Orks large and small will be getting new rules in their upcoming codex, so today we’re having a look at a few new datasheets – starting with the big cheese, Ghazghkull Thraka.
We saw the rules for Bad Moon superstar Nazdreg last month, and many Ork fans asked why he’s got a higher Toughness than the Prophet of the Waaagh! himself? Isn’t Ghazghkull supposed to be the biggest and ’ardest git around?
See, the new Codex has some new numbers in it, and you’d better believe the Beast of Armageddon is getting a similar glow-up to properly reflect his legendary durability.
There are a few changes that stand out here. Ghazghkull has morphed from a big, tough leader for your favourite Infantry squad into an outrageously powerful beast more akin to a Primarch, who gets Lone Operative near friendly units and spreads an impressive aura with Prophet of da Great Waaagh!
He hits harder and shoots better to match his new status – check out that new Torrent profile on Mork’s Roar – and even has a once-per-game ability to get units riled up… but what does that mean? Come back tomorrow and we’ll tell you all about it.
Ghazghkull can only be ’eadbuttin’ one enemy unit at a time, though, so you’ll need some Boyz to lay claim to the battlefield when he’s off splitting skulls. If you saw our Big Summer Preview, you’ll know part of their datasheet already, so here’s the whole thing.
It’s a big one, and the role of your Boyz has changed a little. They won’t be sitting at the back of your battle line securing objectives* anymore, as the new Never Too Busy to Fight rule means they’re far more useful getting stuck in on forward objectives where they can fight and complete mission actions at the same time. Great news for several action-heavy Force Dispositions.
Shootas and similar firearms have also gained the Lethal Hits ability when targeting anything that isn’t a Monster or Vehicle, because when you fire that many bullets in the vague direction of your enemy, you’re bound to hit an eye socket or exposed cable somewhere. This should help Orks compete in a game where lots of their opponents will be hiding in cover, and the change applies to most shoota-like weapons in the Codex.
Want to see more? Here’s the datasheet for everyone’s favourite rokkit-slinging Tankbustas, because it’s got an interesting new feature you’ll start to see on weapon rules in this edition.
See the rules for their busta rokkit launchas? In the new edition, some specialised weapons and units will have Hunter profiles that can only be chosen when targeting a specified type of foe, so that they’re dead killy when it counts but not overly ruinous to suboptimal prey. Beast Snaggas, for instance, have a Hunter: Monster/Vehicle profile on their melee weapons.
We showed off the new Nobz kit just the other day and got quite a few questions about the weapon profiles they use. Since you asked so nicely, here’s their datasheet.
Oooh, three Wounds!
Kustom krumpas have a weapon profile that roughly matches how power klaws worked in the past, since they were by far the most popular choice for Nobz squads, but can represent all kinds of powered blades, bludgeons, and other weapons that these elite warriors carry.
Finally, get a load of the new and improved Killa Kans. Their eclectic mix of weapons has been consolidated into an array of new profiles that can be chosen each time they shoot, so they don’t have to suffer the all-too-common embarrassment of spitting grotzookas at battle tanks.
The Kans are also a little faster and tougher than before, to the delight of their Gretchin pilots, and they aren’t the only ones getting an adjustment to their weapons so they’re more flexible in the field.
Come back tomorrow where we’ll be looking at the updated Waaagh! rules and finding out how you can spread your berserk charge over multiple turns. Come on, you’re commanding Orks, you’ll definitely need to learn how to Waaagh!.
* Leave that to the Grots.
