Orks — Beginner's Army Guide

WAAAGH! The Orks are the most fun you can have in Warhammer 40K. An alien race that evolved entirely for warfare, Orks fight because it is what they are built for, they win because there are always more of them, and they crash into battle aboard vehicles held together with scrap metal, grot spit, and absolute confidence that everything will be fine.

The Orks are a horde army — you field a lot of models, you move them forward fast, and you watch the enemy's face as they realise they cannot kill everything before it reaches them. More than any other faction in 40K, Orks reward enthusiasm over calculation. This is the army for players who want to laugh while they play, and still win.

On the tabletop, Orks are a beginner-friendly army because the strategy is genuinely simple: go forward, charge everything, repeat. The complexity comes later as you master movement sequencing and target prioritisation — but in your first games, thirty Boyz charging into the enemy lines is always a good time.

Is This Army Right for You?

• You want the most fun army in Warhammer — Orks are universally beloved for their humour and energy
• You love horde gameplay with lots of models on the table
• You enjoy converting and kitbashing — Orks actively encourage improvised, chaotic model building
• You want an army where the strategy is simple to learn but surprisingly deep to master

Playstyle & Strengths

Overwhelming Numbers: You field more models than almost any other army in the game. Your opponent cannot kill everything, and you can absorb casualties that would cripple other factions.

The WAAAGH!: Calling the WAAAGH! is the army's big moment, when the whole horde surges forward together. Timing it right is one of the most impactful decisions you'll make in a game.

Kitbashing Heaven: Orks are the hobby faction. No army rewards creative modelling more — broken vehicles, salvaged weapons, and improvised gear all make perfect thematic sense for the Green Tide.

Cheap to Start: Individual Ork kits are some of the most affordable in the Games Workshop range. A box of Boyz goes a long way, and a Warboss and a Trukk round out a first army fast.

How to Build Your First Orks Army

Every good army is built in the same order: a leader to command it, core troops to hold objectives, then specialists and heavy hitters to deal with whatever your opponent brings. Build in that order and every purchase makes your army better on the table. Every product below is in stock at Saga right now.

Grab the new Codex: Orks ($34.00) for the army's full rules.

Step 1: Start Here

A boss, a big mob of Boyz and a ride to get them stuck in.

Step 2: Grow Your Force

Add a Mek, some speed and a mob of tough Nobz.

Step 3: Go Big

The biggest, loudest models in the Ork range.

All three steps: $752.26. You don't have to buy it all at once. Start with Step 1, get some games in, and grow from there.

The Orks Combat Patrol isn't in stock right now. The Boyz, Warboss and Trukk above cover the same ground. Prices and stock as of October 20, 2026, and stock moves fast. If something has sold out, email store@sagaconcepts.com and we'll help you find the best swap.

A Quick Note on Rules

Warhammer 40,000 is now in its 11th Edition. Unit rules and points get updated regularly, so this guide focuses on how to build a well-rounded army rather than exact points. Check the latest official rules before you build a list for a tournament.