Warhammer 40K: Ranking Games Workshop’s Ork Themed Army Lists
Games Workshop put out 5 new themed army lists for Orks and we’re going to rank them for Matched Play!
We appreciate the fact that GW has put out some themed list ideas for the new Ork Codex. Honestly, they all seem like fun armies to build and collect. However, we wanted to take a bit of a closer look at the theme and contrast that with how we think that army would actually do in Matched Play (aka the tourney scene). Have we gotten to play with or against all these list already? No. But we’ve seen some tourney data and the top lists for the past two weeks for 40k have been Ork lists – so, while it still might be early, we are able to draw some conclusions.
That said, this is for fun and the meta for Matched Play will shift as new codexes come out – so enjoy it while it lasts! Enough stalling – lets rank those themed lists from worst to best!
Wait, one more thing: we’re assuming these are 2000 point armies for a typical 2 hour Matched Play Tournament event. Context is important here for reasons that will become clear in our rankings.
#5 Zodgrod’s Runtwaaagh!
Zodgrod DOES make the runts better. Unfortunately this army has a lot going against it. First up, it’s full of runts. Gretchin aren’t exactly going to hold their own – even in mass numbers. The Mek Gunz are good for shooting and Killa Kans aren’t to be underestimated – but that’s still not going to pack enough punch to take things out. The second thing really holding this back is that it’s full of runts. If you wanted to build and paint dozens and dozens (possibly hundreds) of Gretchin then this army is for you…for the rest of us who want to not go crazy that right there is a major, MAJOR turn off. Can they clog up the field and hold objectives? For a while – but they just don’t have the staying power or firepower to truly be competitive.
This army also suffers from having to actually MOVE that many models. In a Matched Play tourney, you’re going to run out of time unless you’ve practiced the crap out of moving. Playing a horde army isn’t easy. Even having movement trays to help can only assist you so much. If you had more time for your games this army could be better. But for now, we’re going to have to rank this one at 5.
#4 We’z Found a Stompa, Boss
Stompas are great fun! They bring a lot of Dakka to the tabletop and are really cool kits. However, even with the points adjustment, it’s a lot of eggs in one basket for the Orks. Based on the title of the theme, we’re also thinking this is just a single Stompa list also. But with the Knight Meta falling out of favor, you’ve got to wonder if bringing a Stompa is a good call. Honestly, this one could probably be ranked higher on our list but a single Stompa is a lot of points and has a big target on it’s back. This list is going to ride or die based on the rest of the army and how you choose to compile that. Stompas are either supported or used as a big distraction and how you play it can really determine how you win or lose.
We’re ranking this one at 4 mostly because GW didn’t really give us much to go on with this list other than “Bring a Stompa” as the theme. Also, based on what they were saying, this “theme” is really supposed to be played at an Incursion-sized game. Which is kind of a cheeky move as a Stompa at that points level is…a lot.
#3 Da Really Green Tide
So this army lists theme is basically “Bring a bunch of boyz and flood the field” which…can work. Plus with Orks being toughness 5 now, that’s actually kind of a problem for a lot of armies out there. That said, the main reason we’re not ranking this one higher is the same reason the Runt-list had issues: Model count. Can you play a Horde Ork army effectively? Absolutely. Can you play it effectively and finish all your games in a timed event? Eh…with some practice.
Your basic Orks are solid and having a lot of them makes for a pretty mean green tide-wall coming at your opponent. This army CAN work. But it’s going to be a little rough pushing all those models around all day. But it can be done which is why we’re sticking this option at a solid 3 on our lists.
#2 Walkin’ Is for ’Oomies
This themed lists gets bonus points for actually having a strong theme: Mounted Orks. But not vehicle mounted – SQUIG mounted. But it does get a slight negative mark for having to be a ton of new models. It all comes out in the end however as a cool theme and a strong contender. Those fast moving options are good for moving up and taking objectives or for smashing into the enemy lines and bringing the pain to them. It’s got a lot of big targets and threats to deal with and it’s got good firepower, too. This theme has more than just some potential. And we do like all the new Beast Snagga Orks as they are cool models! We liked this theme list but it’s not as good in matched play as…
#1 Speedwaaagh! Is da Best Waaagh!
No, it really is! The Speedwaaagh really is the best (so far). It moves fast, hits HARD, and has the staying power to make your opponents worried. On top of that, remember how at the top we mentioned that for the past two weeks it’s been Orks with the #1 lists? Well, those Ork lists just happened to be Speedwaaagh lists. Coincidence? We don’t think so. This army has some MAJOR potential and it’s been battlefield tested already. You can’t have two #1, which is why we’re going with the Speedwaaagh as the best themed Ork list from GW!
Which of the 5 themed lists from GW is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
