This is the complete encyclopedia of every Ork unit in Warhammer 40,000. Da Orks are the most numerous species in the galaxy — a warlike, fungoid race that lives for nothing but fighting. From the smallest Grot to the mightiest Gargant, every Ork exists to wage WAAAGH! across the stars. This guide covers every unit in the Ork range, organised by battlefield role.
HQ / Character Units
Warboss
The Warboss is the biggest, meanest Ork in the warband, and size equals authority in Ork society. Armed with a Power Klaw and Kombi-weapon (or Big Choppa), the Warboss is a devastating melee combatant who provides a WAAAGH! aura that enhances nearby Ork units. Every Ork army needs a Warboss to call the WAAAGH!
Warboss in Mega Armour
A Warboss in Mega Armour trades speed for sheer durability, clad in thick plates of salvaged metal and armed with a Power Klaw and twin-linked Shoota. The Mega Armour gives a 2+ save, making this Warboss extremely hard to kill. It is the premier tanky HQ choice for Ork armies that want a nearly unkillable warlord.
Big Mek
The Big Mek is an Ork engineer and inventor, responsible for building the tribe’s most impressive (and dangerous) weapons and vehicles. A Big Mek can be equipped with a Kustom Force Field (providing an invulnerable save aura to nearby units), a Shokk Attack Gun (hilariously random anti-tank weapon), or Mega Armour for added durability.
Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun
The Shokk Attack Gun fires Snotlings through the Warp directly into enemy targets, with spectacularly random results. On a good roll, it can one-shot heavy vehicles; on a bad roll, the Mek might blow himself up. It is one of the most entertaining weapons in the game and a favourite among Ork players who embrace the faction’s chaotic nature.
Weirdboy
The Weirdboy is the Ork psyker — a shaman who channels the collective psychic energy of nearby Orks (the WAAAGH! field). The more Orks nearby, the more powerful (and unstable) the Weirdboy becomes. Da Jump, which teleports a friendly unit across the battlefield, is one of the most game-changing psychic abilities in the Ork codex.
Painboy
The Painboy (or Mad Dok) is the Ork equivalent of a field surgeon — a deranged medic who keeps Boyz fighting through crude surgery, questionable injections, and sheer Orky determination. On the tabletop, the Painboy provides a Feel No Pain aura to nearby units, dramatically increasing the durability of large Boyz mobs.
Mek
A Mek is a junior Ork mechanic who keeps vehicles running and kustom weapons operational. On the tabletop, the Mek can repair a vehicle each turn, restoring lost wounds. It is a cheap support character that slots easily into mechanised Ork lists alongside Battlewagons, Trukks, and Dreadnoughts.
Beastboss
The Beastboss is a savage Ork leader who commands Beast Snagga forces — Orks who specialise in hunting the biggest, most dangerous creatures in the galaxy. Armed with a Beast Snagga Klaw, the Beastboss hits hard in melee and buffs nearby Beast Snagga units. Introduced in the Beast Snagga range alongside 9th Edition.
Beastboss on Squigosaur
The Beastboss on Squigosaur is one of the most powerful melee Characters in the entire game, riding a massive Squigosaur into battle. The combination of the boss’s Power Klaw and the Squigosaur’s Jaws makes this unit capable of destroying virtually any target in close combat. A dominant competitive choice when available.
Ghazghkull Thraka
Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka is the greatest Ork Warlord in the galaxy, a prophet of Gork and Mork who has united millions of Orks in the Great WAAAGH! He is one of the toughest named Characters in the game with damage caps per phase, a devastating melee profile, and the ability to call a mighty WAAAGH! that supercharges his entire army.
Makari
Makari is Ghazghkull’s personal Grot banner bearer, famous for being the luckiest Grot in the galaxy. Despite being a tiny Grot, Makari has a miraculous 2+ invulnerable save (though it dies on any failed save). Makari accompanies Ghazghkull and provides a morale buff, embodying the hilarious randomness of Ork gameplay.
Boss Snikrot
Boss Snikrot is the deadliest Kommando in Ork history, a silent killer who has terrorised entire planetary garrisons. He provides buffs to Kommando units, arrives from behind enemy lines, and is a lethal close-combat character. Snikrot is the go-to named character for players who favour stealth and infiltration tactics.
Zodgrod Wortsnagga
Zodgrod is an eccentric Runtherd (Grot herder) famous for his experimental “super-runtz” enhancement program. He buffs nearby Grot units, making the typically useless Gretchin surprisingly effective. Zodgrod is a fun narrative character who rewards players for building unconventional Grot-heavy armies.
Battleline / Troops
Boyz
Boyz are the core of every Ork army — mobs of screaming greenskins charging headlong into battle armed with Sluggas and Choppas or Shootas. They come in mobs of 10–20 and rely on overwhelming numbers and the WAAAGH! to crush enemies in melee. Large mobs of 20 Boyz with a Painboy nearby are a classic Ork tactic.
Gretchin
Gretchin (Grots) are tiny, cowardly greenskins bullied into service by their larger Ork masters. A Runtherd oversees each mob, keeping the Grots in line with a whip. On the tabletop, Gretchin are the cheapest screening unit in the game, used to hold backfield objectives and absorb enemy charges meant for more valuable units.
Beast Snagga Boyz
Beast Snagga Boyz are savage, primal Orks who ride Squigs and hunt enormous beasts across the galaxy. Compared to regular Boyz, they have slightly better saves and an anti-monster/vehicle ability, making them more effective against large targets. Beast Snagga Boyz are a solid upgrade over standard Boyz for a modest points increase.
Elite Units
Nobz
Nobz are the Ork warrior elite — bigger, tougher, and meaner than regular Boyz. They can be equipped with a variety of weapons including Power Klaws, Big Choppas, and Kombi-weapons. A mob of Nobz supported by a Warboss is a devastating melee threat that can overwhelm almost any infantry unit in close combat.
Meganobz
Meganobz are Ork nobles in salvaged Mega Armour — crude but devastatingly effective power suits. Armed with Power Klaws and Kustom Shootas (or twin-linked versions), they have a 2+ save and hit like wrecking balls. Meganobz in a Trukk are one of the most feared delivery systems in competitive Ork play.
Kommandos
Kommandos are Ork stealth specialists — as stealthy as an Ork can be, which is surprisingly effective. They infiltrate the battlefield, set up booby traps, and ambush enemy units from behind cover. In 10th Edition, Kommandos are excellent for early-game objective control and provide Ork armies with much-needed board presence from turn one.
Tankbustas
Tankbustas are Ork anti-tank specialists armed with Rokkit Launchas and an obsessive hatred of enemy vehicles. When they target a vehicle, they gain bonus abilities that make their rokkits even more devastating. A mob of Tankbustas can reliably destroy heavy armour, giving Ork armies an answer to tanks and Dreadnoughts.
Burna Boyz
Burna Boyz are pyromaniac Orks armed with Burnas — dual-purpose flame/cutting torches. In the shooting phase, Burnas are auto-hitting flamers; in melee, they serve as power weapons. Burna Boyz excel at clearing hordes of light infantry and are terrifying when delivered via transport into the heart of enemy formations.
Lootas
Lootas are Ork scavengers who carry Deffguns — oversized heavy weapons assembled from looted enemy equipment. Each Loota fires a random number of high-strength shots, making their output unpredictable but potentially devastating. A mob of 15 Lootas can shred vehicles and heavy infantry when the dice cooperate.
Stormboyz
Stormboyz are Ork shock troops who strap crude rokkit packs to their backs and launch themselves at the enemy. They have the Jump Pack keyword for rapid movement and can get into melee surprisingly quickly. Stormboyz are the Ork answer to fast-moving assault infantry and are effective at flanking and objective-grabbing.
Nob with WAAAGH! Banner
The Nob with WAAAGH! Banner carries a towering totem pole into battle that inspires nearby Ork units, providing a hit-roll buff aura. It is a cheap, effective support piece that amplifies the damage output of large Boyz and Nobz mobs. Positioning the Banner Nob correctly is key to maximising its impact.
Flash Gitz
Flash Gitz are wealthy Ork mercenaries with ostentatious kustom Snazzguns — the flashiest, loudest, most obnoxious guns in the galaxy. They provide some of the best ranged output available to Ork armies, with high-Strength, high-AP shooting. Flash Gitz are expensive but reward players who want to add genuine firepower to their WAAAGH!
Painboss
The Painboss is a senior Painboy who rides into battle on a surgical platform, providing enhanced medical support to Beast Snagga units. It provides a 5+ Feel No Pain aura and can perform crude field surgery on nearby units. The Painboss is a staple in Beast Snagga-heavy army builds.
Fast Attack
Warbikers
Warbikers are Orks mounted on crude but fast motorbikes, armed with twin-linked Dakkagunz. They combine speed with respectable firepower and Orky toughness. Warbikers are effective for flanking manoeuvres, grabbing distant objectives, and harassing enemy backlines with their rapid-fire shooting.
Deffkoptas
Deffkoptas are Ork attack helicopters — crude flying machines armed with Kopta Rokkits, Kustom Mega-Blastas, or Big Bombz. They are fast, can Deep Strike, and provide flexible firepower. Deffkoptas are versatile units that can hunt vehicles, harass infantry, or contest objectives thanks to their speed and mobility.
Squighog Boyz
Squighog Boyz are Beast Snagga cavalry mounted on ferocious Smasha Squigs. They are fast, hard-hitting, and surprisingly durable, armed with Saddlegit Stikkas (ranged) and Squighog Jaws (melee). Squighog Boyz are one of the strongest Fast Attack choices in the Ork codex, providing devastating charge potential.
Nob on Smasha Squig
The Nob on Smasha Squig is a Character version of the Squighog cavalry — a single boss-level model that can join units or operate independently. Armed with a Big Choppa and riding a Smasha Squig, it provides a fast, punchy Character option for Beast Snagga forces.
Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies
The Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy is a ramshackle vehicle that launches living squig ammunition at the enemy. Heavy Squig Launchers fire explosive squigs that deal mortal wounds and ignore line of sight. Squigbuggies provide unique indirect fire capability that is rare and valuable in Ork armies.
Megatrakk Scrapjets
The Megatrakk Scrapjet is a jet-powered Ork vehicle built from salvaged aircraft parts, armed with wing missiles, rokkits, and a nose-mounted drill. It is fast, reasonably tough, and effective at both shooting and ramming. Scrapjets are one of the most efficient buggies in the Ork vehicle lineup.
Boomdakka Snazzwagons
The Boomdakka Snazzwagon is a flashy speed wagon covered in guns that fires an obscene volume of Dakka at close range. Its Mek Speshul and Big Shoota array shred infantry through sheer weight of fire. Snazzwagons are best used aggressively, closing range quickly to maximise their ridiculous number of shots.
Kustom Boosta-Blastas
The Kustom Boosta-Blasta is a hot-rod-styled Ork vehicle armed with a Rivet Kannon and Burna Exhausts that trail fire behind it. The combination of forward-facing shooting and flamer attacks on charge makes it effective at multi-role assault. It is one of the most visually distinctive Ork vehicles.
Shokkjump Dragstas
The Shokkjump Dragsta can teleport across the battlefield using its Shokk Rifle technology — a uniquely Orky form of short-range Warp travel. Armed with a Kustom Shokk Rifle, it can appear behind enemy lines and deliver accurate (for an Ork) high-damage shots. The most technologically advanced of the Ork buggy designs.
Heavy Support
Battlewagon
The Battlewagon is the Orks’ main battle tank and heavy transport, a massive armoured vehicle capable of carrying 20 Ork infantry. It can be equipped with various weapons including a Killkannon, Zzap Gun, or Lobba. A Battlewagon full of Meganobz or a large mob of Boyz is one of the most devastating delivery systems in Ork warfare.
Deff Dread
The Deff Dread is an Ork Dreadnought — a lumbering walker piloted by a half-mad Ork hardwired into the machine. Armed with a variety of Klaws and guns, Deff Dreads are versatile close-combat walkers that can tear through infantry and light vehicles. They can be taken in mobs of 1–3, overwhelming targets with multiple walkers.
Killa Kans
Killa Kans are small walkers piloted by Gretchin — the only way a Grot can ever be as dangerous as a proper Ork. Taken in units of 3–6, Killa Kans provide cheap, cheerful walker firepower and melee capability. Their Grot pilots make them less reliable than Deff Dreads but they compensate with numbers and low cost.
Mek Gunz
Mek Gunz are heavy artillery pieces crewed by Gretchin and designed by Big Meks. Options include the Smasha Gun (random anti-tank), Bubblechukka (random blast weapon), Traktor Kannon (anti-aircraft), and Kustom Mega-Kannon (reliable heavy firepower). Mek Gunz provide backfield firepower that Ork armies otherwise lack.
Morkanaut
The Morkanaut is a massive Ork super-walker equipped with a Kustom Force Field that provides an invulnerable save aura to nearby units. Armed with a Kustom Mega-Kannon and various secondary weapons, the Morkanaut combines firepower with support capability. It is the more “kunnin'” of the two Ork super-walkers.
Gorkanaut
The Gorkanaut is the Morkanaut’s more aggressive sibling — a towering Ork walker armed with a Deffstorm Mega-Shoota and massive Klaw of Gork. It lacks the Kustom Force Field but compensates with vastly superior firepower and melee damage. The Gorkanaut embodies the direct, brutal approach that Orks favour.
Kill Rig
The Kill Rig is a massive Beast Snagga contraption — a mobile fortress built on the back of a Tramplasquig, crewed by a Wurrboy psyker. It combines transport capacity, psychic powers, and devastating melee attacks from the Tramplasquig itself. The Kill Rig is one of the most powerful and versatile units in the Ork codex.
Hunta Rig
The Hunta Rig is the Kill Rig’s melee-focused variant, trading the psyker crew for a Beastboss and additional close-combat weaponry. The Tramplasquig’s attacks combined with the crew’s harpoons make it a monstrous melee threat. The Hunta Rig excels at smashing into enemy lines and grinding through tough targets.
Transport
Trukk
The Trukk is the Orks’ basic transport — a ramshackle open-topped vehicle that carries 12 infantry models at breakneck speed. It is cheap, fast, and fragile, designed to deliver a payload of Boyz, Nobz, or Meganobz into combat as quickly as possible. Trukks rarely survive long after delivering their cargo, but they only need to get there once.
Flyers
Dakkajet
The Dakkajet is an Ork fighter aircraft bristling with Supa Shootas. It excels at strafing infantry with an enormous volume of shots, embodying the Ork philosophy that more dakka is always better. The Dakkajet is the most straightforward Ork flyer — point it at infantry and roll buckets of dice.
Burna-Bommer
The Burna-Bommer is an Ork bomber aircraft that drops Burna Bombs and Skorcha Missiles on ground targets. Its payload ignores cover and deals devastating damage to clustered infantry. The Burna-Bommer is the most destructive Ork flyer against ground targets, though it is fragile once enemy anti-air locks on.
Blitza-Bommer
The Blitza-Bommer is a dive-bomber that drops Boom Bombs on enemy vehicles and heavy targets. Its high-damage bombs are effective against armour, giving Ork air forces an anti-tank option. The Blitza-Bommer rewards aggressive flying and precise positioning to line up its bombing runs.
Wazbom Blastajet
The Wazbom Blastajet is an Ork heavy attack aircraft armed with Smasha Guns and a Kustom Force Field. It combines heavy anti-vehicle firepower with a defensive aura for nearby units. The Wazbom is the most versatile Ork flyer, providing both damage and support in a single airframe.
Forge World / Specialist Units
Stompa
The Stompa is the Orks’ super-heavy walker — a titanic war machine bristling with every weapon the Meks could bolt on. Armed with a Deff Kannon, Supa-Gatler, and multiple secondary weapons, plus a massive Mega-Choppa for melee, the Stompa is a walking fortress. It is enormously expensive in both points and pounds but embodies the peak of Orky engineering excess.
Gargant (Forge World)
The Great Gargant is the Orks’ titan-class war engine, standing as tall as an Imperial Warlord Titan. These colossal machines are built by the greatest Big Meks for the biggest WAAAGH!s and represent the ultimate expression of Ork military power. Gargants are Forge World exclusive and appear only in the largest Apocalypse games.
Squiggoth
The Squiggoth is a massive beast ridden into battle by Ork crews, serving as a living battering ram and transport. Armed with a Kannon and the beast’s own crushing bulk, Squiggoths are living siege engines. The larger Gargantuan Squiggoth from Forge World is one of the biggest single models in the Warhammer 40k range.