Orks represent another Warhammer 40K faction that's rarely absent in video games. If the Space Marines are a highly specialised army, the Orks in Dawn of War 4 once again represent vast numbers and the philosophy of relentlessly throwing hordes of cheap units at the enemy.
That said, Orks also have access to advanced mechanics like Waaagh! and sturdier units like the Gorkanaut. There's a sense of progression built into this faction, but overall, they're Dawn of War 4's most chaotic force and an ever-expanding infestation on the battlefield. Moreover, those familiar with past Dawn of War games will be meeting again with Warboss Gorgutz.
History
The Orks (aka Greenskins) are a warlike species of asexual – they're born from fungal spores – xeno humanoids. Orks are the dominant subspecies of the Orkoids, a group which includes the Gretchin and Snotlings too. Often dismissed as primitive, the Orkoids are actually the most enduring and spread-out species in the Galaxy. The downside is their aggressive nature and ridiculous numbers have resulted in several empires and subfactions appearing all over the known space. Theoretically, a unified Ork front could crush all other civilisations.
Orks legends talk of their creation at the hands of the Brain Boyz to fight the Necrons and Aeldari in the interstellar conflict known as the War in Heaven. The Brain Boyz were extremely intelligent Snotlings (a very rare thing in the 41st Millennium) that were also progenitors of the Gretchin servant caste. Their creators also encoded the knowledge to build simple machinery into their genes, thus Orks approach the creation of machines naturally, running on pure instinct.
When the Snotlings regressed to their current, lesser form – perhaps due to a plague or an Ork revolution – the Orks inherited their weapons and advanced technology. Long before the Imperium was formed, the Orks had already battled humankind. They were the first alien civilisation found by humanity, and peace was never an option. In fact, Orks are said to prefer humans over any other foe.
Though at one point the Imperium thought it had pushed the Ork race into a minor position, the Ork Warlord known as The Beast united much of the species and nearly conquered the entire Galaxy during the 32nd Millennium. In the end, he was stopped in an apocalyptic clash. By the 41st Millennium, the Orks remain a great threat which refuses to die down despite the Imperium's best efforts.
Gameplay & Strategies
KING Art has described the Orks as "the only Warhammer 40,000 faction that's always having fun", and that's an apt way to define their strategies; Orks are never standing still or preparing for a larger assault. At least, they shouldn't be. There's no shortage of units, and their strength lies in numbers and staying offensive.
In Dawn of War 4, "this sense of relentless bloodlust" defines the aforementioned Waaagh! mechanic, an energy meter of sorts that fills up based on the number of Orks on the battlefield and the carnage they're causing. Triggering Waaagh! gives all Ork units an extra edge, with more damage and speed potentially turning things around when you're in a tight spot. They're also the faction that gains Veterancy faster for its units, meaning Orks can unlock new weapons and passive buffs quickly.
Constant expansion with cheap buildings and units is the bread-and-butter of the Orks. The ideal Ork player will always be developing new buildings and taking over any piece of available territory. Squighog Riders are the perfect example of fast-moving Ork units that can cover huge distances quick to scout out areas ahead of the bulk of the army. When it's time to punch through enemy defences, heavier units like the Flash Gitz can get the job done.
Units
There's no official list of the Ork units available in Dawn of War 4 at the time of writing, but we'll be updating this section as new details come out and giving each unit its own page. For now, we have spotted the following in the promotional materials:
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Buildings
There's no full official list of the Ork buildings available in Dawn of War 4 at the time of writing, but we'll be updating this section as new details come out and giving each one its own page.
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