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I'm starting to plan out an Orc army and could use some help with deciding what units I should use. I do like Black Orcs, are they worth using?

Black Orcs are really meant for 2000 points and up games. They are a bit overpriced for what they do but otherwise are a solid unit. Now are you someone who is just starting out in fantasy or have you played another army before?

I'm mostly just starting fantasy, I know the basics, but haven't played a different army before.

Were you thinking of a certain theme,like all orcs/goblins magic heavy or close combat mainly.Also is there any particular models you really like as i normally buy that unit 1st if there worth using ofc.

I would prefer a mostly Orc themed army and mainly close combat. I understand magic is very powerful and I plan on including a decent shaman. I do really like Black Orcs, but I can understand not using them initially since they are expensive.

A good start would be a couple of orc warrior regiments and a warboss/shaman or both. I really like Grimgor Ironhide hes just a combat monster. Thats a good start then you can wait for the new models to be released to expand your army.

Ok lets start with your troop choices:
Orcs, Goblins, Night Goblins, Arrer Boyz, Spider Riders, Wolf Riders, Savage Orcs and Snotlings

Orcs are good and cheap so you can have large blocks of them for relatively low prices. Their pretty customizable, with spears, shields, double choppas and the usual command choices. Don't be tempted by shields or spears though, neither is great for Orcs, they don't have great save rolls so shields won't help really. As for spears, they won't allow you to attack with the second rank on a charge while a choppa gives you +1 strength on the charge. Double choppa is usually the best option in my opinion. And a musician is a must with orc leadership.

Goblins are mainly cannon fodder as far as I can tell, their cheap and can make huge units which when given spears or bows can be annoying for your enemy, but they have aweful leadership and generally get killed rather quickly, if your gonna take basic goblins then use them as a meat shield for your better units, note their fear of elves means if fighting elves take a lot of them.

Night Goblins unlike Goblins are a great choice of unit as their incredibly cheap and have both netters and the devastating fanatics. I'd suggest any army takes at least one squad of night gobbos with fanatics as those whirling dervishes are very useful and powerful, also when facing dwarves their hatred of dwarves sets in meaning unlike normal goblins they'll not run screaming. They do have low leadership and are easy enough to kill but are cheap and worth it for fanatics.

Arrer Boyz are pretty useless to be honest, their not too tough close up and can't hit anything to save their life when ranged, I've learned from experience their not worth the points.

I don't feel qualified to comment on Spider Riders since I have yet to field them.

Wolf Riders are a great choice, being very cheap and perfect for peppering and annoying slower enemy units, armed with bows and/or spears their pretty dangerous and very fast for their points cost. Unfortunately they are rather cowardly and fragile, used well they can win a battle, used badly the worst that'll happen is they'll die.

Savage Orcs are very tough though lack armor, worse than usual orcs. These savages suffer from frenzy so their easy to draw into a trap, but can mince whatever they get into combat with. I wouldn't recommend too many in an army and if your gonna have them be prepared to lose a lot to shooting.

Snotlings are cheap and very useful for tying up your enemies cavalry and monsters, with 3 wounds and 3 attacks at only 25 points a base. Just don't be surprised if they get cut to ribbons, instead save your surprise for when they wound something or survive a battle (though notably mine did wound a Greater Daemon multiple times in combat.

Now Special units:
Black Orcs, Boar Boyz, Savage Orc Boar Boyz, Rock Lobba, Spear Chukka, Wolf Chariot, Boar Chariot, Squig Herd

Black Orcs are a tough unit for big games who can be very very deadly if used right, high points cost though limits numbers.

Boar Boyz are incredibly expensive and aren't really worth it in my opinion, for heavy cavalry their relatively expensive, slow and unarmored, SOBBs being even less armored but a bit stronger with frenzy. Honestly I wouldn't recommend either as their both too pricey and aren't all their cracked up to be.

Squig Herds aren't really that dependable and are honestly really random, they can be deadly but lack armor badly and as a result will generally get shot down before they reach your enemy.

Rock Lobbas are a good choice, being the typical war machine for the orcs and probably being the best choice for a Special slot their only downside in fact is their orc and goblin built so a little temperamental.

Spear Chukkas are the same case as the rock lobba, temperamental but very good and worth the points (not to mention you can have two as a single special unit slot). Goblin crew men are a slight downside but their still very good.

Wolf Chariots and Boar Chariots are both value for points though on the face of it a Boar Chariot is probably better value and has much more chance of reaching your opponent without a ton of arrows. Boar Chariots are better and cheaper than a small squad of boar riders and while both them and Wolf Chariots will be matchsticks if faced with a great cannon, you are able to take one boar chariot without it being a waste of points

Rare Units:
Trolls, Doom Diver, Giant, Pump Wagon

Doom Divers aren't really worth their points as their even more temperamental than rock lobbas, it's harder to hit and misfires are more dramatic.

Pump Wagons do lack mobility but with 2D6 impact hits it's dangerous in combat, mincing whatever it hits rather badly. Unfortunately it will attack friendly units if it hits them but due to you steering them that shouldn't be a problem.

Basic Trolls are tough though you need to keep them next to your warboss or their stupidity will prevent them doing anything useful. That same trait is shared by stone trolls (whose magic resistance is very useful) and river trolls who are harder to hit due to sliminess. My advice is take one squad and put them with a big boss on a boar.

Giants are probably the best choice since their so massive and dangerous, if you reach the enemy the enemy is in big trouble while otherwise their soaking up a heck of a lot of missile fire which would otherwise be depleting your boyz

Final Note: Always take at least one shamen level two

Doom divers are actually fairly decent for their points depending on what your opponent is fielding.

I've had one in my army for a while now and it's yet to be worth it, as soon as I buy a giant I'm going to swap the giant in and the Doom Diver out. When my army reaches 3000 points then I'll put the Doom Diver back in, but not earlier

I'd really only suggest it if your lacking on points and don't have any Rock Lobbas or Spear Chukkas

To each their own. One of my friends uses the Doom Diver and usually its worth taking I find. In fairness though I have seen some games where it does very little but on average i find its worth its points.

It has nothing a Rock Lobba doesn't and at a higher points cost, while it's harder to hit

It ignores armor saves completely, make it useful against high armor targets

As does stone throwers, no?

yeah, my bad, dont usually play with stone throwers in my armies

I have to admit I'm guilty of not having a Rock Lobba myself but I do know the rules for them. Not having a Lobba is why I've had a Doom Diver up to this point.

Notably Doom Divers probably aren't as bad as Pump Wagons on most regards but aren't as good as giants and trolls

Thanks for the tips everyone, especially Murdock129 for the rundown on the Orc & Goblin units.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Is it worth putting a Black Orc leader into my Orc units to help deal with Animosity?

if you can spare the slot and points I'd recommend putting a Black Orc big boss in your largest regiment of Orcs yes.

On the HQ choices I'd suggest a Black Orc Big Boss on foot with your biggest foot regiment. A Orc Big Boss on a Boar with your trolls or Wolf Riders. And a Night Goblin Shaman with Mad Cap Mushrooms in a big block of night goblins

Time to disagree with one or two points that have been made.

Black Orcs are awesome especially if you have Grimgor as your general and have him with them - they become a whirling pit of death for anyone stupid enough to get in the way - also Grimgor kicks many asses in challenges!!!!

Boar boyz have a decent armour save but not as high as it should be and lets be honest the new models look amazing.

I have a Doom Diver which is more hit than miss but when it hits - it causes havoc!!!!

When using 2 rare choices I tend to field 2 giants - its amazing to watch them roll someones flank - fun times.

Wolf riders are ace - dont need to say anything else I'm still not convinced by spider riders tho.

Orcs with 2 choppas us the way forward 2 attacks at S4 in the first round of combat - chewed up some Bretonnian Knights with them it was class!!

Night Goblins = Fanatics = Whirly death!!!!

A shaman is a must - if only for carrying Dispel scrolls.

To be honest Black Orcs can be good depending on your play style, I've never had much sucess iwith them, same goes for the Doom Diver

And you have to admit Baor Boyz are slow, expensive and will get wiped out by the first unit of Greatswords, Ogres or Kroxigors they find themselves up against