them for fear that they would contaminate the Tyranid gene pool. Because of this, they compulsively seek to reach planets that have recently been visited by the Tyranids in a futile attempt to be reabsorbed into the Hive Fleets. If they weren't horrible monstrosities, their predicament would almost be sad. However, at some point between 5th and 6th Edition, the Ymgarl Genestealers lucked out and got absorbed into a Hive Fleet by some very desperate/caring Norn Queen. The result of this is that 6E Tyranids now have a Bio-Artefact (If you feel unclean about the name, that's natural) called the ''Ymgarl Factor'' that gives any Tyranid unit the same unstable properties rule, but now lack the assaulting from Outflanking.

=== Non-human Hybrids ===

As a final note, [[Warhammer 40,000]] fiction is very [[human]]-centric, and so most Genestealer infestations depicted have occurred among human populations, but the [[Ciaphas Cain]] novels have suggested that [[Tau]] and [[Orks]] are also susceptible to Genestealer infection. The novel ''Death of Integrity'' also confirms that Genestealers will attack and assimilate other xenos, though this plot point lasts about one paragraph. <s>What, exactly, a Tau Genestealer Hybrid would look like is the subject of much speculation.</s> The short story ''The Greater Evil'' depicts one, and the answer is: Horrifying, and obviously blue. As shown in the later short story ''The Voice of Experience'', the Tau are also well-aware of Genestealers by this point and the threat they pose. There is old canon art of Ork Genestealer hybrids, but given the vast amount of retcons since then its canon status is questionable...

==== Orks ====

It should be noted that Orks reproduce asexually by way of fungal spores they secrete both at a perpetual slow trickle from their skin while alive and ''en masse'' while a decaying corpse (and also that "Ork" is but one of many many different Orkoid phenotypes that a given spore might develop into depending on environmental conditions, so one has to wonder how the genestealer mutations might interact with a spore that grew into, say, a mushroom), so it's pretty hard to envision an Orkified Genestealer Cult actually working, or lasting beyond the first generation or two, since they have no ways of mixing genes to produce purestrains in time. Even if they could, the Orks have an inherent ability to determine if one of their own isn't proppa Orky and will inevitably krump the gits. Some old, old fluff portrayed Purestrain genestealers descended from Ork hybrids as having denser musculature (and most likely greater physical strength). In another of these dusty accounts, an incident on the fringe of the Octarius system had a massive, purple, six-limbed Gargant attacking a Guard regiment. When it was melta'd open, purestrain genestealers emerged to eat the Guardsmen. You are encouraged to take these older bits of fluff with a generous pinch of salt. In any event, ancient and likely non-canonical fluff aside, the unique quirks of Ork biology boil down to the fact any attempt to infest an Ork warband would almost certainly fail and not be worth the effort in the first place. Commissar Cain encountered a genestealer infested space hulk in which genestealers were using infested orks to guard their hibernation chambers.

As of 2021, [[GW|GeeDubs]] has recently reaffirmed their existence in a White Dwarf. According to the article, they generally show up in Ork [[Kommando]]s, as they tend to live away from the main force of Orks, making it easier to slip in. Also in the article, they showed you [[Awesome|how to make your own out of Acolyte Hybrids, Abberants, and the new Kommandos.]] That's right, [[Wat|GW is encouraging you to kitbash.]] Did we slip into an alternate dimension?

==== Tau ====

Tau, similarly, have certain complications which may prevent Genestealer infestation. Firstly, their Kroot allies can tell if a person is infected or not simply by tasting some of their blood, and secondly, Tau-tech is certainly advanced enough to scan for this threat once they know about it. Furthermore, Tau explicitly practice caste-restricted bureaucratically arranged breeding processes; Tau don't have kids until their higher ups decide they should, and they don't even get to pick their own partners. Two Tau get paired up by the decision of a committee, spend a couple of days off work having sex, then separate and go their separate ways. This means the genestealer taint is seriously difficult to spread amongst the race. The caste-based structure of Tau society also poses problems to any potential Tauified Genestealers, and that's without presuming the caste-system is now so inherent that different castes can't even physically breed with each other anymore. All that being said, according to the new Genestealer Cults Codex, not only can Tau-Genestealer hybrids happen, but one time they were ''deliberately'' created by a team of Earth Caste researchers who wanted to see what would happen. The infection got out of control and actually ended in violence. It's even implied that they may have produced a hybrid Ethereal, which would be a disaster for the Tau given how obedience to the Ethereal caste is basically hard coded into their DNA.

==== Eldar ====

While it is possible for Genestealers to infect the [[Eldar]], it's extremely hard for them to get anywhere with any of the four varieties due to their highly advanced medical technology (all four, yes even the Exodites), universal emphatic abilities, very regimented lifestyles (Craftworld), slow breeding rate and the fact that irregular psychic activity amongst them gets located and dealt with very quickly (all four, heck mind bulletry is pretty much the only thing the [[Dark Eldar]] ban). Even when they are infected, the taint spreads much more slowly due to the Eldar's prolonged gestation period, which makes infecting them more trouble than it is worth in most situations.

So far the only examples among Eldar are those who knowingly and openly embraced their pants-thieving overlords. In the novel "Ghost Warrior", we have Genestealer Eldar on a lost [[Craftworld]] named [[Yvraine#Craftworld_Zaisuthra|Zaisuthra]]. Needless to say, the other [[Ynnari]] who contacted them were ''pissed.'' This was done in their misguided attempt to avoid getting consumed by Slaanesh because this Craftworld had left before the Infinity Circuit was invented and thus didn't have one; their logic was that if they gave themselves over to the Broodmind, their souls would be assimilated before Slaanesh could consume them. There is also something of a Genestealer cult growing among the Dark Eldar in Commorragh. After a raid with lots of captives taken to Commorragh, the Haemonculi found out some of them were Genestealer cultists. The hybrids were singled out and experimented on so their mutations would emerge. When some bored Dark Eldar among the social elite found out about this, they paid the Haemonculi to graft these Genestealer body parts on them for kicks (given how Genestealer reproduction involve a genetic re-write of infected hosts using the Stealer's own DNA, you can see what a stupid idea this is). It looks like the Hive Mind might find a way into Commorragh given how these Dark Eldar, who collectively call themselves the Vorgani, started forming tight-knit groups and share a singular obsession over a Tyranid-infested planet trapped in the Webway.

And of course, the haemonculi know this and think this is just a jolly and amusing thing because of course the sickest fucks in all the galaxy would look at this and think, "what an interesting turn of events!".

==== Others ====

If a Genestealer Cult somehow got somewhere near a [[Stryxis]] convoy and for some reason decided they wanted to interbreed with them they would quickly run into two main problems; the first being that Stryxis are extremely untrustworthy little shits so they don't exactly operate in large enough groups to be really worth the effort, the second problem also being that the Stryxis are untrustworthy little shits and would probably scam the Genestealer cult of all its possessions before enslaving the bastards (assuming they don't "trade" a few hundred bullets in exchange for the Tyranids [[Teef| teeth]] to sell to some orks or somthing)

As for the [[Necrons]], they're goddamn undead robots. If you even consider this possibility you're the biggest idiot since [[Magnus the Red]].

In earlier editions, Ymgarl Genestealers were said to be hybrids with a native, leechlike sapient race to Ymgarl, the Csith. The Imperium wiped out the Csith, but were unable to wipe out the Ymgarl Genestealers.

Finally, and perhaps most troubling, is the mention that Tyranids have been targeting [[Hrud]] warrens. Hrud lack the defenses of the above races and are naturally predisposed towards infesting a planet and migrating en mass to a new one. The Genestealer hybrids, likewise, gain enhanced stealth and reaction speed (such as those 5++ saves the 'stealers now enjoy.)

== Dawn of War 2 ==
[[Image:Jeanstealers.jpg|250px|thumb|right|An Assault Terminator trying to protect his power pants from Jeanstealers]]
Genestealers are pretty lore accurate in Dawn of War 2. They eat whatever they face. They act as the ultimate melee troops for Tyranids '''in tier 2.''' Let's run some numbers: A regular Tactical Marine starts with 60 melee skill, a standard melee squad starts with 70. These motherfuckers are starting with 80 by default! And this even gets worse if they have any synapse support. If they are under Improved Synapse of the Hive Tyrant, their health increases by 25%. If they ever get into the melee synapse of Warrior Brood, their health increases by '''75%''', and melee skill by 10, and you can combine these 2 synapses together! Yeah, they can basically murderfuck anything in melee combat. And this gets even worse if they use their Adrenal Rush ability. Gains increased speed and damage, gains small amount of health in each hit they make, and decreases incoming ranged damage.

Everything aside, the most simple solution to deal with them is to get a walker out. Genestealers can't purchase their anti vehicle klaws until tier 3. That makes them balanced right? I hope so. But when they get them, they can solo a Dreadnought! Thankfully, they have light infantry armour, which means that they can be killed easily with most ranged weaponry and struggle against melee fighters that are able to survive long enough to get a few hits in themselves. AoE melee attacks are your friend against them.

== On the Tabletop ==
[[Image:Genestealers-in-the-grass.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Fist of the North Star|You're already dead]].]]Both Ymgarl and Purestrain Genestealers are ridiculously deadly in melee, both in fluff and crunch. On the tabletop, when a brood of Genestealers charges something, it's very unlikely to survive to the next turn unless it's a [[Land Raider]] due to their massive number of good strength attacks, rending, and high weapon skill that means they hit most things on 3s (seriously, these guys have higher weapons skill than a lot things made out to be close-combat experts), not to mention that they are fast little fuckers. A Zerg rush has ''nothing'' on these guys. In the fluff, their [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Rending Claws|claws]] are so damned sharp that they might as well be power weapons (back in 2nd Edition and pre-codex 3rd Edition they WERE power weapons), slicing through armor and walls like a chainsaw going through rice paper. Their hypnotic eye powers show up irregularly in the fluff, showing up in the Dark Disciples Novel but not Ciaphas Cain; Hero of the Imperium for example. The fact they are '''[[derp|faster than Eldar]]''' lets them laugh at any unit they charge/charging them, and they are usually deployed a-la Kroot Carnivores (parking them behind a windowless wall 12-18" from the enemy). Unlike Kroots though, they are not there to slow the enemy, they provide a hazardous area for the first turns and then, when the main force has reached their position, they jump out to help OMNOMMing.

In some editions Genestealer broods could upgrade one of the members to a [[Broodlord]], which formerly had a major role due to the biomorphs it could use and psyker powers, but being reduced to a sergeant basically made it just add an extra punch, though it still had a better statline than any non Special-Character Space Marine HQs (except the CSM's daemon prince). Sixth Edition turned Broodlords into rape machines in challenges, as they are able to bring down almost any independent character in the game without eternal warrior, while costing much, MUCH less.

In 8th Edition, Genestealers are still great, but other armies have some melee options that are pretty on-par with them. A horde of Ork Boyz, for example, can pump out 30 more melee attacks in a turn, and cost 110 points less. Granted, they don't have the 5++ invuln, but they still will wreck a horde of Genestealers' shit if they get the first attack. On the other hand, the Genestealers are also very speedy and can rocket to the other side of the board with the right Stratagems. They can also charge after advancing (or lose that ability in exchange for a better armor save that can go up to MEQ-tier if in cover or under the benefits of Jormungandr's Hive Fleet Attribute) and can take [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Acid Maw|Acid Maws]] for a few extra MEQ-killing attacks. Oh, and they also get a Deep Strike similar to a Terminator's teleport homers. They're especially potent with Hive Fleet Kraken since they'll have better advances as well as the ability to charge after falling back, which not only saves them from running the risk of being trapped in melee with something too tough for them to deal with but also improves their already impressive maneuverability and ensures that they'll always get the first swing in.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Genestealer_orks.jpg| ORKY NIDS!!!!!!!!!!!
File:Warhammer 40k the tyranid outcast by randize-d4jl7lq.jpg|
</gallery>

== See Also ==

*[[Genestealer Cult]]
*[[Jeanstealer]] - One of /tg/'s creations. A rather confused Tyranid genestealer that is only driven to steal denim trousers.
*[[Hivestrain Azure]]- A fapfic about a particularly unusual strain of genestealer, likely part of a cult tainted by [[Slaanesh]].
*[[Zoats]]

[[Category: Warhammer 40,000]]

[[Category: Dawn of War]]

[[Category: Xenos]]

[[Category: Tyranid]]

[[Category: Genestealer Cults]]

{{Template:Tyranids-Creatures}}

{{Template:Genestealer-Cult}}

{{WH40k-Factions}}

Squig

2022-05-23T17:43:40Z

2601:188:C300:64B8:8C20:7464:5A21:328E: /* Grabber-Slasher Squig */

[[File:Squig.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Squigs. Making [[Tyranids]] feel insecure in the eating department.]]

[[File:MilkSquig.jpeg|thumb|Sadly noncanon, at least not yet...]]
A Squig, short for squiggly beast, is any one of a variety of bizarre organisms that exist semi-symbiotically with [[Orcs & Goblins]] and [[Orks]] alike. [[Fungus]]-based animals, their most iconic form resembles a large round ball that opens up a huge maw full of teeth, propelled by two strong legs that let it run, scramble and jump all over the place.

Night Goblins in particular like to herd huge swarms of these things onto the battlefield, as they are violently unpredictable and surprisingly dangerous.

In the 41st millennium, on the other hand, they play a somewhat different role. Some ork [[Warboss]]es will keep such squigs as personal attack animals, [[Oddboys|slavers]] always have trusty squig-hounds to help tame [[grot]]s, and [[Tankbustas]] favor a breed that they cram full of bombs and coax to charge towards (hopefully) the enemy before blowing up.

According to the [[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]] splat, "Old World Bestiary", squig-meat is perfectly edible by humans and actually very tasty. Spit-roasted squig is described as resembling smoked ham with the consistency of young chicken.

[[Age of Sigmar]] introduces a mythological aspect to their origins with the introduction of Boingob, the godbeast progenitor of all Squigs. This massive creature barreled through the realms in a frenzied pursuit of the light of Hysh (basically the sun), until it finally jumped up and was roasted alive. Now its colossal skeleton serves as a holy place/impenetrable lurk lair to the Moonclan Grots.

Squigs can be bred into a vast variety of forms and functions. The most famous of these is arguably the monstrous [[Squiggoth]] which provide a similar sort of heavy infantry to a war elephant. Other, more obscure types include (but by no means limited to) Bag Squigs, Bomb Squigs, Eating Squig, Gas Squigs, Hair Squigs, Oily Squigs, Paint Squigs, Squig Sharks, Squig Hawks, and Squigeons all of which can be further explained below. Squigs are basically the apps of Ork society: if you can think of a function, there's a squig for that.

==Squig Varieties==
As mentioned. Squigs come in all sizes and flavors. Here are the documented species of Squigs officially recognized by the Imperium/whatever-institutio-exists-in-AoS.

===Attack Squig===
[[File:AttackSquig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Attack Squig.]]
The most common and identifiable type of Squig. Whenever someone says Squig, this is the one that pops in everyone's head. The Attack Squig (''Orkus ferocitas''), also known as the Cave Squig, looks like it's trying to compete with the [[Tyranids]] for sheer 'OMNOMNOMNOMNOM' ability, consisting of nothing more than a bouncing ball of claws and razor-sharp teeth. These Squigs, as their name implies, are often used as attack animals, weapons, or pets. They can be given to the [[Grots]] as a food source (if the Squig doesn't eat them first) or even war mounts if said Grot is feeling particularly brave that day.

Sometimes an Attack Squig is transformed into a '''Bomb Squig''' via jamming as much explosive materials into the Squigs mouth as possible before setting it loose to fuck up some tanks. These specialized Attack Squigs are often utilized by either Ork Flashgitz or Tankbustas.

<gallery>
File:BombSquig.png|Bomb Squig.
</gallery>

===Bitey Squig===
[[File:Bitey Squig.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Bitey Squig]]
Bitey Squigs are a sub-species of Attack Squigs that have sufficient jaws, claws, and stingers to savage the target and anything close by. This breed is squig is frequently fired from Squig Launchas and Heavy Squig Launchas. Launched gnashing and snarling into the enemy, they latch onto the first thing they hit and do not stop chewing until they are killed. A bit like the Face-Eating Squig to be honest.

Legends states that the [[Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy]] was created due to a [[Just As Planned|'mishap']] when a Bitey Squig or some form of Attack Squig was accidentally stuffed into
the launcha and fired into a ''very'' unfortunate Ork’s face and thus, the legend was born.

It seems that the Bitey Squig can be differentiated by the normal Attack Squig with a stronger jaw, this can be seen with its more pronounced jawline which could only be supported with powerful jaw muscles. There is also the aforementioned stingers, which would most likely be located at the tail, unfortunately there isn't any indication that the tail has something ''alluding'' to a stinger tail. Bitey Squigs are also much smaller than the Attack Squig in order to fit inside a Squig Launcha, seeing as how an Attack Squig is often the size of sheep, it makes sense for the Orks to utilize a much more smaller and mobile version to be used as ammunition.

===Bile Squig===
[[File:Bile_Squig.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Bile Squig]]

The Bile Squigs come in a variety of breeds and are capable of spraying, squirting, or vomiting harmful fluids from their orifices. This breed of squig is frequently fired from Squig Launchas and Heavy Squig Launchas.

Typically launched by the handful, these creatures squeal and thrash while jetting acid, lubricants, poisons, and flammable fluids in every direction. The effects can sometimes be harmless, but other times can cause their victims to burst into flames, explode, or dissolve. Essentially, they are the Orky version of the [[Flamers of Tzeentch]], you never know what you're gonna get.

Bile Squigs seem to have an enlarged earhole or an orifice for which they shoot out their concoction of liquids, it is identified by its very [[Derp|derpy appearance]] and its long tongue which maybe used to lick off any excess liquid it shoots out.
===Bat Squig===
[[File:Bat_squig.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Bat Squig]]

A squig that has bat wings..... That's it..... Look it's just a squig that has bat wings alright it has the typical squig mentality, lives in a cave and can fly the only difference is that IT JUST HAS BAT WINGS. These Bat Squigs descend upon their victims in a flurry of gnashing jaws and spattering guano. It's not got some depressing story in which it lost its parents and now hunts down all everything that isn't greenskin, NO IT'S JUST A SQUIG WITH BAT WINGS, also no legs.

Might share a genetic lineage with a certain human performer with an equally surly disposition and big mouth, but that’s just speculation.

On tabletop, at the start of your shooting phase, you can pick 1 enemy unit within 18" of this model and roll a dice. On a 5+ that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound. This ability cannot be used if the Bat Squig minion has been removed.

<gallery>
File:Bat_squig_in_a_shellnut.JPG
</gallery>

===Boom Squig===
[[File:Boom_Squig.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Boom Squig]]

A special sub-species of the 'Splodin Squig.

This breed is squig is frequently fired from [[Squig Launcha]]s and [[Heavy Squig Launcha]]s. Boom Squigs, also known as Mine Squigs due to their shape, are infamous for their defense mechanism of violently exploding at the slightest provocation, typically due to direct physical contact or a loud noise ([[FAIL|or sometimes even their own bouts of indigestion]]).

They detonate with such force that they kill or maim anything unlucky enough to be in the vicinity. These creatures thus make the perfect living ammunition for Orks and are also sometimes used as landmines. They are also favored by Orks as the tools of [[Lulz|practical jokes,]] as nothing will amuse a Speed Freek more than hiding a [[Just As Planned|Boom Squig under the seat of a Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy driver like an explosive whoopee cushion.]]

<gallery>
File:Boom_Squif_Top.JPG
</gallery>

===Bowel-Torrent Squig===
[[File:Bowel_Squig?.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Bowel-Torrent Squig]]

A mysterious Squig referred to only as one of the most "revolting" and "panic-inducing". [[Shitstorm|Given its name it should be very easy to understand why.]] They are one of the numerous forms of living ammunition from the [[Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy]].

Unfortunately, despite being important enough to be mentioned in fluff, they still didn't really get that much screen time...or an identifiable model for that specific matter in the first place.

Fortunately for us in /tg/, the Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy model holds so many Squigs in its trunk and around the vehicle that we can sort of guess which Squig might best describe the Bowel-Torrent Squig the best.

Due to the Squig's....[[Bullshit|unique way of expelling its munitions]], we believe that the small albeit grumpy looking Squig with the long tail ''may be'' the elusive Bowel-Torrent Squig. Ya know...'cause it looks similar to that of a pigeon and this thing can 'fly' once it exits out the Squig Launcha. We would let your figure out the rest.

===Bag Squig===
[[File:Bag_Squig_2.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Bag Squig.]]

This type of Squig has a large, gaping mouth and a bag-like body that is almost entirely composed of stomach and nothing else. The stomach coincidentally functions secondarily as a pouch that allows the Squig to survive by slowly digesting food it stores up inside its body similar to that of modern Earth animals that hibernate by eating a lot of food during the summer. If the Squig is dried out, it can be made into a flask for drinks. If it is tanned like leather, it makes a useful bag or belt pouch.

By far one of the most practical form of Squigs used by the Orks.

<gallery>
Image:Bag_Squig.PNG
</gallery>

===Burna' Squig===
[[File:Burna_Squig_2.PNG|150px|right|thumb|Burna Squig.]]

The Burna' Squig is similar to the 'Sploding Squig. However while the 'Sploding Squig is a biological grenade the Burna' Squig is a biological molotov cocktail. Inside a Burna' Squig consists of multiple chemicals that when mixed, burst into flames rather than exploding. Orks sometime shake their Burna' Squigs to further enhance their fiery potential (Or force them to swallow even MOAR flammable materials such as Promethium) after being thrown if it doesn't explode in their face of course.

If the Ork is feeling a bit picky and don't really want to risk having his head blown off by enemy snipers, he can just let the Squig go off to its intended target. Of course, these may not result in the desired outcome as the Squig may be shot before it gets the chance to explode or the Squig wouldn't even explode in the first place and just growls at the target harmlessly.

The effects of Burna Squigs are equivalent to other flammable explosives found in the Imperium.

<gallery>
File:Burna_Squig.PNG
</gallery>

===Buzzer Squig===
[[File:Buzzer.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Buzzer Squig.]]
Buzzer Squigs are an insect-like like variation of the Squig typically used by Orks and Gretchins in a [[Squig Catapult|Squig Katapult,]] as they are very vicious and a swarm can strip the flesh off a man-sized creature within seconds. They are essentially flying piranhas but without the cowardly aspects of a piranha.

Buzzer Squigs are found among Ork fungus groves and are trapped in pots by Gretchin. The special pots are made from sun-baked mud, drilled with tiny holes to allow the Squigs inside to breathe. The top of the vessel is corked shut and sealed with more mud once a good number of Squigs has been put inside. Normally the Squigs feed by burrowing into other larger Squigs or small animals such as rats, so when they are captured they soon begin to get very hungry. They can be kept without food in the pot for many weeks, getting angrier and more savage all the time. If the Gretchin is unfortunate in capturing these hornets of doom or accidentally breaks a pot full of these things, then he may end up as their lunch.

Gretchin can tell which pots contain the angriest Squigs from the high pitch of the droning and the vibrations of the pot as the Squigs try to burrow out (the walls of the pot must be made thick and hard). These pots, each containing a small swarm of enraged Buzzer Squigs, are the missiles fired by the Squig Katapult. The pot cracks open on impact, releasing the swarm of enraged Buzzer Squigs, who attack anyone nearby. They are great against Imperial Guards, Tau, Kroot, and low level Tyranid forces (cue irony of the [[Lulz|Tyranids getting out-NOMMED in their own game]]). Unfortunately they are quite useless when it comes to MEQs as those claws and fangs aren't going to do much against ceramite and reinforced wraithbone.

Buzzer Squigs can also be found on the [[Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy]], although they're far more limited in role due to the presence of other Squig species.

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File:Buzzer_Squig_Model.JPG
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===Buzzing Squig===
[[File:Buzzing.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Buzzing Squig.]]
Not to be confused with Buzz''er'' Squigs, Buzz''ing'' Squigs have tiny, propeller-like wings on their tails: miniature airscrews that allow them to fly like a biological helicopter. When they contact flesh (which they can smell), they bores in and eat their way straight through the unfortunate target. Upon emerging from the victim, they immediately dive back and bore through again, or set upon another victim. Orks have learned to use these deadly nuisances as weapons.

Gretchin are set to work trapping them for dispersal as swarms around the battlefield. Buzzing Squigs may also be kept in pots and thrown from makeshift catapults like the [[Squig Catapult|Squig Katapult.]] When the pot containing the Buzzing Squigs cracks, it releases a swirling swarm of these flesh-eating monsters.

In all honesty though, by function there is very little difference between the Buzzer and Buzzing Squigs as they both fulfill the same niche. They only look different enough to warrant their own species.

===Gob Squig===
[[File:Gob.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Gob Squig.]]
Gob Squigs are small enough to be put into an Ork's mouth and left there for the rest of the day (or the next few days, if the Ork forgets about it). The Squig cleans the Ork's mouth out by rooting round the teeth and eating the juicy bits of food that are stuck between them. They look like your typical fantasy [[Slime]] with a funny face although your local Commissar would suggest not petting one as they are known to bite. They are essentially an Ork's version of a toothbrush but more effective and cost-productive

The '''Chewin' Squig''' is another variant of the Gob Squig. An Ork can pop this sort of Squig into his mouth and chew on it while he sits and thinks (or sits and enjoys not thinking). The Ork version of a chewing gum, how the Squig could survive being munched by an Ork is a feat unknown by Imperial Xenologists.

===Great Cave Squig===
[[File:99800209017_GoblinWarbossCaveSquigNEW01.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Great Cave Squig]]
Think a regular Attack Squig given steroids. A Great Cave Squig is simply a larger variant of the more common Cave Squig that has grown to such a magnificent size that it has become as large as an Imperial warhorse. This Squig sub-species is the second largest of the non-Squiggoth family, with only the Colossal Squig surpassing it in both size and weight. Its large mouth is filled with teeth the size of swords and sabres and their appetite as ravenous as their smaller counterparts. These things are solitary predators that like to [[Get shit done|get shit done by itself.]]

Because of their large size, the Great Cave Squig makes for excellent cavalry for Night Goblins. However, their aggressive behavior makes it difficult for one to tame them effectively. The process of [[Rape|breaking in]] a Great Cave Squig would cost the lives of many Night Goblin, but once the beast learns to accept a rider, they serve as a more stable mount than the smaller and more unruly Cave Squig. Although they are costly to maintain, eating over twice their own body weight daily, a Night Goblin Warboss would do almost anything to keep such a magnificent asset in the hands of his tribe.

Since they're so difficult to tame, often times Goblins don't even bother doing so, instead just chaining two Great Cave Squigs together, pointing them vaguely in the direction of the enemy and setting them loose, resulting in the infamous Mangler Squigs. The Squigs drag and pull each-other across the battlefield, resulting in them essentially becoming living wrecking balls. In Age of Sigmar, some particularly insane Loonbosses use a pair of Mangler Squigs as a mount, usually if they're leading a Squigalanche warband.

On the even rarer occasions when a Great Cave Squig continuous to grow exponentially, they would grow to such a monstrous size that they are once again categorized into another even larger variant called simple as the Colossal Squig (As seen below).

<gallery>
Image:GreatCave Squig.png|NYUM YUM YUM YUM YUM!
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===Colossal Squig===
[[File:CollossalSquig.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Colossal Squig.]]
Think an Great Cave Squig on steroids and having a mouth and stomach that could rival a [[Haruspex]] and the [[Mawloc|Mawloc]] in a eating competition. The Colossal Squigs are the largest variants of Squigs known to exist short of Squiggoths.

These cyclopean or six-eyed monsters boast an insatiable appetite, and are in essence no more than an impossibly vast fleshy maw studded with row upon row of scimitar-bladed teeth. The only way they get into battle is by finding some Orks and just moving in with them.

The Colossal Squig is often used as a giant living battering ram, bashing and splintering anything smaller than the Squig into a fine paste. Of course the presence of the Squiggoth kind of placed the status of the Colossal Squig in question. Nevertheless, they still have the capability of eating entire Space Marines whole let alone normal Guardsmen, granting some laughs by the local Boyz if the Squig doesn't eat them first.

Of special note is a small change to this subtype of Squig in [[Age of Sigmar]] - When a Colossal Squig dies, it blows up into a bunch of smaller Cave Squigs! ... Nature running its course?...

===Cape Squig===
[[File:GloomspiteGitzDesignersNotes-Dec27-Capesquigs10vh-1.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Cape Squig]]

These cute little Squigs are there to make you feel just a tad bit more important.

A Squig found only in [[Age of Sigmar]]. A presumably regal and dignified breed of squig, these little beasties help Skragrott keep his magnificent cape off the floor. Or maybe they’re trying to eat it. Probably both…

Anyways, these Squigs are quite sought after since they have a... distinct head shape of the Greenskin's moon, which makes it downright flash. Why their heads are shaped like that is anyone's guess (selective breeding?). Skragrott, the Loonking himself, is the self-styled overlord of the Gloomspite Gitz (AKA Night Goblins, copyright edition). His sinister presence upon the field of battle ensures his fellow grots fight with greater spite and cunning than ever.

On tabletop, these little beasties are there for decorative purposes in order to make Skragrott look more important than he really is. Seriously you think they would provide anything of substance in the actual game?

===Eating Squig===
[[File:EatingSquig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Eating Squig.]]
An Eating Squig (also known as Grubs or ''Orkus consumit'') is a limbless blob used as the primary Ork food source. It resembles an elongated, squarish slug with two eyes and a small pug mouth (like a cross between a blob fish and uncanned SPAM). Orks usually prefer them cooked, but they can be eaten raw as well. Gretchin are quite adept in cooking them and have a number of methods including kebabing, marinating in fungus wine, stuffed with fungus and herbs, roasted on a spit, deep fried with fungus chips, or griddled over a campfire. Who knew the Ork race have such a fine taste at culinary skills? Again Commissars would suggest not petting one no matter how pug-cute it looks, although suggesting to eat one for emergency rationing is fine for them.

With the fast reproduction on all Orkoid lifeforms, it is unknown why the [[Imperium of Man]] still haven't decided on capturing one of these Squigs and then mass producing them which would stop Galactic world hunger that plagues some of the Imperial Worlds (and no, [[Grox|not because of heresy]]). Maybe they are already looking into it, but with how slow the IoM usually is it may take decades to even centuries for it to be finalized and distributed in the entire Galaxy. Or it might have something to do with the fact that they're creature from the orkoid genus, so they release spores everywhere that can grow into the more dangerous parts of the genus including actual orks.

If the Eating Squig is the Duck/Chicken of an Ork culinary experience, then the '''Juicy Squig''' is the foie gras of Ork cuisine. The Juicy Squig is a very rare and delicious type of Eating Squig that may perhaps be the only known Ork delicacy. This Squig lives at the very bottom of an Ork fungal drop, and are not only rare, but difficult to find and bring up from the depths. Since these Squigs are seldom caught by the Gretchin and Snotlings, they often grow quite large and become even tastier as they get older.

In Age of Sigmar, there is also type of swamp-dwelling squig in the Mortal Realms called the '''Slobbersquig''', mentioned in the second edition Orruk Warclans Battletome as being part of the regular diet consumed by the Kruleboyz, alongside bog toads, swamp hoppers, cold crawfish, spine-ridged mud worms, and human flesh. Compared to the rest of the food on this list, it could be conjectured the Slobbersquig is a sluglike, unappealing Eatin' Squig that drools constantly and lives in swamp muck instead of the bottom of the greenskin drops.
<gallery>
File:OCG-grot-trader.jpg|Lovely indeed.
</gallery>

===Guard Squig===
[[File:Guard_Squig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Guard Squig.]]
Ork Kaptins have been breeding a form of Squig known as a Guard Squig, or Squig Hound to some. Think of them as Guard Dogs. These creatures have all the ferocity of an Attack Squig, but are bred to be utterly loyal to their masters. When alone or not in battle, Squig Hounds are usually seen sleeping on their post or lying on their master's lap. Guard Squigs are often seen as a step up above the normal Attack Squig due to their aforementioned loyalty.

Guard Squigs are not to be confused with the Herd Squig whose nickname also bears the name Squighound or the [[Derp|actual Squighound themselves.]] Why GeeDubs thought repeating the name of three different species is a good idea is a mystery. Is it though? These are orks we’re talking about. Considering the rather direct (and often short) manner with which orks approach life, it’s hardly a surprise they’d have one name for several breeds of squigs. One ork may name a particular breed of squig a bitey squig for biting a lot, only to have his head bit off by said squig, prompting the next ork to confirm that it is indeed a bitey squig, while somewhere else in the mob the same little drama is occurring with an entirely different breed of biting squig with identical results. Orks are pragmatic...in their way.

===Targeting Squig===
[[File:Targeting-squig-art.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Targeting Squig.]]
A unusual type of Squig, Targeting Squigs (''Orkus scopum'') are weird creatures with a single targeting eye that serve as biological equivalents of Gitfindas used by Flash Gitz. Sometimes their pupils are even shaped into a cross-hair.

How the Squig could communicate with the Flash Gitz is unknown. Although certain unique sounds or barks could be help the Ork to signal that there may be ample prey around. That or it could flash different colors or release certain pheromones that only Orkoid species can detect.

On tabletop there is very little difference between the Squig and regular Gitfindas other then the cosmetic change. And they are cool looking model.

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File:Targeting-squig.png
File:Last-wall-squig.jpg
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===Face-Eater Squig===
[[File:Face Eater.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Face-Eater Squig.]]
Like how Humans have binge eating contests, the Orks have their own variety. Of course in this case the food has the potential of eating your face off. Here is where the Face-Eater Squigs come into play. The Face-Eater Squig is a toothed variety of Squig used both as a weapon and in the infamous Ork face-eating contests.

These Squigs, also known as "Gnashers" or "Gnasher Squigs," are a vicious mass of sharp teeth and claws. In their active state they appear to be just a gnashing mouth and very little else, though they look much like any other Eatin' Squig when they are at rest. Because of their violent nature, Gnashers provide the Orks with endless entertainment, and Squig-eating is one of the Orks' favorite pastimes. The Ork and the Squig both open their mouths and bite, in a parody of a kiss. If the Ork eats the Squig, he wins. If he keels over backwards, he loses.

Some Painboys made attempts to use Gnashers to amputate a patients limbs, but these attempts weren't very successful as they tend to bite off orderlies' arms or even Dok's fingers. Face-Eaters are often used as an attack squig. This organism is known to Imperium biologists as Orkus ravenati.

<gallery>
File:GnasherSquig.jpg|Nasty little fuckers.
</gallery>

===Flesheater Squig===
[[File:Flesheater.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Flesheater Squig.]]
In order to increase their wealth, some Orks breed large, ferocious beasts known as Flesheaters. The Flesheater has a great, gaping mouth like a crocodile, full of rows of sharp fangs that are similar to an Ork's canine teeth. They look like furry Orky crocodiles. Flesheaters continually shed and replace their teeth, and all the Orks have to do to collect this wealth is send a Gretchin to collect the teeth, who, of course, aren't overly keen on this duty.

Like Ork teeth, Flesheater teeth also deteriorate after a few years. Flesheaters are extremely long-lived, but rarely breed in captivity, making them even more valuable. Most Orks who own Flesheaters are either already Nobz, or become Nobz on account of the wealth derived from owning these Squigs. Not surprisingly, impoverished Orks sometimes attempt to steal a Flesheater, or even raid rival settlements to capture them.

They are literally a mobile money-making machine - who says money can't grow on <s>trees</s> animals?

===Gas Squig===
[[File:GasSquigs.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Gas Squig.]]

It is a Squig that literally has a [[Lulz|killer fart.]]

The Gas Squig produces a gas so toxic that Orks with gas masks throw this Squig in combat, using the Squig itself as a chemical weapon. They're essentially living gas bombs. Despite their use as a one time explosive however, the Ork can just let the Squig run loose in the battlefield, spreading as much chaos as possible as these nasty little runts can cover an entire field in a bath of toxic miasma and corrosive chemicals.

It is unknown what type of chemicals is needed for the Gas Squig to unleash a untold volume of lethal farts. High levels of methane or magic/warp-related bullshit is the only potential answer.

They are seen as one of the summoning Squigs in Warhammer Online.

According to the illustration of Warhammer Online, Gas Squigs look like normal Attack Squigs but with hole-like projections that constantly spew out the toxic materials like chimneys.

===Grabber-Slasher Squig===
[[File:Grabberslasher.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Grabber-Slasher/Big Squig]]

These guys originated way back in older editions of Warhammer, when Squigs were the result of Tyranids consuming Orkoid biomass instead of always being around. The Grabber-Slasher is a form of large ambush Squig, that prefers to lurk in ducts and either grab prey with its massive arm and drag it away to devour, or hump-slash it with its big crotch-spike.

As one can imagine from things ''that'' early on, they look like fucking abominations and something out of a Cronenberg film than a product of 40k. Seriously, that giant clawed hand on top of its head does not help. They also apparently have a chameleonic ability to change their skin colour and texture to hide better in crevices and ducts. But again, with that giant hand and [[/d/|horned dick,]] such idea of it being chameleonic should be taken with some salt. Even worse is the fact that the Tyranid Hive Mind used it as a prototype to the Lictor in early editions, using it to assassinate those who threatened the plans of the Tyranids, imagine the shame and humiliation of being killed by something as fugly as THAT!

When Squigs were later retconned into being always a part of the Orkoid Fungus Biosphere, the Grabber-Slasher was retconned into being just a [[Derp|"Big Squig"]], which is honestly, quite disappointingly generic.

===Hair Squig===
[[File:Hairy.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Hair Squig.]]
Do you want to know how and where the Orks get their hairy ponytails from? Well the answer is obviously simple: they use Squigs to do the job, due to Orks being naturally hairless. Hair Squigs are a parasitic variety of Squig which possess small bodies, no legs, no eyes, and a pair of pincers in place of a mouth.

They have long hair running from their tiny bodies that Orks like to customize and dye after clamping the Squig's pincers onto their own hairless heads, though this customization has no effect on the Squig's health.

One particular variety of Hair Squig is known as '''Chin Squig'''. These creatures feature a long thin body with claws and hair all over it and serve as the equivalent of a beard. They are also known to be a sign of age and status among Orks.

<gallery>
File:Hair Squig.jpg
File:Chin_Squig.jpg|Chin Squig.
</gallery>

===Limpin Squig===
[[File:AoSSquigs-Jan8-SquigBall1jvrh.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Limpin Squig or a turkey drumstick, you make the call.]]

[[Lolwut|A Squig football/handegg. Yeah its weird but it makes sense in context.]]

Technically, this squig is from [[Blood Bowl]] rather than the [[Age of Sigmar|Mortal Realms (AKA Age of Sigmar)]], but its existence is so hilariously dumb it might as well be part of the Squig family. Also known as the Squigball, Orc teams are known for using squigs as balls, shearing one leg off so it can’t run away. Sometimes, they just find a particularly bulbous Squig and then literally kick its ass.

These Squigs must be extremely durable, squishy and bouncy. The best Limpin' Squigs have flesh that is extremely flexible, sturdy bones to survive repeated impacts and kicks, a skin firm enough to be held onto for long periods of time, an attitude that makes sure it doesn't ends up biting its holder in the middle of some intense Blood Bowl, and just the right enough shape to bounce to its trajectory.

It is not known is they exist in 40k or AoS, although seeing as how Orks/Orcs are stereotypical British hooligans, we wouldn't be surprised if they did.

===Mendin' Squig===
[[File:Squig-hairy-medical.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Mendin' Squig.]]
Mendin' Squigs or more commonly (and annoyingly) called the Hairy Squigs (Again not to be confused with Hair Squigs much to the Xenobiologist's constant frustration) is a type of medicinal Squig. Hairy/Mendin' Squigs are used by Painboyz as over glorified stitches. The Painboy simply applies it to the open wound, which it holds closed with its tiny, needle-like teeth. The Painboy then twists its tail off, leaving the head embedded in the flesh, repeating the process until the wound is "riveted up." The Mendin' Squig then feeds off blood oozing from the wound, thus keeping it clean and free from infection. By the time it shrivels and drops off, the wound has usually healed.

This form of medical technique is actually quite closer to reality than make believe. Some South American and African tribes use particularly large bulldog ants to act as crude stitching. They just grab the ants and allow the powerful jaws to snap shut on the wound and like the Mendin' Squigs they then twist its body off, leaving only the head which is still in contact with the wound until it shrivels and falls off once fully healed.

===Herd Squig===
[[File:HerdSquig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Herd Squig.]]
Herd Squigs have been specially bred and developed by Runtherds for the purpose of herding and controlling the herds of Runtz. They are related to the many varieties of pet Squigs, but have been selectively bred for their speed, intelligence, ferocity and endurance.

Their long, sensitive snouts and keen ears enable them to track down errant Snotlings and Gretchin wherever they might hide. Herd Squigs are excellent tracking beasts, and can follow trails which are days old.

They are also called Squighounds, which as you already know, [[Herp|should not be confused with the Guard Squig who already bears that nickname or the actual Squighounds themselves.]]

They are like pigs but more Orky.

===Hoppa Fungus===
[[File:DKI3T3c3fv3xNy92.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Hoppa Fungus]]
A Hoppa Fungus or Fun-Hoppas, are a type of Squig that skirts the line between Orkoid Mushroom and Squig, from the Snotling Blood Bowl set. They are small, round, lumpy "mushrooms" with a cartoony, squiggy face on their front. There are two sizes of them, one for throwing like a living rock and another for riding like a moon hopper, even more so than normal squigs as these ones lack legs.

How they managed to hop around without a leg, we are not too sure, although more technical elegan/tg/entelmen had assumed that they use their entire body mass as one giant muscle like a snake, to propel themselves for locomotion.

They seem overall, pretty harmless as far as Squigs go, given that they don't seem to routinely eat their riders or throwers. But boy do these giant grey meatballs look like they came out of a Loony Tunes cartoon.

<Gallery>
Hopper_Fungus.JPG
</gallery>

===Horned Squig===
[[File:HornedSquig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Horned Squig.]]
<s>A Squig that's [[/d/|''so Horny!'']]</s> {{Blam}}

The Horned Squig is a Squig which is gifted with long, sharp horns stretching from its head that Orks often jam into barricades to serve as living obstacles or act as a moving and mobile battering ram for siege warfare. They act like bulls and if used against troops, often ram its horns into the poor unfortunate sod in a relentless, charging stampede. They have a brighter red color scheme than Cave Squigs.

If the Horned Squig is disabled, then the Ork can simply just strap the Squig on its forearm and use it as a living weapon. The Orks are anything but wasteful and is capable of using everything, even other living organisms to its 'full' potential.

Like the Gas Squigs they are seen as one of the summoning Squigs in Warhammer Online.

===Mimic===
[[File:Squig_Mimic.PNG|150px|right|thumb|Mimic.]]

CA-CAW! OI GITZ GET MOVIN UNLESS YOU WANT ME TO TELL DA BOSS ON WHO IS MUCKIN' ABOUT!

A particularly popular type of pet Squig is known as the Mimic. As you imagine, they are Ork parrots. This Squig has a large and toothy beak-like mouth and is vaguely parrot-like in both appearance and function.

Mimics can be seen perched on the shoulders of many an old and haggard Ork usually from the [[Freebooterz ]]to keep the pirate theme, casting expletives and insults at Greenskin passersby. Kaptins have a endearing affection to these little creatures and their ability to shout and swear at larger and more opposing Orks is often seen as a humorous delight to the Kaptin. Although woe to any Ork who accidentally swat these creatures out of annoyance. [[FATAL|The chance of getting your head wired to a Big Lobba by a pissed off Kaptin? Too high.]]

===Oily Squig===
[[File:Grot_Oiler.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Oily Squig.]]
The Oily Squig is a variety of Squig bred by Ork Meks to create fuel for the Orks' ramshackle vehicles. They create the fuel, an organically-synthesized version of Promethium, in their rotund bellies, and it can be squeezed out of their anteater-like trunks. These Squigs have no mouths, other than their trunk, and are not combat-oriented like their far more aggressive counterparts.

The most efficient way of extracting the oil from the creatures is to use a large pressing machine, although more primitive methods, such as having gretchin to jump up and down on them are also widely used. Orks prepare the barrels of the squig oil in advance and take those with them when they go on campaigns.

There exist two varieties of Oily Squigs, one with arms and a distinct head, and one that resembles an Attack Squig with a trunk for dispensing their fuel oil.

<gallery>
File:Squig-oily.jpg
File:7e-grotoiler.jpg
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===Paint Squig===
[[File:PaintSquig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Paint Squig.]]
Orks can be creative artists too! This small, vividly colored Squig excretes powerful dyes that are used as warpaint. These paints are also used by Gretchin artists as pigments for wall paintings and decorative banners.

Many Paint Squigs have tufts of hair on their trails, which allows the artist to use the Squig as both a brush and tube of paint simultaneously. The shells of Edible Squigs are also used by Gretchin artists as paint pots and palettes.

===Parasite-Hunting Squig===
[[File:Parasite-Hunter.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Parasite-Hunting Squig.]]
Parasite-Hunting Squigs are tiny but voracious feeders used to clear an Ork's body and clothes of parasites. An Ork simply drops a handful of these Squigs into his clothing and lets them crawl around. They look like Orkified spiders which can give arachnophobes nightmares but the Orks don't give a zog.

The Squigs prey on lice, ticks or leeches the Ork may have acquired in the course of his many unsavoury habits. When the engorged Parasite-Hunting squigs drop out of the Ork's clothing, the Ork simply gathers them up and pops them into his mouth for a juicy chomp.

===Screech Squig===
[[File:Screech_Squig.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Screech Squig]]

A mysterious Squig referred to as having [[Sonic Weaponry|oversized lungs that allow it to make an extremely loud screech.]] Screech Squigs disorient, incapacitate and make the enemy's ear drums burst in one of the most horrid sounds possible (We in /tg/ imagines it as mixing the cries of an infant that has sand paper in its throat with that of fingernails scratching the surface of a chalkboard). They are one of the numerous forms of living ammunition from the [[Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy]].

Unfortunately, despite being important enough to be mentioned in fluff, they still didn't really get that much screen time...or an identifiable model for that specific matter in the first place.

Fortunately for us in /tg/, the Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy model holds so many Squigs in its trunk and around the vehicle that we can sort of guess which Squig might best describe the Screech Squig the best. Due to the fact that it is nothing more than a weaponized Mimic or a living Sonic Weapon, the Screech Squig needs both a big mouth and a wide barrelled body to encompass its huge lungs. Unfortunately, most Squigs have a big mouth and a wide body. Likewise, we hypothesize that the Screech Squig might be in fact, the big Squig we see inside of the Heavy Squig Launcha. This is alluded to the fact that its mouth is close relatively shut and will only open once fired from the Launcha. You wouldn't want your Boyz to go all bleeding in their noggins because they failed to pacify that thing right?

A similarly themed and named Squig exists in Age of Sigmar called the '''Syari Screamersquig'''. A rare albino beast that loathes any form of light, and reacts to it with ear shattering screams. Unfortunately for it, it’s native to the Syari region of the Realm of Light. It’s been hunted to near extinction by the Lumineth Realm-Lords and is prized by many Grot Loonbosses for its screaming powers.

===Snufflesquig===
[[File:Snufflesquig.PNG|150px|right|thumb|Snufflesquig]]

Squig truffle pigs but more [[Derp|derpy in appearances.]]

Snufflesquigs are little more than massive noses and snapping mouths with wiry little legs that can be trained by Sneaky Snufflers to identify Looncaps, a type of mushroom that grows from the light of the Bad Moon, from others that induce effects such as vomit slime, break out in luminous yellow spots, babble uncontrollably or even burst into flames. When the Bad Moon approaches these unique squigs begin to howl with raised snouts.

Like truffle pigs, Snufflesquigs have a tendency to eat these shrooms if not carefully attended.

May be a reference to Snuffler Orcs, a breed of Orc from Middle Earth described as small, black, and huge nosed, used for tracking victims.

===Smasha Squig===
[[File:LAEMX6Acaz90SDmn.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Smasha Squig]]
A cousin to the [[Squighog]], the Smasha Squig is basically an orkified [[Dinosaur|Pachycephalosaurus]].

Smashas are usually ridden by [[Nob]]s from the [[Beast Snagga]] sub-kulture, where they are often found leading mobs of [[Squighog Boy]]z into battle. The Smasha Squig itself is bipedal, running on two legs rather than four. It is also larger, tougher, and even more ferocious than your regular old [[squighog|Squig Bacon]]. Any Nob who has managed to beat a Smasha Squig into submission is ''not'' an Ork to be trifled with.

Once "tamed," a heavy armor plate is bolted to the Smasha Squig's skull. This is not done to protect the squig, for among its kind it is already noted for having an exceptionally thick skull encasing an exceptionally tiny (and shock-resistant) brain. Rather, the plate enhances the beast's natural head-butting tendencies so that the Smasha truly becomes a living, snarling wrecking ball.

On the tabletop, the Smasha Squig complements the Nob rider who is already a beast (pun intended) in close combat. Crunchwise, this oversized fungal dinosaur grants additional attacks with its jaws and its Smasha 'Ead has a chance to deal up to [[rape|five mortal wounds]] after a charge or heroic intervention. Finally, the rider is equipped with a Big Choppa and a slugga, and with T6 and 5 wounds the model is just as hard to kill as you'd expect.
{{Clear}}

===Spiky Squig===
[[File:Spiky.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Spiky Squig.]]
Spiky Squigs look like a living ball covered with spines which, when agitated, as an instinctive reaction, can shoot out at any threatening creature rather like a porcupine (except porcupines can't actually do that) .

These spines inflict a poisonous sting on anyone struck by them, though the effect of the poison on Orkish flesh is not as drastic as it is on other races due to the similar biology of all Orkoid races. Squigs of this kind are used in some bionik arms fitted with cages and a quick release system, so they can be used as a close combat weapon as a living, breathing Morning Star.

Spiky Squigs move via rolling around like a ball, however when it comes to hunting food, it would propel itself at high speed before launching into the unsuspecting prey. Launching its poisonous spines and letting it run its course. This unusual hunting method has been seen by xenobiologists as bizarre and weird.

===Spiteshroom===
[[Image: Spiteshroom.png|150px|right|thumb|Spiteshroom]]

A creature that blurs the line between Squig and Fungus, much like Hoppa Fungus. Spiteshrooms are fungal creatures that inhabit the dark and damp caves favoured by Dankhold Troggoths. They emit an incessant high-pitched shrieks and shrill idiot ditties that distracts even the most veteran warriors. The fungal clouds they release can rot flesh from bone. They are favored as familiars of Madcap Shamans.

Due to the fact that they seemed locked into ground like actual mushrooms, Spiteshrooms are immobile like the larger Stalagsquig.

<gallery>
Spiteshroom_and_Stalagsquig.JPG|With a Stalagsquig in a ''literal'' face off.
</gallery>

==='Sploding Squig===
[[File:Splodin_Squig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|'Sploding Squig.]]
A biological grenade used by the Orks if they run out of stikkbombs. 'Sploding Squigs possess multiple stomachs, each containing a thick broth of unstable digestive chemicals. Some 'Sploding Squigs may be covered in spines which may act as fragmentation when it explodes.

When agitated, usually though violent shaking, the 'Sploding Squig's digestive juices combine into a combustible liquid, causing the Squig to explode in a shower of meat, teeth, and bone fragments. While typically thrown in combat, 'Sploding Squigs are also often buried and used as mines. Orks are known to force-feed 'Sploding Squigs a meal of scrap metal before battle in an effort to enhance their lethality.

If the Ork is feeling a bit picky and doesn't really want to risk having his head blown off by enemy snipers he can just let the Squig go off to its intended target. Of course this may not result in the desired outcome as the Squig may be shot before it gets the chance to explode or the Squig wouldn't even explode in the first place and just growls at the target harmlessly.

However, the widespread use of regular Bomb Squigs has lessened the value of 'Sploding Squigs as Bomb Squigs are just regular Attack Squig fitted with explosives. No need to wait around for a specialized and uncommon Squig to mature when the most common type of Squig already fills in their purpose.

===Spore Squig===
[[File:AoSSquigs-Jan8-SporeSquig3mteg.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Spore Squig]]

[[Drug|A Squig to huff some shrooms and get high.]]

A walking LSD projector. These little squigs are used defensively by Fungoid Cave-Shamans, who need but stamp on one to release an obscuring cloud of spores. The Fungoid Cave-Shamans themselves are the lepers of Goblin kind. Found only in [[Age of Sigmar]], the mushroom-gobbling grot maniacs known as Cave-Shamans are obviously not right in the head.

To these greenskinned nutters, to get lost in a brain-mangling vision is to grow closer to the side of Gorkamorka that epitomises cunning and trickiness over brute strength, which is the side that all grots like the best.

The Spore Squig is nothing more than a living, breathing hookah for the greenskin to sniff some grade-A meth and can, on command, release said spores towards its enemies to make them just as high as the Squig's personnel caretakers.

Moral of the story, don't do drugs kiddos, especially on the battlefield.

===Squigadon===
[[File:Squigadon.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Squigadon.]]
A form of Squig larger than a Great Cave Squig but smaller than a Giant Squig. Maybe a smaller [[Squiggoth]].

First appeared in White Dwarf, and utilized by Hobgoblins. The creator of this monster was from Nick Bayton who literally used a Large Squiggoth from Forgeworld and converted it into a unit for Fantasy by using the [[Lizardmen|Stegadon]] rules in battle. Whilst it may look big, don't let it fool you. Perspective is deceptive and whilst hobgoblins may view it as huge, you should take note that hobgoblins are like half the height of a human, so that Squigadon would be slightly bigger than a rhino.

Seeing as how the Squigadon is literally a converted [[Squiggoth]], whether it would be considered another demonym for a Squiggoth or an entirely different subspecies is unknown. Moreover, how 'canon' this Squig is, we have no clue since it only appeared in ''one'' issue of White Dwarf and that's it. We don't even have any of the bearest hints of fluff. So your guesses on its validity are as good as ours.
<gallery>
W8ox5l0jxaua.jpg|As it appeared in White Dwarf.
</gallery>

===[[Squiggoth]]===
The largest of all squig species, have their own page.

===Squigeon===
[[File:Squigeon3.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Squigeon.]]

Squigeons (''Orkus aerium'') are the Squig counterparts of the Terran pigeon or columbidae if you are feeling fancy, often utilized for sending messages during battle amongst Ork tribes that lack more advanced methods of communication. Although they are sometimes hunted by the dreaded Squighawk or used as target practice by Stormboyz.

[[HHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhnnnnnnngggggg-|They are the cutest little orkspawn your will ever get the chance of meeting.]] Unfortunately, due to GeeDubs incompetence, we never ever get to see them further fleshed out in fluff. This time the Commissar would be fine with you petting a Squigeon.

<gallery>
File:Squigeon.jpg
</gallery>

===Squighawk===
[[File:SquigHawk.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Squighawk.]]

'''BA-CAAAWK! OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!'''

Think of a Orkified Pterodactyl. Squighawks are a wild, flying species of Squig that are large enough to eat Orks. Thus, they are ECKS BAWKS HUEG.

Unfortunately, they are often too difficult to be trained (Could be because the Squighawk view Orks are prey #1) and are rarely used by Ork Runtherdz which is saying something on how hard it is to tame these things when the Orks manage to successfully do it to the much larger Squiggoth.

Still, it would be cool if we actually got to use these <s>Dinosaurs</s> flying reptiles on the tabletop. Chances are, these things could potentially reach a size to rival some larger Tyranid flying strains such as the [[Harpy]].

===Squig-Hog===
[[File:Beast Snaggas.jpeg|200px|right|thumb|Squig-Hog]]
[[Boarboyz]] haven't been mentioned in core Ork fluff for quite some time. While they were cool in their own way, it didn't really ever make sense for Orks to be riding Earth animals in the first place. Well, as of 9th Edition it seems that Boarboyz have been retconned and/or [[squatted]] for good, because [[Squighog Boy]]s have now been introduced as a far more [[awesome]] type of Ork heavy cavalry. Squig Hogs are tougher, larger, and far more dangerous than other types of cavalry such as a horse or warboar, and they can eat pretty much anything that fits in their mouths (including the rider, if he fails to keep his mount in line). However, the horse still has a modest speed advantage.

[[Beast Snagga]]s use them as cavalry like the Imperium's [[Rough Riders]] and they are ''thicc'' enough that a [[Gretchin]] can hop on as well. Snaggas who ride these guys are called [[Squighog Boy]]z. While Squighog Boyz can belong to any Klan, they are presumably most common among the [[Snakebites]].

Crunchwise, Squighogs have a pretty nasty bite of S6, AP-1 and D2, meaning you should be able to dispatch the now tough-to-kill [[Primaris Space Marines]] as well as other MEQs and GEQs consistently. What you want from it however, is the fact that these walking fungal bacons are allowed 2 additional attacks every time the unit fights. Combined with the additional weapons from the Ork himself and you get a nasty cavalry unit.
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===Squighound===
[[File:Squighound.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Squighound.]]
Squighounds (''Orkus canis''), commonly known as "Growlers," are a variation of the Attack Squig, used by Ork Slaverz to help them keep the Gretchins and slaves from other races in line, some have four legs, although two-legged varieties certainly exist. "Growlers" are also often kept as a form of pet by other Orks, as they are roughly the size of a small dog, hairy, and particularly vicious.

A Pet Squig often scurries about behind its master, barely under his control, giving its owner no end of amusement and laughs [[Troll|especially when the Squig snaps at the ankles of another Ork.]]

They are not to be confused with the Guard Squig or Herd Squig who are also [[Derp|referred to as 'Squighound'.]]

===Squigosaur===
[[File:Squigosaur_2.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Squigosaur]]
The Squigosaur are large two-legged squigs, that [[Beast Snagga]]s ride upon. They are similar in appearance to the Smasha Squig, but whilst the Smasha Squig is an Orky Pachycephalosaurus, the Squigasaur is the Allosaurus of the family.

The most famous of which is the Big Chompa or otherwise known as '''The Great White Squig''' (AKA the Great White Shark on legs or "I can't believe it's another Moby Dick reference!"). A legendary alpha Squigasaur regarded as the most belligerent, vicious, and savage of its kind. It was responsible for a breathtaking number of missing Boyz and was also thought to be utterly untameable. That is, until Beast Snagga Mozrog Skragbad appeared with all his chad energy and proceeded to beat the ever-loving shit out of it for three days until it complied.

Although he has tamed the Squigosaur, it will revert to its original destructive nature when he is not nearby. In order to keep Big Chompa in line, the long-suffering Skragbad is forced to keep himself at its side and the two are rarely seen apart.

On the tabletop, the Squigosaur's jaws works lethally well with a mounted [[Beastboss]]; three extra attacks which can practically gobble up [[Terminator]]s - especially if you roll a 6 to hit and score 3 mortal wounds.
<gallery>
Squigosaur.JPG|The Great White Squig
HxDM6t0oZyXjrBtR.jpg
</gallery>
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===Squigpipe===
[[File:Pipe.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Squigpipe.]]
Just to further hone in the Scottish stereotype within the Orks (prejudice much, GeeDubs?). This special type of Squig is used by the Orks as a musical instrument. Several tube-like proboscises emanate from this Squig's bag-like body.

The Musical Squig can be tucked under one arm and inflated by blowing down the proboscis. Then, by squeezing the Squig, weird and terrifying sounds can be made through the creature's proboscis pipes. This turns the Squig into a musical instrument, much like the bagpipes, but a thousand times more cacophonous. Orks like to go into battle accompanied by this Squig much to the detriment of their enemies.

<gallery>
File:OCG-grot-playing.jpg
</gallery>

===Squigshark===
[[File:SquigShark.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Squigshark.]]
Orks as Jaws. Squigsharks are the Squig counterparts of Terran sharks that inhabit Ork-infested worlds. And no they are not huggable; your local Commissar definitely urges you to '''''NOT''''' pet one out of safety and preventing potential stupidity.

They are known to be very dangerous beast and many Ork sailors trying to cosplay as Moby Dick ended their lives as a food for Squigsharks. Whenever one appears, it is obligatory to play the signature Jaws music. They are by far the top oceanic predator of any Ork World.

YOU. HAVE. BEEN. WARNED.

<gallery>
Deff_Skwadron_Squig-Shark-2.jpg|Dun dun...dun dun...dun dun dun dun dun....
</gallery>

===Snake-Squig===
[[File:Snake-Squigs.jpg|170px|right|thumb|Snake-Squig]]
The Snake-Squig is a very little known species of Squig, which is only shown as an illustration with a [[Snake Bites]] [[Weirdboy]] of said Snake-Squig constricting the Odd Boy like something out of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Speaking of Temple of Doom, it is quite possible that a Weirdboy uses his psychic mumbo-jumbo to control them like how a snake charmer controls a snake. Of course, what the Weirdboy actually does with the snakes, we have no idea, as they are just there to make him look cool.

In terms of its ecology, the Snake-Squig should share the same niche and behaviour as...well...a regular old snake, specifically the constrictor kind when you compare it to its sheer size. These beasts are like, 2-3 meters long if the image is any indication and is quite capable of chomping down prey as it is, swallowing them whole.

But its role is never ever really known given that all Snake-Squigs are actually victims of Old Zogwort who managed to Harry Potter'ed them into ''becoming'' a Snake-Squig. Because of the fact that Old Zogwort is the only known Ork that does these kinds of things, whether the Snake-Squig is an actual Orkoid species or just the consequence of psychic mishap is currently unknown.

{{Clear}}

===Squig Gobba===
[[File:Squig Gobba 2.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Squig Gobba.]]
A [[Forge World]] model, which is the size of a colossal squig. The difference is that this one can fire smaller squigs out of its mouth. The Squig Gobba is essentially living artillery.

Dragged and prodded onto the battlefield by its malevolent Goblin tenders, it is a huge beast with an oversized gaping maw, a set of extremely powerful lungs and a ravenous appetite to rival even that of a Troll. With the Squig Gobba heavily chained into position to prevent it bounding off after the first tasty morsel it spies, its tenders start dragging lesser squigs from the cages surrounding them as battle is joined, slicking these vicious beasts with foul-tasting noxious liquids.

This not only renders the creatures senseless for a short time, but also prevents the Squig Gobba from immediately swallowing them as the stunned squigs are unceremoniously stuffed into its jaws. Goblins can also make it explode if they want to.

<gallery>
File:Squig Gobba.jpg|Hey look! It seems that the last of the Gastric Brooding Frogs have evolved!
</gallery>

===Stalagsquig===
[[File:GloomspiteGitzDesignersNotes-Dec27-Stalagsquig10vx-1.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Stalagsquig]]

Squigs are highly adaptable creatures, taking a myriad range of forms. Some, for example, infest the rock itself, creating Stalagsquigs.

The Stalagsquigs are a what happens when orks and gobboz believe that "OIH DAT STONE FING OVER DERE LOOKS LIKE A BITEY SQUIG" and as such the power of [[WAAAGH|WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH made it so.]] The species looks like normal stalagmites from afar but get close enough and you will be introduced to a stone skinned biting nightmare. This particular breed has yet to be seen in 40k but it is prevalent in Ye Age of golden hammer jackasses [[Age of Sigmar]].

It is unknown how these squigs move (if they move at all?) since they seem to have no visible legs, unless it's a luggage scenario where it sprouts thousands of little legs from its base when it wants to move.......WELP, have fun sleeping after thinking about that. Emperor damn, it's like the [[Chaos Spawn|chaos spawns all ov-BGRIHSRAJKHSJAHDSAIUOFDGHU.]] However, according to Warhammer Community, they are totally immobile and viciously hungry creatures that make exploring caves in the Mortal Realms an even worse idea than you thought it was.

As a side note there has been no recorded evidence on how big these squigs can grow to but seeing as how normal stalagmites can grow to be bigger than a sky scraper if given enough space we might have to worry about descending into caves in the foreseeable future.

===Swab Squig===
[[File:Swab.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Swab Squig.]]
The Swab Squig is a type of Hair Squig, but unlike the long trailing hair of its cousins, its round body is covered with short, fluffy fur. Orks use Swab Squigs to mop up during operations, and they come in handy for emergency handkerchiefs too. Despite looking like a giant fluffball they have a humongous mouth and are quite snappy too. Swab Squigs tend to share a comedic relation with [[Snotling|Snotlings]] due to the latter's mentally retarded habit of poking things that should not be poked, which often ends with the little snots running around having their asses bit by the Swab Squig.

Non-pettable by your local Commissar.

<gallery>
File:Squig-swab-2.jpg|It is wise not to pet something that looks cute....
File:Squig-swab-3.jpg|....Or else this happens.
</gallery>

===Syringe Squig===
[[File:Syringe.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Syringe Squig.]]
Syringe Squigs are primarily used for medicinal purposes. These medical Squigs have natural properties which Painboyz find useful when patching together battle-damaged Orks. Syringe Squigs have a long needle-sharp proboscises with which they inject venom into their prey. Syringe Squigs exude a soporific venom which makes a fine anesthetic for Orks when the traditional anesthetic (known to other races as a "concussion") is unavailable.

Syringe Squigs are divided by their sizes to 'small', 'big' and 'urty' which are used depending on the strength of the dose required. The venom is sometimes extracted from the creature and used separately for mixing up some kind of special 'medicine', or if a really large dose is needed.

There is also a special type of Syringe Squig called a '''Vaccine Squig''', whose own immune system produces natural vaccines and antibodies to a host of different pathogens that are extracted and used by Painboyz to aid diseased Orks.

===Tapewyrm Squig===
The Kruleboyz Orruk shaman Gobsprakk can summon a squirming swarm of Tapewyrm Squigs inside the stomachs of his enemies, sickening them and even causing them to explode in a shower of Waaagh! Magic like some sort of twisted DeviantArt fetish. Yeah.

===Tomb Squig===
[[File:Tomb_Squig_placeholder.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Tomb Squig]]
From old-school Warhammer, Tomb Squigs are an albino breed of burrowing squig that feeds on corpses and undead alike.

Often found in [[Dorf|Dwarfen]] tombs that have been broken open and looted, they are sometimes also found in graveyards where their presence often makes sure undead aren't present in these areas. Slightly smaller than regular Squigs, they possess amazingly powerful jaws for their size, which they use to break open stone sarcophagi and to bite through the ceremonial armour Dwarfs often bury their dead in.

At the cost of there being corpse-eating squigs, these critters are as likely to attack and devour the undead as the actually dead (and living as well). As such, Tomb Squigs can serve as a [[Just As Planned|nasty surprise]]; really ruining a tomb robber’s day as not only do they present a threat to life and limb, [[Troll|they can also destroy valuable weapons and armour hidden in the tomb.]]
Source: https://warhammerfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Tomb_Squigs

===Tramplasquig===
[[File:Tramplesquig.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Tramplasquig]]
A quadrupedal Squig breed that is large enough to drag large vehicles. Tramplasquigs are the rhinoceros of the Squig family and their poor temper makes them a popular beast of war as well as a versatile beast of burden.

The [[Beast Snagga]]s use them to carry their [[Kill Rig]]s and [[Hunta Rig]]s. Although they lack any other form of natural weapons other than their bulk and teeth, Beast Snaggas mount armored helmets with a giant blade on top to further maximize their carnage.

On tabletop, the Tramplasquig is essentially the vehicle itself. It works well in conjunction with its ferried troops. As such, the whole thing is no slouch in melee either, as it not only has the squig itself fighting but also a bunch of boyz to hack away. What it does really well is if you have the Ramming Speed stratagem, as it not only throws it at an enemy from further away but it also drops some MWs on top of that, which can help with wiping the mob.
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===Vampire Squig===
[[File:Vampire.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Vampire Squig.]]
The Vampire Squig is a blood-sucking creature with long sharp fangs, used by Painboyz to bleed the patient and suck bad blood and pus from septic wounds. The Squig does not seem to mind what the blood is like or from what species it comes so long as it gets a regular and plentiful supply.

When times are hard (which for Orks is when there's not much fighting) the Painboyz are forced to find other ways to keep their pets alive, which they do by extolling the benefits of regular bleeding to otherwise healthy Orks. It is also a good way to earn tons of teef in a short amount of time.

=== Wyrdsquig ===

[[File:Wyrd.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Wyrdsquig.]]

A Wyrdsquig is a little known psychic Squig subspecies, that has close genetic links to the Gnasher Squig. Despite their close relations, they are fucking hideous; looking more like an aborted love child between [[H.P. Lovecraft|Yog-Sothoth]] and the [[Halo|Timeless One.]]

This subspecies is rarely encountered in the wild and possesses psychic abilities similar to those of Ork [[Weirdboy]]z. The Wyrdsquig is often employed in battle as a "psychic bomb," releasing a catastrophic telepathic shockwave at the moment of its death. So in layman's terms, it is the Ork equivalent of a Imperial [[Grenades & Explosives#Psyk-Out Grenade|Psyk-Out Grenade]]s.

They are one of the few Warp-based weapons that the Orks utilize along with the [[Shokk_Attack_Gun|Shokk Attack Gun]] and [[Tellyport_Blasta|Tellyport Blasta]].

===Other Squigs===

The breeds of squigs are innumerable and there are a lot of other, unknown types of these creatures in existence. From tiny micro-organisms on Ork bodies to the gigantic beasts put in the Ork spaceships to create breathing atmosphere as a form of a life-sustaining device, each of them has an use in Ork society. Notorious breeds such as the yellow-spotted '''Facegnasha''', the greater '''Fang-gob''', or the infamous '''Leapin’ Deff''' are especially popular for ther use as Bomb Squigs. In Age of Sigmar, it is further expanded, examples such as the '''Glo-Squig''' are a type bioluminescent squig used to light up Lurklairs of the Gloomspite Gitz.
<gallery>
File:Squigs_Old_Mini.jpg
File:Retro_Squigs.jpeg
File:VariedSquigs.JPG
</gallery>
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[[Category: Warhammer Fantasy]]

[[Category: Orcs & Goblins]]

[[Category: Age of Sigmar]]

[[Category: Gloomspite Gitz]]

[[Category: Warhammer 40,000]]

[[Category: Xenos]]

[[Category: Orks]]

[[Category: Feral Orks]]

[[Category: Squigs]]

[[Category: Megafauna]]

{{template: Orks-Forces}}

Squig

2022-05-23T17:43:20Z

2601:188:C300:64B8:8C20:7464:5A21:328E: /* Grabber-Slasher Squig */

[[File:Squig.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Squigs. Making [[Tyranids]] feel insecure in the eating department.]]

[[File:MilkSquig.jpeg|thumb|Sadly noncanon, at least not yet...]]
A Squig, short for squiggly beast, is any one of a variety of bizarre organisms that exist semi-symbiotically with [[Orcs & Goblins]] and [[Orks]] alike. [[Fungus]]-based animals, their most iconic form resembles a large round ball that opens up a huge maw full of teeth, propelled by two strong legs that let it run, scramble and jump all over the place.

Night Goblins in particular like to herd huge swarms of these things onto the battlefield, as they are violently unpredictable and surprisingly dangerous.

In the 41st millennium, on the other hand, they play a somewhat different role. Some ork [[Warboss]]es will keep such squigs as personal attack animals, [[Oddboys|slavers]] always have trusty squig-hounds to help tame [[grot]]s, and [[Tankbustas]] favor a breed that they cram full of bombs and coax to charge towards (hopefully) the enemy before blowing up.

According to the [[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]] splat, "Old World Bestiary", squig-meat is perfectly edible by humans and actually very tasty. Spit-roasted squig is described as resembling smoked ham with the consistency of young chicken.

[[Age of Sigmar]] introduces a mythological aspect to their origins with the introduction of Boingob, the godbeast progenitor of all Squigs. This massive creature barreled through the realms in a frenzied pursuit of the light of Hysh (basically the sun), until it finally jumped up and was roasted alive. Now its colossal skeleton serves as a holy place/impenetrable lurk lair to the Moonclan Grots.

Squigs can be bred into a vast variety of forms and functions. The most famous of these is arguably the monstrous [[Squiggoth]] which provide a similar sort of heavy infantry to a war elephant. Other, more obscure types include (but by no means limited to) Bag Squigs, Bomb Squigs, Eating Squig, Gas Squigs, Hair Squigs, Oily Squigs, Paint Squigs, Squig Sharks, Squig Hawks, and Squigeons all of which can be further explained below. Squigs are basically the apps of Ork society: if you can think of a function, there's a squig for that.

==Squig Varieties==
As mentioned. Squigs come in all sizes and flavors. Here are the documented species of Squigs officially recognized by the Imperium/whatever-institutio-exists-in-AoS.

===Attack Squig===
[[File:AttackSquig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Attack Squig.]]
The most common and identifiable type of Squig. Whenever someone says Squig, this is the one that pops in everyone's head. The Attack Squig (''Orkus ferocitas''), also known as the Cave Squig, looks like it's trying to compete with the [[Tyranids]] for sheer 'OMNOMNOMNOMNOM' ability, consisting of nothing more than a bouncing ball of claws and razor-sharp teeth. These Squigs, as their name implies, are often used as attack animals, weapons, or pets. They can be given to the [[Grots]] as a food source (if the Squig doesn't eat them first) or even war mounts if said Grot is feeling particularly brave that day.

Sometimes an Attack Squig is transformed into a '''Bomb Squig''' via jamming as much explosive materials into the Squigs mouth as possible before setting it loose to fuck up some tanks. These specialized Attack Squigs are often utilized by either Ork Flashgitz or Tankbustas.

<gallery>
File:BombSquig.png|Bomb Squig.
</gallery>

===Bitey Squig===
[[File:Bitey Squig.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Bitey Squig]]
Bitey Squigs are a sub-species of Attack Squigs that have sufficient jaws, claws, and stingers to savage the target and anything close by. This breed is squig is frequently fired from Squig Launchas and Heavy Squig Launchas. Launched gnashing and snarling into the enemy, they latch onto the first thing they hit and do not stop chewing until they are killed. A bit like the Face-Eating Squig to be honest.

Legends states that the [[Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy]] was created due to a [[Just As Planned|'mishap']] when a Bitey Squig or some form of Attack Squig was accidentally stuffed into
the launcha and fired into a ''very'' unfortunate Ork’s face and thus, the legend was born.

It seems that the Bitey Squig can be differentiated by the normal Attack Squig with a stronger jaw, this can be seen with its more pronounced jawline which could only be supported with powerful jaw muscles. There is also the aforementioned stingers, which would most likely be located at the tail, unfortunately there isn't any indication that the tail has something ''alluding'' to a stinger tail. Bitey Squigs are also much smaller than the Attack Squig in order to fit inside a Squig Launcha, seeing as how an Attack Squig is often the size of sheep, it makes sense for the Orks to utilize a much more smaller and mobile version to be used as ammunition.

===Bile Squig===
[[File:Bile_Squig.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Bile Squig]]

The Bile Squigs come in a variety of breeds and are capable of spraying, squirting, or vomiting harmful fluids from their orifices. This breed of squig is frequently fired from Squig Launchas and Heavy Squig Launchas.

Typically launched by the handful, these creatures squeal and thrash while jetting acid, lubricants, poisons, and flammable fluids in every direction. The effects can sometimes be harmless, but other times can cause their victims to burst into flames, explode, or dissolve. Essentially, they are the Orky version of the [[Flamers of Tzeentch]], you never know what you're gonna get.

Bile Squigs seem to have an enlarged earhole or an orifice for which they shoot out their concoction of liquids, it is identified by its very [[Derp|derpy appearance]] and its long tongue which maybe used to lick off any excess liquid it shoots out.
===Bat Squig===
[[File:Bat_squig.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Bat Squig]]

A squig that has bat wings..... That's it..... Look it's just a squig that has bat wings alright it has the typical squig mentality, lives in a cave and can fly the only difference is that IT JUST HAS BAT WINGS. These Bat Squigs descend upon their victims in a flurry of gnashing jaws and spattering guano. It's not got some depressing story in which it lost its parents and now hunts down all everything that isn't greenskin, NO IT'S JUST A SQUIG WITH BAT WINGS, also no legs.

Might share a genetic lineage with a certain human performer with an equally surly disposition and big mouth, but that’s just speculation.

On tabletop, at the start of your shooting phase, you can pick 1 enemy unit within 18" of this model and roll a dice. On a 5+ that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound. This ability cannot be used if the Bat Squig minion has been removed.

<gallery>
File:Bat_squig_in_a_shellnut.JPG
</gallery>

===Boom Squig===
[[File:Boom_Squig.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Boom Squig]]

A special sub-species of the 'Splodin Squig.

This breed is squig is frequently fired from [[Squig Launcha]]s and [[Heavy Squig Launcha]]s. Boom Squigs, also known as Mine Squigs due to their shape, are infamous for their defense mechanism of violently exploding at the slightest provocation, typically due to direct physical contact or a loud noise ([[FAIL|or sometimes even their own bouts of indigestion]]).

They detonate with such force that they kill or maim anything unlucky enough to be in the vicinity. These creatures thus make the perfect living ammunition for Orks and are also sometimes used as landmines. They are also favored by Orks as the tools of [[Lulz|practical jokes,]] as nothing will amuse a Speed Freek more than hiding a [[Just As Planned|Boom Squig under the seat of a Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy driver like an explosive whoopee cushion.]]

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===Bowel-Torrent Squig===
[[File:Bowel_Squig?.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Bowel-Torrent Squig]]

A mysterious Squig referred to only as one of the most "revolting" and "panic-inducing". [[Shitstorm|Given its name it should be very easy to understand why.]] They are one of the numerous forms of living ammunition from the [[Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy]].

Unfortunately, despite being important enough to be mentioned in fluff, they still didn't really get that much screen time...or an identifiable model for that specific matter in the first place.

Fortunately for us in /tg/, the Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy model holds so many Squigs in its trunk and around the vehicle that we can sort of guess which Squig might best describe the Bowel-Torrent Squig the best.

Due to the Squig's....[[Bullshit|unique way of expelling its munitions]], we believe that the small albeit grumpy looking Squig with the long tail ''may be'' the elusive Bowel-Torrent Squig. Ya know...'cause it looks similar to that of a pigeon and this thing can 'fly' once it exits out the Squig Launcha. We would let your figure out the rest.

===Bag Squig===
[[File:Bag_Squig_2.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Bag Squig.]]

This type of Squig has a large, gaping mouth and a bag-like body that is almost entirely composed of stomach and nothing else. The stomach coincidentally functions secondarily as a pouch that allows the Squig to survive by slowly digesting food it stores up inside its body similar to that of modern Earth animals that hibernate by eating a lot of food during the summer. If the Squig is dried out, it can be made into a flask for drinks. If it is tanned like leather, it makes a useful bag or belt pouch.

By far one of the most practical form of Squigs used by the Orks.

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===Burna' Squig===
[[File:Burna_Squig_2.PNG|150px|right|thumb|Burna Squig.]]

The Burna' Squig is similar to the 'Sploding Squig. However while the 'Sploding Squig is a biological grenade the Burna' Squig is a biological molotov cocktail. Inside a Burna' Squig consists of multiple chemicals that when mixed, burst into flames rather than exploding. Orks sometime shake their Burna' Squigs to further enhance their fiery potential (Or force them to swallow even MOAR flammable materials such as Promethium) after being thrown if it doesn't explode in their face of course.

If the Ork is feeling a bit picky and don't really want to risk having his head blown off by enemy snipers, he can just let the Squig go off to its intended target. Of course, these may not result in the desired outcome as the Squig may be shot before it gets the chance to explode or the Squig wouldn't even explode in the first place and just growls at the target harmlessly.

The effects of Burna Squigs are equivalent to other flammable explosives found in the Imperium.

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===Buzzer Squig===
[[File:Buzzer.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Buzzer Squig.]]
Buzzer Squigs are an insect-like like variation of the Squig typically used by Orks and Gretchins in a [[Squig Catapult|Squig Katapult,]] as they are very vicious and a swarm can strip the flesh off a man-sized creature within seconds. They are essentially flying piranhas but without the cowardly aspects of a piranha.

Buzzer Squigs are found among Ork fungus groves and are trapped in pots by Gretchin. The special pots are made from sun-baked mud, drilled with tiny holes to allow the Squigs inside to breathe. The top of the vessel is corked shut and sealed with more mud once a good number of Squigs has been put inside. Normally the Squigs feed by burrowing into other larger Squigs or small animals such as rats, so when they are captured they soon begin to get very hungry. They can be kept without food in the pot for many weeks, getting angrier and more savage all the time. If the Gretchin is unfortunate in capturing these hornets of doom or accidentally breaks a pot full of these things, then he may end up as their lunch.

Gretchin can tell which pots contain the angriest Squigs from the high pitch of the droning and the vibrations of the pot as the Squigs try to burrow out (the walls of the pot must be made thick and hard). These pots, each containing a small swarm of enraged Buzzer Squigs, are the missiles fired by the Squig Katapult. The pot cracks open on impact, releasing the swarm of enraged Buzzer Squigs, who attack anyone nearby. They are great against Imperial Guards, Tau, Kroot, and low level Tyranid forces (cue irony of the [[Lulz|Tyranids getting out-NOMMED in their own game]]). Unfortunately they are quite useless when it comes to MEQs as those claws and fangs aren't going to do much against ceramite and reinforced wraithbone.

Buzzer Squigs can also be found on the [[Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy]], although they're far more limited in role due to the presence of other Squig species.

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===Buzzing Squig===
[[File:Buzzing.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Buzzing Squig.]]
Not to be confused with Buzz''er'' Squigs, Buzz''ing'' Squigs have tiny, propeller-like wings on their tails: miniature airscrews that allow them to fly like a biological helicopter. When they contact flesh (which they can smell), they bores in and eat their way straight through the unfortunate target. Upon emerging from the victim, they immediately dive back and bore through again, or set upon another victim. Orks have learned to use these deadly nuisances as weapons.

Gretchin are set to work trapping them for dispersal as swarms around the battlefield. Buzzing Squigs may also be kept in pots and thrown from makeshift catapults like the [[Squig Catapult|Squig Katapult.]] When the pot containing the Buzzing Squigs cracks, it releases a swirling swarm of these flesh-eating monsters.

In all honesty though, by function there is very little difference between the Buzzer and Buzzing Squigs as they both fulfill the same niche. They only look different enough to warrant their own species.

===Gob Squig===
[[File:Gob.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Gob Squig.]]
Gob Squigs are small enough to be put into an Ork's mouth and left there for the rest of the day (or the next few days, if the Ork forgets about it). The Squig cleans the Ork's mouth out by rooting round the teeth and eating the juicy bits of food that are stuck between them. They look like your typical fantasy [[Slime]] with a funny face although your local Commissar would suggest not petting one as they are known to bite. They are essentially an Ork's version of a toothbrush but more effective and cost-productive

The '''Chewin' Squig''' is another variant of the Gob Squig. An Ork can pop this sort of Squig into his mouth and chew on it while he sits and thinks (or sits and enjoys not thinking). The Ork version of a chewing gum, how the Squig could survive being munched by an Ork is a feat unknown by Imperial Xenologists.

===Great Cave Squig===
[[File:99800209017_GoblinWarbossCaveSquigNEW01.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Great Cave Squig]]
Think a regular Attack Squig given steroids. A Great Cave Squig is simply a larger variant of the more common Cave Squig that has grown to such a magnificent size that it has become as large as an Imperial warhorse. This Squig sub-species is the second largest of the non-Squiggoth family, with only the Colossal Squig surpassing it in both size and weight. Its large mouth is filled with teeth the size of swords and sabres and their appetite as ravenous as their smaller counterparts. These things are solitary predators that like to [[Get shit done|get shit done by itself.]]

Because of their large size, the Great Cave Squig makes for excellent cavalry for Night Goblins. However, their aggressive behavior makes it difficult for one to tame them effectively. The process of [[Rape|breaking in]] a Great Cave Squig would cost the lives of many Night Goblin, but once the beast learns to accept a rider, they serve as a more stable mount than the smaller and more unruly Cave Squig. Although they are costly to maintain, eating over twice their own body weight daily, a Night Goblin Warboss would do almost anything to keep such a magnificent asset in the hands of his tribe.

Since they're so difficult to tame, often times Goblins don't even bother doing so, instead just chaining two Great Cave Squigs together, pointing them vaguely in the direction of the enemy and setting them loose, resulting in the infamous Mangler Squigs. The Squigs drag and pull each-other across the battlefield, resulting in them essentially becoming living wrecking balls. In Age of Sigmar, some particularly insane Loonbosses use a pair of Mangler Squigs as a mount, usually if they're leading a Squigalanche warband.

On the even rarer occasions when a Great Cave Squig continuous to grow exponentially, they would grow to such a monstrous size that they are once again categorized into another even larger variant called simple as the Colossal Squig (As seen below).

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Image:GreatCave Squig.png|NYUM YUM YUM YUM YUM!
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===Colossal Squig===
[[File:CollossalSquig.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Colossal Squig.]]
Think an Great Cave Squig on steroids and having a mouth and stomach that could rival a [[Haruspex]] and the [[Mawloc|Mawloc]] in a eating competition. The Colossal Squigs are the largest variants of Squigs known to exist short of Squiggoths.

These cyclopean or six-eyed monsters boast an insatiable appetite, and are in essence no more than an impossibly vast fleshy maw studded with row upon row of scimitar-bladed teeth. The only way they get into battle is by finding some Orks and just moving in with them.

The Colossal Squig is often used as a giant living battering ram, bashing and splintering anything smaller than the Squig into a fine paste. Of course the presence of the Squiggoth kind of placed the status of the Colossal Squig in question. Nevertheless, they still have the capability of eating entire Space Marines whole let alone normal Guardsmen, granting some laughs by the local Boyz if the Squig doesn't eat them first.

Of special note is a small change to this subtype of Squig in [[Age of Sigmar]] - When a Colossal Squig dies, it blows up into a bunch of smaller Cave Squigs! ... Nature running its course?...

===Cape Squig===
[[File:GloomspiteGitzDesignersNotes-Dec27-Capesquigs10vh-1.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Cape Squig]]

These cute little Squigs are there to make you feel just a tad bit more important.

A Squig found only in [[Age of Sigmar]]. A presumably regal and dignified breed of squig, these little beasties help Skragrott keep his magnificent cape off the floor. Or maybe they’re trying to eat it. Probably both…

Anyways, these Squigs are quite sought after since they have a... distinct head shape of the Greenskin's moon, which makes it downright flash. Why their heads are shaped like that is anyone's guess (selective breeding?). Skragrott, the Loonking himself, is the self-styled overlord of the Gloomspite Gitz (AKA Night Goblins, copyright edition). His sinister presence upon the field of battle ensures his fellow grots fight with greater spite and cunning than ever.

On tabletop, these little beasties are there for decorative purposes in order to make Skragrott look more important than he really is. Seriously you think they would provide anything of substance in the actual game?

===Eating Squig===
[[File:EatingSquig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Eating Squig.]]
An Eating Squig (also known as Grubs or ''Orkus consumit'') is a limbless blob used as the primary Ork food source. It resembles an elongated, squarish slug with two eyes and a small pug mouth (like a cross between a blob fish and uncanned SPAM). Orks usually prefer them cooked, but they can be eaten raw as well. Gretchin are quite adept in cooking them and have a number of methods including kebabing, marinating in fungus wine, stuffed with fungus and herbs, roasted on a spit, deep fried with fungus chips, or griddled over a campfire. Who knew the Ork race have such a fine taste at culinary skills? Again Commissars would suggest not petting one no matter how pug-cute it looks, although suggesting to eat one for emergency rationing is fine for them.

With the fast reproduction on all Orkoid lifeforms, it is unknown why the [[Imperium of Man]] still haven't decided on capturing one of these Squigs and then mass producing them which would stop Galactic world hunger that plagues some of the Imperial Worlds (and no, [[Grox|not because of heresy]]). Maybe they are already looking into it, but with how slow the IoM usually is it may take decades to even centuries for it to be finalized and distributed in the entire Galaxy. Or it might have something to do with the fact that they're creature from the orkoid genus, so they release spores everywhere that can grow into the more dangerous parts of the genus including actual orks.

If the Eating Squig is the Duck/Chicken of an Ork culinary experience, then the '''Juicy Squig''' is the foie gras of Ork cuisine. The Juicy Squig is a very rare and delicious type of Eating Squig that may perhaps be the only known Ork delicacy. This Squig lives at the very bottom of an Ork fungal drop, and are not only rare, but difficult to find and bring up from the depths. Since these Squigs are seldom caught by the Gretchin and Snotlings, they often grow quite large and become even tastier as they get older.

In Age of Sigmar, there is also type of swamp-dwelling squig in the Mortal Realms called the '''Slobbersquig''', mentioned in the second edition Orruk Warclans Battletome as being part of the regular diet consumed by the Kruleboyz, alongside bog toads, swamp hoppers, cold crawfish, spine-ridged mud worms, and human flesh. Compared to the rest of the food on this list, it could be conjectured the Slobbersquig is a sluglike, unappealing Eatin' Squig that drools constantly and lives in swamp muck instead of the bottom of the greenskin drops.
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File:OCG-grot-trader.jpg|Lovely indeed.
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===Guard Squig===
[[File:Guard_Squig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Guard Squig.]]
Ork Kaptins have been breeding a form of Squig known as a Guard Squig, or Squig Hound to some. Think of them as Guard Dogs. These creatures have all the ferocity of an Attack Squig, but are bred to be utterly loyal to their masters. When alone or not in battle, Squig Hounds are usually seen sleeping on their post or lying on their master's lap. Guard Squigs are often seen as a step up above the normal Attack Squig due to their aforementioned loyalty.

Guard Squigs are not to be confused with the Herd Squig whose nickname also bears the name Squighound or the [[Derp|actual Squighound themselves.]] Why GeeDubs thought repeating the name of three different species is a good idea is a mystery. Is it though? These are orks we’re talking about. Considering the rather direct (and often short) manner with which orks approach life, it’s hardly a surprise they’d have one name for several breeds of squigs. One ork may name a particular breed of squig a bitey squig for biting a lot, only to have his head bit off by said squig, prompting the next ork to confirm that it is indeed a bitey squig, while somewhere else in the mob the same little drama is occurring with an entirely different breed of biting squig with identical results. Orks are pragmatic...in their way.

===Targeting Squig===
[[File:Targeting-squig-art.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Targeting Squig.]]
A unusual type of Squig, Targeting Squigs (''Orkus scopum'') are weird creatures with a single targeting eye that serve as biological equivalents of Gitfindas used by Flash Gitz. Sometimes their pupils are even shaped into a cross-hair.

How the Squig could communicate with the Flash Gitz is unknown. Although certain unique sounds or barks could be help the Ork to signal that there may be ample prey around. That or it could flash different colors or release certain pheromones that only Orkoid species can detect.

On tabletop there is very little difference between the Squig and regular Gitfindas other then the cosmetic change. And they are cool looking model.

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===Face-Eater Squig===
[[File:Face Eater.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Face-Eater Squig.]]
Like how Humans have binge eating contests, the Orks have their own variety. Of course in this case the food has the potential of eating your face off. Here is where the Face-Eater Squigs come into play. The Face-Eater Squig is a toothed variety of Squig used both as a weapon and in the infamous Ork face-eating contests.

These Squigs, also known as "Gnashers" or "Gnasher Squigs," are a vicious mass of sharp teeth and claws. In their active state they appear to be just a gnashing mouth and very little else, though they look much like any other Eatin' Squig when they are at rest. Because of their violent nature, Gnashers provide the Orks with endless entertainment, and Squig-eating is one of the Orks' favorite pastimes. The Ork and the Squig both open their mouths and bite, in a parody of a kiss. If the Ork eats the Squig, he wins. If he keels over backwards, he loses.

Some Painboys made attempts to use Gnashers to amputate a patients limbs, but these attempts weren't very successful as they tend to bite off orderlies' arms or even Dok's fingers. Face-Eaters are often used as an attack squig. This organism is known to Imperium biologists as Orkus ravenati.

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File:GnasherSquig.jpg|Nasty little fuckers.
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===Flesheater Squig===
[[File:Flesheater.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Flesheater Squig.]]
In order to increase their wealth, some Orks breed large, ferocious beasts known as Flesheaters. The Flesheater has a great, gaping mouth like a crocodile, full of rows of sharp fangs that are similar to an Ork's canine teeth. They look like furry Orky crocodiles. Flesheaters continually shed and replace their teeth, and all the Orks have to do to collect this wealth is send a Gretchin to collect the teeth, who, of course, aren't overly keen on this duty.

Like Ork teeth, Flesheater teeth also deteriorate after a few years. Flesheaters are extremely long-lived, but rarely breed in captivity, making them even more valuable. Most Orks who own Flesheaters are either already Nobz, or become Nobz on account of the wealth derived from owning these Squigs. Not surprisingly, impoverished Orks sometimes attempt to steal a Flesheater, or even raid rival settlements to capture them.

They are literally a mobile money-making machine - who says money can't grow on <s>trees</s> animals?

===Gas Squig===
[[File:GasSquigs.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Gas Squig.]]

It is a Squig that literally has a [[Lulz|killer fart.]]

The Gas Squig produces a gas so toxic that Orks with gas masks throw this Squig in combat, using the Squig itself as a chemical weapon. They're essentially living gas bombs. Despite their use as a one time explosive however, the Ork can just let the Squig run loose in the battlefield, spreading as much chaos as possible as these nasty little runts can cover an entire field in a bath of toxic miasma and corrosive chemicals.

It is unknown what type of chemicals is needed for the Gas Squig to unleash a untold volume of lethal farts. High levels of methane or magic/warp-related bullshit is the only potential answer.

They are seen as one of the summoning Squigs in Warhammer Online.

According to the illustration of Warhammer Online, Gas Squigs look like normal Attack Squigs but with hole-like projections that constantly spew out the toxic materials like chimneys.

===Grabber-Slasher Squig===
[[File:Grabberslasher.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Grabber-Slasher/Big Squig]]

These guys originated way back in older editions of Warhammer, when Squigs were the result of Tyranids consuming Orkoid biomass instead of always being around. The Grabber-Slasher is a form of large ambush Squig, that prefers to lurk in ducts and either grab prey with its massive arm and drag it away to devour, or hump-slash it with its big crotch-spike.

As one can imagine from things ''that'' early on, they look like fucking abominations and something out of a Cronenberg film than a product of 40k. Seriously, that giant clawed hand on top of its head does not help. They also apparently have a chameleonic ability to change their skin colour and texture to hide better in crevices and ducts. But again, with that giant hand and [[/d/|horned dick,]] such idea of it being chameleonic should be taken with some salt. Even worse is the fact that the Tyranid Hive Mind used it as a prototype to the Lictor in early editions, using it to assassinate those who threatened the plans of the Tyranids, imagine the shame and humiliation of being killed by something as fully as THAT!

When Squigs were later retconned into being always a part of the Orkoid Fungus Biosphere, the Grabber-Slasher was retconned into being just a [[Derp|"Big Squig"]], which is honestly, quite disappointingly generic.

===Hair Squig===
[[File:Hairy.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Hair Squig.]]
Do you want to know how and where the Orks get their hairy ponytails from? Well the answer is obviously simple: they use Squigs to do the job, due to Orks being naturally hairless. Hair Squigs are a parasitic variety of Squig which possess small bodies, no legs, no eyes, and a pair of pincers in place of a mouth.

They have long hair running from their tiny bodies that Orks like to customize and dye after clamping the Squig's pincers onto their own hairless heads, though this customization has no effect on the Squig's health.

One particular variety of Hair Squig is known as '''Chin Squig'''. These creatures feature a long thin body with claws and hair all over it and serve as the equivalent of a beard. They are also known to be a sign of age and status among Orks.

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File:Hair Squig.jpg
File:Chin_Squig.jpg|Chin Squig.
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===Limpin Squig===
[[File:AoSSquigs-Jan8-SquigBall1jvrh.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Limpin Squig or a turkey drumstick, you make the call.]]

[[Lolwut|A Squig football/handegg. Yeah its weird but it makes sense in context.]]

Technically, this squig is from [[Blood Bowl]] rather than the [[Age of Sigmar|Mortal Realms (AKA Age of Sigmar)]], but its existence is so hilariously dumb it might as well be part of the Squig family. Also known as the Squigball, Orc teams are known for using squigs as balls, shearing one leg off so it can’t run away. Sometimes, they just find a particularly bulbous Squig and then literally kick its ass.

These Squigs must be extremely durable, squishy and bouncy. The best Limpin' Squigs have flesh that is extremely flexible, sturdy bones to survive repeated impacts and kicks, a skin firm enough to be held onto for long periods of time, an attitude that makes sure it doesn't ends up biting its holder in the middle of some intense Blood Bowl, and just the right enough shape to bounce to its trajectory.

It is not known is they exist in 40k or AoS, although seeing as how Orks/Orcs are stereotypical British hooligans, we wouldn't be surprised if they did.

===Mendin' Squig===
[[File:Squig-hairy-medical.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Mendin' Squig.]]
Mendin' Squigs or more commonly (and annoyingly) called the Hairy Squigs (Again not to be confused with Hair Squigs much to the Xenobiologist's constant frustration) is a type of medicinal Squig. Hairy/Mendin' Squigs are used by Painboyz as over glorified stitches. The Painboy simply applies it to the open wound, which it holds closed with its tiny, needle-like teeth. The Painboy then twists its tail off, leaving the head embedded in the flesh, repeating the process until the wound is "riveted up." The Mendin' Squig then feeds off blood oozing from the wound, thus keeping it clean and free from infection. By the time it shrivels and drops off, the wound has usually healed.

This form of medical technique is actually quite closer to reality than make believe. Some South American and African tribes use particularly large bulldog ants to act as crude stitching. They just grab the ants and allow the powerful jaws to snap shut on the wound and like the Mendin' Squigs they then twist its body off, leaving only the head which is still in contact with the wound until it shrivels and falls off once fully healed.

===Herd Squig===
[[File:HerdSquig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Herd Squig.]]
Herd Squigs have been specially bred and developed by Runtherds for the purpose of herding and controlling the herds of Runtz. They are related to the many varieties of pet Squigs, but have been selectively bred for their speed, intelligence, ferocity and endurance.

Their long, sensitive snouts and keen ears enable them to track down errant Snotlings and Gretchin wherever they might hide. Herd Squigs are excellent tracking beasts, and can follow trails which are days old.

They are also called Squighounds, which as you already know, [[Herp|should not be confused with the Guard Squig who already bears that nickname or the actual Squighounds themselves.]]

They are like pigs but more Orky.

===Hoppa Fungus===
[[File:DKI3T3c3fv3xNy92.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Hoppa Fungus]]
A Hoppa Fungus or Fun-Hoppas, are a type of Squig that skirts the line between Orkoid Mushroom and Squig, from the Snotling Blood Bowl set. They are small, round, lumpy "mushrooms" with a cartoony, squiggy face on their front. There are two sizes of them, one for throwing like a living rock and another for riding like a moon hopper, even more so than normal squigs as these ones lack legs.

How they managed to hop around without a leg, we are not too sure, although more technical elegan/tg/entelmen had assumed that they use their entire body mass as one giant muscle like a snake, to propel themselves for locomotion.

They seem overall, pretty harmless as far as Squigs go, given that they don't seem to routinely eat their riders or throwers. But boy do these giant grey meatballs look like they came out of a Loony Tunes cartoon.

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Hopper_Fungus.JPG
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===Horned Squig===
[[File:HornedSquig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Horned Squig.]]
<s>A Squig that's [[/d/|''so Horny!'']]</s> {{Blam}}

The Horned Squig is a Squig which is gifted with long, sharp horns stretching from its head that Orks often jam into barricades to serve as living obstacles or act as a moving and mobile battering ram for siege warfare. They act like bulls and if used against troops, often ram its horns into the poor unfortunate sod in a relentless, charging stampede. They have a brighter red color scheme than Cave Squigs.

If the Horned Squig is disabled, then the Ork can simply just strap the Squig on its forearm and use it as a living weapon. The Orks are anything but wasteful and is capable of using everything, even other living organisms to its 'full' potential.

Like the Gas Squigs they are seen as one of the summoning Squigs in Warhammer Online.

===Mimic===
[[File:Squig_Mimic.PNG|150px|right|thumb|Mimic.]]

CA-CAW! OI GITZ GET MOVIN UNLESS YOU WANT ME TO TELL DA BOSS ON WHO IS MUCKIN' ABOUT!

A particularly popular type of pet Squig is known as the Mimic. As you imagine, they are Ork parrots. This Squig has a large and toothy beak-like mouth and is vaguely parrot-like in both appearance and function.

Mimics can be seen perched on the shoulders of many an old and haggard Ork usually from the [[Freebooterz ]]to keep the pirate theme, casting expletives and insults at Greenskin passersby. Kaptins have a endearing affection to these little creatures and their ability to shout and swear at larger and more opposing Orks is often seen as a humorous delight to the Kaptin. Although woe to any Ork who accidentally swat these creatures out of annoyance. [[FATAL|The chance of getting your head wired to a Big Lobba by a pissed off Kaptin? Too high.]]

===Oily Squig===
[[File:Grot_Oiler.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Oily Squig.]]
The Oily Squig is a variety of Squig bred by Ork Meks to create fuel for the Orks' ramshackle vehicles. They create the fuel, an organically-synthesized version of Promethium, in their rotund bellies, and it can be squeezed out of their anteater-like trunks. These Squigs have no mouths, other than their trunk, and are not combat-oriented like their far more aggressive counterparts.

The most efficient way of extracting the oil from the creatures is to use a large pressing machine, although more primitive methods, such as having gretchin to jump up and down on them are also widely used. Orks prepare the barrels of the squig oil in advance and take those with them when they go on campaigns.

There exist two varieties of Oily Squigs, one with arms and a distinct head, and one that resembles an Attack Squig with a trunk for dispensing their fuel oil.

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File:Squig-oily.jpg
File:7e-grotoiler.jpg
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===Paint Squig===
[[File:PaintSquig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Paint Squig.]]
Orks can be creative artists too! This small, vividly colored Squig excretes powerful dyes that are used as warpaint. These paints are also used by Gretchin artists as pigments for wall paintings and decorative banners.

Many Paint Squigs have tufts of hair on their trails, which allows the artist to use the Squig as both a brush and tube of paint simultaneously. The shells of Edible Squigs are also used by Gretchin artists as paint pots and palettes.

===Parasite-Hunting Squig===
[[File:Parasite-Hunter.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Parasite-Hunting Squig.]]
Parasite-Hunting Squigs are tiny but voracious feeders used to clear an Ork's body and clothes of parasites. An Ork simply drops a handful of these Squigs into his clothing and lets them crawl around. They look like Orkified spiders which can give arachnophobes nightmares but the Orks don't give a zog.

The Squigs prey on lice, ticks or leeches the Ork may have acquired in the course of his many unsavoury habits. When the engorged Parasite-Hunting squigs drop out of the Ork's clothing, the Ork simply gathers them up and pops them into his mouth for a juicy chomp.

===Screech Squig===
[[File:Screech_Squig.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Screech Squig]]

A mysterious Squig referred to as having [[Sonic Weaponry|oversized lungs that allow it to make an extremely loud screech.]] Screech Squigs disorient, incapacitate and make the enemy's ear drums burst in one of the most horrid sounds possible (We in /tg/ imagines it as mixing the cries of an infant that has sand paper in its throat with that of fingernails scratching the surface of a chalkboard). They are one of the numerous forms of living ammunition from the [[Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy]].

Unfortunately, despite being important enough to be mentioned in fluff, they still didn't really get that much screen time...or an identifiable model for that specific matter in the first place.

Fortunately for us in /tg/, the Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy model holds so many Squigs in its trunk and around the vehicle that we can sort of guess which Squig might best describe the Screech Squig the best. Due to the fact that it is nothing more than a weaponized Mimic or a living Sonic Weapon, the Screech Squig needs both a big mouth and a wide barrelled body to encompass its huge lungs. Unfortunately, most Squigs have a big mouth and a wide body. Likewise, we hypothesize that the Screech Squig might be in fact, the big Squig we see inside of the Heavy Squig Launcha. This is alluded to the fact that its mouth is close relatively shut and will only open once fired from the Launcha. You wouldn't want your Boyz to go all bleeding in their noggins because they failed to pacify that thing right?

A similarly themed and named Squig exists in Age of Sigmar called the '''Syari Screamersquig'''. A rare albino beast that loathes any form of light, and reacts to it with ear shattering screams. Unfortunately for it, it’s native to the Syari region of the Realm of Light. It’s been hunted to near extinction by the Lumineth Realm-Lords and is prized by many Grot Loonbosses for its screaming powers.

===Snufflesquig===
[[File:Snufflesquig.PNG|150px|right|thumb|Snufflesquig]]

Squig truffle pigs but more [[Derp|derpy in appearances.]]

Snufflesquigs are little more than massive noses and snapping mouths with wiry little legs that can be trained by Sneaky Snufflers to identify Looncaps, a type of mushroom that grows from the light of the Bad Moon, from others that induce effects such as vomit slime, break out in luminous yellow spots, babble uncontrollably or even burst into flames. When the Bad Moon approaches these unique squigs begin to howl with raised snouts.

Like truffle pigs, Snufflesquigs have a tendency to eat these shrooms if not carefully attended.

May be a reference to Snuffler Orcs, a breed of Orc from Middle Earth described as small, black, and huge nosed, used for tracking victims.

===Smasha Squig===
[[File:LAEMX6Acaz90SDmn.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Smasha Squig]]
A cousin to the [[Squighog]], the Smasha Squig is basically an orkified [[Dinosaur|Pachycephalosaurus]].

Smashas are usually ridden by [[Nob]]s from the [[Beast Snagga]] sub-kulture, where they are often found leading mobs of [[Squighog Boy]]z into battle. The Smasha Squig itself is bipedal, running on two legs rather than four. It is also larger, tougher, and even more ferocious than your regular old [[squighog|Squig Bacon]]. Any Nob who has managed to beat a Smasha Squig into submission is ''not'' an Ork to be trifled with.

Once "tamed," a heavy armor plate is bolted to the Smasha Squig's skull. This is not done to protect the squig, for among its kind it is already noted for having an exceptionally thick skull encasing an exceptionally tiny (and shock-resistant) brain. Rather, the plate enhances the beast's natural head-butting tendencies so that the Smasha truly becomes a living, snarling wrecking ball.

On the tabletop, the Smasha Squig complements the Nob rider who is already a beast (pun intended) in close combat. Crunchwise, this oversized fungal dinosaur grants additional attacks with its jaws and its Smasha 'Ead has a chance to deal up to [[rape|five mortal wounds]] after a charge or heroic intervention. Finally, the rider is equipped with a Big Choppa and a slugga, and with T6 and 5 wounds the model is just as hard to kill as you'd expect.
{{Clear}}

===Spiky Squig===
[[File:Spiky.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Spiky Squig.]]
Spiky Squigs look like a living ball covered with spines which, when agitated, as an instinctive reaction, can shoot out at any threatening creature rather like a porcupine (except porcupines can't actually do that) .

These spines inflict a poisonous sting on anyone struck by them, though the effect of the poison on Orkish flesh is not as drastic as it is on other races due to the similar biology of all Orkoid races. Squigs of this kind are used in some bionik arms fitted with cages and a quick release system, so they can be used as a close combat weapon as a living, breathing Morning Star.

Spiky Squigs move via rolling around like a ball, however when it comes to hunting food, it would propel itself at high speed before launching into the unsuspecting prey. Launching its poisonous spines and letting it run its course. This unusual hunting method has been seen by xenobiologists as bizarre and weird.

===Spiteshroom===
[[Image: Spiteshroom.png|150px|right|thumb|Spiteshroom]]

A creature that blurs the line between Squig and Fungus, much like Hoppa Fungus. Spiteshrooms are fungal creatures that inhabit the dark and damp caves favoured by Dankhold Troggoths. They emit an incessant high-pitched shrieks and shrill idiot ditties that distracts even the most veteran warriors. The fungal clouds they release can rot flesh from bone. They are favored as familiars of Madcap Shamans.

Due to the fact that they seemed locked into ground like actual mushrooms, Spiteshrooms are immobile like the larger Stalagsquig.

<gallery>
Spiteshroom_and_Stalagsquig.JPG|With a Stalagsquig in a ''literal'' face off.
</gallery>

==='Sploding Squig===
[[File:Splodin_Squig.jpg|150px|right|thumb|'Sploding Squig.]]
A biological grenade used by the Orks if they run out of stikkbombs. 'Sploding Squigs possess multiple stomachs, each containing a thick broth of unstable digestive chemicals. Some 'Sploding Squigs may be covered in spines which may act as fragmentation when it explodes.

When agitated, usually though violent shaking, the 'Sploding Squig's digestive juices combine into a combustible liquid, causing the Squig to explode in a shower of meat, teeth, and bone fragments. While typically thrown in combat, 'Sploding Squigs are also often buried and used as mines. Orks are known to force-feed 'Sploding Squigs a meal of scrap metal before battle in an effort to enhance their lethality.

If the Ork is feeling a bit picky and doesn't really want to risk having his head blown off by enemy snipers he can just let the Squig go off to its intended target. Of course this may not result in the desired outcome as the Squig may be shot before it gets the chance to explode or the Squig wouldn't even explode in the first place and just growls at the target harmlessly.

However, the widespread use of regular Bomb Squigs has lessened the value of 'Sploding Squigs as Bomb Squigs are just regular Attack Squig fitted with explosives. No need to wait around for a specialized and uncommon Squig to mature when the most common type of Squig already fills in their purpose.

===Spore Squig===
[[File:AoSSquigs-Jan8-SporeSquig3mteg.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Spore Squig]]

[[Drug|A Squig to huff some shrooms and get high.]]

A walking LSD projector. These little squigs are used defensively by Fungoid Cave-Shamans, who need but stamp on one to release an obscuring cloud of spores. The Fungoid Cave-Shamans themselves are the lepers of Goblin kind. Found only in [[Age of Sigmar]], the mushroom-gobbling grot maniacs known as Cave-Shamans are obviously not right in the head.

To these greenskinned nutters, to get lost in a brain-mangling vision is to grow closer to the side of Gorkamorka that epitomises cunning and trickiness over brute strength, which is the side that all grots like the best.

The Spore Squig is nothing more than a living, breathing hookah for the greenskin to sniff some grade-A meth and can, on command, release said spores towards its enemies to make them just as high as the Squig's personnel caretakers.

Moral of the story, don't do drugs kiddos, especially on the battlefield.

===Squigadon===
[[File:Squigadon.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Squigadon.]]
A form of Squig larger than a Great Cave Squig but smaller than a Giant Squig. Maybe a smaller [[Squiggoth]].

First appeared in White Dwarf, and utilized by Hobgoblins. The creator of this monster was from Nick Bayton who literally used a Large Squiggoth from Forgeworld and converted it into a unit for Fantasy by using the [[Lizardmen|Stegadon]] rules in battle. Whilst it may look big, don't let it fool you. Perspective is deceptive and whilst hobgoblins may view it as huge, you should take note that hobgoblins are like half the height of a human, so that Squigadon would be slightly bigger than a rhino.

Seeing as how the Squigadon is literally a converted [[Squiggoth]], whether it would be considered another demonym for a Squiggoth or an entirely different subspecies is unknown. Moreover, how 'canon' this Squig is, we have no clue since it only appeared in ''one'' issue of White Dwarf and that's it. We don't even have any of the bearest hints of fluff. So your guesses on its validity are as good as ours.
<gallery>
W8ox5l0jxaua.jpg|As it appeared in White Dwarf.
</gallery>

===[[Squiggoth]]===
The largest of all squig species, have their own page.

===Squigeon===
[[File:Squigeon3.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Squigeon.]]

Squigeons (''Orkus aerium'') are the Squig counterparts of the Terran pigeon or columbidae if you are feeling fancy, often utilized for sending messages during battle amongst Ork tribes that lack more advanced methods of communication. Although they are sometimes hunted by the dreaded Squighawk or used as target practice by Stormboyz.

[[HHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhnnnnnnngggggg-|They are the cutest little orkspawn your will ever get the chance of meeting.]] Unfortunately, due to GeeDubs incompetence, we never ever get to see them further fleshed out in fluff. This time the Commissar would be fine with you petting a Squigeon.

<gallery>
File:Squigeon.jpg
</gallery>

===Squighawk===
[[File:SquigHawk.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Squighawk.]]

'''BA-CAAAWK! OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!'''

Think of a Orkified Pterodactyl. Squighawks are a wild, flying species of Squig that are large enough to eat Orks. Thus, they are ECKS BAWKS HUEG.

Unfortunately, they are often too difficult to be trained (Could be because the Squighawk view Orks are prey #1) and are rarely used by Ork Runtherdz which is saying something on how hard it is to tame these things when the Orks manage to successfully do it to the much larger Squiggoth.

Still, it would be cool if we actually got to use these <s>Dinosaurs</s> flying reptiles on the tabletop. Chances are, these things could potentially reach a size to rival some larger Tyranid flying strains such as the [[Harpy]].

===Squig-Hog===
[[File:Beast Snaggas.jpeg|200px|right|thumb|Squig-Hog]]
[[Boarboyz]] haven't been mentioned in core Ork fluff for quite some time. While they were cool in their own way, it didn't really ever make sense for Orks to be riding Earth animals in the first place. Well, as of 9th Edition it seems that Boarboyz have been retconned and/or [[squatted]] for good, because [[Squighog Boy]]s have now been introduced as a far more [[awesome]] type of Ork heavy cavalry. Squig Hogs are tougher, larger, and far more dangerous than other types of cavalry such as a horse or warboar, and they can eat pretty much anything that fits in their mouths (including the rider, if he fails to keep his mount in line). However, the horse still has a modest speed advantage.

[[Beast Snagga]]s use them as cavalry like the Imperium's [[Rough Riders]] and they are ''thicc'' enough that a [[Gretchin]] can hop on as well. Snaggas who ride these guys are called [[Squighog Boy]]z. While Squighog Boyz can belong to any Klan, they are presumably most common among the [[Snakebites]].

Crunchwise, Squighogs have a pretty nasty bite of S6, AP-1 and D2, meaning you should be able to dispatch the now tough-to-kill [[Primaris Space Marines]] as well as other MEQs and GEQs consistently. What you want from it however, is the fact that these walking fungal bacons are allowed 2 additional attacks every time the unit fights. Combined with the additional weapons from the Ork himself and you get a nasty cavalry unit.
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===Squighound===
[[File:Squighound.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Squighound.]]
Squighounds (''Orkus canis''), commonly known as "Growlers," are a variation of the Attack Squig, used by Ork Slaverz to help them keep the Gretchins and slaves from other races in line, some have four legs, although two-legged varieties certainly exist. "Growlers" are also often kept as a form of pet by other Orks, as they are roughly the size of a small dog, hairy, and particularly vicious.

A Pet Squig often scurries about behind its master, barely under his control, giving its owner no end of amusement and laughs [[Troll|especially when the Squig snaps at the ankles of another Ork.]]

They are not to be confused with the Guard Squig or Herd Squig who are also [[Derp|referred to as 'Squighound'.]]

===Squigosaur===
[[File:Squigosaur_2.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Squigosaur]]
The Squigosaur are large two-legged squigs, that [[Beast Snagga]]s ride upon. They are similar in appearance to the Smasha Squig, but whilst the Smasha Squig is an Orky Pachycephalosaurus, the Squigasaur is the Allosaurus of the family.

The most famous of which is the Big Chompa or otherwise known as '''The Great White Squig''' (AKA the Great White Shark on legs or "I can't believe it's another Moby Dick reference!"). A legendary alpha Squigasaur regarded as the most belligerent, vicious, and savage of its kind. It was responsible for a breathtaking number of missing Boyz and was also thought to be utterly untameable. That is, until Beast Snagga Mozrog Skragbad appeared with all his chad energy and proceeded to beat the ever-loving shit out of it for three days until it complied.

Although he has tamed the Squigosaur, it will revert to its original destructive nature when he is not nearby. In order to keep Big Chompa in line, the long-suffering Skragbad is forced to keep himself at its side and the two are rarely seen apart.

On the tabletop, the Squigosaur's jaws works lethally well with a mounted [[Beastboss]]; three extra attacks which can practically gobble up [[Terminator]]s - especially if you roll a 6 to hit and score 3 mortal wounds.
<gallery>
Squigosaur.JPG|The Great White Squig
HxDM6t0oZyXjrBtR.jpg
</gallery>
{{Clear}}

===Squigpipe===
[[File:Pipe.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Squigpipe.]]
Just to further hone in the Scottish stereotype within the Orks (prejudice much, GeeDubs?). This special type of Squig is used by the Orks as a musical instrument. Several tube-like proboscises emanate from this Squig's bag-like body.

The Musical Squig can be tucked under one arm and inflated by blowing down the proboscis. Then, by squeezing the Squig, weird and terrifying sounds can be made through the creature's proboscis pipes. This turns the Squig into a musical instrument, much like the bagpipes, but a thousand times more cacophonous. Orks like to go into battle accompanied by this Squig much to the detriment of their enemies.

<gallery>
File:OCG-grot-playing.jpg
</gallery>

===Squigshark===
[[File:SquigShark.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Squigshark.]]
Orks as Jaws. Squigsharks are the Squig counterparts of Terran sharks that inhabit Ork-infested worlds. And no they are not huggable; your local Commissar definitely urges you to '''''NOT''''' pet one out of safety and preventing potential stupidity.

They are known to be very dangerous beast and many Ork sailors trying to cosplay as Moby Dick ended their lives as a food for Squigsharks. Whenever one appears, it is obligatory to play the signature Jaws music. They are by far the top oceanic predator of any Ork World.

YOU. HAVE. BEEN. WARNED.

<gallery>
Deff_Skwadron_Squig-Shark-2.jpg|Dun dun...dun dun...dun dun dun dun dun....
</gallery>

===Snake-Squig===
[[File:Snake-Squigs.jpg|170px|right|thumb|Snake-Squig]]
The Snake-Squig is a very little known species of Squig, which is only shown as an illustration with a [[Snake Bites]] [[Weirdboy]] of said Snake-Squig constricting the Odd Boy like something out of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Speaking of Temple of Doom, it is quite possible that a Weirdboy uses his psychic mumbo-jumbo to control them like how a snake charmer controls a snake. Of course, what the Weirdboy actually does with the snakes, we have no idea, as they are just there to make him look cool.

In terms of its ecology, the Snake-Squig should share the same niche and behaviour as...well...a regular old snake, specifically the constrictor kind when you compare it to its sheer size. These beasts are like, 2-3 meters long if the image is any indication and is quite capable of chomping down prey as it is, swallowing them whole.

But its role is never ever really known given that all Snake-Squigs are actually victims of Old Zogwort who managed to Harry Potter'ed them into ''becoming'' a Snake-Squig. Because of the fact that Old Zogwort is the only known Ork that does these kinds of things, whether the Snake-Squig is an actual Orkoid species or just the consequence of psychic mishap is currently unknown.

{{Clear}}

===Squig Gobba===
[[File:Squig Gobba 2.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Squig Gobba.]]
A [[Forge World]] model, which is the size of a colossal squig. The difference is that this one can fire smaller squigs out of its mouth. The Squig Gobba is essentially living artillery.

Dragged and prodded onto the battlefield by its malevolent Goblin tenders, it is a huge beast with an oversized gaping maw, a set of extremely powerful lungs and a ravenous appetite to rival even that of a Troll. With the Squig Gobba heavily chained into position to prevent it bounding off after the first tasty morsel it spies, its tenders start dragging lesser squigs from the cages surrounding them as battle is joined, slicking these vicious beasts with foul-tasting noxious liquids.

This not only renders the creatures senseless for a short time, but also prevents the Squig Gobba from immediately swallowing them as the stunned squigs are unceremoniously stuffed into its jaws. Goblins can also make it explode if they want to.

<gallery>
File:Squig Gobba.jpg|Hey look! It seems that the last of the Gastric Brooding Frogs have evolved!
</gallery>

===Stalagsquig===
[[File:GloomspiteGitzDesignersNotes-Dec27-Stalagsquig10vx-1.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Stalagsquig]]

Squigs are highly adaptable creatures, taking a myriad range of forms. Some, for example, infest the rock itself, creating Stalagsquigs.

The Stalagsquigs are a what happens when orks and gobboz believe that "OIH DAT STONE FING OVER DERE LOOKS LIKE A BITEY SQUIG" and as such the power of [[WAAAGH|WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH made it so.]] The species looks like normal stalagmites from afar but get close enough and you will be introduced to a stone skinned biting nightmare. This particular breed has yet to be seen in 40k but it is prevalent in Ye Age of golden hammer jackasses [[Age of Sigmar]].

It is unknown how these squigs move (if they move at all?) since they seem to have no visible legs, unless it's a luggage scenario where it sprouts thousands of little legs from its base when it wants to move.......WELP, have fun sleeping after thinking about that. Emperor damn, it's like the [[Chaos Spawn|chaos spawns all ov-BGRIHSRAJKHSJAHDSAIUOFDGHU.]] However, according to Warhammer Community, they are totally immobile and viciously hungry creatures that make exploring caves in the Mortal Realms an even worse idea than you thought it was.

As a side note there has been no recorded evidence on how big these squigs can grow to but seeing as how normal stalagmites can grow to be bigger than a sky scraper if given enough space we might have to worry about descending into caves in the foreseeable future.

===Swab Squig===
[[File:Swab.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Swab Squig.]]
The Swab Squig is a type of Hair Squig, but unlike the long trailing hair of its cousins, its round body is covered with short, fluffy fur. Orks use Swab Squigs to mop up during operations, and they come in handy for emergency handkerchiefs too. Despite looking like a giant fluffball they have a humongous mouth and are quite snappy too. Swab Squigs tend to share a comedic relation with [[Snotling|Snotlings]] due to the latter's mentally retarded habit of poking things that should not be poked, which often ends with the little snots running around having their asses bit by the Swab Squig.

Non-pettable by your local Commissar.

<gallery>
File:Squig-swab-2.jpg|It is wise not to pet something that looks cute....
File:Squig-swab-3.jpg|....Or else this happens.
</gallery>

===Syringe Squig===
[[File:Syringe.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Syringe Squig.]]
Syringe Squigs are primarily used for medicinal purposes. These medical Squigs have natural properties which Painboyz find useful when patching together battle-damaged Orks. Syringe Squigs have a long needle-sharp proboscises with which they inject venom into their prey. Syringe Squigs exude a soporific venom which makes a fine anesthetic for Orks when the traditional anesthetic (known to other races as a "concussion") is unavailable.

Syringe Squigs are divided by their sizes to 'small', 'big' and 'urty' which are used depending on the strength of the dose required. The venom is sometimes extracted from the creature and used separately for mixing up some kind of special 'medicine', or if a really large dose is needed.

There is also a special type of Syringe Squig called a '''Vaccine Squig''', whose own immune system produces natural vaccines and antibodies to a host of different pathogens that are extracted and used by Painboyz to aid diseased Orks.

===Tapewyrm Squig===
The Kruleboyz Orruk shaman Gobsprakk can summon a squirming swarm of Tapewyrm Squigs inside the stomachs of his enemies, sickening them and even causing them to explode in a shower of Waaagh! Magic like some sort of twisted DeviantArt fetish. Yeah.

===Tomb Squig===
[[File:Tomb_Squig_placeholder.JPG|150px|right|thumb|Tomb Squig]]
From old-school Warhammer, Tomb Squigs are an albino breed of burrowing squig that feeds on corpses and undead alike.

Often found in [[Dorf|Dwarfen]] tombs that have been broken open and looted, they are sometimes also found in graveyards where their presence often makes sure undead aren't present in these areas. Slightly smaller than regular Squigs, they possess amazingly powerful jaws for their size, which they use to break open stone sarcophagi and to bite through the ceremonial armour Dwarfs often bury their dead in.

At the cost of there being corpse-eating squigs, these critters are as likely to attack and devour the undead as the actually dead (and living as well). As such, Tomb Squigs can serve as a [[Just As Planned|nasty surprise]]; really ruining a tomb robber’s day as not only do they present a threat to life and limb, [[Troll|they can also destroy valuable weapons and armour hidden in the tomb.]]
Source: https://warhammerfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Tomb_Squigs

===Tramplasquig===
[[File:Tramplesquig.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Tramplasquig]]
A quadrupedal Squig breed that is large enough to drag large vehicles. Tramplasquigs are the rhinoceros of the Squig family and their poor temper makes them a popular beast of war as well as a versatile beast of burden.

The [[Beast Snagga]]s use them to carry their [[Kill Rig]]s and [[Hunta Rig]]s. Although they lack any other form of natural weapons other than their bulk and teeth, Beast Snaggas mount armored helmets with a giant blade on top to further maximize their carnage.

On tabletop, the Tramplasquig is essentially the vehicle itself. It works well in conjunction with its ferried troops. As such, the whole thing is no slouch in melee either, as it not only has the squig itself fighting but also a bunch of boyz to hack away. What it does really well is if you have the Ramming Speed stratagem, as it not only throws it at an enemy from further away but it also drops some MWs on top of that, which can help with wiping the mob.
{{Clear}}

===Vampire Squig===
[[File:Vampire.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Vampire Squig.]]
The Vampire Squig is a blood-sucking creature with long sharp fangs, used by Painboyz to bleed the patient and suck bad blood and pus from septic wounds. The Squig does not seem to mind what the blood is like or from what species it comes so long as it gets a regular and plentiful supply.

When times are hard (which for Orks is when there's not much fighting) the Painboyz are forced to find other ways to keep their pets alive, which they do by extolling the benefits of regular bleeding to otherwise healthy Orks. It is also a good way to earn tons of teef in a short amount of time.

=== Wyrdsquig ===

[[File:Wyrd.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Wyrdsquig.]]

A Wyrdsquig is a little known psychic Squig subspecies, that has close genetic links to the Gnasher Squig. Despite their close relations, they are fucking hideous; looking more like an aborted love child between [[H.P. Lovecraft|Yog-Sothoth]] and the [[Halo|Timeless One.]]

This subspecies is rarely encountered in the wild and possesses psychic abilities similar to those of Ork [[Weirdboy]]z. The Wyrdsquig is often employed in battle as a "psychic bomb," releasing a catastrophic telepathic shockwave at the moment of its death. So in layman's terms, it is the Ork equivalent of a Imperial [[Grenades & Explosives#Psyk-Out Grenade|Psyk-Out Grenade]]s.

They are one of the few Warp-based weapons that the Orks utilize along with the [[Shokk_Attack_Gun|Shokk Attack Gun]] and [[Tellyport_Blasta|Tellyport Blasta]].

===Other Squigs===

The breeds of squigs are innumerable and there are a lot of other, unknown types of these creatures in existence. From tiny micro-organisms on Ork bodies to the gigantic beasts put in the Ork spaceships to create breathing atmosphere as a form of a life-sustaining device, each of them has an use in Ork society. Notorious breeds such as the yellow-spotted '''Facegnasha''', the greater '''Fang-gob''', or the infamous '''Leapin’ Deff''' are especially popular for ther use as Bomb Squigs. In Age of Sigmar, it is further expanded, examples such as the '''Glo-Squig''' are a type bioluminescent squig used to light up Lurklairs of the Gloomspite Gitz.
<gallery>
File:Squigs_Old_Mini.jpg
File:Retro_Squigs.jpeg
File:VariedSquigs.JPG
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{{Clear}}
[[Category: Warhammer Fantasy]]

[[Category: Orcs & Goblins]]

[[Category: Age of Sigmar]]

[[Category: Gloomspite Gitz]]

[[Category: Warhammer 40,000]]

[[Category: Xenos]]

[[Category: Orks]]

[[Category: Feral Orks]]

[[Category: Squigs]]

[[Category: Megafauna]]

{{template: Orks-Forces}}