Brutish and violent, Orks are viewed with both derision and fear by other races. Orks are a part of a larger species known as Orkoids, but they are without a doubt the most dominant and aggressive of the known subspecies. The faction is split into thousands of WAAAGHs, or warbands, each led by the biggest and strongest Ork on offer. Despite massively outnumbering all other races, their primitive instincts prevent them from working towards that common goal. If they were to unite into one massive WAAAGH, they would surely dominate the galaxy.
History
Biologically engineered by the enigmatic “Brain Boyz”, the Orks were originally created more than 60 million years ago to fight in an ancient war. This means that the Orks have been bashing heads since before the rise of the Eldar and the formation of the Imperium. Their true origin, however, remains a mystery.
Although an individual Ork isn’t terribly smart, they collectively possess an impressive psychic power that is most likely a remnant of their creation by the Old Ones. Although they are unable to consciously control it, their power manifests when enough Orks believe that something is true. With enough support, the Ork’s collective psychic power will actually create the effect. Orks strongly consider the colour red to be “fast”, so painting their vehicles red actually makes them go faster. This is also the reason why their flimsy, decrepit technology is so ruthlessly effective under Ork command, but baffling in the hands of other races.
Gorgutz ‘Ead’unter
Gorgutz has appeared in Winter Assault, Dark Crusade, and Soulstorm. When we first saw him, he was a Warlord leading a WAAAGH on Lorn V. He’s always ruled with an iron klaw, as is Ork “kustom,” and is perhaps a touch over eager about making bloody examples of the boyz under his command.
Defined by his greed, Gorgutz has always been a collector. Be it heads, skulls, or shiny bitz - he wants it, if only so someone else can’t have it! His other defining characteristic is his cunning, which is rare among his kind. Where others might perceive his methods as cowardly, Gorgutz does what he has to, whether that involves practical strategy or dirty tricks. And, as he’s been quick to find out, he enjoys more wins on the battlefield as a result!
Playstyle
Commanding a proper WAAAGH in Dawn of War III means keeping tabs on many battles happening all at once. Orks can pump out squads at an alarming rate, but what really sets them apart is their inventive use of battlefield scrap.
Orks see the potential in battlegrounds littered with burning wreckage and metal - the remnants of ill-fated vehicles and Super Units. They can salvage that scrap to enhance an existing squad’s effectiveness or produce entirely new units. Orks can also establish WAAAGH Towers to call down more scrap, giving Ork players plenty of reason to establish aggressive front line bases.
It’s important that a WAAAGH feels appropriately Ork-y. To that end, you’ll be sending out bombs strapped on squigs, launching squads out of Trukks, and swinging Power Klaws to defend against projectiles. All of this while a giant Morkanaut lumbers past your troops.
If you enjoy early-game harassment, controlling a massive army, and Cockney accents - and really, who doesn’t? - the Orks are for you!
Excited to play the Orks? Check out our Ork forum discussion here!