Greenskins

Lore & Background

The Greenskins believe that their existence is a gift from Gork and Mork, two aspects of a singular deity representing different facets of violence. While scholars debate whether these are separate gods or one split entity, the Orcs agree on only one thing: war is the highest form of expression. Their society is a brutal meritocracy where strength determines rank; a Warboss leads not because he was elected, but because he has beaten every other challenger into submission. This results in a culture that is perpetually on the brink of civil war, with clans constantly fighting over territory and loot until a new leader emerges to impose order through sheer terror. Goblins serve as the underclass, often viewed by their larger cousins as little more than cannon fodder or comic relief. Despite this, they are cunning engineers who build the crude but effective siege weaponry that allows Orc armies to breach fortified walls. The relationship between the two races is symbiotic yet volatile; Orcs provide the muscle and leadership, while Goblins provide the numbers and technical ingenuity. Together, they form a terrifying engine of destruction that sweeps across the continent, leaving nothing but scorched earth in their wake.

In Their Own Story

The mud churned under the weight of a thousand choppas as Grimgor Ironhide roared his challenge to the sky. The air smelled of wet fur, unwashed bodies, and the copper tang of fresh blood. Below him, goblins scurried like rats, dragging crates of crude explosives toward the stone walls of a terrified human village. 'Smash!' the Warboss bellowed, his voice cracking with the sheer joy of impending violence. The greenskins did not care for gold or glory; they cared only for the crunch of bone and the scream of the dying. As the first catapult fired a massive rock into the keep, the horde erupted into a cacophony of war cries, a green tide surging forward to drown the world in chaos.

Reader's Guide

The Greenskin factions are defined by their high aggression and low discipline, making them excellent at early-game expansion but prone to attrition if not managed carefully. Their core roster features massive Orc Boyz units that act as durable frontline brawlers, supported by fast-moving Goblin Skirmishers who harass enemy flanks. Heavy hitters like Black Orcs provide the necessary armor class for sieges, while monstrous creatures such as Gorguts and Ark Liches add terrifying magical or physical threats. Strategically, players must leverage their ability to generate endless waves of troops through recruitment bonuses and high population growth. In single-player campaigns, the focus is on maintaining a constant state of war to satisfy the faction's aggression mechanics; peace leads to infighting and rebellion. Multiplayer matches often see Greenskins utilizing fast deployment to overwhelm opponents before they can form effective lines. Special abilities like 'Waaagh!' allow players to temporarily boost morale and charge speed, turning the tide of battle by forcing a chaotic assault. However, their lack of ranged superiority means they must close the distance quickly or face annihilation from enemy archers. Mastery requires balancing the reckless charge with tactical positioning to ensure the horde does not scatter before the kill.

Did You Know?

• The Greenskins do not have a unified language; instead, they speak various dialects of 'Orcish' that are often mutually unintelligible even among different clans.
• Goblin engineers are responsible for creating the crude but effective siege engines used by Orc armies, often risking their lives to operate them under fire.
• The concept of 'Gork and Mork' is fluid; some tribes worship only one aspect of the deity depending on whether they value brute strength or cunning tactics more.
• Orcs believe that dying in battle is a glorious way to return to Gork and Mork, leading them to fight with reckless abandon even against impossible odds.