Deathwatch makes frequent reference to killing Orkz but doesn't include a single word of information about them. Considering that DW uses the new "Horde" system, wouldn't you think it would be reasonable to include enough info on Orkz (and Eldar for that matter) to allow GMs to put together an Orc horde?

I took a look at the Ork Freeboota in RT but his stats seem more in line with the elite troops listed in DW and therefore don't make suitable horde stats. Same with the Eldar Corsair stats.

Boo-urns, FFG, boo-urns.

Stevetassie said:

Boo-urns indeed. I was talking to one of the chaps who's going to be playing in the DW games I'll be GM for and, with a big grin on his face, he said, "ah, it'd be cool to face off against an *expletive deleted*-load of orcs"

I did one of those "I'll see what I can do" type things, remembering that I'd seen mention of the Orcs in the DW rulebook and was already thinking up a scenario to put them into. I was then quite miffed to flick to the Adversaries section of the rulebook and find Tau (meh) but not orcs

I know it may not help your situation but the "standard" orc NPC template can be found in Creatures Anathema for Dark Heresy. Now I know some people don't like having to buy "cross-system" books but many of the stats in this book would be well suited to a DW campaign... Eldar, Lictors, a Stealer variant, Orks (including Nobz, Gretchin and Squigs), among other beasties.

Hope this helps!

That helps me a lot.

Our usual GM is going to be running a DH campaign (kind of) alongside my DW one. The ideas for it are very much in it's infancy at the moment and we certainly haven't worked out how to link them up just yet, so maybe the greenskins will be the way in which we do that.

I assumed that the info would be found in CA (which I don't have). I don't have a problem buying cross system (I have RT) but you'd think that a single horde entry for Orkz to let DW GMs use them "right out of the box" wouldn't have taken up too much room in the book.

I do find it a little odd that the games are put out as three separate games instead of three publications under the umbrella of a single Warhammer 40K game system.

FFG is a profit oriented company after all 3x the rulebook translates into 3x the profit, plus all the space commited to rules in each core book means, more stuff for each system in supplementary books which translates into even more profit. I would love to see a system more akin to what White Wolf has done wither their new WoD line, with a single core rulebook, and specifically tooled supplements for each facet of the gaming world. Each company has an individual approach though, and at least some of the supplementary books are equally usefull for all 3 system, Creatures anathema definitely being one of them.

I hear you, TKIS. It makes financial sense, but that doesn't mean it's the best for the consumer or for the game itself.

I'll get my hands on a copy of CA eventually, but until then, anyone feel like posting some suggestions for what an Ork horde would look like stat-wise?

Stawise:

Ork Boyz (Horde)

WS 37 BS 19 S 46 T(x2) 44 AG 30 INT24 PER32 WP26 FEL21

I would add a rule, lets call it Mob rule, giving them a +20 to Willpower per horde Magnitude divided by 10 to resist Fear, Pinning and Breaking.

Give them Stompy and Shooty Ork talens like Furious Assault, Crushing Blow and Bulging Biceps.

Equip them with cheap armour (2) unreliable, inaccurate stubbers, and orky melee weapons with the chainaxe profile and you have a nice quick and dirty created Ork horde

I am not sure about providing a full profile though, but the one i gave is quite workable.

Dark Reign as a pretty good list i think

http://darkreign40k.com/drjoomla/index.php/categoryblog/425-orks

Stevetassie said:

Orks are not among the 3 major enemy forces in the Jericho Reach.

Alex

Although i severely dislike the idea of orks, elves, dwarves (thanks god they are gone) in space. Orks and Eldar are THE Xenos races of 40K (though i love tyranids), both of them are present in Jericho Reach, although they are definitely no key players in the region, i must admitt, i was really supprised to not see at least very basic versions of them included, that would be a VERY nice investment of 2 pages.

tkis said:

Well then you would have to cut some of the valued and important pages, like that whole nonsensical squad/solo mode/cohesion stuff or the useless past histories charts (which really dont do anything) and so much more.

I do like the overally content of the bestiary of the Deathwatch book, but think it could have been a few pages longer, with Kroot, Vespid, Orks, Eldar and maybe a chaos sorcerer.

But thats me.

Peacekeeper_b said:

I would not have minded spending 0.50$ for a few more pages.

ak-73 said:

The greatest feat of cunning ever played by the Orks of the Jericho Reach was convincing Man they were not a threat worthy of attention...

Peacekeeper_b said:

There are kroots and vespids in the gamemaster's kit. I think there will be a lot of more adversaries to fight in coming supplements so all we need are a little patience (and some cash).

It looks to me that the Orcs are not going to make an appearance in the Jericho Sector. Just like the Tau are not available in the Koronos expanse or the Calaxis sector. It would be great if at some time, a bestiary appears for all the systems with every creature available everywhere but i am not holding my breath. Until then, the full bestiary will be only available to those who have bought all the books.

Sister Callidia said:

The kroots are in the Koronus expense the Tau aren't far behind since they are allies and share information and what not.

crisaron said:

Consider that the Tau are not fond of the Kroot's mercenary tendencies. The Koronus Expanse is beyond the eyes of the Tau, making it a perfect place for the Kroot to do what their nature demands without worry that their deeds will reach the Tau. For the Kroot, what the Tau don't know can't hurt them and it still serves the Greater Good (OK, not really, but genetics demand food!).

crisaron said:

The Tau think that all Kroot are working for them. The Kroot don't want the Tau finding out that this isn't true, so I don't think the Korrt in the expanse are talking to the Tau.

Especially since the only way for them to send a message back would be to take a ship through the heavily fortified warp gate.

did the kroot explicitely pass through the gate? There may be other passages...

crisaron said:

It's suggested that they did go through the warp gate before the Imperium discovered it and locked it down.