Ork Flawed Ships

Introduction:
Orks in Battlefleet Gothic are notoriously a
poor fleet. With the revisions for all other fleets
going in the flawed ships listing Orks came out to
be a unique experience.
One thing that was set forth in the revision
article was that the simplest methods would be put
in place to repair fleets lists; which means that fleets
would maintain their basic ship stats, and weapon
loadouts. The Orks have had a decade of
playtesting as what they are, and any radical change
would be problematic.
Ork players do not have a unified idea of how
to change the list, however accepting this fact
certain measurements were put in place to assess
how the fleet should be revised.
The theory was that through information
harvesting and mathematical calculations that the
Ork fleet could be properly fixed, even with large
changes in stats.
Methods:
Research was performed in advance to any
modifications. First every escort was
mathematically calculated against the opinioned
strong est ork escort, the brute, as well as the sword
frigate, which was determined to be the basis for
changes in all other human escorts.
Polls were drawn to determine what the best
solution was, and the potential modifications were
placed online viewable by ork players for playtest
and commentary.
Ships were compared to the Smotherma n
formula (Smotherman), which accounts for all
current ship designs basic cost for weaponry. This
formula was modified to account for a more real
aspect of weaponry value.
The fleet was then playtested in very controlled
settings. The ship designs were accounted for
according to fluff.
Research:
The ork fleet consists of 13 official vessels,
each of these was compared to the Smotherman
formula, which was modified to account for real
value of heavy guns.

Heavy guns which h cost 3 points per point of

strength are twice as expensive as weapon batteries
at 30cm. This is reasonable as heavy guns account
for about 2 weapons batteries. However weapons
batteries at shorter range are cheaper, as shown in
the Smotherman document. Additionally heavy
guns mechanics forced them to be slightly worse
than two weapons batteries, by a factor of about
15%. Heavy guns were rarely taken in Ork lists
when another option became available, 92% of lists
replaced the prow heavy guns on kroozers with
torpedoes (Orks Gib us a Brick)
The results were decided that heavy guns
relative cost would be halved, to 1.5 points. Launch
bays at D3 were calculated as half the cost of D6
launch bays. Soopa engines were determined to be
as valuable as 4 30cm weapons batteries, so about 6
points. From this the Smotherman document
produced the following:
Table 1

Ship
Gorbags Revenge
Slamblasta
Deathdeala
Kroolboy
Hammer
Kill-Krooza
Terror Ship
Onslaught
Ravager
Savage
Brute Ramship

Cost
310
295
275
270
245
145
185
40
40
40
25

Calc
306.5
269
289
250
262
134
176
29.5
42.5
31
28

Diff
-3.5
-26
14
-20
17
-12
-9
-10.5
2.5
-9
3

%
-1.1%
-8.8%
5%
-7.4%
6.9%
-8.2%
-4.8%
-26.2%
6.2%
-22.5%
12%

Note, this doesnt account for the brutes ram ability, turns or multiple
arc capable guns. Percentages on escorts are hard to fix, as rounding to
5 comes into play.

After performing this action 126 randomly ork

fleets ranging from 1000-2000 points were
analyzed. Each was accounted if any particular
vessel was taken, as well as options, then the
vessels/options were divided by the total to
determine how often the ship was taken.

Ork Flawed Ships

Table 2

Ship

Percentage
(percent with at least 2)
7%
5%
31%
0%
35%
64% (23%)
92%(78%)
7%
62%
34%
54%

Gorbags Revenge
Slamblasta
Deathdeala
Kroolboy
Hammer
Kill-Krooza
Terror Ship
Onslaught
Ravager
Savage
Brute Ramship

We note out of the two cruiser variants, kill

kroozers were outnumbered more than 2:1 by
terror ships. According to fluff this is inaccurate.

From this each class of ship can be analyze as to

how often it is taken compared to what percentage
it is over/undercosted.
Table three shows this comparison on a scatter
plot. Each of the three classes of ships were
analyzed showing a large general trend for the
escorts favoring those with better calculated cost to
actual cost ratio. A similar effect happened for the
battleships/battlecruiser category, but it was less
presented. The same occurred in the cruiser
category, but not significantly.
The likely reason for the huge difference in the
escort category is due to the wide difference in
escort percent cost range, from 26.2% to 12%, this
is more than triple the range of either other
category. Likely the discrepancy was more
noticeable and this greatly affected the use of these
vessels.

Table 3:

40%

Percentage Costed

30%
20%

Escorts
12%
6.20%

10%

Cruisers
Battleships/Battlecruisers

0%
-10% 0%

20%

-20%
-30%
-40%

-26.20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

-22.50%

Percentage Taken

After this an analysis of each ork escort as

compared to determinately the best escort, the
brute, as well as the imperial sword. The sword was
chosen as a balancing measure for all fleets, as it was
deemed the best standard escort of all. As escorts
are considered underpowered, it made sense to
balance them all against the best escort available.
The escorts were tested in three categories,
their ability to engage enemies, their total damage
soaking capacity, and their firepower. Everything

was adjusted to points values; meaning that you

could buy 1.6 brutes for 40 points, which would
give you 3.2 weapons batteries 3.2 shields/hits etc.
A ships ability to engage enemies was not only
a measure of turning and speed, it measured the
total area that the particular ship could possibly
attack an enemy craft. Given spaceships arent
randomly placed, and that having an increased
footprint isdesirable [but] it is not a linear scale

Ork Flawed Ships

(Sigoroth). The area does represent
maneuverability well.
Now the brute has a 25cm speed, with 90
turns. As it can turn at any point in its move, it
would get the most area by turning at the beginning
of its move, allowing it to target enemies in a 270
degree arc, at a minimum distance of 12.5cm away,
and a maximum of 42.5cm away. Trigonometry was
used to calculate this area.
Both the Ravager and Onslaught have 20cm
moves and 45 turns, so their area was calculated
accordingly. The Savage, equipped with different
guns, was calculated based on the area it could
attack. Presumably although this would be
significantly less, the weaponry on the savage
would compensate by the amount of damage it
would deal. Since there are two aspects of how
weapons could be fired, we measured damage at
15cm, as well as 30.
The totals of the three categories were then
averaged, and the ship was given possible solutions
to fulfill the average, as well as the appropriate cost
for its stats. Weapons were calculated on the real
number of hits they should cause on 5+ armor.
Turrets was only analyzed for survival on the
Ravager, this was averaged with hits before the total
was averaged.
Table 4 : Escorts vs. Brute
Escort
AtEE Surv
FP
Avg
Cost
Onslaught
Ravager
Savage

55.8%
55.8%
33%

62.5%
82.3%
62.5%

109..3%
171%
187.5%/0%

75.8%
103%
70.8%

28.4
41
27.3

This method proved to be accurate; the cost of

each vessel was fairly close to the calculated
smotherman value of cost.
Table 5: Escorts vs. Sword
Escort
Surv
FP
Avg
Cost
Onslaught
Ravager
Savage

79%
88.4%
79%

76%
122%
133.5%/0%

77.5%
105%
72%

29.1
42
28.1

Differences in armor were taken into account,

and each vessel was considered by how easily it
would be damaged by enemy fire in each aspect.
Area of target acquisition wasnt measured
here, as the rear 90 was not relevant (sigoroth), and
the sword has far more maneuverability than the

ork vessels. This skewed results and was then

thrown out.
In table 6 the average calculated cost was
compared to the smotherman value. With percent
difference.
Table 6
Escort
Avg. Calc.
Smotherman % Difference
Onslaught 28.7
29.5
2.7%
Ravager
41.5
42.5
2.3%
Savage
27.7
31
10.6%
Save for the savage, the calculated costs are very
similar to the Smotherman costs. Even the savages
cost is relatively similar. From this we can note that
overcosting slightly according to Smotherman is
better than undercosting when rounding to 5 point
intervals.
Knowing this we began comparing a multitude
of aspects to do with the cruiser/battleship sized
vessels. First we calculated the value of large bases
in the case of boarding actions:
A large base on a kroozer would cover 175% of
the area of a small base. This is of course counting
movement and area. Allowing for a larger area
where orks can board.
Ordinance weakness was calculated, and a few
what if scenarios were posed. Table 7 deals
specifically with bombers. The numbers are the
values of damage that a cruiser would take from a
wave of 6 bombers.
Table 7
Ship
1 Turret 2
3
Ork kroozer 6.87
4.16
2.25
IN Cruiser
2.78
As shown in this table, Orks are more than
twice as bad at taking waves of bombers as
IN/Chaos cruisers. With two turrets this is closer,
and with 3 it is better than.
The High Admiralty recently added an
upgrade to Ork cruisers giving them +2 turrets for
20 points. This would make them better than
IN/Chaos cruisers at handling ordinance, and was
determined to kill the Ork weakness vs ordinance if
taken en masse.
Then an onslaught was compared to a sword,
taking in all resistances to each type of ordinance.

Ork Flawed Ships

Table 9
Cruiser
Points
% Total
Kill-Kroozer
284
183%
Murder
245
144%
Lunar
245
136%
Merchant (lances) +2H 150
125%
Note that this table doesnt account for our
latest adjustments for each fleet; which makes the
percentage resemble closer to 125% for both the
murder and lunar.
If the escorts were dropped accordingly (to 30
Then a comparison between firepower of
points for onslaughts and savages) then the value
escorts and cruisers were drawn up. Comparing
for a Kill Kroozer would instead be 138% about the
how many points of escorts per weapon on a cruiser
right value that we are looking for.
in the chaos and ork fleets. Basically all the weapons
A combo of one savage and one onslaught was
from every side of the vessel were added up, and
compared to a kill kroozer in the same way as the
escorts were bought until their firepower was near
escorts were compared.
equal. Escorts of course were purchased from their
Sides were only counted once for firepower and
own fleets.
area.
Table 10
\
Ship
Surv AtEE Guns AtEE Heavy Guns Firepower Guns Firepower Heavy Guns Average
Combo Forward 67%
85%
230%
123%
129%
126.8%
Combo All Sides 67%
66%
167%
75%
77.5%
90.5%
The vessels are rated in their percent chance of
dying.
Table 8
Escort
Vs. Abs
Vs. Bomb
vs.Torp
1
2
1
2
Avg
Onslaught 25% 56.2% 33.6% 58.3% 16.9%
Sword
12.5% 27.5% 10% 26.8%
8.3%
The sword with two turrets is nearly twice as
resistant to ordinance as the Onslaught, similar to
the cruisers.

with the proposed changes to 30 points, and

Noting that this comparison is difficult, as the Killincreased firepower (in the next section) would
Kroozer could be able to fire at multiple targets
make this different.
simultaneously. Although escorts are better at using
Gorbags Revenge was then compared to a
their weapons in the forward arc, they still overall
terror ship similarly.
are underpowered in comparison. Reducing them
to 35 points would give an average of 103%, and
.Table 11
Ship
Surv AtEE Guns AtEE HG Fp Guns
Fp HG
FP LB FP Torp
Average
Gorbs Revenge 76%
96%
96%
98%
89%
104%
59%
88%
With gorbags revenge at 88% of a terror ships standpoint, it isnt much wonder that people prefer more terror
ships. Although 12% would likely account for the extra damage resistance that more shields provide, as well as
the larger boarding value, and a multitude of other things. What really kills it here is the torpedo firepower.

Ship Profiles/Analysis
In this section I present the modified ship profiles that would fix each individual vessel. The solutions were
voted in, primarily increasing firepower, and giving the vessels more options.

Ork Flawed Ships

First the battleships/battlecruisers:

Analysis:
The Kroolboy was proven overcosted by 20 points in table 1. With the Deathdeala undercosted by 14
points and so closely costed to it, it was a no-brainer. The ships were compared to the Slamblasta, and noted
that the Deathdeala sacrificed 4 wbs for soopa engines whereas the Kroolboy sacrificed 8. This was likely due to
GWs idea that heavy guns=bombardment cannons. So Kroolboy had to sacrifice something extra for a 5 point
reduction.
Changes:
The Kroolboys side guns were upped to Deathdeala standards. As well a 10 point drop was justified, as
most people purchase BBs/BCs for a lance or bombardment cannon. This is the reason why this wasnt chosen,
as it is essentially a giant Kill-Kroozer. What it has on a hammer is 2 hits, a turret, and 2 guns on each side and
soopa engines. What the hammer has is a better prow weapon/torps. This is about correct, as the new
smotherman puts the vessel at 256 points, within 4 of this cost.
Outlook:
Hopefully with the reduced cost the vessel will see more playtime; although there still is the idea of buying a
battleship in orks and not getting something special.

Ork Flawed Ships

Analysis: The Slamblasta was the most overcosted of all ork battleships by 26 points. Outgunned by the
Deathdeala, and without soopa engines for 20 points more it couldnt compete. Although overcosted, some
players still use the vessel, presumably for the desperate need of orks to have lances. This vessel is supposed to be
the premier gunship for orks.
Changes: At 22 points smotherman buys two lances at 45cm. Rather than just make the lances strength 4, a
random die roll was put in place, to represent the fluff of Orks not really understanding the weapon or how to
properly power it. The ship remains 4 points overcosted, but this is adequate to represent the higher value of
lances in an ork fleet.
The Deathdeala:
Comments: The Deathdeala was not chosen for any changes, because the vessel is fine at its undercosted
value, and there was no intention of changing it. The Hammer remains undercosted, and this ship is worth
about 30 points more than the vessel. So It would be either change the hammer to cost 260, and follow suite
with the Deathdeala to 290, which would probably be a fine thing to do. It was not chosen in this case.

Ork Flawed Ships

Analysis: In table eleven we noted a large discrepancy of terror ships to Gorbags Revenge. Not much to go by,
but the ship was still fairly rarely taken. Other battleship class vessels have more torpedoes than 6, usually 8 or 9.
Changes: The ship was given an additional 2 torpedoes to separate it from cruiser class vessels, bringing its
average up to 7.5 torps per shot, similar to battleship class vessels. This was justifiable by smotherman, leaving it
undercosted by 3 points.
Outlook: In the long run this will probably do nothing. However it may be a slight enough bonus to put the
number of people who take the vessel up to 10%.

Ork Flawed Ships

Analysis: The hammer class was a very well represented boat, and seems fine for the points that you pay for it.
It is listed as undercosted by 17 points by smotherman, but this is not a huge concern as it is linked to the
Deathdeala, and we didnt want to increase that either. However this ship is fairly confused in its role, much
more so than other BBs, so well leave it at this.
Changes: There were no changes to the profile, however two upgrades were added; an option to take soopa
engines and an option to take launch bays.
The soopa engines are shown on two of the battleship sized vessels, and were likely an attempt to help the
ork fleet out with speed, giving some reason to do so and without revisiting previous vessels. It was odd that
these werent available on smaller ships. So they were added, and it was noted that they costed firepower rather
than points to buy (presumably because they take up hard points). The soopa engines have received some slight
concern of being an obvious buy, but 6 p/s heavy gun fire is a lot to lose for a few extra cms when you AAF. Kind
of a risky bet.
The launch bays were added to help limit the need for players to max out terror ships. Additionally the orks
have very fews ship classes than other BBB fleets. With only 13 ship options this is a little more than half the
number of imperial options (23). There was a large outcry within the ork community to give vessels more
options to make them unique.
Outlook: The outlook for the hammer is probably that they will be taken more often, even though they are the
most taken BB/BC in the ork list. This is not a problem as unlike the other vessels, they are not character ships.
Hopefully the new launch bay option will make people not so likely to run the 6TS list, and will reduce the need
for TS significantly. Making the ork list less one-sided.