#gretchins

So first GW updated Speed Freeks (minus bikes & deffkoptas), then we got Beast Snaggas, and now I’m wondering what the next expansion might be. I’m not expecting new Orks for years to come, I’m not demanding more updates after they’ve just got one, this is purely speculation here.

So given their track record, I imagine it will be another not-clan subfaction. Speed Freeks are sort of Evil Sunz, but can be taken by anyone, similar to how Iyanden specialises in Wraith Constructs but any Craftworld can have them. So it’d probably be easier to look at the remaining Clans (Goffs, Bad Moons, Deathskulls, Blood Axes) and work backwards to create units anyone can take.

There are a couple options. A mechanised/walker faction in a Deathskulls-esk flavour is possible. Then again we already have Meganobz, Killa Kans, and Deff Dreads in plastic, so I’m not sure if there’s much room to add more units. A stealthy Blood Axes-ish Ork faction is another option. GW turned the Warbuggy into like 6 units, I’m sure they could do the same for Kommandos. But would that be copying Kruleboyz too much?

My preferred answer however would be Gretchins. Goblins have such a huge presence in Fantasy/AoS, yet Gretchins barely exist in 40k. In Fantasy, Goblins had Strength/Toughness 3 same as humans (40k Gretchins have S/T 2), they had the same Movement as humans (Gretchins have 5” instead of 6”), and could even have the same armour save (Gretchins have 6+ compared to 5+). Goblins also had real weapons whereas Gretchins have a S3 pistol.

I think you could easily add several Gretchin units to 40k, ideally with at least Toughness 3. They could be similar to the T’au with better shooting than melee capacity, or perhaps their basic infantry could be equivalent to Tyranid gaunts. You could even make an entire new codex for them, a Codex Gretchins to ally with Codex Orks (similar to Genestealer Cults and Tyranids). Killa Kans and Mek Gunz already exist, add in a better Troops choice and a couple HQ options and you’re basically done.

“Gretchens, little more than an annoyance to a fully armed guardsmen. In a group, nothing a squad or two can't handle. Give them a cannon though...Emperor Protect you if they get their hands on a cannon.”-writings from an unknown guardsman officer.