The Artist’s Vision of Squigs
While inherently comedic, resembling “beach balls with teeth,” artist David Gallagher infused Squigs with a sense of structure and character in his designs. Exploring various iterations for different projects, Gallagher maintained their quirky charm while using minimal color to focus attention on form and expression. His work highlights the balance between absurdity and functionality that defines these creatures.
The Origins and Nature of Squigs
Squigs, short for “squiggly beasts,” are fungus-based lifeforms straddling the line between plant and animal. Created by the Orks and Gretchin, they are some of the most bizarre and amusing creatures in Warhammer lore. These chaotic creatures vary widely, serving as mounts, weapons, and even food. Their unpredictable nature and versatility make them essential to Ork and Grot culture.
Squigs in Warhammer 40,000
In Warhammer 40,000, Squigs have been bred into various subspecies for specific purposes. “Attack Squigs” are ferocious, toothy monsters unleashed in battle, favored as destructive companions by Ork warbosses. “Bomb Squigs,” on the other hand, are equipped with explosives and sent into enemy lines, turning into living bombs that cause chaos and carnage. Each type reflects the Orks’ crude ingenuity and appetite for mayhem.
Squigs in Warhammer Age of Sigmar
In Age of Sigmar, Squigs take center stage in the armies of the Gloomspite Gitz, a faction of Grots who revere the Bad Moon. Cave Squigs, known for their erratic bouncing, wreak havoc on battlefields, often causing as much trouble for their handlers as for their enemies. Larger variants, like Mangler Squigs, are massive, destructive beasts used as living battering rams, crushing everything in their path with gleeful abandon.
The Multifaceted Role of Squigs
Squigs are more than just fighters; they serve various roles in Ork and Grot society. Runtherds breed them in squig pens for food (“Edible Squigs”), tools (such as the bizarre Hair Squig), and even peculiar companionship (like the Face-Eater Squig). Their chaotic unpredictability embodies the essence of Ork culture, making them both hilarious and terrifying creatures in equal measure.
Squigs: Chaos and Carnage Personified
Whether in Warhammer 40,000 or Age of Sigmar, Squigs capture the chaotic and unpredictable spirit of their Ork and Grot creators. Their constant movement between carnage and comedy adds to their iconic status in Warhammer lore. Always ready for a scrap, Squigs leave destruction in their wake, embodying the anarchic energy of the universe they inhabit.
