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So I'm contemplating picking up some Orks, and while I have an idea of where to begin I'd like some advice for veteran Ork players.

I want to be able to field a few lists between 1,000 and 2,000 points, mostly based around the same core of figures. I've done this successfully with Space Wolves and Eldar, and I see no reason why Orks shouldn't be able to fit the bill. I'm likely going to pick up a couple of AOBR boxes to start my Salamanders force, and it occurred to me that this could be an inexpensive way to start collecting Orks as well, something I thought might be fun but shied away from before. Now I have the modeling skill to pull off my ideas for an Ork force and the income to see it built, but I would like to nail down a few lists to start with.

Here is my first try for a semi-competitive Ork list at 1,750

Warboss (Warbike, Power Klaw, Bosspole, Cybork Body) - 130
7 Nob Bikers (2x Power Klaws, 4x Big Choppas, Pain Boy, 7 Cybork Bodies) - 450
12 Boyz (Nob, Klaw, Bosspole, Rokkit Launcher, Trukk w/ Rokkit Launcher) - 162
12 Boyz (Nob, Klaw, Bosspole, Rokkit Launcher, Trukk w/ Rokkit Launcher) - 162
20 Boyz (Nob, Klaw, Bosspole, 2x Rokkit Launcher) - 180
20 Boyz (Nob, Klaw, Bosspole, 2x Rokkit Launcher) - 180
2x Deffkopta (2x TL Rokkit Launcha) - 90
2x Deffkopta (2x TL Rokkit Launcha) - 90
Battlewagon (Def Rolla, 4x Rokkit Launchers) - 150
Battlewagon (Def Rolla, 4x Rokkit Launchers) - 150
Total 1,744

I'm really not sure how competitive this is. I have never played Orks before, though I have been curious as to what constitutes a competitive list. I'd like to own Nob Bikers for competitive play but I do not know how many are necessary at what point levels.

Here are a few general questions I'd like to ask veteran Ork players:

-How many Nob Bikers is too many, and how many is not enough for various point levels?
-What equipment should Not Bikers be given to optimize each unit, and how many Nobz should be in each unit?
-What is the best way to outfit a Battlewagon? IE what upgrades are decent, and what upgrades are trash?
-What is the best way to outfit a Trukk? Same question as the Battlewagon.
-Are Deffkoptas generally only used as suicide bombers or can they be used competitively in another role? I really like the models and would like to use them if they are not total crap.

If anyone could suggest some competitive lists between 1,000 and 2,000 points I'd be quite grateful. I'm only looking to use Orks in competitive play and a few casual games, so my collection will not be huge. I would just like to know what to prioritize when purchasing Orks, and how best to build each unit and outfit each vehicle.

Thanks for any and all advice!

I like 7 Bikers. 2x PK, 2x Big Choppa, 2x Vanilla and a Painboy. I wouldn't take any at point levels <1500 and 7 should be fine for anything greater.

As to upgrades, Waaagh Banners are essential. Combi-Skorchas are also the best Kombi Weapon choice. Cybork bodies are completely necessary. No more than 1 PK per 3 Nobz.

I like RPJ, Deff Rolla, Boarding Plank, Big Shoota, and Armor Plates on a Battlewagon. You definitely don't want to take more than one gun, as you should be moving too fast to fire it.

Trukks need a Reinforced Ram, Boarding Planks are excellent, and RPJ can be very helpful. Anything else is too many points.

There's no reason not to take Koptas. They are fantastic tank hunters. However, they operate best in solo units so you don't run into Ld issues.

Good Luck and WAAAAAAAAAGH!

Aldarionn wrote:
Here are a few general questions I'd like to ask veteran Ork players:

-How many Nob Bikers is too many, and how many is not enough for various point levels?
-What equipment should Not Bikers be given to optimize each unit, and how many Nobz should be in each unit?
-What is the best way to outfit a Battlewagon? IE what upgrades are decent, and what upgrades are trash?
-What is the best way to outfit a Trukk? Same question as the Battlewagon.
-Are Deffkoptas generally only used as suicide bombers or can they be used competitively in another role? I really like the models and would like to use them if they are not total crap.

If anyone could suggest some competitive lists between 1,000 and 2,000 points I'd be quite grateful. I'm only looking to use Orks in competitive play and a few casual games, so my collection will not be huge. I would just like to know what to prioritize when purchasing Orks, and how best to build each unit and outfit each vehicle.

Thanks for any and all advice!

I play Nob bikers usually only in Apocalypse. In that case I run ten. I did play a 1500-point biker list for giggles, and that list had six.

Most of the old Nob Biker lists I recall ran two groups of six. I think those lists were 1500 points. With just one, it should probably be a bit bigger. I should mention that it's been a long time since I've seen one of those lists.

As with all Nob units, the only real question is how many power klaws. Whether a Boss rides with the group is part of the decision. At six or seven, two PK's is reasonable. The rest is mostly for diversity. I would go for the fewest upgrades to achieve complete diversity.

By diversity, I mean uniqueness in terms of wargear. This allows maximum would-allocation benefits.

So, with two PK's and the obligatory Waagh! Banner, Boss Pole, and painboy; one needs two more upgrades for seven Nobs to be diversified. Combi-flamer is a good choice since the Nob can't miss with it, a big Choppa is okay, and a combi rokkit would be my third choice. One additional item must be placed on the second PK Nob to differentiate him from the first PK Nob. Waagh! Banner and Boss Pole are the items to pick from here, since the shooty upgrades are just to achieve diversity anyway. Those can go away without much loss.

So you've got; 1) Nob w/PK and Waagh! Banner; 2) Nob with PK; Nob w/Big Choppa; 3) Nob w/Boss Pole; 4) Nob w/Combi-flamer; 5) Nob w/combi-rokkit; 6) Nob w/nothing; 7) Painboy.

You could add in more Klaws or Big Choppas, but then you need even more items to distinguish all of the Nobs. Outside of the Klaw, none of the other upgrades need to be taken in multiples. Some of them aren't really worth taking at all, except to achieve diversity.

My Battlewagons use Deffrollas and armor plates. My trukks use nothing. I rarely use either outside of Apocalypse; however, Battlewagon spam is one of the most popular types of list these days. They usually run four or more 'Wagons and maybe one trukk.

I use Deff Koptas only in units of one with rokkits and buzzsaws. Equipped in this manner they are awesome - unless one is facing Dark Eldar, in which case they kinda suck. Oh well, you can't have everything.

The only semi-serious list I play is Kan Wall, and that is a whole different kettle of fish from what you're talking about. I have only three Battlewagons and no real desire to get any more, so Wagon Rush isn't quite feasible. Together with the Skullhamma, three is enough for the Bully Boyz anyway.

For fun games, I run some different lists, frequently using some rules from IA8.

Anyway, good luck and have fun with it.

Yeah a lot of what you say makes sense just based off my experience with previously collected armies. Differentiating wounds is essential, as is proper gear loadout without being overly expensive. Are Cybork Bodies necessary or un-necessary? Nobs get a constant cover save better than the invulnerable they would get from the Cybork Body, but in melee they would not have that save, only a 4+ and FNP, so is it with the 5 points per guy to give them a 5++?

Based on your advice I've re-worked some of the wargear in the list. I also noticed my Warboss in the first list was priced wrong because I forgot to account for the Cybork Body for whatever reason. Anyway, how does this look?

Warboss (Warbike, Power Klaw) - 125
7 Nob Bikers (2x Klaw, 1x Big Choppa, Shoota/Skorcha Combi, Boss Pole, Waaagh! Banner, Painboy) - 425
20 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, 2x Big Shoota) - 170
20 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, 2x Big Shoota) - 170
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota, Trukk) - 152
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota, Trukk) - 152
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota, Trukk) - 152
Deffkopta (Rokkit Launcha, Buzz Saw) - 70
Deffkopta (Rokkit Launcha, Buzz Saw) - 70
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Rokkit Launcha, Armor Plates) - 130
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Rokkit Launcha, Armor Plates) - 130
Total 1,746

Or should I ditch a unit of Boyz for another Kopta and some additional wargear?

Warboss (Warbike, Power Klaw, Cybork Body) - 135
7 Nob Bikers (2x Klaw, 3x Big Choppa, Shoota/Skorcha Combi, Shoota/Rokkit Combi, Boss Pole, Waaagh! Banner, Painboy) - 440
20 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, 2x Rokkit Launchas) - 180
20 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, 2x Rokkit Launchas) - 180
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Rokkit, Trukk w/ Reinforced Ram and Rokkit Launcha) - 172
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Rokkit, Trukk w/ Reinforced Ram and Rokkit Launcha) - 172
Deffkopta (Rokkit Launcha, Buzz Saw) - 70
Deffkopta (Rokkit Launcha, Buzz Saw) - 70
Deffkopta (Rokkit Launcha, Buzz Saw) - 70
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Rokkit Launcha, Armor Plates) - 130
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Rokkit Launcha, Armor Plates) - 130
Total 1,749

Am I moving in the right direction?

you removed the cybork body from the warboss in the first list. dont. When you hit close combat with your nobbikers, the warboss has to soak up those high strenght attacks with his Toughness 5/6 and then you need that 5+ save. I would even pack a few more cybork bodies for your other nobs. also come in handy against terminators and MC's.

i like the first list...btw.. Ork need the bodies.

Rokkits on Trukks, Battlewagons, and on Boyz aren't a very viable option. They're BS2 and you should be moving too fast to fire them on the BW's and with the Trukk Boyz. On the Trukk, they're just too many points when a Boarding Plank is such a better option.

Warboss (Warbike, Power Klaw, Cybork Body) - 135
7 Nob Bikers (2x Klaw, 1x Big Choppa, Shoota/Skorcha Combi, Boss Pole, Waaagh! Banner, Painboy, 4x Cybork Bodies) - 445
20 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 165
20 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 165
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota, Trukk) - 152
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota, Trukk) - 152
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota, Trukk) - 152
Deffkopta (Rokkit Launcha, Buzz Saw) - 70
Deffkopta (Rokkit Launcha, Buzz Saw) - 70
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Total 1,746

Ditched the Rokkits for additional Cybork Bodies. Are the Buzz Saws necessary on the Deffkoptas or could they be removed for a third Deffkopta and another Cybork Body on the Nobs?

Aldarionn wrote:Am I moving in the right direction?

You are defianitely moving in the right direction.

You do need a KFF Mek, finding room for him is Job #1. I was remiss in not mentioning that before, but I don't think it was one of your questions.

Yes Cybork is worthwhile, unless you just never fight anyone who plays power fists or multiple models with power-weapon or rending attacks.

Nob bikers soak up so many points, it tough to build a good list with them. Normally, one would like about four Battlewagons and maybe one trukk in a list this size, but that's probably not possible with the bikers. See if the list works with three battlewagons, even if there are no points left for trukks. The Nobs are troops, so you've got four, and that's not terrible. Should you have 40-ish points left, a Grot squad can be added for backfield objective duty.

I agree that the rokkits on the trukks and battlewagons aren't terribly useful. They might be okay if there weren't obvious shortcomings, but there are; namely the missing KFF Mek.

Add the Mek whatever the cost, and you'll be well withing shouting range of a good, solid, reasonably competitive list. I would put the cybork back it as well for the Boss and the Nobs.

So if I took out the Nob Bikers I could run something like this:

Warboss (Power Klaw, Cybork Body) - 90
Big Mek (Kustom Force Field) - 85
8 Nobz (3x Power Klaws, Big Choppa, Bosspole, Waaagh! Banner, Shoota/Skorcha Kombi, Shoota/Rokkit Kombi, Pain Boy, 8x Cybork Body) - 340
20 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, 2x Big Shoota) - 170
20 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, 2x Big Shoota) - 170
20 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, 2x Big Shoota) - 170
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota, Trukk) - 152
Deffkopta (TL Rokkit Launcha) - 45
Deffkopta (TL Rokkit Launcha) - 45
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120 *Dedicated to Nobz
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Total 1,747

If I left them in I could squeeze in a KFF Big Mek like so:

Warboss (Warbike, Power Klaw, Cybork Body) - 135
Big Mek (Kustom Force Field) - 85
7 Nob Bikers (2x Klaw, 1x Big Choppa, Shoota/Skorcha Combi, Boss Pole, Waaagh! Banner, Painboy, 5x Cybork Bodies) - 450
19 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 159
19 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 159
19 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 159
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota, Trukk) - 152
Deffkopta (TL Rokkit Launcha) - 45
Deffkopta (TL Rokkit Launcha) - 45
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Total 1,749

Better?

You can't pick and choose with Cybork Bodies. Either the whole squad gets them, or none of them do. Just FYI.

Claypool wrote:You can't pick and choose with Cybork Bodies. Either the whole squad gets them, or none of them do. Just FYI.

Ahh yeah I missed that. So I could change the second list around to this:

Warboss (Warbike, Power Klaw, Cybork Body) - 135
Big Mek (Kustom Force Field) - 85
6 Nob Bikers (2x Klaw, Shoota/Skorcha Combi, Boss Pole, Waaagh! Banner, Painboy, 6x Cybork Bodies) - 405
19 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 159
19 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 159
19 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 159
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota, Trukk) - 152
Deffkopta (TL Rokkit Launcha) - 45
Deffkopta (TL Rokkit Launcha) - 45
Deffkopta (TL Rokkit Launcha) - 45
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Total 1,749

Look OK?

Aldarionn wrote:

Claypool wrote:You can't pick and choose with Cybork Bodies. Either the whole squad gets them, or none of them do. Just FYI.

Ahh yeah I missed that. So I could change the second list around to this:

Warboss (Warbike, Power Klaw, Cybork Body) - 135
Big Mek (Kustom Force Field) - 85
6 Nob Bikers (2x Klaw, Shoota/Skorcha Combi, Boss Pole, Waaagh! Banner, Painboy, 6x Cybork Bodies) - 405
19 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 159
19 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 159
19 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota) - 159
12 Boyz (Nob w/ Klaw and Bosspole, Big Shoota, Trukk) - 152
Deffkopta (TL Rokkit Launcha) - 45
Deffkopta (TL Rokkit Launcha) - 45
Deffkopta (TL Rokkit Launcha) - 45
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Battlewagon (Deff Rolla, Armor Plates) - 120
Total 1,749

Look OK?

I would drop the Big Shottas from the boyz squads and diversify that nob sqaud more so you can spread wounds around more.

Globzog wrote:I would drop the Big Shottas from the boyz squads and diversify that nob sqaud more so you can spread wounds around more.

The Nobz are diversified

6 Nob Bikers (2x Klaw, Shoota/Skorcha Kombi, Boss Pole, Waaagh! Banner, Painboy, 6x Cybork Bodies) - 405

#1 - Cybork Body & Power Klaw
#2 - Cybork Body, Power Klaw & Bosspole
#3 - Cybork Body & Shoota/Skorcha Kombi
#4 - Cybork Body & Waagh Banner
#5 - Cybork Body, Slugga & Choppa
#6 - Cybork Body, Pain Boy

All of them are equipped differently with the minimum amount of gear necessary to do so, and all of them have Cybork bodies.

Granted I could still drop the Big Shootas for wargear in different areas if you think it's necessary, but the Nobz are all differently equipped.

I think both of the lists are reasonably solid, heck build for both! Extra Nob torsos are available on e-Bay all of the time, so making the bikers isn't difficult. Klaws are routinely available as well.

Unfortunately, the Nob box set is no help in making bikers, except for arms.

A box of plastic Nobs and a set of Black Reach Nobs can be easily combined to make a unit. In your case, you'll probably need two boxes to build for both lists anyway, or else you'll need to pick up the weapons as bits; it's easily done.

For variety, you could chuck Ghaz into the first list when you're playing bigger games. Ghaz is big fun!

Oh he definitely looks it, and I likely will!

I have a bunch of ideas for how I'm going to procure the figures necessary for this list. Probably online at The War Store. I'll likely just use normal Warbikers as Nob Bikers with some swapped bitz to make them suitably Nobby. I'm trying to decide if I want to buy normal Battlewagons or kit bash them.

Aldarionn wrote:I'll likely just use normal Warbikers as Nob Bikers with some swapped bitz to make them suitably Nobby.

Oh! Say it isn't so! Weedy Boys pretending to be Nobs is monster fail!

pzbw7z wrote:

Aldarionn wrote:I'll likely just use normal Warbikers as Nob Bikers with some swapped bitz to make them suitably Nobby.

Oh! Say it isn't so! Weedy Boys pretending to be Nobs is monster fail!

Hmmm, what would you suggest then? I'd not present an offense to Nobby authority in a monstrous failure if it could be easily avoided!

Aldarionn wrote:
Hmmm, what would you suggest then? I'd not present an offense to Nobby authority in a monstrous failure if it could be easily avoided!

Nob torsos from the biker box and the boyz box are readily available on e-Bay. Sadly they are the only two, but it still seems preferable to boyz with klaws. I've seen it and it isn't pretty.

Of course there is one Nob torso in every box of three bikers to start with, so you only have to scrounge a few. Believe me, you'll feel better about in the long run.

I can get full Nob Upgrade Sets for $10 each on www.TheWarStore.com which I might actually do just to have the extra bitz around for conversions in the future. I don't mind paying a premium if I get the correct torsos and arms to attach to a bike, as well as extra Klaws and Big Choppas. It will save headaches later. I'm gonna need to order a set of Nob heads too, so they don't all look the same.

Aldarionn wrote:I can get full Nob Upgrade Sets for $10 each on www.TheWarStore.com which I might actually do just to have the extra bitz around for conversions in the future. I don't mind paying a premium if I get the correct torsos and arms to attach to a bike, as well as extra Klaws and Big Choppas. It will save headaches later. I'm gonna need to order a set of Nob heads too, so they don't all look the same.

There will be a few extra Nobs from the boyz, if you buy them new. Each box comes with one. Those torsos work fine with bikers - I've done several that way. You won't need many beyond the extras you'll get that way.

It's a darn shame they made the plastic Nobs with the split torso, otherwise Nob bikers would be a cinch.

Nob boxes come with a few extra heads as is, but you will probably need on additional set of weapons.

Have fun with it.