Orks

How Orks play

Orks are the horde army, and the only faction where being outnumbered is genuinely unusual. The army fields more models than anything else in the game, and it converts that mass into board control, screening and an ability to absorb losses that no elite army can match.

The Waaagh! is the mechanic that defines the army's rhythm. It is a once-per-game surge that makes your army dramatically better for a turn, and building toward the turn you call it — and playing to survive until then — is most of Ork strategy.

Orks are also mechanically funnier and more random than any other faction, with rules that produce genuinely unpredictable outcomes. That is either the appeal or the deterrent, depending on the player.

Building a Orks army list

Orks benefit more than most from the Battleline duplicate multiplier — six copies of a Battleline datasheet at Strike Force instead of three is how a horde list reaches its model count. Check the detachment's Battleline grants first.

Vehicles and walkers are the anti-tank. A pure infantry Ork list will struggle against armour, and the answer needs to be built in rather than charged at.

Orks FAQ

How many models are in a 2,000 point Ork army?

Often eighty to a hundred and twenty. It is among the largest model counts in the game and worth factoring into your painting time and transport before committing.

How does the Waaagh! work?

It is a powerful once-per-game surge that boosts your army for a turn. Timing it is the central strategic decision of an Ork game.

Are Orks good for beginners?

The rules are approachable and the army forgives losses, but the model count is a serious commitment and the randomness can be frustrating while you are still learning.