Servo-skull

In all their grimey fashion

"It is not my intention to be fulsome, but I confess that I covet your skull."

– Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles

A servo-skull is a kind of machine used by the Imperium of Man. They are made from the skull of a deceased Imperial servant with a cogitator, some sensoria, and a hover-drive installed to make it move. What better way to reward an adept of the Administratum for his decades of shuffling around papers that nobody ever reads again than to make his skull into a little flying robot?

Uses

Much like the drones used by the Tau Empire, the Imperium puts servo-skulls to many purposes. Some of them are used as pict-recorders and message couriers, others as remote viewers linked to a controlling tech-priest, still others as psychic foci or targeting computers to assist Inquisitors and their retinues. Occasionally they have pistol sized weapons and can be used as assassination tools or a hands-free ranged weapon.

On the 40k tabletop, if you field Grey Knights they are often considered a prerequisite. They are placed on the battlefield (and can be placed anywhere outside the enemy deployment zone) after deployment areas have been determined, but before any forces are deployed. Enemy infiltrators cannot set up within 12" of a Servo-skull and enemy scouts can't use their pre-game move to approach within 12" of a Servo-skull. A friendly unit arriving by Deep Strike rolls one D6 less for scatter if it aims to arrive within 12" of a Servo-skull and friendly blast templates placed within 12" of a Servo-skull roll one D6 less for scatter. They can't technically be destroyed, but if an enemy gets within 6" of one it will be removed from play.

Whilst in 30k, they behave as familiars and are taken as wargear attached to your characters. Granting them an extension of their senses, which translates into +1 to invulnerable saves due to enhanced reflexes and also allows them to re-roll characteristic tests (like Toughness or Initiative).

Famous Heads

One particularly "renowned" Servo-Skull is that of Brother Brantor who was a marksman in the Deathwatch. Somehow rather than getting the honoured rest that he deserved, his head never left the service of the Ordos Xenos, who then fitted it with a stealth anti-grav and a whole range of sensors and auspexes (presumably because a Space Marine's skull might be big enough to fit everything) which makes it/him extremely useful for recon missions and the like. Improbably, the skull is also a better close combatant with an increased weapon skill, which certainly cannot be a carry over of experience, since all brain matter is replaced with cogitators, so obviously the Ordos Xenos still knows how to get access to high-quality artificial intelligence or warp shenanigans are afoot. There's also the possibility Brantor was an Iron Hand and might've replaced part of his brain Mechanicus style, which would've indeed preserved some of his memories and experiences.

An unusually talkative Servo-Skull is found among the crew of the Caestus Metalican in Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus. Formerly a Magos Dominus, Servo-Skull Reditus acts considerably more intelligent than others of his kind, providing commentary on various issues faced by the tech-priests. In fact, the game's intro is narrated by Reditus as he waxes lyrical on the joys of being freed from flesh and serving the Omnissiah in death. His primary duty is to act as the POV camera for the turn-based battles against the Necrons, allowing player character Magos Dominus Faustinius to better command his troops. Considering that most other Servo-Skulls are creepy mute robo-drones and not undead tech-priests spouting philosophy he's probably an example of tech-heresy. On the other hand, a common procedure among members of the Mechanicus is getting the right hemisphere of their brain replaced with a cogitator, so this could just be a Ship of Theseus type of situation.

Notable Variants

Like Tau Drones and Squigs, if there is a function, there is a Servo-skull for this. There is a shit-ton of servo-skull variants, but we are listing the ones where we have sufficient information and images of. These are:

Data Skull

Imagine turning your skull into an iPad.

Data Skulls contain a data screen set into their backs.

This makes them the perfect item for relaying important targeting data, recording the findings of Inquisitorial investigations and many other uses. They are also used by other branches of the Imperiums such as the Adeptus Astartes and the Imperial Guard as well. Knowlwedge is power after all, and having a mobile computer tag along with you is pretty neat.

By some, its functions overlap with the Scryerskull used by the Adeptus Mechanicus. The main difference it seems, is that the Data Skull is less complex and advance, but it is overall cheaper to produce. Data Skulls often work with cogitators as a result.

Like all things servo-skull, it is likely that the skulls of a Data Skull are made from those working in any institution local, galactic or otherwise, in the military sector.

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Gheistskull

BEEP BEEP BOOM!

The Imperium's loitering munitions bomber.

Gheistskulls like all servo-skulls, are made from the skulls of deceased Imperial subjects, in this case, the Imperial Navy Breachers. They carry compact explosives that launches devastating EMP waves that will fuck up any nearby machinery.

Nevertheless, self-destructing isn't its main job although it is a sweet bonus. Its main use like most servo-skulls, is in reconnaissance. Given the dangers of boarding actions in the 41st Millennium, this makes sense to use a disposable robot to scout out ahead.

They accompany Breacher teams during boarding attacks and are controlled largely by the Navis Void-Jammer.

Crunchwise, these things are meant to frustrate TEQs more then GEQs since TEQs usually have more technological knick-knacks for its EMP to exploit. When self-destructing it hits anyone within 2"/circle of the skull. While it's not very dangerous, EMP makes it have a Lethal equal to the enemy's armour save.

Guardian-skull

The Emprah's drone strikes. Art by qsy-draws-a-lot.

AKA the Gun-skull or Combat-skull or the Imperium's UCAV Drone Strike, the Guardian-skull unlike most servo-skulls is built for combat in mind.

Designed with a somewhat reinforced structure and fitted with a single, efficient weapon system and targeting selection programs, Guardian-skulls -- also known as Gun-skulls and Combat-skulls depending on their armament, whether it be ranged or melee -- are uncommon but prestigious and effective bodyguard devices.

On Necromunda, a Gun-skull is usually equipped with a compact autopistol and will target whatever or whoever the owner does when they make a ranged attack. Their small size, tireless vigilance, and ability to hover in the shadows silently make them surprisingly discreet and effective servants.

Its Weeaboo equivalent would be the Gun Drone.

Like all things servo-skull, it is likely that the skulls of a Guardian-skull are made from those working in any institution local, galactic or otherwise, in the military sector.

Lingua-Vox-skull

Duolingo of the 41st Millennium.

Simply known as the Vox-skull. These things are essentially Duolingo in the shape of a floating human skull with an attached microphone. Considered as one of the more civilian-friendly and useful variants of servo-skulls. Lingua-Vox-skulls are incredibly specialised for that one purpose only, so their systems of communication and translation is incredibly advanced.

As you can imagine, these flying Halloween decorations are useful for diplomats and explorers, a Lingua-Vox-skull is a specially designed Servo-skull equipped with an advanced linguistic cogitation engine. The Lingua-Vox hovers just over the shoulder of its master, aiding them in translating and understanding unfamiliar tongues.

Its Tau equivalent would be the Escort Drone, but without the gun.

Like all things servo-skull, it is likely that the skulls of a Lingua-Vox are made from those working in the Ambassador Imperialis.

Monotask-skull

Even in death. I am still a pencil-pusher.

Possibly the most common and iconic of servo-skulls.

Monotask-skulls are designed and equipped to offer assistance with a particular task, and most are fitted with a basic set of extendable manipulator pincers and whatever else by way of gear their duty requires.

They are multi-useful and most of them even comes with in-built printer to act as a floating scribe for speeches and events. When you think of servo-skull, this is the one that pops out in your mind. Considered as civilian constructs, monotasks are often unarmed, so they don't do too well in the heat of battle and find more comfort in a Fortress-Monastery than anything else.

Tl;dr, they are 40k's equivelent of the iPhone. Fuckers are everywhere.

Like all things servo-skull, it is likely that the skulls of a monotask are made from those working in the Administratum.

Servo Commissar-skull

Yes. It looks like something out of Oddworld.

The absolutely ridiculous Servo Commissar-skull are pre-programmed with litanies and admonishments, used by Commissars. As one can imagine, having a servo-skull with a giant Commissar cap is going to look fucking ridiculous and funny due to how over-the-top it is.

They broadcast these sayings in order to properly motivate Guardsmen, as well as to remind them of their duty to the Imperium. But quite frankly, some believe that they are used when the Commissar is feeling like a lazy fuckwit on-duty. Now, questions on whether it is capable of Blamming Guardsmen is unknown, but it wouldn't surprise us.

They are best shown as an add-on for the video game, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr. Yes. That servo-skull is using the barrel of a gun as a cigar. Another videogame appearance for the Commissar-Skull is in the Astra Militarum Tracer Pack for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023), yes we are not making this up. The Astra Militarum Tracer Pack not only comes with a snazzy Cadian Kasrkin armour for one of their operators but also a lot of other goodies. One of them being a "Tactical Pet" Servo Commissar-skull (although not called such in game despite the fact it's clearly based on one) which has its own special finishing moves but also floats behind your character when equipped. Said finishing move involves what is possibly the first videogame appearance of the Bale Eye as it fires a powerful laser bolt makes your enemies' head pop like an overripe tomato.

Like all things servo-skull, it is likely that the skulls of a Servo Commissar-skull are made from those working in the Schola Progenium. Now whether it is also crafted from fallen Commissars, that is a question for the ages.

Servo-hunter

Imagine a CCTV camera that can fly.

A variant Servo-skull often utilized by planetary Enforcer cadres and less well-funded enforcement agencies which do not have access to the meticulously-engineered Cyber-mastiffs or Grapplehawks of the Adeptus Arbites. These agents make use of shoddily constructed cyber-familiars to carry out similar duties.

Servo-hunters are classic examples of such second-rate technology: these small, comparatively simplistic familiars are an inferior local variant of a Servo-skull, tasked with the exploration of a fixed location and the identification of any potential targets within. Popular amongst the Enforcers of the worlds of the Malfi Sub-sector, Servo-hunters are traditionally encased within the skulls of faithful hunting hounds, as the deceased animal's spirit is said to ensure that the drone's rudimentary logic-engine remains loyal and fierce, although human skulls are still used as well as that image can attest.

A Servo-hunter, when activated and released, will float silently on tiny lift-motor gravitic suspensors and begin to search a nominated area for any targets which match preset parameters (usually human-sized heat sources). When these are located, it will provide its handler with some audible alarm, and will remain alongside the target, sounding that alarm, until deactivated. The Servo-hunter can also be used to patrol an area for intruders, or simply alert the controller if anyone approaches.

Like all things servo-skull, it is likely that the skulls of a Servo-hunter are made from humans or animals working in a Enforcer Security Force.

Scryerskull

Cawl's noodly brothers.

A Scryerskull is a type of servo-skull deployed for tactical advantage on the battlefield.

The tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus take the assessment and exploitation of battlefield resources very seriously indeed - so much so that many of them continue their work in this role beyond the point of death as servo-skulls dedicated to tactical analysis, transmitting a torrent of binharic code outlining battlefield strengths and weaknesses back to their masters.

As you can imagine, these are the go-to servo-skulls for the AdMech and function as mobile, floating computers that can further enhance a tech-priests' computational power. Uncle Cawl is known to use several of them due to how old his processing power is.

Like all things servo-skull, the Scryerskull as aforementioned are made from the remains of long-dead Tech-priests with a technophillia beyond that of even most AdMech standards.

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  Try to find as many Scryerskulls as possible.

Skull Probe

The Space Marine's UAV.

The Skull Probe is a military device utilised by Loyalist Space Marine Chapters for reconnaissance. It appeared as a skull-shaped drone that hovered a meter above the ground, so it appeared to be a variant of the anti-gravitic Servo-skull commonly used by a wide variety of Imperial Adepta.

It was capable of stealth and quick flight that was faster than most units could move on foot, though it could not hover over obstacles. A Skull Probe is valuable to the Space Marines as a scouting unit for its mobility and inexpensiveness, though they were unarmed and quite fragile. They were able to temporarily neutralise an enemy structure, allowing the Space Marines a temporary tactical advantage, though this usage would destroy the skull in the process.

They appear only in the Dawn of War games.

Like all things servo-skull, it is likely that the skulls of a Skull Probe are made from failed aspirants or Chapter Serfs.

Tome-skull

The Bible holders of an Inquisition's Kill Team.

A new type of servo-skull released in Kill Team: Ashes of Faith.

The Tome-skull is a key robot used when accompanying a Kill Team of Inquisitorial Agents. The main job of the Tome-skull, as its name implies, is to carry a important Imperial tome on behalf of the team Interrogator. While it's obvious enough why would be used by the Ecclesiarchy, the tomes that the Inquisition uses them for tend to carry all sorts of holy power, capable of hindering the heretic and the xeno while aiding the faithful.

Either way, the Tome-skull acts more like a neat cheer leader of sorts. By itself, it is harmless like most servo-skulls. Taking one down is going to sting a little, especially for morale purposes.

Like all things servo-skull, it is likely that the skulls of a Tome-skull are made from either someone in the Ecclesiarchy or the Administratum, if not a treasured lackey of the Inquisitor.

On the Kill-Team tabletop, they are a mandatory asset since the Interrogator uses this for their auras. It can't do anything else beyond that. While losing one isn't as grand a penalty as it is for others (No XP to lose, no Casualty tests to fail) it is still annoying to lose an asset.

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Cherubim

For more information see here:Cherubim