We’z da Orks, da toughest and most brutal race in da galaxy! Born from spores and fueled by fightin’, we thrive on chaos and war.
We’z a big, green, and brutal bunch, always lookin’ for a scrap or a good brawl. Our war machines are loud and proud, cobbled together from whatever we can find, and we love to make ’em go BOOM!
We fight for da sheer joy of it, led by da biggest and baddest among us. Whether in a massive WAAAGH! or a small skirmish, we’re always ready for a good ol’ fight and don’t care who. The Imperium of Humies, the Chaos ‘fings, bring it all on!
Who Are the Orks?
The Orks are a brutish and resilient faction in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, known for their green skin, immense size, and love for violence.
They are a race of genetically engineered warriors born from spores, thriving in the chaos of battle. Orks live for war, often forming massive WAAAGHs! led by the strongest among them, the Warboss.
Their culture is built around fighting, boasting, and crude humor, with an emphasis on strength and cunning.
Ork technology, though seemingly primitive, is surprisingly effective, relying on the collective belief of Orks to function. They are a chaotic force, reveling in destruction and mayhem across the galaxy.
What Are the Orks Army Strengths?
The Ork army is characterized by its overwhelming numbers, resilience, and unique blend of brute force and unpredictability, making it a formidable force on the battlefield.
- Their ability to field large hordes of infantry, such as Boyz and Grots, allows them to overwhelm opponents through sheer volume.
- Ork vehicles and war machines, like Trukks and Battlewagons, provide mobile firepower and support, while their quirky technology often surprises foes with its effectiveness.
However, the army also has weaknesses; many Ork units are relatively fragile and can be easily outmaneuvered or outgunned if caught in the open. Their reliance on close combat means that they can struggle against highly mobile or shooty armies.
Additionally, Ork units often lack advanced tactics, relying instead on brute force, which can lead to vulnerabilities if their initial assault falters.
Where Should Beginners Start?
If you’re starting your collection of Orks as a beginner, consider these key models:
- Ork Boyz: These are the backbone of any Ork army. Purchase a box of Ork Boyz to create a large squad, as their numbers can overwhelm opponents.
- Warboss: A Warboss serves as a powerful leader, providing buffs to your units and enhancing your army’s effectiveness in battle.
- Gretchin (Grots): These smaller models can help hold objectives and provide additional bodies in your army, making them useful for filling out your forces.
- Deff Dread or Killa Kanz: Adding a unit of these walkers gives you some heavy support and melee power, perfect for taking on tougher opponents.
How To Paint Orks
Here are some creative paint ideas for new Ork players:
Color Scheme Ideas
Classic Green Skins
- Base Coating: Start with a base coat of bright green for the skin, such as Waaagh! Flesh.
- Highlighting: Highlight with a lighter green, like Goblin Green, to emphasize muscles and features.
- Armor: For armor and weapons, use a dark metallic color like leadbelcher, highlighting with silver.
- Details: Paint details like straps and pouches in browns or tans.
- Wash: Finish with a wash of Agrax Earthshade to enhance shadows and add depth, giving your Orks a classic and vibrant look.
Bad Moons Clan
- Base Coating: For a striking appearance, use a base coat of bright yellow for armor and clothing, such as Averland Sunset.
- Highlighting: Highlight with a lighter yellow or white to create a vibrant effect.
- Skin: For skin, stick with a darker green, emphasizing the contrast with the yellow.
- Details: Paint weapons and metallic details in black or dark gray, adding highlights as needed.
- Washing: Use a brown wash to deepen shadows, making the colors pop and giving your Orks a distinctive Bad Moons flair.
Deathskulls Clan
- Base Coating: Start with a base coat of blue for armor and clothing, using a color like Kantor Blue.
- Highlighting: Highlight with lighter blues or whites to add depth.
- Skin: For skin, use a classic green, similar to the first idea.
- Details: Incorporate metallics for weapons, using a dark silver or gunmetal, and highlight with brighter silver. Add yellow or white markings on armor to reflect the Deathskulls’ looting culture.
- Washing: Finish with a wash to enhance details and give your models a rugged, battle-worn appearance.
Painting Techniques for Orks
- Base Coating: Begin with bold, vibrant colors that capture the essence of Orks. Use bright greens for skin, dark metallics for armor, and earthy tones for clothing. A solid base coat provides a strong foundation for further detailing, ensuring that the colors are vivid and true to the Ork aesthetic.
- Drybrushing: This technique is excellent for highlighting textures, particularly on armor and weapons. Use a lighter color, such as silver or bright green, to drybrush over raised surfaces and edges. This creates a weathered, battle-worn appearance, accentuating the rugged nature of Ork gear and giving depth to their features.
- Washes: Applying washes is crucial for adding depth and shadow. Use dark washes like Agrax Earthshade or Nuln Oil to emphasize the recesses in armor, skin, and clothing. This technique helps create a three-dimensional look, bringing out details and adding to the overall gritty aesthetic of the Orks.
- Edge Highlighting: Use edge highlighting to define the sharp edges of armor and weapons. Apply a lighter color along these edges to create stark contrasts that enhance the definition of the models. This technique adds a polished look, making the Ork’s armor and gear stand out against their vibrant skin tones.
- Contrast Paints: These paints are great for achieving quick, impactful results. Use contrast paints on larger areas like skin or clothing to take advantage of their self-shading properties. This allows for depth without extensive layering, making it easier for beginners to create striking results that capture the chaotic and vibrant nature of Orks.
