Black Orc
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Black Orcs are the biggest and strongest of all Orcs, and get their name from their dour, grim demeanour as much as from the colour of their skin, which is extremely dark green or black. [4a][5]
They are bigger and stronger than normal Orcs and pride themselves on being the best fighters of all. They are more disciplined than other Orcs and have better equipment. Many of their fearsome weapons are captured in battle, and carried as a mark of their self-evident superiority, while others are paid in tribute by subjugated tribes. Black Orcs are the greatest among a race already bred for battle; injuries are ignored and enemies crushed beneath a walking mass of green muscle and heavy armor. The greatest of Black Orcs are Grimgor Ironhide and his mighty Immortulz.
Contents
History
The first Black Orcs were created by Chaos Dwarf Sorcerers in -150 IC, who were hoping to make a race of superior slaves more resilient than the Goblins and Orcs that had already enslaved. However, the Black Orcs proved to be far too independent-minded, and only fifty years later led an armed revolt that raged through Zharr Naggrund, before they were driven back. Afterwards, many of the surviving Black Orcs fled to the mountains. [2a][2b]
The Black Orcs' sturdy constitution would allow them to prosper in the harsh land of the Chaos Dwarfs where other Greenskin workers would perish. They first appeared in the Old World during Sigmar's time, as a whole tribe crossed the World's Edge Mountains and conquered other Orcs living in the hills to the northwest of Stirland. When Sigmar first united the Men of the middle Old World into the Empire, he first had to drive out the Orcs and Goblins that lived there. Those battles against the Black Orcs were by far the hardest fought, and only won at terrible cost to Sigmar's armies.
Notable
- Da Immortulz: The mightiest group of Black Orcs in existence, serving as Grimgor Ironhides bodyguard.
- Drillaz Killaz: Black Orcs from the Dark Lands. [6]
Society
Black Orcs regard other Orcs and Goblins with contempt, especially Goblins, who are always running away instead of standing and fighting. In battle, Black Orcs keep a constant eye out for bickering in the ranks, and it takes little more than a dark scowl or a throaty growl from a single Black Orc to bring the lesser Greenskins into line. Should that fail, Black Orcs are perfectly willing, and exceptionally able, to wade in and smash some heads together, thus restoring order "quick-smart" at the insignificant cost of the lives of the wrongdoers. [4a]
Weapons and Equipment
They are usually equiped with better weapons and armour than other greenskins and favour fighting with two weapons rather than a hand weapon and shield. [4a]
- 3rd Edition: Hand Weapon, Light Armour, may have Additional Hand Weapon, Double Handed Weapon, Halberd, Shield. May have a Magical Standard. [1a]
- 4th Edition: Chaos Dwarf Slaves: Hand Weapon, Light Armour, may have Additional Hand Weapon, Double Handed Weapon, Halberd, Shield, Spear. [2c]
- 6th Edition: Choppa, Heavy Armour. May have Additional Hand Weapon or Great Axe. May have Shield. May have Black Orc Boss, Musician, Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. [3a]
- W:TOW: Full Plate Armour, Hand Weapon. May have Additional Hand Weapon or Great Weapon. May have Shield. May have Boss, Musician, Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. Boss may have Magic Items. [5]
Gallery
Drillaz Killaz
Black Orc
A Black Orc
Black Orc
Black Orc Miniatures
N.B. In 2007, new Black Orc miniatures were released in plastic, sculpted using Games Workshops new computer sculpting technology. These were based on the same basic design as the previous metal Black Orcs. A new metal generic Black Orc Boss model was released alongside the new plastics in the summer of 2007.
Miniatures
The infamous Black Orc Warboss Grimgor Ironhide
A Black Orc Big Boss
The Classic Black Orc Big Boss Miniature. Note the much smaller physique.
Black Orc Warboss
Black Orc Army Standard Bearer
Black Orc Command
Plastic Black Orcs.
A full regiment of 20 Plastic Black Orcs
Metal Black Orc Musician and Standard Bearer miniatures.
Metal Black Orc Regiment
Metal Black Orc Regiment with Great Weapons
Black Orcs with Great Weapons
Black Orcs for Warmaster
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies (3rd Edition)
- 1a: Orcs & Goblins Army List, pg. 95
- 2: White Dwarf presents Warhammer Chaos Dwarfs
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (6th Edition)
- 3a: Core Units, pg. 45
- 4: White Dwarf 170 (UK)
- 4a: Black Orcs, pg. 46
- 5: Ravening Hordes (TOW), Black Orc Mobs, pg. 21
- 6: Warhammer: Thanquol: Skarsnik's Crooked Moon Vanguard, pg. 98
