Andy: When I originally wrote the Codex: Orks army list I tried to angle it so players could make up clan-themed warbands. The right paint schemes and a few choice units (I reasoned) would create a Goff warband or a Bad Moons warband by cunningly utilising the codex list. Ever since writing the codex I've intended to do a follow-up article about specific variant lists for Orks clanz and I've read a number of interesting ones on the Net (kudos to Cannibal Bob for his unstinting efforts). What follows is a simple set of roolz for theming different clanz based on the Codex: Orks list.

'OW IT WERKS

Each clan has a list of what's different about their army, broken down as follows:

CORE MOBS

The core mobs are the kind of Orks that most typify the clan. Mobs of this type may be chosen as Troops, regardless of which Force Organisation slot they would normally occupy. In addition, they may also be taken from the slot they normally occupy. For example, a Goff clan army may take Skarboyz as both Troops and Elites, meaning the army could take up to nine of these mobs in a Cleanse mission. They also have any restrictions on number removed (ie, 0-1, 0-2). A clan army must fulfil its compulsory Troops choices with core mobs.

COMMON UNITS

These are units that are common and/or popular with the clan and so have no limit on the number that can be chosen (subject to the normal Force Organisation chart limits, of course). They are still taken from the Force Organisation slot as normal.

RARE MOBS

These units are less likely to be seen in a clan warband and so become 0-1 choices. If the unit is already 0-1 then the clan may not use it at all.

Clan Warboss upgrades: A Warboss exemplifies the traits of his clan and may have compulsory wargear choices or extra options to reflect this.

Clan Boss upgrades: Many clanz have a preponderance of 'Oddboyz' – Mekaniaks or Bad Doks for example. Where appropriate they can include these as leaders for their Boyz mobz in place of Nobz. Other clanz may be distinguished more by the wargear the Nobz carry, and so this category may also contain details of wargear the character must take, or gets a points break on.

THE GOFFS

The Goffs can be identified by their predominantly black wargear and the clan totem, a black bull's head. They have the reputation of being the biggest, ugliest, meanest and most ferocious of the Orks - which is saying something! Of all the Ork clanz, the Goffs are the most inspired by the thrill and thunder of battle, and are specialists in hand-to-hand combat. They consider themselves superior to the cowardly Orks of other clanz, who hang back to shoot when they could get into the thick of battle. Most Goffs carry brutal short-ranged weapons, such as choppas and sluggas, so they can get stuck in as soon as possible.

Black is the preferred colour of the Goffs. Other clanz that wear brighter colours are mocked as 'not propa' Orks', or just plain 'weedy'. The only decoration normally allowed is a check pattern of black and white or a contrasting border. Excessive deviation from the way of the clan is met with derision and the miscreant will certainly get clobbered by any Boss Ork that comes his way.

USING A GOFF ARMY IN WARHAMMER 40,000

Core mobs: Skarboyz.

Common units: Stikk Bommas.

Rare units: Kommandos; Trukk Boyz; Warbuggies/traks; Warbikes; Lootaz; Looted Vehicles.

Clan Warboss upgrades: Warboss receives Big Horns for free; one model in the army must carry a Waaagh! Banner.

Clan Boss upgrades: Skarboyz Nobz in mobs that number 20 models receive Big Horns for free.

A NOTE ABOUT GHAZGHKULL MAG URUK THRAKA

The mighty Ork Warlord Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka has special rules in Codex: Orks that affect the composition of his army by theming them around the Goff clan. These rules should be seen as the type of army the Warlord prefers to field, and they don't exactly match the rules presented in this article. If you're using the rules for this Special Character, his own army composition rules override those presented here.

Download the Ork Clan Rules in PDF format [Download PDF - 232 Kb].

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Related Links:
Bad Moon Army List | Evil Sun Army List | Death Skull Army List
Snakebites Army List | Blood Axe Army List