Warhammer 40k: 7 Reasons To Play Orks

Every year, new hobbyists are discovering the grimdark sci-fi tabletop game Warhammer 40k by Games Workshop. This popular setting takes place in the far future, where humanity has fallen into a nightmare of oppression, zealotry, and endless war. The universe of 40k is filled with daemonic gods, war-hungry xenos, and powerful magic. One of the most dangerous and numerous of the factions is the Orks.

The Orks in 40k are a little different from the traditional Tolkien kind. Their physiology is closer to a fungus than a creature and they are extremely durable. They can shrug off wounds that would kill most other races. However, their war-like nature is the same. Often played as the comic relief of the setting, the Orks live to fight. They’re brutal, chaotic, and a whole lot of fun. On the tabletop, they’re one of the most popular factions in the setting, with a large and diverse range with endless possibilities for painting and converting.

1 The Lore

One Of The Most Ancient Races In The Setting

The Orks are one of the oldest races in the Warhammer 40k setting. The Orks were once called Krorks and were created by the Old Ones to fight in the galactic-spanning war in heaven. Built purely for fighting, the Krorks would eventually devolve into the simple-minded, violent Ork race. In the current setting, the Orks are one of the most numerous factions in the galaxy and can be found in every corner of the Milky Way.

While they are not a united army, the Orks will occasionally join under the banner of a particularly large warboss and form a Waaagh! These devastating crusades of destruction can pose a serious threat to large sections of the galaxy. Most armies caught in the crosshairs of a Waaagh will be swept aside in the surging, unstoppable Green Tide. The faction is filled with unique and violent characters, from the sneaky Blood Axe leader, Boss Snikrot, to the most dangerous Ork of them all, the massive Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. Players looking to start an Ork army will be spoiled with the rich and wide range of history involving the much-loved faction.

2 The Models

A Diverse Range

The Ork faction has one of the largest model ranges after Space Marines. While many are now quite dated, new sculpts are being released, creating new characters or replacing old versions. The range of playstyles available to Orks makes the faction very adaptable, and the range mirrors this.

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Players may choose fast-moving vehicles, such as Warbikes, Deffkoptas, or the excellently named Boomdakka Snazzwagon for a Kult of Speed army. Some players may choose to hit harder with powerful Killa Kans, Deffdreads, or even a colossal Stompa. The range of models available offers many possibilities. The Ork range is fun, detailed, and varied and will supply many hours for hobbyists to collect, paint, and field against opposing armies.

3 Playstyle

Adaptable For Any Situation

Both in the lore and on the tabletop, the Ork faction is diverse and adaptable. Each Ork is a member of a specific clan, with each clan representing different personality traits. This means Ork players have access to many different styles of play.

Some 40k armies are limited to only one or two playstyles. This is due to their smaller ranges or faction limitations. Orks, on the other hand, can change depending on the need and this is represented in the latest 10th edition Ork Codex through the different Detachments. For instance, the Kult of Speed benefits from the large range of vehicles on offer, while the Dread Mob is best for players with a higher number of Meks and large war machines. The Green Tide is great for infantry, while Da Big Hunt benefits the Beast Snaggas.

4 Painting

A Great Army To Learn With

Painting is a big part of the Warhammer 40k hobby. It can also be one of the most intimidating for many people. On the surface, Orks may appear a difficult army to paint. There are a lot of different units, all with detailed miniatures that include many small parts. However, painting Orks will push new painters to learn the techniques and styles that will improve their army over time.

Painting an Ork army can also be one of the most fun. While hobbyists are free to paint their Orks in any colors they please, the lore supplies an array of thematic schemes that are both enjoyable and challenging to replicate. From the bright reds of the Evil Sunz to the deeper blues of the Deathskulls, or the multicolored Freebooterz, each Ork Clan has a different style that stands out. Their green skin is ideal for practicing layering and tones, while their weaponry and vehicles are great for creating rusted and worn looks.

5 Creativity

Create Unique Customizations

While many hobbyists only build and paint their models, others take it one step further. Known as kit-bashing, Orks are an ideal faction for customization. In the lore of the setting, the Orks are extremely durable. Their limbs are often replaced with deadly contraptions. Heads can be cut off and placed on a different, usually larger body. Weapons are thrown together with junk that’s just found lying around.

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On the tabletop, this means Orks can be endlessly modified. Hobbyists with an overabundance of spare parts can creatively change their models into bigger, more dramatic miniatures that fit perfectly with the standard army range.

6 On The Tabletop

All About The Fun

While the meta of Warhammer 40k is often changing, the Orks remain a faction that is always fun to play. In the rules and lore of the game, Orks struggle to aim their guns. They’re all about charging and getting into the thick of it. Blasting enemies without a care or thought in their heads. This often means in a game of 40k, Orks will miss as much as they hit, leaving them wide open to a counterattack.

Playing Orks is about having fun, win or lose. However, when Orks hit, they can hit hard. They also have good movement and quickly overwhelm slower-moving factions. Orks are the silly, angry brutes of the 40k universe, and players should always expect the unexpected.

Welcoming And Encouraging

Across the board, Warhammer 40k is generally a very welcoming community for new players. Especially online, where fans can come together, share their models, and give tips and tricks to anyone looking to join in.

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The Orks are one of the most fun factions in the game, and the community mirrors this. Playing Orks means not taking things too seriously, which creates a warm and welcoming community around them. Kit-bashing is encouraged, as well as fun unique painting schemes. While the competitive side of the hobby has grown considerably in the last few years, for many Ork players, it’s simply all about the fight and getting stuck in.

Warhammer 40K

Created by

Rick Priestley

Creation Year

1987

Summary

Miniature Wargame