Quick answer
The KING Art team has shared a detailed faction deep dive for the Orks in Dawn of War IV. The Orks are all about relentless bloodlust, cheap units, rapid expansion, and the iconic Waaagh! mechanic. Two Commanders — the classic Warboss Gorgutz and the new Beast Snagga Boss Guzcutta — provide distinctly different playstyles.
The Ork identity
Leaving the Orks out of Dawn of War IV was never going to be an option. They’re one of the iconic Dawn of War factions along with the Blood Ravens, and the team couldn’t resist the chance to bring back Warboss Gorgutz, an important character from the earlier Dawn of War games.
What makes the Orks so interesting is they might just be the only Warhammer 40,000 faction that’s always having fun. These guys are all about fighting and brutality, and there’s no shortage of either in the grim darkness of the far future. Put simply, the Orks live for war, killing every single thing they come across.
The Waaagh! mechanic
The Ork’s Waaagh! mechanic acts like an energy meter that fills up based on the number of Orks you have on the battlefield, as well as the number of enemies you’ve killed. Once triggered, every fighting unit enters a berserker state, becoming more excited and much stronger. Timing the use of your Waaagh! is a crucial part of getting your Ork army over the finishing line.
Rapid expansion
Orks overtake any place they’re found, rapidly expanding territory through war and looting, having some of the cheapest units and buildings in Dawn of War IV. If you’re ever in doubt about what to do next with your Ork army, start building more stuff and planning your next expansion.
Key units
Flash Gitz
Incredibly powerful ranged infantry units that pack massed bullet-spewing snazzguns — great for punching through an enemy’s defenses.
Squighog Riders
Mounted Beast Snagga Boyz who move relatively quickly on the battlefield before striking with their Stikka spears. With these in your back pocket, you can always show up somewhere quickly and make a big dent in the opponent’s forward lines.
Meganobz
Can be upgraded with either Kombi-Rokkits for long-range firepower, or Kombi-Skorchas for short-range AOE damage. This flexibility lets you build units that suit your approach to strategy.
Veterancy
Orks level up and gain Veterancy relatively quickly compared to the other factions. This means they unlock new weapons and upgrades quickly, and gain the option to add more models (more firepower) to a unit early on.
Commanders
Warboss Gorgutz
A Warboss who goes to war in Mega Armour. Relatively slow but incredibly powerful, he’s an amazing fighter with options for both melee and ranged combat. His signature ability ‘I’m Out of Here’ uses Gorgutz’ kunnin’ to teleport him out of danger whilst his Gretchin leaves a pile of bombs behind in his place.
Beastboss Guzcutta
A Beast Snagga Boss who is essentially two units in one. On foot he’s a super-tough fighter. Later in the campaign you’ll unlock a rideable Squigosaur, giving Guzcutta faster movement and a ferocious bone-chewing beast to fight with him.
FAQ
What is the core Ork playstyle in Dawn of War IV?
The Orks are about relentless bloodlust, cheap units, rapid expansion through war and looting, and timing the Waaagh! mechanic for decisive battlefield advantages.
How do Gorgutz and Guzcutta differ as Commanders?
Gorgutz is a slow but powerful Warboss in Mega Armour with ranged and melee options. Guzcutta is a Beast Snagga Boss who starts on foot as a tough fighter and later unlocks a rideable Squigosaur for speed and extra combat power.
Do Orks gain Veterancy faster than other factions?
Yes. Orks level up and gain Veterancy relatively quickly, unlocking new weapons, upgrades, and the ability to add more models to units earlier than other factions.