What’s new in the 2026 Orks codex? The short version: the Waaagh! army rule has been rebuilt around a new “riled up” status that hands your greenskins a 5+ invulnerable save, charges after advancing, and Assault weapons all at once; Ghazghkull Thraka has been upgraded from a tough infantry leader into a near-Primarch-tier beast; and rank-and-file Shootas now deal Lethal Hits against most targets. This guide walks through every confirmed change from the reveal previews and tells you what it means for how you build and play the horde.
For the wider picture on the edition this codex plugs into, start with our flagship hub: Warhammer 40k 11th Edition: everything you need to know. This article zooms in on the Orks specifically.
Everything below is drawn from official Warhammer Community reveal articles (13–16 August 2026) ahead of the codex hitting shelves. Exact stat values, points, and final wording may shift in the printed book — anything not yet fully confirmed is flagged with.
When does the new Orks codex release?
Games Workshop revealed the codex across a run of previews in mid-August 2026, capped by a Sunday Preview teasing that “Orks rampage in next week.” That framing points to pre-orders opening the following weekend and the codex landing in stores in late August / early September 2026. We’ll lock the exact pre-order and release dates here the moment they’re confirmed.
The codex arrives as part of the 11th Edition cycle that launched with the Armageddon starter set (Blood Angels vs Orks) on June 20, 2026 — so if you picked up that box, this is the book that turns those green plastic crates into a full army.
The new Waaagh! army rule and “riled up,” explained
The Waaagh! is the beating heart of every Ork army, and in the new codex it has been reworked into a two-part rule that rewards aggression.
Part one — always on: friendly Orks units can re-roll Advance rolls. That sounds small, but for a horde army that lives or dies on closing the gap, consistent Advance distances make a real difference to your first two turns.
Part two — the “riled up” status: this is the headline mechanic and the thing every Ork player needs to understand.
At a glance, here’s how the Waaagh! has shifted:
| Element | Previous (10th Ed) | New Codex (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| When it triggers | Called once per game (usually turn 3) | Split rule: Advance re-rolls always on; “riled up” gained on demand |
| Invulnerable save | 5+ army-wide during the Waaagh! turn | 5+ invuln while riled up |
| Charge boost | +1 to Advance and Charge during Waaagh! | Riled-up units charge after Advancing |
| Ranged boost | None baked into the rule | Riled-up units gain [ASSAULT] on their guns |
| How you access it | One big turn | War Cry (once per battle) or Ghazghkull riles up several units |
| Duration | A single turn | Status-based — spread it where and when you need it |
The design intent is clear: instead of one explosive turn you have to build your whole game around, the new Waaagh! lets you turn units feral on your terms, in phases, with Ghazghkull as a portable “Waaagh! button.”
What “riled up” does
When a unit becomes riled up, it gains three benefits at once:
- A 5+ invulnerable save — the classic Waaagh! survivability boost, now tied to the status.
- The ability to charge after Advancing — an Advance no longer stops that unit from declaring a charge.
- The [ASSAULT] ability on its ranged weapons — so those guns can fire after Advancing too.
Put together, a riled-up mob can Advance, shoot, and charge in the same turn while shrugging off blows on a 5+ invuln. That is a genuinely terrifying alpha-strike profile for what is often a cheap unit.
How you get riled up
There are two confirmed triggers:
- War Cry — a once-per-battle shout (Orks do love to shout) that riles up your army at the start of a Command phase. – Ghazghkull Thraka — the big man can bestow “riled up” on several nearby units, letting you turn a whole sector of the board feral on demand. This is a big part of why his new datasheet is so coveted (more below).
Some detachments and datasheets are expected to grant riled-up through their own rules, so this list of triggers will likely grow once the full book is out.
Unit-specific riled-up bonuses
A few datasheets get bespoke perks while riled up:
- Meganobz gain Krumpin’ Time — +1 to Hit in the Fight phase, turning an already-brutal unit into a blender. – The Stompa is riled up all the time, so this Titanic walker permanently enjoys the mobility and durability the status grants. ## Ghazghkull Thraka’s new datasheet: from warboss to demigod
If one model defines this codex, it’s the Beast of Armageddon himself. Games Workshop describes the change bluntly: Ghazghkull has gone “from a big, tough leader for your favourite Infantry squad into an outrageously powerful beast more akin to a Primarch.”
Here’s what’s confirmed from the reveal:
- Prophet of da Great Waaagh! — an aura ability that spreads Ork buffs to nearby units, and is tied to his power to make units riled up.
- Lone Operative while near friendly units — Ghazghkull can no longer simply be sniped off the table, letting him stomp up the board under the cover of the horde.
- Mork’s Roar — his shooting weapon gains a new Torrent profile (auto-hitting), on top of his melee for “‘eadbuttin'” anything that gets close.
- Improved durability — GW explicitly acknowledged the old quirk where Nazdreg out-toughed Ghazghkull, confirming “the new Codex has some new numbers in it” to properly reflect his legendary staying power.
Exact Wounds, Toughness, Save, and points cost for the new Ghazghkull were not disclosed in the preview articles. We’ll add the full statline (and Makari’s) as soon as the datasheet is public. Treat any specific numbers you see elsewhere as unconfirmed until then.
For the story behind the model — the ash-wastes upbringing, the adamantium skull, and the feud with Commissar Yarrick — see our full Ghazghkull Thraka lore guide.
Shootas get Lethal Hits — the sleeper buff
It’s easy to fixate on Ghazghkull, but the change that may matter most across an average game is to your basic guns. Shootas (and most shoota-like weapons in the codex) now have [LETHAL HITS] against anything that isn’t a Monster or Vehicle.
The logic is pure Ork: when you fire that many bullets in roughly the enemy’s direction, some are bound to find an eye socket or an exposed cable. Mechanically, it means volume-of-fire Ork infantry finally threaten elite infantry hiding in cover — a real answer to the durable, cover-camping units that give hordes fits. Stack that on top of the riled-up Assault ability and the humble Boyz mob becomes a credible shooting and melee threat.
What’s actually in the codex
Beyond the marquee rules, here’s the confirmed contents:
- 51 datasheets — from Ghazghkull Thraka all the way down to your regular Ork Boyz.
- 15 Detachments to mix and match for wildly different horde builds. Confirmed examples include a Shoota Boyz detachment that adds extra range to your guns while riled up.
- New Crusade rules for narrative campaign play.
- A new Combat Patrol — Morgrim’s Butchas — the codex’s out-of-the-box starter force.
If Combat Patrol is your entry point, our Orks Combat Patrol guide covers how to get the most out of the box while you wait for the new datasheets to settle.
What this means for your army
A few early takeaways for Orks players planning around the new book:
- Aggression is rewarded harder than ever. Riled-up gives you offense and defense in the same package, so there’s little reason to sit back. Build to get across the board fast.
- Ghazghkull is a force multiplier, not just a beatstick. His ability to hand out riled-up to multiple units means he pays for himself in tempo, not only in melee output — expect him in a lot of lists.
- Massed Shootas are viable again. Lethal Hits changes the maths on infantry firepower; don’t sleep on big Boyz mobs as a shooting unit.
- Meganobz look elite. +1 to Hit while riled up, on a already-hard-hitting statline, makes them a standout melee brick.
Points values and the Balance Dataslate ultimately decide how these units land in matched play. This section is a first-look read on the rules, not a settled tier list.
Should you buy the new Orks codex?
A quick buyer’s guide depending on where you’re starting from:
- New to Orks / bought the Armageddon box. Yes — this is the book that makes your green half of the starter set a real army, and the Morgrim’s Butchas Combat Patrol gives you a ready-made small force to grow from. Pair it with our Orks Combat Patrol guide.
- Existing 10th Edition Ork player. Also yes. The Waaagh! rework and the Shoota Lethal Hits change materially alter how you play, and your 10th codex is no longer the current book. The good news: your models are all still legal — it’s the rules that changed, not the range.
- Just here for Ghazghkull. His new datasheet is one of the big selling points of the book, and if you’re running him, you’ll want the codex he’s balanced around rather than a lone datasheet card.
- Competitive player. Hold for the launch-day Balance Dataslate and points before locking a list, but start theorising now — riled-up tempo and massed Shootas are the two levers worth testing first. If you’re building toward a painted army, our how to paint Orks guide covers fast, tabletop-ready schemes for getting a horde done without burning out.
How the codex ties into the Armageddon storyline
The timing isn’t an accident. The 11th Edition narrative has dragged 40k back to Armageddon, the war-torn hive world Ghazghkull made his name on — the same setting as the launch box. His vanguard, led by Wazdakka Gutsmek, hits first, with the main green tide close behind, forcing the Imperium into a desperate defense. That makes this codex the tabletop half of a story GW is telling in parallel across rules, models, and Black Library. For the full arc — the Wars for Armageddon, Yarrick’s stand, and how the 2026 return fits in — see the Ghazghkull Thraka lore guide and our 11th Edition hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the new Orks codex released?
It was revealed in mid-August 2026, with previews pointing to pre-orders and a release in late August / early September 2026. We’ll update this page with confirmed pre-order and release dates.
What is the new Waaagh! rule in the Orks codex?
The Waaagh! now lets Orks re-roll Advance rolls at all times, and grants a “riled up” status that gives affected units a 5+ invulnerable save, the ability to charge after Advancing, and the Assault ability on their ranged weapons.
How do Orks become “riled up”?
Through the once-per-battle War Cry, or via Ghazghkull Thraka, who can bestow riled-up on several nearby units. Some datasheets and detachments are expected to provide it too. ### How did Ghazghkull change in the new codex?
He was upgraded from a tough infantry-leading character into a near-Primarch-tier beast — gaining Lone Operative near friendly units, the Prophet of da Great Waaagh! aura, a Torrent profile on Mork’s Roar, and improved durability. Full stats are not yet confirmed. ### Do Shootas really get Lethal Hits now?
Yes — most shoota-like weapons in the codex gain [LETHAL HITS] against targets that aren’t Monsters or Vehicles, helping Ork firepower punch through elite infantry and cover.
How many datasheets and detachments are in the codex?
51 datasheets and 15 Detachments to mix and match, plus new Crusade rules and a new Morgrim’s Butchas Combat Patrol. ### Do I need to rebuy my Ork models for the new codex?
No. The changes are to the rules, not the miniatures range — your existing Orks are all still legal. You only need the new codex to play with the current, updated rules.
Is the new Ghazghkull good in competitive play?
On paper he looks strong: Lone Operative survivability, an army-wide riled-up enabler, and improved durability make him a tempo engine rather than just a melee monster. His true competitive standing depends on his final points and the launch Balance Dataslate. ## Related content
- Ghazghkull Thraka — full lore guide
- Orks army guide
- Orks Combat Patrol guide
- How to paint Orks
- Warhammer 40k 11th Edition hub
- Armageddon starter set guide
Rules details are based on official Warhammer Community reveal articles published 13–16 August 2026. Anything marked is not yet 100% confirmed and will be updated once the printed Orks codex is in hand. For the full picture, see our Warhammer 40k 11th Edition hub.
Deep dive: Warhammer 40k Detachment Points Explained (With Examples) — how Detachment Points work across the codex’s 15 detachments.