Raid the field with the new Orks 40k 10th Edition codex and our guide to all the how-to-play strategies, index changes, and rules review!
The Orks are back in the spotlight with a fresh codex that pumps up the Waaagh!, tunes up their choppas, and gives every Boy, Nob, and Squighog a reason to shout louder. If your vision of Warhammer 40k involves roaring charges, buckets of dice, and enough dakka to make your table quake, the new Orks Codex brings plenty to smash and grab.
From revamped Waaagh! rules to rowdy new detachments, the Warhammer 40k Orks Codex sharpens the army’s identity of reckless speed, brute force, and glorious battlefield chaos.
Let’s break down the new Orks rules, detachment flavors, and standout units so you know how to play Orks in 10th Edition.
Why Play Orks: Strengths in the Orks Codex 10th Edition
Originally published in April 2024. Updated on November 14th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest Warhammer 40k Orks Codex 10th Edition rules and information.
If you want an army that rewards wild charges, messy melee, and that classic green tide swagger, the Orks Codex is exactly your speed. The Waaagh! system changed from the Orks Index, now powers the entire army at once, giving every unit a burst of durability, speed, or hitting power depending on the moment. Boyz can advance and charge, Squighog Boyz slam even harder, and Meganobz hit the table like a freight train with the Orks 10th Edition rules.
Orks rules play like a wrecking ball: fast, blunt, and very loud. They thrive on aggression, swarming pressure, and leaders who turn mobs into rolling storms of fists, blades, and improvised explosives.
With characters like Ghazghkull boosting your frontline or a Beastboss supercharging Beast Snagga Boyz, the codex has countless ways to overwhelm and overpower anything in your path.
Orks Codex Strengths and Weaknesses
- Waaagh! buffs apply to the entire army, a major upgrade from the Orks 10th Edition index.
- Characters like Ghazghkull, the Beastboss, and Warbosses in Mega Armour bring huge table presence and army-wide support.
- Detachments offer distinct playstyles, from Green Tide durability to Kult of Speed mobility or Da Big Hunt monster hunting.
- Fast melee units with strong offense, including Squighog Boyz, Beast Snaggas, and Nobz.
- Brutal charge bonuses and sustained hits mean your Boyz hit harder the longer the melee lasts.
Weaknesses of the Orks Codex
The army is deadly but not subtle. Focused shooting can thin out your mobs fast if you misjudge spacing or charges. Some units still rely heavily on support characters to stay consistent. A few older sculpts and kits seem absent from current listings, hinting that some classic Orks might be heading for Legends. If your lists lean on those retired units, you may need to adapt.
How to Play Orks: Core Rules and Playstyle
The Orks 10th Edition rules push the faction toward all gas, no brakes. You win by closing the distance, soaking up fire with numbers, and hitting key units with overwhelming force. Standing still or trading long range shots is rarely the plan. Instead, Orks flood the board, pressure every objective, and force mistakes through raw momentum.
The Orks Codex doubles down on what makes them iconic: bigger Waaaghs!, rowdier charges, random mayhem from Meks and Walkers, and detachments that let you tune your flavor of carnage. From the endless Boyz of the Green Tide to the roaring engines of the Kult of Speed, the Orks remain one of the most entertaining and explosive factions in Warhammer 40k.
Orks Codex Waaagh Rules Explained
Ah, the Waaagh! It’s the heart and soul of any Ork army, and it’s better than ever. In the 10th Edition, calling a Waaagh! now boosts every model in your army. Yes, every single one. No more fiddling around with keywords or specific units.
And the best part? You can kick off a Waaagh! at the start of a battle round. If you’re going second, this means you can use that sweet invulnerable save to shrug off enemy fire before launching into a devastating charge. The Waaagh! is now as flexible as it is powerful, making your Orks even more formidable.
These changes mean your Ork army will hit harder and faster than ever before. The ability to advance and charge ensures you’re always on the offensive, closing the gap and getting into the thick of combat where Orks thrive. The improved Waaagh! ability means your entire army benefits from the charge, turning even the humble Gretchin into a force to be reckoned with.
Strategically, you can now dictate the pace of the battle from the get-go, using your Waaagh! to counter enemy strategies and maximize your damage output. This makes the new codex not just a set of rules, but a game-changer that captures the raw, chaotic energy of the Orks.
Orks Codex Detachments Guide
War Horde Detachment Rules and Strategies
Detachment Rules and Enhancements
This is where it’s at if you want to make your Orks hit even harder. The core rule here is Sustained Hits on melee weapons. What does that mean for you? Every time you roll a 6 to hit, you get an extra hit. That’s right, one hit becomes two, making your choppas and squighog jaws twice as deadly. This is Orks being Orks at their best: more hits, more damage, and more fun.
Key Units and Strategies
For Waaagh! Tribe, you want to field units that get into combat quickly and often. Your Boyz, Nobz, and Squighog Boyz are all prime candidates. Pair them with a Warboss to maximize their potential. The strategy here is simple: charge into combat and keep rolling those 6s. Use your Waaagh! ability early to get that invulnerable save, absorb the enemy’s fire, and then krump them in close combat. Ghazghkull Thraka himself is a natural fit here, leading the charge with his brutal melee prowess.
Green Tide Detachment in the Orks Codex
Durability and Mobility
Green Tide is all about swarming the battlefield with hordes of Boyz. This detachment gives your Boyz a 5+ invulnerable save, making them surprisingly tough to kill. Combine this with the Mob Rule, which boosts their leadership based on the number of models in the unit, and you’ve got a force that’s hard to break and even harder to stop.
Strategic Advantages
The key advantage of Green Tide is overwhelming your opponent with sheer numbers. Fielding large mobs of Boyz means you can soak up a lot of damage while still dishing out plenty of attacks. Use the stratagems to bring back slain Boyz and keep your mobs at full strength. This detachment shines in objective-based games where you can flood the board, hold multiple points, and wear down your opponent through attrition.
Da Big Hunt Detachment and Targeting Rules
Targeting Prey and Bonuses
Da Big Hunt is for those who like a bit of strategy with their brutality. This detachment lets you choose an enemy Monster, Vehicle, or Character as your Prey each command phase. Your units gain re-rolls to charge and an extra -1 AP against that target. It’s like putting a big red target on the enemy and then unleashing the hounds.
Aggressive Playstyle Tips
To make the most of Da Big Hunt, focus on high-mobility units that can quickly close the distance and bring down their prey. Beast Snagga Boyz and Squighog Boyz are perfect here, with their speed and hitting power. Use the bonuses to tear through tough targets and disrupt your opponent’s plans. The key is to be aggressive and keep your prey in sight. Never let them escape your wrath.
Kult of Speed Detachment Guide
Maneuverability and Shooting
If speed is your thing, then Kult of Speed is where you want to be. This detachment allows your Speed Freeks to shoot even when they advance or fall back. It’s all about keeping the dakka going while staying on the move. Your buggies, bikes, and planes can zip around the battlefield, unleashing firepower without ever slowing down.
Enhancements and Stratagems
Enhancements like “Wazblasta” let a Deffkilla Wartrike move again after shooting, giving you unparalleled mobility. Stratagems like “Dakkastorm” grant sustained hits for shooting attacks, turning your units into mobile fire platforms. The key strategy is to stay fast, stay flexible, and keep your opponent guessing. Hit hard, hit fast, and never let up.
Dread Mob Detachment and Walker Rules
Random Buffs and Hazardous Conditions
Dread Mob is the choice for those who like a bit of chaos with their krumping. This detachment allows your Walker, Grot Vehicle, and Mek units to gain random buffs each time they shoot or fight. The catch? Some of these buffs come with the Hazardous condition, adding an element of risk to your strategy.
Walker and Grot Vehicle Focus
Focus on fielding units like Killa Kans, Deff Dreads, and Stompas. These units benefit most from the random buffs, turning them into unpredictable powerhouses. Use stratagems to push your luck and maximize your damage output, but be prepared for the occasional explosion. The strategy here is controlled chaos: roll the dice, take the risks, and watch the mayhem unfold.
Bully Boyz Detachment Overview
Elite Unit Focus
Bully Boyz is all about the toughest, meanest Orks you can muster. This detachment gives you a second Waaagh! that only affects Warbosses, Nobz, and Meganobz. These elite units gain extra attacks and resilience, making them even deadlier in combat.
Second Waaagh! and Strategic Uses
The second Waaagh! allows you to unleash a devastating follow-up attack, perfect for when the battle starts getting intense. Use your Warboss to lead a squad of Meganobz into the thick of the fight, utilizing stratagems to boost their power and keep them fighting. The strategy is straightforward: hit hard, hit often, and use your second Waaagh! to turn the tide in your favor when it matters most.
Orks Codex Key Units and Battlefield Roles
Ghazghkull Thraka
Ah, Ghazghkull Thraka, the Prophet of the Waaagh! Himself. Ghazghkull isn’t just any Warboss; he’s the biggest, baddest Ork around. With his massive cybork body and a power klaw that could tear through a Titan, he’s a force of nature on the battlefield.
Leading your army with Ghazghkull means you’re bringing a living legend to the fight. His aura abilities boost nearby Orks, making them even more lethal, and when the Waaagh! is called, he turns into an unstoppable juggernaut, soaking up damage and dishing out punishment like no other.
Beastboss on Squigasaur
If you fancy a bit more of a wild ride, look no further than the Beastboss on Squigasaur. This fearsome leader charges into battle on a massive, snarling squig, tearing through enemies with beastly fury. The Beastboss excels at leading Beast Snagga Boyz, enhancing their already formidable combat abilities.
With high mobility and a brutal attack profile, this leader is perfect for smashing into the enemy’s lines and causing chaos. Plus, the visual of a giant Ork on a giant squig is just too fun to pass up.
Warboss in Mega Armour
When you need a leader who can both lead and tank, the Warboss in Mega Armour is your go-to. Clad in the heaviest armour available, he can take a beating and keep on krumping. His presence boosts the accuracy and strength of nearby Orks, making your boyz hit harder and more reliably.
Throw him in with a squad of Meganobz, and you have a unit that’s hard to kill and deadly in close combat. This Warboss is all about durability and brute force, perfect for holding the line or leading a devastating charge.
Big Mek
Every Ork army needs a bit of teknology, and that’s where the Big Mek comes in. Whether he’s wielding a custom force field to protect your boyz or a shokk attack gun to obliterate the enemy from afar, the Big Mek is a versatile and invaluable leader.
His ability to repair vehicles and boost their firepower makes him a key support unit, keeping your Dreads and Buggies in the fight longer. Plus, his penchant for wild and unpredictable weapons adds that classic Ork randomness we all love.
Final Thoughts on the Warhammer 40k Orks Codex
Alright, you green-skinned maniacs, that’s the lowdown on smashing face in the 10th Edition with your new Ork Codex. Whether you’re painting the battlefield red with the blood of your enemies or just enjoying the chaos of a good Waaagh!, this guide has got you covered. Remember, it’s not just about winning; it’s about having a laugh and causing as much havoc as possible along the way. Now, go out there and give ‘em a good krumpin’! WAAAGH!
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