One Wag at rec.games.miniatures.warhammer once said it best; "there are far more Squat partisans now than there ever were actual Squat players”. True enough...

Having said this, it is my opinion that Squats should still be a viable Warhammer 40k army. I'm not alone in this thought, and a simple search of the 'net turns up a large number of unofficial Squat codexes. Unfortunately most of these tend to over-power the army. It seems that most wish to make "cheesy" Squat armies that rival anything that Gavin Thorpe could ever write. Furthermore, even the best of these D.I.Y. codexes tend to rely on wholesale invention and often vary too much from the spirit of the original Squat army list.

With this in mind, I present my own entry into the field. "Codex: Squats" is a close a straight conversion of the original army list as I could manage under third edition 40k. A few items of wargear that were present in the original list have been reinvented and stats and points for Robots have been added using the VDR.

Enjoy!

Note: Fluff nazis will note that I have not included any background for "Codex: Squats". I decided on this for two reasons. The first is simply to save both space and time. Second is the (probably faulty) assumption that most potential Squat players will be quite familiar with the "fluff" regarding the race. Those who are not are encouraged to read the material presented in the original "Rogue Trader" rulebook and the "Warhammer 40k Compendium"

Furthermore, a familiarity with the rules and basic weapons of 40k is assumed.

Special Rules

"Squat of foot" Squats tend to be short (less than 5 feet tall), fat, and well.... squat! Needless to say they are not nearly as mobile as other races. To reflect this, all Squats not mounted on bikes or trikes move only 4 inches in the movement phase. Furthermore they roll 2d6-1 (that is, they roll 2 dice, choose the highest, and subtract one from it - minimum move distance of one inch) when moving through rough terrain. However due to their penchant for getting "stuck in" to close combat, they still assault an unmodified six inches and roll 2d6 for sweeping advances like any other infantry.

"Bigger is Better": Most armies have restrictions on arming character models with heavy and special weapons. However Squat characters may choose such arms from the Squat armory. This reflects the extremely practical nature of the race. (not to mention the tradition of the Rogue Trader Squat list) The only exception is living ancestors, who may only pick one-handed weapons. (they are too old and feeble to be lugging about a las-cannon!) Note also that heavy weapons may NOT be master-crafted.

Squat Armoury
A Squat character may have up to two one handed weapons or a two handed weapon and a one handed weapon. In addition he may be equipped with up to 100 points of additional wargear. (note that Squats in exo armor may one have weapons and wargear marked with "*".

One handed weapons
bolt pistol------2 pt plasma pistol------10 pts
power weapon----10 pts* close combat weapon-----1 pt
storm shield-----10 pts power fist-----15 pts*
chain fist-----(exo armor only)----20 pts* las pistol------1 pt
Doom lance(exo-armored bike riders only)-----15 pts* Sawn off shotgun---1 pts

Two handed weapons
Las gun-----1 pts Bolter------2 pts* storm bolter---------5 pts
Melta gun------10 pts plasma gun-----6 pts flamer------6 pts
auto cannon-----20 pts grenade launcher--4 pts heavy bolter-----15 pts
plasma cannon----35 pts las-cannon-----35 pts Graviton Gun(guildmasters only)----20 pts
multi-melta-----35 pts missile launcher----20 pts

Wargear
Scanner-----2 pts* Bionics-----10 pts* Mechanic's tools----5 pts*
Conversion field-----25 pts krak grenades----2 pts med kit-------5 pts
Refractor field----15 pts frag grenades------1 pt
master-crafted weapons--5 pts* melta bombs----5 pts
Carapace armor----10 pts
Exo-Armour(warlord and hearthguard only)----25 pts
Brotherhood banner (hearthguard only, limit one only.)----20 pts*
Squat bike(independent characters only)---35 pts*

Squat vehicle upgrades
Dozer blade------5 pts Extra armor-----5 pts
Pintle mounted storm bolter---10 pts HK missile-----15 pts searchlight----1 pt smoke launchers-----3 pts

Graviton Gun---Originally designed for mining and industrial use, the graviton gun has been pressed into service by the ever-practical Squats as a weapon. This piece of arcane technology manipulates the effect that gravity has on an object and, if turned on a person, will completely pin its victim. Fortunately the effects are short lived. Any unit or character hit by a graviton gun must make an immediate pin test using 3d6 rather than the usual 2d6. This applies even to fearless troops and is recovered from the following turn as usual. There is no need to roll to wound and there is no armor save.
Graviton gun----- assault 1 range: 12 inches. str--n/a ap--n/a

Storm shield---This is a small shield fitted with a power field generator. It is much used in the tunnel fighting that is so common on the Squat home worlds. It confers a 4+ invulnerable save in close combat only. Note that the storm shield may only be used against one opponent per turn.

Brotherhood banner---Most Squat brotherhoods carry their banner into action. This tends to inspire the already fierce Squats into even greater acts of bravery. Any assault that takes place within 6" of the Brotherhood banner may add +1 to the combat resolution.

Conversion field--This is a sophisticated personal force field that converts incoming energy into light. These sorts of fields are very rare and only one model in the army may be equipped with one. The conversion field confers a 4+ invulnerable save instead of his normal armor save.

Med kit---This is a first aid kit and various combat drugs used to stabilize combat casualties. If a model in a unit has a med kit, then it may re-roll the first failed save of each turn. This, of course, will not work on a model what suffers an "instant kill" or against a weapon that does not allow an armor save.

Squat bike---Squat bikes are equipped with twin linked bolters and confer +1 toughness to the rider. Unlike most bikes, Squats wearing exo-armor MAY be riders. If a one model in a unit has bikes, then all must.

Exo-armor--These massive suits of powered armor were originally designed for tunnel fighting where the warrior could expect large amounts of incoming fire with no available cover. Due to the extremely stable nature of the armor, the model wearing it may fire his bolter as if he has not moved. (that is he may fire once up to 24" and shoot twice at 12" or less). Furthermore the sophisticated targeting hardware allows the model to re-roll misses as if the weapon were twin-linked.
Due to it's massive armor plates and protective force fields, exo-armor gives the wearer either a 2+ normal armor save or a +5 invulnerable save in the same manner as Imperial terminator armor. Exo-armor also gives the wearer +1 attack in close combat.

Doom lance: This is a close combat weapon favored by mounted Hearthguard troops. Characters in exo-armor mounted on bikes may only take it. A Doom lance may only be used when charging and for that round only doubles the models initiative score, adds +2 and str and ignore armor saves. However, a model using a laser lance is reduced to one attack for the first round regardless of the actual numbers of attacks it might have.

Sawn off shotgun-----This is simply a shotgun that has been severely amputated at both the barrel and stock to produce a pistol-like weapon. They are also sometimes known as "whippet guns" due to the fact they can "whipped out" from concealment. Such weapons are popular with outlaws, Orks, and Squats for obvious reasons.

Sawn off shotgun: Assault2 str-3 Range-6"
note although an assault weapon, the sawn off shotgun can be used like a pistol in close combat, thus conferring an extra attack when used in conjunction with a close combat weapon, etc..

Mechanic's tools---Any model in base-to-base contact with a vehicle that is either immobilized or suffering a destroyed weapon may repair said damage on a roll of a "six" on a d6.

Refractor field---This is the simplest of the personal power fields. It absorbs the energy of incoming fire and (hopefully) directs it elsewhere. It confers a +5 invulnerable save. Needless to say field saves may not be combined with each other or any other armor save.

Bionics----Some veteran Squats have been fitted with bionic limbs and modifications after suffering horrific injuries in prior battles. At the end of a turn were a Squat with Bionics has been "killed", he may be returned to action with one wound on a roll of "six".

Scanner----Any infiltrating enemy units who set up within 4d6 of a unit with a scanner may be shot at for free at the beginning of the game by the unit with the scanner. This "free shot" takes place before the battle begins and normal shooting rules apply.

Carapace armor---Some Squat nobles wear ancient armored breastplates passed down from generation to generation. Carapace breastplates confer a 4+ armor save.

Any weapon or piece of wargear not described above is detailed in "Codex: Space marines", or “Codex: Imperial Guard” and players are directed there for stats and descriptions.