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So I lack the funds, space, etc to actually start playing now, but that doesn't mean I can't still create an army in theory. I'm sure anything I do will be outdated by the time I can actually start but it doesn't hurt to try to figure things out now.

Where's a good beginners guide for starting? I want to use the GW website but some of it confuses me, such as reading about certain figures that aren't there, or that they don't seem to list the point values of the figures.

I'd like to build and Ork army (obviously ) but I lack the knowledge on how to do so efficiently.

You can start buy purchasing a ork codex when you have some monies.

Old models are always legal. So it doesn't matter if new things come out. If you've seen my blog thread, you might have noticed the Rogue trader orks I'm planning to paint. They're old, but still perfectly legal to use in a game, and they add something special to your army.

To add to Ultrafool, buying a codex of the army you want to play is always the best way to go. They are rather pricey, but take a look around, you might just be able to get a second hand copy for much cheaper! The current edition is the 4th edition.
The codex also explains a lot about the Ork backstory, if you're interested to read it, and has all the statistics for your units. You will only make sense out of those units however if you have the rulebook as well...
You could consider buying the Assault on Black Reach set, which includes basic armies of space marines and orks, the space marines you could trade off here on Dakka, or try it at your local Games Workshop, with the trade you could aquire more orks, or if for money, buy the ones you would like. The set is not cheap however, so you might need to save up for it. It does give you a lot of bang for your buck!! (also includes the compact version of the rulebook).

A basic Ork army to start playing would include an HQ unit and two troop choices. (the codex explains this).
So for a small skirmish game you could use: A warboss, two squads of 10 ork boyz. That would form the core to build around.

So yeah, check places like ebay too, GW might not like it that we don't buy their brand new stuff (hehe), but it's helluvalot cheaper.

Good luck!

Thanks for this! I found an online rulebook and codex to get me started, just so I can see what's going on. I plan on buying them once I start getting into the game itself.

Yeah you do that you can always do research beforehand

Here's a question. So I'm allowed to take up to 30 Ork Boyz. So does that mean I'm using 3 of my 6 allowed troops options? Under the Ork Army list it says unit composition is 3-10 so I'm guessing a single troop slot could be filled with between 3-10 right? In the same way Burna Boyz have a Unit Comp of 5-15, would that mean I can have a troop of Burna Boyz that contains 15?

This is the part of the game I always had trouble with

I'm also guessing if I'm using a troop slot it can't mix and match, for example, say, 10 Boyz and 5 Burnas?

No.. A troop slot is always seperate, this is because a single troop requires it to move independantly, and if you'd form 3 troops together, they'd all have to move together (making them 1 squad). The bare minimum for having three squads would be to have 3 groups of 10 boyz.
The reason for this is independant movement and Ork special rules regarding fearlessness (you can read that in the codex too), along with different weapon choices and other upgrades.

Also, unit composition for Orks boyz is 10-30, not 3-10... 3-10 is for Nobz and other elite units.
You have to look at the right title at the top of the page. HQ at the start, then Elite, then troops, then fast attack and finally heavy support.

There's also not so much an "allowed" number of troops, as there is a core you have to build your army around. You can read all about this in the little graph on page 94 of the codex.

And finally, no you can't mix and match. The different specialities are meant to stay seperate and form different troops, eahc having their own function. Burna boyz are elites and boyz are troops.

Oh I messed that up. I WAS under elites when I was seeing Mega Nobz, whoops that was just a goof up on my end.

but thanks for clearing that up.

So just to clarify:

30 Boyz is the total amount I can have ever in 1 game?

If so, if I have 30 can I choose to put 20 1 in squad and 10 in the other, 10 in each, or all 30 in 1?

If not, then... wow. That's a lot of Orks.

I'm sorry for all of my questions, I'm reading the rules but there's so much to take in and some of it isn't clear to me.

OrkFan wrote:Oh I messed that up. I WAS under elites when I was seeing Mega Nobz, whoops that was just a goof up on my end.

but thanks for clearing that up.

So just to clarify:

30 Boyz is the total amount I can have ever in 1 game?

If so, if I have 30 can I choose to put 20 1 in squad and 10 in the other, 10 in each, or all 30 in 1?

If not, then... wow. That's a lot of Orks.

I'm sorry for all of my questions, I'm reading the rules but there's so much to take in and some of it isn't clear to me.

30 is the maximum amount of orks you are allowed in 1 mob. 1 mob (of between 10-30 orks) takes up 1 troop slot.
So 1 mob of 10 orks takes up the same amount of slots as 1 mob of 30 orks.
However 2 mobs of 15 orks takes up more room than 1 mob of 30.
You could in theory have 6 mobs of 30 orks however this leaves you little in the way of ponts to use in other slots (such as elites, fast attack hq or heavy support. 1 HQ is mandatory however so you must have one)

Yeah, what purplefood said.
The amount of orks you are allowed to field is vitually endless. it just depends on how big you and your opponent want the game to be. An apocalypse scale game can number hundreds upon hundred of models for "horde" armies like the Orks or the Tyranids.

But yes, it all comes down to balancing points and finding your own strategy in wether you like a "green tide" (massive amount of smaller, weaker orks), or fewer but more powerful elite units.

Thanks to both of you! This helps me so much

Ya, a boyz unit is between 10-30 boyz, you can have 6 units of 30 boyz maximum, going up to a grand total of a maximum of 180 boyz I like to field loads and loads of boyz

You can always message me if you need any help further down the road that is 40k, especially if it involves orks haha

You're welcome Hope to see more on what you're doing in the future!

A cheap option is Descent of Angels Blood angels. Also drago-wing is cheap too.

And there's battleforces coming out at christmas which have reasonably good value.

Always remember to buy online for your ~ -25% discount

So I've been reading the codex and rulebook a bit and created this so far.

HQ
Weirdboy - Warphead - 85 pts

War Boss - Power Klaw, Shooter/Rokkit Combi Weapon, Cybork Body - 70 pts

TOTAL HQ POINTS - 155 pts

Elites
10 Nobz - Big Choppas; 1 Painboy -1 Grot Orderly, Cybork Bodies - 285 pts

ELITES TOTAL POINTS - 285

Troops
20 Ork Boyz - 2 Rokkit Launchas - 140 pts

10 Ork Boyz - 1 Rokkit Launcha, 1 'Ard Boy Nob with Power Klaw - 109 pts

10 Gretchen - 1 Runtherd - 40pts

10 Gretchen - 1 Runtherd - 40pts

TOTAL TROOPS POINTS - 329 pts


TOTAL POINTS SO FAR - 769


So I just came up with this start to an army. I wanted to try building an infantry army that primarily deals with close combat but has a few rokkits for enemy vehicles. I pretty much decked out my units, making them expensive in points though I think I may just insert a squad of Tankbustas and Killa Kans (I'd have to choose 1 or the other if I'm going for just a 1000 point army)

I'm using Gretchins for cover support for my Boyz and also because I like them little guys, as well a Painboy for some extra durability. I mainly went with what I wanted to actually build and paint (Killa Kans are a must if I'm going by that criteria) but I also wanted to try to create something that would get to the front lines with as few casualties as possible (excluding the Gretchin of course )

Keep in mind I know nothing about the actual game, and I'm simply reading the codex and rulebook and building from there. Also, I split up the Boyz and Gretchin into 2 squads, just to cover more ground. I don't know if that's smart, dumb, or even legal but that's what this thread is for, right?

Get killa kans, tank bustas are arguably one of the worst units in the codex...also, I would give your boss 'eavy armor...

Also, I split up the Boyz and Gretchin into 2 squads, just to cover more ground.

That's fine as long as they count as different units.

Also, it is advised to leanr the rules a bit, it does give you way more ideas on how to build an army. If you eventually start buying things, start with core units (one HQ unit and a few troops) then play a few games with them to get the hang of it. Then you can start adding units you think will suit your playing style.

Amphsix wrote:

Also, I split up the Boyz and Gretchin into 2 squads, just to cover more ground.

That's fine as long as they count as different units.

Also, it is advised to leanr the rules a bit, it does give you way more ideas on how to build an army. If you eventually start buying things, start with core units (one HQ unit and a few troops) then play a few games with them to get the hang of it. Then you can start adding units you think will suit your playing style.

If I'm right it should all count as 4 of my 6 troop squads. (Are they squads? units? is it interchangeable? )

I have been reading the rules, but some of it I have a hard time following and I feel like I'd have to actually play a game before really understanding what I should bring and such.

Yeah that's right. And squads/units/mobs.. all the same!

And yes, you learn most by just playing the game. there are are lot of nitty gritty rules that might be hard to remember at first, but don't worry too much about them, you can always make the game more complicted later on, as long as you understand the phases and steps for each turn.

bombboy1252 wrote:Get killa kans, tank bustas are arguably one of the worst units in the codex...also, I would give your boss 'eavy armor...

Regarding that, what other units should I just stay away from?

OrkFan wrote:

bombboy1252 wrote:Get killa kans, tank bustas are arguably one of the worst units in the codex...also, I would give your boss 'eavy armor...

Regarding that, what other units should I just stay away from?

Flash gitz, and arguably big gunz, from what I see people either love them, or hate them...