Rock and stone.
When Games Workshop first introduced the sci-fi miniatures of Warhammer 40,000 during the 1980s, the lineup featured space dwarfs, also known as squats. These characters had a rugged biker look, reminiscent of how traditional fantasy blacksmiths could turn into interstellar mechanics. Although not as popular as space elves or space orks, they were eventually removed from the lore after being featured in the second edition due to the Tyranid invasion, leading to a term known as ‘squatted’ for elements of the lore that are no longer in play.
However, the squats made a comeback a few years ago under the rebranded name of ’the kin,’ now represented by the Leagues of Votann. This faction is portrayed as descendants of old human mining expeditions, undergoing generations of genetic tweaking and tech they call cloneskeins, resulting in their new, sleek armored look.
The much-awaited Mechanicus 2 will showcase these space dwarfs, although they won’t be playable characters, representing a pivotal moment as they grace the gaming world. The game is set to launch within this year, with the original title currently available for free play on Steam until May 26.
Mechanicus 2 will feature three opposing factions, including tech-priests and robotic necrons, on the planet Hekateus IV. Players will encounter the Leagues of Votann as non-playable characters, offering the chance to form alliances or engage in combat, complemented by an exciting soundtrack of gothic monkstep accompanying the chaos.
