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In theory I think an Ork can become as big as a galaxy (but obviously never will because he'll get killed long before that.) But yeah, in theory.

So I'm wondering what happens when someone like Ghaz IS finally killed?

Do the spores he releases contain any of the genetic qualities that made Ghazz unique? Possibly releasing thousands of potential little Orkses that will think, act, and have the potential to be just like Ghaz?

probably not because he started out like any ork but killed a bunch of stuff. its like if a human is born average and then works out to be ripped, his child won't be strong and have large muscles when it is born. The strength is obtained not inherited i guess.

Muppas wrote:In theory I think an Ork can become as big as a galaxy (but obviously never will because he'll get killed long before that.) But yeah, in theory.

even if he wasn't killed, this is impossible. Biological creatures are not designed this way. His muscles would tear themselves from his bones and his weight would be by far unsupportable loooooooooooooong before this happened. 12 feet is probly near the biological edge. It's just not natural.

stompydakka wrote:

Muppas wrote:In theory I think an Ork can become as big as a galaxy (but obviously never will because he'll get killed long before that.) But yeah, in theory.

even if he wasn't killed, this is impossible. Biological creatures are not designed this way. His muscles would tear themselves from his bones and his weight would be by far unsupportable loooooooooooooong before this happened. 12 feet is probly near the biological edge. It's just not natural.

We're talking about Orks though, they can fire a salvo of bullets with a piece of metal scrap.

Muppas wrote:

stompydakka wrote:

Muppas wrote:In theory I think an Ork can become as big as a galaxy (but obviously never will because he'll get killed long before that.) But yeah, in theory.

even if he wasn't killed, this is impossible. Biological creatures are not designed this way. His muscles would tear themselves from his bones and his weight would be by far unsupportable loooooooooooooong before this happened. 12 feet is probly near the biological edge. It's just not natural.

We're talking about Orks though, they can fire a salvo of bullets with a piece of metal scrap.

from this we can determine

firing a salvo of bullets with a piece of scrap metal=being galaxy sized


just kidding though, i see where you're coming from

stompydakka wrote:

firing a salvo of bullets with a piece of scrap metal=being galaxy sized


just kidding though, i see where you're coming from

Im with the they get bigger n bigger but once up to a certain size just become too big a target or get to over confident with thier strength and takle something with to much fire power thus ending thier riegn. Right wheres my bitz box I need to build a ork larger than gaz..

I'Z SO BAD I GONNA KILL DAT TITAN DEAaaaaaaaargh

Big Mek Wurrzog wrote:

jelrik wrote:From what I heard once Orks grow larger darker and more stupid as they age, eventually becoming squiggoths. So big and strong but so stupid they fall into this animalistic state and are unable to think like a normal ork.

Orks do not grow into squiggoths, this is talked about in our Codex as they mentioned the sporenoid DNA has various offshoots (Orcs, goblins, snotlings, squigs, squiggoths, ect) Squiggoths are just massive squigs that are tormented to the point of aggression on contact which is why most have "blinders" on their heads when they fight to see less orks than the enemy. Basically if the planet is rich enough to suppose a mammoth a squiggoth will emerge out of the soil just like an orc, albeit probably smaller till it grows in size from 'survival'

Aren't squiggoths a mixture of ork dna with Tyranid DNA? I taught the orks first found one on a space hulk and immediatly saw it was "orky" and took it with them

Imagine an ork the size of a Mega-Gargant

Melissia wrote:

Veteran Sergeant wrote: I imagine at some point Orks stop getting bigger either because they are biologically designed to stop where evolution has dictated that further growth is harmful, or because they get so big that they can't support themselves and are killed off by other Orks for being weak, bitchy gitz.

Orks already violate the laws of physics on a regular basis, why should their growth be any different?

Very true. Probably the same way that the Sisters can call on Acts of Faith even though their faith is in a being that we know isn't actually a god and wouldn't be able to grant them any powers.

Veteran Sergeant wrote:

Melissia wrote:

Veteran Sergeant wrote: I imagine at some point Orks stop getting bigger either because they are biologically designed to stop where evolution has dictated that further growth is harmful, or because they get so big that they can't support themselves and are killed off by other Orks for being weak, bitchy gitz.

Orks already violate the laws of physics on a regular basis, why should their growth be any different?

Very true. Probably the same way that the Sisters can call on Acts of Faith even though their faith is in a being that we know isn't actually a god and wouldn't be able to grant them any powers.

Sorry, you need to read up on the Emperor. He has godlike powers to where he qualifies as one for the purposes of the setting. yes, even from the Golden Throne he does awsome shizz.

But he's not actually a god, and in his life was vehemently opposed to being worshiped as such so wouldn't be granting powers to anyone falsely deifying him.

Veteran Sergeant wrote:But he's not actually a god, and in his life was vehemently opposed to being worshiped as such so wouldn't be granting powers to anyone falsely deifying him.

Keep in mind Warp Travel for the Imperium is only possible due to the pyschic conduit of the Emperor and all voidbearers refer to it as the Astronomicon. For the bargain price of 1000 souls a day vs the population birth of millions of worlds you can see how this is honestly a small price to pay for the continued power of the Imperium of Man until his essence arrises once again. His pysker powers were so legendary he fought a TRUE C'Tan in close combat not these gimpy shard... and won with no effort at all!

IMO the Emperor would come damnably close to a true god even his birth was made possible through the suicide of all wizards, magi and druids ect on terra pouring their power into one child, the star child. Hear my words even a planet sized ork would be torn asunder if the God emperor returned.

Here's the thing you're missing. Having god-like powers doesn't actually amke you a god, even if the difference is somewhat indistinct. The joke I was making is that the Sisters have powers granted to them by a being that isn't a god, and even if he was, or had supernatural powers, did not want to be a god, chastised an entire legion of his own genetically modified progeny for worshiping him as one, and would certainly not be granting powers to those who continued to do so against his will. It's like believing that Khorne would grant people powers for planting flowers and making babies just because they really believed that was what Khorne was all about. The Sacred Rites from 2nd Edition made more sense for the Sisters because those abilities were based on the Sisters being reinforced by their faith and fervor, not on any actual supernatural event.

Big Mek Wurrzog wrote:

Veteran Sergeant wrote:But he's not actually a god, and in his life was vehemently opposed to being worshiped as such so wouldn't be granting powers to anyone falsely deifying him.

Keep in mind Warp Travel for the Imperium is only possible due to the pyschic conduit of the Emperor and all voidbearers refer to it as the Astronomicon. For the bargain price of 1000 souls a day vs the population birth of millions of worlds you can see how this is honestly a small price to pay for the continued power of the Imperium of Man until his essence arrises once again. His pysker powers were so legendary he fought a TRUE C'Tan in close combat not these gimpy shard... and won with no effort at all!

IMO the Emperor would come damnably close to a true god even his birth was made possible through the suicide of all wizards, magi and druids ect on terra pouring their power into one child, the star child. Hear my words even a planet sized ork would be torn asunder if the God emperor returned.

Um- if you actually READ the story of his fight vs the Ctan (now probably just a shard, but i liked it better the other way) rather than fanwikis he was being handed his ass by the Ctan in question, and doing ZIP in return, until he spotted a weak spot and took a desperate gamble, which paid off. The CTan in question was also weakened prior to this by it's long nap, and by a Blackstone Fortress shooting the crud out of it

He also said that he was unable to kill it.

He would have ZERO hope against a true Ctan that wasn't already drained and weakened


The God Emperor got nearly killed by a less-than-planetsized ork warlord if i recall also, back when he was at his height

If he came back as an actual GOD then yes, he could break planet-sized orks over his knee, but so can they all, so it's nothing special, godwise. Gork and Mork would still play Pinada with his gold-plated ass


Automatically Appended Next Post:
RE Sisters- I've always believed that their faith powers are actually the result of their faith. They believe in something so strongly that it becomes true.

They put it down to the Emperor, but it coems from within themselves.

YMMV, but that's how i see it.

n0t_u wrote:I remember hearing of one near titan height though. Likely only a warhound.

Are squiggoths orks that grow that big? Or are they an Ork subspecies?

Dodgywop wrote:So I'm wondering what happens when someone like Ghaz IS finally killed?

Do the spores he releases contain any of the genetic qualities that made Ghazz unique? Possibly releasing thousands of potential little Orkses that will think, act, and have the potential to be just like Ghaz?

Remember that Ghaz was just another boy until he got a chunk of his head blown off.

DoctorZombie wrote:

n0t_u wrote:I remember hearing of one near titan height though. Likely only a warhound.

Are squiggoths orks that grow that big? Or are they an Ork subspecies?

They are a gigantic species of Squig, an Orkoid subspecies.

Actually, in a previous Ork codex, there is mention of an IoM... something (perhaps a drone) seeing an Ork that was as large as a titan, and when it stepped forward the ground shook. Then again, there was a story in an Ork codex where a probe stationed at the edge of the galaxy was heard a noise coming in from outside of the galaxy... that noise was "Ork Ork Ork Ork Ork." Since GW has no proper canon (which they should), you can take what you want from that.

The massive Ork that almost killed the Emperor and multiple Primarchs was Gharkul Blackfang. He wasn't just huge, he was also supremely intelligent.

The Apoc datsheet is here:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=409729

From what I have read I believe that the Waagh is actually the only thing that can make orks larger and stronger. Of course how they see themselves matters alot and the more confidence an ork has in his strength and ability the better but its what the rest of the boyz think that really makes a Ghazgul. with out theboyz behind him unknowing Giving him strength he would not be any better than a normal Nob.
They litterally can do or be anything that they can imagine.

McNinja wrote:Actually, in a previous Ork codex, there is mention of an IoM... something (perhaps a drone) seeing an Ork that was as large as a titan, and when it stepped forward the ground shook. Then again, there was a story in an Ork codex where a probe stationed at the edge of the galaxy was heard a noise coming in from outside of the galaxy... that noise was "Ork Ork Ork Ork Ork." Since GW has no proper canon (which they should), you can take what you want from that.

The massive Ork that almost killed the Emperor and multiple Primarchs was Gharkul Blackfang. He wasn't just huge, he was also supremely intelligent.

The Apoc datsheet is here:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=409729

very cool info, never knew about Blackfang, I feel proud that Primarchs were getting spanked but one of da best warbosses around.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=409729

go down to gharkull Blackfang. Im pretty sure this is the fabled ork everyone is on about.
FFS thats the first time i have been ninjaed. by a while ago too....

Veteran Sergeant wrote:Here's the thing you're missing. Having god-like powers doesn't actually amke you a god, even if the difference is somewhat indistinct. The joke I was making is that the Sisters have powers granted to them by a being that isn't a god, and even if he was, or had supernatural powers, did not want to be a god, chastised an entire legion of his own genetically modified progeny for worshiping him as one, and would certainly not be granting powers to those who continued to do so against his will. It's like believing that Khorne would grant people powers for planting flowers and making babies just because they really believed that was what Khorne was all about. The Sacred Rites from 2nd Edition made more sense for the Sisters because those abilities were based on the Sisters being reinforced by their faith and fervor, not on any actual supernatural event.

oh dear.... alert
okay, so in the 40K universe warp entitys (thus, gods) are made by emotions. deamons look how they do because people feel that is how they should look. now think about how large the imperium of man is. think of how many people that is worshipping, praying to, BELIEVING in the emperor. so it is perfectly reasonable that the emporor would grant the SoB powers, but onl ybecause they believe thats something the emperor would do. the god-emperor that the imperial cult makes him out ot be is very different to the actual emperor who defeated horus.

Grey Templar wrote:

DoctorZombie wrote:

n0t_u wrote:I remember hearing of one near titan height though. Likely only a warhound.

Are squiggoths orks that grow that big? Or are they an Ork subspecies?

They are a gigantic species of Squig, an Orkoid subspecies.

Thanks for the clarification.

Holy crap, this is the first I've heard of Gharkul! What book is he in, I gotta read it!

Seriously, that's ridiculous! I thought Ghazzy was a 'ard boy, but Blackfang makes him look like nothing. Awesome.

OK, my couple cents...

If Gharkul is canon, as he apparantly is by being in the novels and getting a sheet, then they can be at least that big. The inherent physical problems with being that big are obvious, but the psychic gestalt of the WAAAGH helps. Plus, any ork that big could easily pull the heads off every boy around him for their teef to pay a Big Mek and a Pain Boss to build him a suit of mega (or giga!) armor that would support his massive bulk. This would also make him even bigger, more powerful, and incredibly heavily armored. I love it!

Some notes on orkoid physiology, as some people (obviously not as obsessed wif da greenskins as I am), seem confused.

The orks reproduce through spores they continually exude, but which are released enmasse upon their deaths. These spores drift around, and hopefully plant themselves somewhere moist, dark and safe enough to grow. These spores contain an entire orkoid ecosystem, as do the orks themselves. So all the mushrooms, fungii, squiggly beasts and greenskin races (snotling, grots, and orks) grow from these spores. The orks carry the spores, as do the rest of their ecosystem. In this manner the orks provide everything they need; food, beasts fo burden, slaves, and new boyz. Note that snots and grots are separate subspecies, not immature or not yet metamorphosized orks.

Squiggoths are larger variants of squiggs, which the runtherderz and squig doks have feed massive amounts of food and steroids to, to grow them to such massive size. They are also abused and trained to be extremely aggressive.

I have heard of old editions and fluff mentioning planet sized orks, and extra-galactic orkish signals. I doubt GW will ever confirm Planetary Orks, but if Gharkul is real, who knows how big they could get? The only limitation is their own strength and belligerance. Orks grew due to challenges and their own social domination. The more enemies and challengers an ork defeats, and the larger the horde that follows him, the larger he becomes. Orks also do not die of old age, so if Ghazzy wins on Armageddon and his WAAAGH grows larger and goes further, he will no doubt continue growing, perhaps reaching Gharkul's size some day.

As cool as the giant orks are, they are probably abberations to the Old Ones original design. The orks are, remember, a mutant offshoot of the original bioweapon, the Krorks. Becoming unfeasibly and uselessly gigantic is probably a mutation the Old Ones did not design, but the orks themselves would enjoy.

The thing about the orks is that they can grow to astounding sizes, but they rarely do, for a number of reasons. I forget which sector has the largest ork concentration (no codex in front of me) but I believe back in third edition, it was described as having ork boys the size of ork warbosses (as mentioned before) and that it was still on the outter rim of the sector. The trick here is that there is likely a huge group of orks at the center, and all the other orks are fighting their way towards them to prove their mettle (Rather than conquering galaxies like they should be).

Is it reasonable (relatively speaking) to have an ork the size of a small titan, probably. The size of a planet? less likely as they still have inherent needs, i.e. food and air... If an ork could outgrow a Stompa, there probably would not be stompas, based on simple ork logic.