Morg 'n' Thorg is synonymous with Blood Bowl, having been prominent in one form or another since the game’s inception, including being front and centre on box art for multiple editions. With a spectacular new miniature going on pre-order this weekend, we’re taking a look back at the Ogre’s long and varied history on the gridiron.
“It’s the most famous ogre in all of Blood Bowl…” – Jim
“Ahem!” – Bob
“Sorry, Bob, it’s the second most famous ogre in Blood Bowl – Morg ‘n’ Thorg!” – Jim
The most wizened of Coaches will remember the first mention of Blood Bowl in 1986, in which one Morg’th N’hthrog, as he was known then, was shown off on the cover of the box game, sprinting downfield with a ball and Goblin held under one meaty arm. Here, he was introduced as a vicious and deadly player for the Chaos All-Stars – a legacy that continues to this day.
When the second edition of Blood Bowl was released, a now-familiar face cropped up on the box cover and in the Star Players Handbook, this time with a new name! Known as M’Gorg’gn’Throg, the Ogre was still part of the Chaos All-Stars and as brutal as ever. He sported a new haircut, the spike gauntlet that features so prominently on every model since, and also the Leap Skill. Turns out, he was a sprightly Ogre in his younger days!
Blood Bowl Third Edition (1994)
With two editions under his belt, it’s no surprise that he made a return for the third. With the revamp of the Blood Bowl rules, which serve as the foundation of modern Blood Bowl, Morg also went through another shake-up.
New box art saw Morg take centre stage again, this time with a more brutal look, playing alongside the Gouged Eye! His name changed to the more non-Chaos friendly Morg 'n' Thorg – his original was difficult to pronounce without an extra tongue.
At the same time, his freelance career began to take off, with a new model depicting him in the colours of the Reikland Reavers. At that point, Morg had played for three flagship teams of Blood Bowl and wasn’t stopping there, being available to teams across the game.
It's clear to see the influence this miniature’s design language had on future versions of Morg 'n' Thorg, with everything from the pose to the ostentatious belt ornament being harked back to in later iterations.
New Blood Bowl, Same Old Ogre
The relaunch of Blood Bowl in 2016 brought the iconic Morg 'n' Thorg back to the gridiron. The mohawk returned and his penchant for playing for every team was still largely intact. Undead teams were the only ones off-limits, a choice influenced by a game against the Champions of Death in which Ramtut III attempted to have Morg 'n' Thorg killed at all costs.
Now, 40 years on from his first appearance, Morg 'n' Thorg has a brand new model ready to brutalise a whole new generation of Blood Bowl teams – and this time he’s in plastic. Customisation options allow him to be built with shoulder pads and belt buckles that match the big three teams he’s been associated with across the decades. Meanwhile, his hairstyles span the eras too* – it really is a tribute to Morg 'n' Thorg’s greatest hits!
So, with Morg 'n' Thorg coming for pre-order on Saturday, remember him when you’re next looking for a hard-hitting, no-nonsense Star Player to help dominate your next opponent, or just searching for an exciting new painting project.
* Sadly, those of us who remember Morg ‘n’ Thorg’s debut 40 years ago can’t go back to our old haircuts!
