Squig - what are some alternative models?
There is no doubt that Squigs are among the most adorable creations of Games Workshop. These creatures (in theory, dangerous and deadly), thanks to their design and the fact that they’re usually dog-like for Orks, ironically became something like a mascot for many fans. Naturally, all of that led to an incredibly vast cafeteria of both Squig models and alternatives for them on the market.
What are Squigs and why would you want to replace them with alternative creatures?
The name Squig is a shortcut for “Squiggly Beast.” Most commonly easy to describe as “a big jaw full of teeth on a pair of legs,” Squigs are believed to be the simplest form of Orkoid life. It means that they’re highly genetically related to Orks, but they’re also somewhat of a lesser kind. That’s why Orks treat them (more or less) like people treat animals. Mostly not-so-nice people, but - after all - let’s remember that we’re talking about Orks.
“They fly now?” - “They fly now!”. At least the Bat-Gnaw does
There are many different types of Squigs. From Bomb Squigs, through Horned Ones, to gargantuan Orkeosauruses, these (usually) little monsters are used by their more-developed relatives in many (only occasionally pleasant) ways. And that’s why Squigs - besides the sight of a battlefield (which is the most common for them) - see both Ork kitchens and the Painboyz labs during their lives.
And now we’re going back to the main subject of this article - wargames.
Of course, Squigs don’t have as enormous representation on the table as in-universe. It doesn’t change the fact that they still are numerous. You have a vast cafeteria of models to choose from.
Suppose we add to this mixture all alternatives (or inspired by) Squig-like models produced by other companies. In that case, the overall amount of these creatures available at the reach of your hand might even exceed the number of them classified by Imperial Chroniclers.
Why would anybody wish to replace the original Squig models with some alternatives? The answer to this question might be straightforward - just because some other design was more appealing for someone or because the desired kind of this creature wasn’t available among the Squigs produced by Games Workshop. That’s why other companies try to cover the needs of such customers.
Types of alternatives that can be used as Squig replacements
If looking for the best alternatives for Squigs, consider browsing models inspired by such creatures. Of course, thanks to the almost infinite number of pop culture texts and references, it’s highly probable that you’ll find a Squig-like beast somewhere where the chance of inspiration is mere. And that’s ok too - as long as you’ll consider your soon-to-be Squig as “squiggly” enough, there shouldn’t be a problem (of course, if you don’t intend on playing it competitively - in that case, you better consult it with the organizers of the event or the tournament).
Gnaws - just like Orks and Goblins - can vary in appearance very much
In case when you wish to have as Squig-alike models as possible (but still of a different design than the Games Workshop’s ones), you can always search for them in webstores such as Kromlech. There you can find Gnaws - models that resemble Squigs but are still different simultaneously, to bring much more diversity for the people looking for alternatives.
Gnaws are available in many different forms and sets. If you’re a big fan of these types of creatures, you can even find terrain suitable for them. As stated earlier, some Squig varieties are bred by Orks for food. And that’s a feature that inspired Tabletop Scenics’ Orc Smack Bar. A warning might be necessary for die-hard Squig lovers: a reasonable amount of humor is required when approaching this set.
Pros and cons of using alternative models as Squig replacements
Using alternative models always brings one major disadvantage - such replacements aren’t welcome everywhere. It may happen that during official events, some rules excluding such models can occur. Even though this is relatively rare and depends strongly on the level of resemblance and the quality of a miniature you’re deploying, it’s good to have that knowledge at the back of your head.
On the other hand, the advantages of Squig replacements also exist, and they’re probably more numerous. Because personal preferences shouldn’t be a matter of debate and beauty is intensely subjective, it’s hard not to agree that alternative models help players find their desired figures. That, what seems ugly for one, might be found out as outstanding by the other.
What’s more, the alternatives can inspire you to try different solutions. Whether we’re talking about modeling and basing miniatures by yourself, or collecting some unique gaming accessories such as tokens, markers, templates, and similar, in nine out of ten instances, some diversity and a slight change can refresh your passion for this vast and fantastic hobby.