Ironhead Squats have been part of Necromunda for a couple of years now, but they’re about to get the full-fledged “House of…” treatment in a brand-new supplement, Halls of the Ancients. We spoke to the Necromunda design team to get the inside track on this major expansion, which both fleshes out the Squats’ rich history on the planet and arms them with a slew of new gang options—Exo-suits, trikes, and more.
From Confederation to Mining Clans: The Lore Behind the Ironhead Squats
Ten Millennia of History
Over 10,000 years ago, an enterprising Squat leader named Oryith Ironeye arrived on Necromunda aboard 13 bastion ships, striking a deal with the planet’s rulers to help rebuild in the wake of a galactic civil war. In exchange for permanent mining rights, Oryith and her people—known as the Confederation of Urlish—dug in for the long haul.
Over millennia, these pioneers evolved into Mining Clans, collectively referred to by the locals as the Ironhead Squats. Now, they’re entrenched across the hive world, operating massive land trains called Laagers and sporting a deep loathing for Ash Wastes Nomads.
Major Mining Clans and Their Domains
The new book dives into each of the major and minor clans:
- Anglish, Tapferkeit, Svardhol, Scragfrid – Biggest players in the western hemisphere.
- Helmaeth – Known for sailing the sump seas.
- Snorrag – Digging deep in the planetary under-earth.
- Trocken – Specialized in salvaging entire dead hives.
Flesh Out the Ironhead Identity
Beyond listing the clans, Halls of the Ancients explains:
- Ancestor Cores – Vital relics that connect each clan to its storied past.
- Why They Despise Nomads – Key lore that fuels their ongoing conflicts in the Ash Wastes.
- Land Trains – Gigantic mobile fortresses that can park together to form a well-defended base.
All of this weaves a coherent background, showing how a chunk of Squat civilization has thrived independently on Necromunda’s hazardous surface.
New Rules & Expanded Roster
Exo-kyn Units and Gear
The Ironhead Squats are no longer just “Outlanders with a few unique tricks”—they’re a full gang, complete with:
- Exo-kyn – Squats wearing powerful exo-suits designed for clearing mines and shrugging off punishing conditions.
- Exo Master – A new Champion-level fighter who commands the Exo-kyn.
- Techmites – Small, custom-built automatons that help in close combat (especially handy in those lethal Zone Mortalis scenarios).
These units bring heavier armor and specialized mining weapons (like souped-up drills and arc-welders) that stand apart from the average dusty prospector.
Scout Trike
Few vehicles capture the classic Squat vibe like a trike, and Halls of the Ancients reimagines this iconic ride for Necromunda’s Ash Wastes:
- Rugged & Reinforced – Fitted with ballistic plating and chunky tires.
- Twin Meltaguns – Enough punch to melt enemy vehicles (or unfortunate gangers) at short range.
- Hard-Hitting Mobility – Perfect for rapid-hit-and-run attacks, a big shift from the slower, heavily armored Exo-kyn.
Ancestry Abilities
One of the big highlights is Ancestry Abilities, letting you pick the clan your gang hails from—or create your own “splinter clan.” Leaders and Champions can pursue specific post-battle actions tied to that ancestry. This system is akin to how the main Clan Houses have House-specific boons, granting Ironhead Squats a personalized progression path.
Mining-Clan Style and Aesthetic
Visually, these new models strike a balance between industrial function and the trademark Squat flair:
- Exo-kyn – Egg-shaped exo-suits that evoke the old-school Squat Exo-Armor from Warhammer 40,000 but tie into Necromunda’s dark, riveted industrial vibe.
- Mining Weapons – Tools first, turned into lethal weaponry for gang warfare, bridging everyday hive-labor gear and battlefield lethality.
- Scout Trike – Designed to endure ash storms and shifting dunes, with curved panels and reinforcement that reference Ironhead motifs: rivets, bolts, big plates, and meaty firepower.
This aesthetic is a step beyond the earlier Ironhead Prospectors, showing clear evolution within the faction without overshadowing the monstrous Vartijan Exo-Driller. It all fits neatly into Necromunda’s trademark style—steam punk–industrial meets grimdark.
The Future of Squats on Necromunda
The Ironhead Squats were first teased in Book of the Outlands, but now they’ve graduated to a full-fledged faction, firmly establishing:
- Robust Lore – Distinct from the old days of 40k Squats, having adapted to Necromunda’s hives.
- Deep Roster – From basic Prospectors to heavy exo-suits and trikes, plus unique ancestry-based rules.
- Consistent Visual Direction – Hefty armor, old-world diving suit vibes, hammering home that mining-based ethos.
As more expansions land, the design team seems committed to exploring how these hearty abhumans shape Necromunda’s politics and the Ash Wastes warfare.
Release & Availability
Halls of the Ancients hits alongside new plastic (and resin) kits for Exo-kyn, Scout Trikes, and upgrade sprues for your Squat gang. Whether you’re a hardened Necromunda veteran looking to start a new crew or just love the idea of dwarven grit in a hive city, the Ironhead Squats are set to become a mainstay on tabletop battlefields.
Keep an eye on Warhammer Community for exact release dates and more previews. If you’re ready to bring back some classic Squat energy (with a heavy dose of riveted plating and unstoppable mining gear), it’s time to dive into the Halls of the Ancients!
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