Weapons for da boyz, da help for total noob Options

[Spellscape]

Hi all
I now I've posted about Night Gobos and Squgs but now after getting Army box I'd like to have not only FUN army. I just LOVED ork models. So If I can - why not get 2 armies

But I have no clue what is best weapons option for Orcs, Black Orks and way to assemble Ork Warboss and Ork Battle Standard Bearer.
In TOTAL NOOB to WH FB
Can you tell me what is best or most used options (I don't want to make something stupid and unplayable and ruin great models)

Thank you for all help.

[spinekrakka]

Black orcs are easy. They are "armed to da teef" meaning they have basically all weapons. Basic orcs on the other hand, I like to field them in blocks of 25 with full command and no weapon upgrades or shields. This gives you a relatively cheap unit that can actually stand up to alot of opponents. I run a savage warboss so I'm not sure how to equip an orc or black orc warboss.

[Spellscape]

Yes but do Black Orks need shields?

[spinekrakka]

With choppas now counting as hand weapons for armor save purposes, shields on black orcs is not a bad idea. It will increase survivability in close combat. If you can spare the points you give yourself a better chance of them reaching combat and causing alot of damage. I haven't used them since the new book came out, but I never gave them shields before and they were still fine.

[Elaric]

It really depends whether you want that 3+/2+ save or not. Against Missile or Great weapon/cavalry heavy armies (Elves, dwarves, chaos, empire, bretonnians) it might in handy. If you are fighting scaven/grots, etc then I dont see the point.

[Spellscape]

Ok TNX to all. My main opponents will be dwarves, chaos, empire, bretonnians - so I've decided to go for shields. But! Black orks in Army box don't have enough shields for them only for half. Is it legal to model only half Black orks with shields and count whole unit as having shields?

[CannibalBob]

Is it legal to model only half Black orks with shields and count whole unit as having shields?

It should be. Just make sure that the more obvious models have shields somewhere on them (strapped to thier back, in thier hand, etc) such as most of the front rank (although you can get away with leaving shields off the standard, musician, and boss) and those at the sides of the units. As long as enough have shields so that your opponent will be able to tell it should be fine.

As for the armament of standard boyz, the new choppa rules made it one of the best standard weapons in the entire game. It is a HUGE ability for the choppa to retain all the normal hand-weapon bonuses and also grant a strength bonus on the first round of combat (whether or not you charge). This means the choppa is best used along with another weapon - so that it can get the hand-weapon bonus.

I recommend either arming your boyz units with choppa + shield or else with two choppas. Two choppas makes your unit extremely offensive when it charges. With each orc swinging with two str-4 attacks you can cause a lot of damage and the boyz are still relatively cheap. The choppa+shield combo makes the orcs a nice defensive block with above average damage potential. The increased armor save will help prevent casualties and the orcs will still strike back with a strength boost in the first turn of combat even when charged. This can make opponents think twice about slamming into a big block of orcs.

Spears are still a decent option but I personally find them to be a bit inferior to the choppa combos. I suggest spears mainly if you really like the look of them visually and want to model some orc units up with them. They are still a decent weapon option.