Orks (Warhammer 40,000): Faction Guide and Where to Start

Orks are the green-skinned, brawling horde of Warhammer 40,000. They suit players who want big units, plenty of dice and a lot of personality in every model. A good first purchase is a box of Orks: Boyz + Paints or the standalone Boyz multipart plastic kit, plus the Codex: Orks (English).

This guide explains how the army plays, which kits to buy in which order and how to paint them. It also covers the books worth reading. If you are new to the wider game, our Warhammer 40,000 guide is the best place to begin.

What are Orks in Warhammer 40,000?

Orks are a savage, boisterous alien race that lives for fighting. Their culture centres on the Waaagh!, a surge of collective belligerence that sweeps them from one war to the next. Their technology is crude, but it works because they believe it does. That gives the army a distinctive look: scrap-metal vehicles, mismatched armour, huge guns and a lot of bright warpaint.

It is also one of the most characterful armies to own. Every kit has jokes, details and spare parts that invite kitbashing, so no two Ork armies look the same.

How do Orks play?

Orks are generally a close-combat army that relies on numbers and momentum. You put a lot of models on the table, move them forward fast and try to overwhelm the opponent before they can shoot you down. Ork players tend to enjoy the chaos: big charges, big dice pools and some unpredictable moments along the way.

The army is also friendly to new players. Many core units are simple to understand, and you can build up gradually without needing a perfectly tuned list. If you want to compare it with other armies, our guides to Space Marines, T'au Empire and Necrons show very different styles.

What should I buy first for an Ork army?

Start with infantry, a leader and the rulebook. That gives you a playable core and something fun to paint straight away.

1. Boyz. The backbone of almost any Ork force. The Boyz + Paints set is a convenient entry point because it includes the colours to get started. The plain Boyz kit is the choice if you already own paints.
2. A Warboss. The Warboss is a natural leader for a first army. If you prefer something more imposing, the Warboss in Mega Armour is a heavier alternative.
3. The Codex. The Codex: Orks (English) explains how the army fits together and how its units work in a game.
4. A transport. The Trukk is a good, practical way to get Boyz across the table.

Which Ork kits are worth knowing?

Infantry and characters

• Gretchin are small, cheap-to-collect support models that fill out a force.
• Nobz and Meganobz are the tougher, more heavily armed fighters who escort your leaders.
• Beast Snagga Boyz and Squighog Boyz add monster-riding flavour.
• Flash Gitz are the army's showy, shooty option.
• Stormboyz bring rocket-pack mobility.

Sneaky and specialist units

• Kommandos are the stealthy infiltrators, led by Boss Snikrot.
• The Weirdboy channels raw Waaagh! energy.
• The Mek and Big Mek are the army's tinkerers and gadget builders.

Vehicles, bikes and walkers

• The Battlewagon is a large transport and a showpiece model.
• Warbikers, the Wartrakk, Deffkoptas and the Boomdakka Snazzwagon cover the fast, noisy side of the army.
• Killa Kans, the Gorkanaut and the Kill Rig bring walkers and big machines.
• The Wazbom Blastajet adds air power, and the Mek Gunz: Bubblechukka offers heavy artillery.

Named characters

Named characters are a fun way to give an army a theme. Ghazghkull Thraka is the best-known Ork warlord in the setting. Others include Nazdreg, Mozrog Skragbad, Big Mek Dakkarig, Deffkilla Wartrike and Wazdakka Gutsmek.

How do I paint Orks?

Orks are among the easiest armies to get a good result with. The skin is a strong, readable colour, the armour is meant to look battered, and mistakes disappear into the grime. That makes them a good first painting project.

If you have never painted before, read how to start painting Warhammer miniatures. Then use the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide to choose what you need. The Boyz + Paints set is a handy way to combine both steps.

A few practical tips:

• Paint a small test squad first and settle on a recipe before you commit to a whole army.
• Pick one or two clan colours and repeat them, so the army looks unified even when the models vary.
• Do not worry about neatness on metal and rust. Heavy weathering suits Orks.

What books should I read?

The Codex: Orks (English) is the essential army book. It covers the faction's background, its units and how to organise them for a game. Check it against the kits you plan to buy before you commit to a large order.

For the story side, Ghazghkull Thraka: Prophet of the Waaagh! (Illustrated and Annotated Edition) follows the Ork warlord in an illustrated edition. Da Red Gobbo's Reckoning (Hardback) is a lighter way to enjoy the faction's humour and character.

Orks FAQ

Are Orks good for beginners?

Yes. The army is straightforward to understand, the models are forgiving to paint and the core units are easy to collect in stages. You can start with a box of Boyz, a leader and the Codex, then add to it as you learn what you enjoy.

What is the best first Ork box?

Most people should start with Boyz. If you need paints too, the Boyz + Paints set saves you from choosing separately. If you already have paints and tools, the Boyz multipart kit is enough.

Do I need the Codex to play Orks?

You need it if you want the army's full rules and background for your own games. It is the main reference for the faction, so it is worth buying alongside your first units.

Are Orks expensive to collect?

Orks are usually collected as larger groups of models, so the total depends on how many you want. Building up in stages, starting with Boyz and a leader, keeps the spending spread out and lets you test the style first.

Can I buy Orks from Universe TCG online?

Yes. Universe TCG ships worldwide from Spain, and also has physical shops in Mollet del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès and Segovia. Please check each product page for current details. Universe TCG is an independent hobby store and is not an official Games Workshop partner.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Warhammer 40,000
• Space Marines (Warhammer 40,000)
• Space Wolves (Warhammer 40,000)
• T'au Empire (Warhammer 40,000)
• Necrons (Warhammer 40,000)
• Leagues of Votann (Warhammer 40,000)
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures