Black Orcs in 8th Edition

In short, Night Goblins with netters are typically considered the optimal large blob unit to tarpit an opponent, Savage Orc Big 'Uns are considered the most effective all-round damage-dealing infantry unit with their mass of S5/S4 attacks, while Black Orcs are a strong choice against high toughness/heavily armoured units due to hitting at S7/S6.

Black Orcs are slightly more reliable than other greenskin units, as you don't have animosity, and have Immune to Psychology. That also means they're less dependent on characters than other greenskin units. Their cost is reasonable, but they are best taken in larger units as a 5+ save only goes so far. Shields are optional - maybe sensible if facing lots of shooting, but you shouldn't be using them in combat.

If your army includes a unit each of Night Goblins with netters, Savage Orc Big 'Uns, and Black Orcs, you've got a strong set of infantry.

OK its been a while since I played orcs and goblins, I did take them in several leagues I played back in the day though.

Black Orcs are from my memory overpriced and I almost never took them in a competitive environment from what I recall. Pairing them with Grimgor is better but its a real expensive unit.

I always thought they should of had plate mail (4+) for their cost.

All that being said, besides being a pain to rank up, they are a really nice looking unit and you should absolutely take it if you like them. I never took them in competitive environments, but almost always in more relaxed games.

The reason 30 works out as well is because they are sold in packs of 15, and that's just economics

Black orcs also are LD8, which is a point of difference as well, and they don't lose their benefits when beaten in combat (compared to frenzy).
Blorcs are more likely to pass swift reform tests and rallies and operate further from the general

If ran with shields against s3 and S4, they are more resilient to being wounded than your SOBUs in hand to hand. Against shooting they are as resilient without paying for the LSH Shaman

As a unit you lose less attacks than SOBUs from your back ranks. This means there is comparatively more benefits to hording blorcs

Unless your scenario rules state otherwise (aside from fluff), there is no reason to take a blorc hero in a blorc unit. I agree with the earlier post, more bodies over the hero but if I had to, I would choose a goblin big boss, mounted on giant spider, light armour, shield (maybe for shooting), great weapon and dragon and gem. Base size means he can hide in the unit, spider means he can run out, crossing obstacles, forests and empty buildings without penalty, and DBG means he can tie up a flaming attack unit from getting to your trolls.

Blorcs without animosity are great units to bunker lvl4 wizards in.

Blorcs with Grimgor are really decent. Especially with the banner of swiftness allowing them to push deep marching turn 1 and apply early pressure. It is an Eggs in one basket strategy

Blorcs also make good hidey holes for other characters like Skarsnik and Wurzag when they are your general as you can use the standard of discipline and still protect your BSB.


In deployment you can drop your black orcs early, knowing your opponent's knights and monsters won't want to set up opposite, so you can force them into other bad match ups.

Blorcs with flaming banner are great regen hunters and excellent building clearers. I would take a hero with a magic weapon if I expected the 2++ ward saves ( dwarfs, high elves, and units with characters) just to take him out.