Orks or Greenskins make up some of the wildest armies in Warhammer 40K, proving that quantity is better than quality. Relying on recklessness that borders on the efficient, Warhammer 40K players who want to overwhelm enemy foes with sheer numbers, shock tactics, and pure mayhem can’t go wrong with an Ork army.
However, because Ork armies tend to be chaotic doesn’t mean they’re inefficient when the going gets tough. With the correct Ork units, even the most formidable enemy vehicle or tank can’t withstand the might of the Waaagh! Which Ork units in the grimdark world of Warhammer 40K compensate for their lack of firepower with combat utility and make it to the top of the food chain?
10 Squighog Boyz
Gretchins accompany Orks among the Beast Snaggas who become Squighog Boyz as they ride the monstrous Squigs in combat. Although not as fast as the Warbike and not as large as the Kill Rig, their Toughness allows them to get into the thick of battle and potentially damage everything in their field of vision once they charge.
Squighog Boyz of the Ork Warhammer 40K faction enjoy a plethora of melee (Saddlegit Weapons, Squighog Jaws) and ranged (Saddlegit Weapons, Strikka) weapons that enable them to attack opponents at whichever configuration they desire. Every three models in the unit give them a Bomb Squig, a deadly ordinance that can debilitate enemy forces and cause additional damage to vehicles.
9 Dakkajet
The carelessly aggressive Orks should avoid the skies in their Warhammer 40K gameplay, but the Dakkajet embodies Ork aerial domination through horrifying recklessness. Each Mekboy adds a unique flavor to their Dakkajet design, but all of these aircraft are equipped to get as fast as possible while fitting as many weapons as physically viable. As a result, Dakkajets have insane thrust but are hard to move (Supersonic), though this surprisingly also makes them difficult to hit (Hard to Hit).
When used as a unit, each Dakkajet is equipped with four Supa-Shootas, although two more could be added for more firepower. This works well with the More Dakka (Kustom Job), as an attacking Dakkajet has a chance of firing all their weapons at once. At 100 Points, the Dakkajet is quite the expendable asset that offers a lot of combat utility compared to other aerial units.
8 Warbikers
Bikerboyz or Warbikers of the Kult of Speed are velocity addicts that can’t resist racing at suicidal speeds, with the likes of legendary Warbiker Wazdakka Gutsmek more than willing to scout the battlefield to trigger traps and catch enemies off-guard. As a Warhammer 40K unit, players can attach various weapons to both Warbikers and their Boss Nob on Warbike, reflecting how Warbikerz don’t even care if their weapons are too heavy for their Warbikes - if their bikes swerve uncontrollably while firing, it’s part of the fun.
What makes Warbikers a potent Ork unit is how speed is used to their advantage. Thick smoke belching from their Warbikes makes them hard to hit (Cloud of Smoke), and the roaring of unstable engines means they go uncontrollably fast to maneuver (Big Red Button). Depending on the type of Warbiker, they can even move immediately after shooting a la hit-and-run (Drive By Dakka, Evil Sunz) and even shoot while Falling Back (More Gitz Over ‘Ere). Warbikers make excellent units for Speedwaaaghs!, as the additional weapon attacks (Da Big Race) and Armor Penetration (Give ‘Em Sum Dakka!) can debilitate enemy forces.
7 Kill Rig, Wurrboy
Unsurprisingly, the Squig-transforming Wurrboy would choose to ride a Kill Rig to battle. Belonging in the Beast Snagga sub-kultur of beast-riding Orks, tremendous Tramplasquigs pull Kill Rigs and their mounted Wurrtower to combat in Warhammer 40K battlefields. This terrifying combination manifests in the Kill Rig’s classification as a Psyker unit, being able to use Smite and Beasthead powers.
While not as fast as the Trukk, Kill Rigs pride itself in its multipurpose killing capacity. On top of the Wurrtower being able to attack after the Rig uses psychic power, the vehicle itself has other weapons such as the ‘Eavy Lobba, Stikka Kannon, Butcha Boyz, Savage Horns and Hooves, and even Saw Blades. Embarked units can also move and run simultaneously as the Rig (Open-Topped) and can stop enemy vehicles and monsters from moving if the Stikka Kannon hits them (Snagged).
6 Trukks, Trukk Boyz
Ever the bloodthirsty combat enthusiasts of Warhammer 40K, Orks won’t miss a chance of getting to the battlefield, with a Wartrukk explicitly designed to bring as many Boyz as possible (and as soon as possible) to their destination. Nicknamed Trukks, these shoddy-looking vehicles make up for their lack of durability with practicality. Trukks have Big Shootas in the front to shoot enemies from afar and can still relish in the thrill of melee with a Grabbin’ Klaw and Wreckin’ Ball, provided its bearer manages to fight.
And fight the Trukk Boyz do, even when moving. Trukks allow embarked passengers to run and gun along with the vehicle (Open-topped), with Strategems that heavily encourage surprise tactics: attack buffs (Got’em Trapped, Dakka Storm, Ramming Speed), speed boosts (Stick It To ‘Em, Ladz!, Careen!), and even quick repositions (Tellyporta). While not the “strongest” vehicle, the Trukk and its transportation prowess make it a central part of a fast-acting Ork army.
5 Megatrakk Scrapjet
There’s a reason why the front of the Megatrakk Scrapjet in a Warhammer 40K playthrough eerily looks like the front of a Dakkajet, and that’s because it quite literally is one. At its core, an Ork Mek creates a Megatrakk Scrapjet by strapping a rocket at the back and massive melee armaments on the front. In turn, former Flyboyz pilots and Speed Freeks enjoy a grounded version of vehicular mayhem, this time ramming into huge enemy vehicles while turning everything else into gory pulp.
The Megatrakk Scrapjet at 90 Points is quite a cheap yet mobile buggy in combat. Moreover, its hefty arsenal of weapons is enhanced further with damage buffs, such as attack boosts to its Twin Big Shootas (Grot Gunner) and even mortal wounds on melee (Spiked Ram).
4 Stormboyz
Tired of the freedom of the anarchic Ork lifestyle, Stormboyz prefers the strictness of discipline, making them one of the more calculating Boyz in the bunch. While other Orks usually treat them with disdain, the Stormboyz’ mastery over their rocket packs makes them an invaluable resource on the battlefield. Considered Ork shock troopers, their +2 cost than the usual Boyz is compensated easily with their increased arsenal and battlefield capabilities.
Their hovering nature in Warhammer 40K gameplay allows them to move further at the risk of damage (Full Throttle) or even reposition on the map instead of a usual setup (Stormboyz Strike). This capability to race to the skies enables Stormboyz to pursue objectives more efficiently than other Ork units, making them invaluable for fast-acting players.
3 Kommandos
The word “covert” isn’t ordinarily associated with the rowdy Orks, which explains why many distrust Kommandos who enjoy sabotage and subterfuge. Their expertise in using the environment against them allows them to replace their Wargear regularly depending on their needs, enabling them to deploy deadly ordinances in the middle of the battlefield (Bomb Squig) or be set up anywhere within 9’’ of enemy deployment zones and models (Kunnin’ Infiltrators).
This freedom of deployment is crucial to the Kommandos’ proficiency in melee, as they enjoy attack buffs when striking within a terrain feature (Throat Slittas) and more defenses in cover (Sneaky Gitz). What makes Kommandos such an attractive unit on top of these perks is their measly +1 Point cost compared to basic Boyz. In turn, players who want to jumpstart their Warhammer 40K gameplay may enjoy deploying Kommandos near terrain features or even use Distraction Grots as substitutes for such a feature, transforming these units into the game’s version of Rogues in Dungeons & Dragons.
2 Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy
Perhaps the equivalent of a speedy carnivorous water balloon caravan, the Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy was a mobile Ork-feeding unit turned lethal. On top of long-ranged armaments that can be fired alongside other weapon types (Riding Shotgun) in Warhammer 40K gameplay, the Squigbuggy excels in its namesake. Thanks to both the basic and Heavy Squig Launcha, the Squigbuggy can race to the enemy frontlines and whip out Squigs that cause heavy damage (Grot Gunner) even to units not visible to the Squigbuggy’s passengers.
Not only that, but speed-related Stratagems can enhance the Squigbuggy’s overall performance, be it rerolls (Blitz Dakka), additional damage (Crashin’ Through), shooting when Falling Back (More Gitz Over ‘Ere), and replenishable Squigs (Lotsa Squigs!). Kustom Jobs can improve the Squigbuggy’s tactics with wound buffs (Nitro Squigs), damage bounce (Shokka Hull), and more speed (Squig-Hide Tyres).
1 Ghazghkull Thraka
No one in the Warhammer 40K universe personifies the Orks more than Ghazghkull Mag Urk Thraka, whose vision of leading the greatest Waaagh! in the galaxy is reflected in the sheer ferocity of his hulking size and cybernetic enhancements. On the battlefield, Ghazghkull reigns supreme in melee, capable of riding around the battlefield and wrecking enemy forces up close with Gork’s Klaw, Makari’s Stabba, and at long range with Mork’s Roar.
However, where Ghazghkull shines is his buffs, cementing his role as Prophet of the Waaagh!. When on the field, Ghazghkull constantly boosts attacks and damage off units he leads (Prophet of Da Great Waaagh!), and calling a Waaagh! will have nearby friendlies get Lethal Hits on melee (Ghazghkuull’s Waaagh! Banner). The sheer speed and tenacity of Orks in numbers allow Ghazgkull to outpace armies that excel in one particular phase, such as the Tau at long-range and the Aeldari with their Psykers.
Warhammer 40K released its 10th Edition on June 24, 2023