What goes up…
Introduction: What is the Doom Diver Catapult?
The Doom Diver Catapult is Warhammer’s answer to the age-old question:
"What if we strapped a grot to a giant slingshot and hoped for the best?"
This iconic war machine, first introduced in Warhammer Fantasy and now making a triumphant return in Age of Sigmar, embodies everything we love about the sneeky lesser races of Greenskins—recklessness, questionable engineering, and an absolute disregard for personal safety.
The History of the Doom Diver in Warhammer Fantasy
1992 Warhammer Fantasy Battle 4th Edition
The Origins: A Goblin’s Dream of Flight
The Doom Diver was born from a simple yet insane goblin ambition: to experience the joy of flight… preferably in a way that also causes as much chaos as possible. The original design featured a crude catapult, a particularly enthusiastic (or unlucky) goblin, and some hilariously ineffective wings.
How the Doom Diver Changed the Game
Unlike your run-of-the-mill artillery, these catapults wern’t content with just hurling projectiles—they hurled living, screaming goblins with a bizarre level of accuracy. Thanks to some goblin "steering techniques" (read: flailing wildly), these little maniacs could actually adjust their trajectory mid-air, making them one of the most unpredictable yet effective weapons on the battlefield
.Legacy and Fan-Favorite Moments
Every seasoned Warhammer player has a Doom Diver story. Whether it’s a goblin missile taking out a high-ranking enemy general or a catastrophic misfire leading to accidental friendly fire (we all saw it coming), these little airborne menaces have been a source of both laughter and devastation for decades.
Doom Diver Lore: The Madness Behind the Mayhem
Who Are the Goblin Doom Divers?
The Doom Divers themselves are an elite squad of… well, volunteers is a strong word. These goblins either have a death wish, lost a bet, or got "volunteered" by their boss to be shot through the sky at alarming speeds. Wearing crude wing contraptions that may or may not help, they aim for enemy ranks with all the grace of a brick in a tornado.
Tactical Genius or Pure Insanity?
Some argue that Doom Divers represent the pinnacle of goblin strategy, using their mid-air maneuverability to pick out priority targets. Others say it’s just another example of goblin lunacy at its finest. Either way, the results speak for themselves—lots of explosions, plenty of mayhem, and a definite lack of workplace safety regulations.
The Aesthetics of the Doom Diver Catapult Model
Classic Design: The Fantasy Era Miniature
The original Doom Diver model was a beautiful disaster of ramshackle wood, unstable mechanisms, and a goblin with the bravest (or dumbest) expression possible. It captured the essence of goblin engineering: if it works, it’s probably an accident.
1998 Redesign, fun fact in Germany this kit is known as “Goblin Kamikazekatapult“
Age of Sigmar’s Take: A New Look for an Old Trick
Bigger, Better, and More Explosive
Age of Sigmar has given us a more refined (relatively speaking) Doom Diver Catapult, with extra springs, reinforced wood, and even more reasons for the goblin ammunition to be terrified. It’s still wildly dangerous—just a bit more polished in its absurdity. That and now it has one of the most reliable methods of moving around…..wheels.
2025 Gloomspite Gitz Update
Updated Greenskin Engineering
The new Doom Diver reflects the Greenskins’ growing obsession with "bigger and boomier." More ropes, more counterweights, and possibly even a safety check (just kidding). It’s got everything you need to send the little buggers soaring into their enemies’ nightmares.
Strategies for Using the Doom Diver on the Battlefield
Tactical Placement and Firing Techniques
Place your Doom Diver in a good vantage point and let gravity (and goblin luck) do the rest. With the ability to adjust its flight path, it’s fantastic for picking off priority targets—if it doesn’t end up somewhere wildly unexpected.
Best Armies to Pair the Doom Diver With
The Doom Diver thrives in Gloomspite Gitz armies, complementing squigs, trolls, and other chaotic elements perfectly. It’s especially good at annoying enemies who thought they were safe from artillery… until a grot landed on their head.
Painting and Customizing the Doom Diver Model
Classic Green Goblins vs. Wild Color Schemes
Go for the classic goblin green or let your imagination run wild—red, blue, polka dots, or even flaming patterns to emphasize their rapid descent into chaos.
Base Customization for Extra Chaos
Add scenic elements like crashed Doom Divers, broken enemy banners, or even a confused squig who clearly wasn’t expecting an airborne goblin. The more absurd, the better.
Conclusion: Why the Doom Diver Is One of Warhammer’s Best Models
The Doom Diver Catapult isn’t just a weapon—it’s a statement. A statement that says, "We might not be the smartest, but we sure are the funniest." Whether you play for the tactics or the sheer joy of launching goblins through the sky, this model remains one of Warhammer’s greatest contributions to tabletop mayhem.
FAQs: What You Need to Know About the Doom Diver
-
Absolutely! And it happens way more often than you’d think. Sometimes the goblin decides mid-air that he’d rather go home.
-
Bright, bold colors work best. Goblins aren’t exactly known for subtlety—make them look as wild as their flight path
-
Oh, absolutely. Many hobbyists create hilarious custom variants, like goblins riding squigs mid-air or wearing pilot goggles (as if that helps).
-
Still a great pick! It retains its mid-air adjustment ability, making it a pain for enemies who thought they were safe behind cover.
-
Goblins love chaos, and let’s be honest—getting flung through the sky is probably the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to them. Plus, it’s better than getting stepped on by a troll.
