Ork

Biodata

Background

Orks grow from spores rather than reproducing through ordinary means. On mining world B-002, an Ork Boy emerges from the ground beneath a giant mushroom; an older Ork immediately subdues him and sends him toward camp. Spores left behind after the first campaign allow Orks to reappear on the world years later 78 187 188.

The B-002 Orks use captured Dark Mechanicus facilities to extract fuel, make weapons and grow more Boyz. Repeated Defender Army raids kill many of them but leave survivors who rebuild their settlements and lead subsequent groups 80 187.

Appearance

Orks have green skin and vary considerably in size. The mushroom farmer on B-002 is powerfully built, while pirate boss Paul Shakes His Head stands over 3.7 metres tall without his headgear 75 188.

• Commonly depicted features include heavy builds, tusked or sharp-fanged mouths, and rough armour assembled from metal plates 82 189 325.
• Grots are smaller green-skinned figures with large pointed ears; they work under the mushroom farmer's orders 188.

Culture and Behaviour

Battle and celebration are closely linked aboard the Deafening Rock 'n' Roll: Orks sing, drink Fungus Beer and brawl during their boss's concert. A challenge to that boss draws warriors from across the ship into a fight 74 83.

Ork forces often favour an immediate charge over holding a defensive position. Their conduct is not uniform, however: Paul Shakes His Head uses a concealed gun to win a duel, and the Blood Axe renegade Gugguai is described as comparatively disciplined and capable of negotiating profitable trades 76 190 336.

Abilities & Skills

Spore-based growth

• A surviving spore population can repopulate an area after its Orks have been defeated. Peter consequently orders both a planet-wide hunt and the burning of Ork corpses on B-002 187 194.
• Their numbers increase when they have time and facilities to establish settlements; the B-002 force uses captured infrastructure to grow Boyz 78 80.

Waaagh! field

• Imperial researchers describe a psychic link between a Warboss and his Boyz. A leader's battle excitement can bolster them, while his death can throw the horde into disarray even without conventional communication 86.
• Paul Shakes His Head's death is followed by chaos across his fleet; Grugger Big-Claw's death routs his attacking horde 86 193.
• An Ork weirdboy shields Paul from concentrated Terminator fire during the battle aboard his flagship 84.

Improvised engineering

• Orks turn wreckage, asteroids and scrap metal into armed warships. Their fighters and ground vehicles likewise appear crude but operate effectively in battle 74 78 87.
• A Big Mek and Mekboy repair a breach in the Deafening Rock 'n' Roll's hull with makeshift materials 74.

Equipment and War Machines

• Personal weapons — Choppas, axes, shootas and other large guns; some warriors carry chain weapons, power klaws or scavenged firearms 82 191 325.
• Vehicles — Modified trucks, motorcycles, fighters and armoured vehicles assembled from available parts 87 90 189.
• Heavy machines — Murder Cans appear on B-002; a Great Gargant joins the assault near Angstrom II 91 190 325.
• Warships — Paul Shakes His Head's 26-ship fleet includes the flagship Deafening Rock 'n' Roll 80.

Story Role and Major Arcs

• First B-002 invasion — Paul Shakes His Head's fleet seizes resource sites on the wandering planet, prompting the Forged Steel Brethren and Dark Mechanicus to attack before the Orks can expand further 75 78 80.
• Naval defeat and ground campaign — Peter kills Paul aboard the flagship. The Ork fleet loses cohesion and is nearly annihilated, leaving its ground forces trapped on B-002; allied troops then assault their settlements and factories 85 86 87 92.
• B-002 resurgence — Surviving spores and Orks produce a new population of roughly 200,000. After Grugger Big-Claw falls, his horde routs; a seven-month search clears the Orks the allied forces can find, though Peter remains wary of another resurgence 187 190 193 195.
• Angstrom assault — An Ork Waaagh! attacks a world near the Angstrom forge world. Randolph kills its warlord, causing the surrounding Ork army to scatter 325.