| “ | Getting through such shields and armour is a feat worthy of song. The Black Orc underneath, however, trades only in axe-accompanied dirges. | „ |
Black Orcs are a 
Greenskins melee infantry unit introduced in Total War: Warhammer III with Omens of Destruction.
Recruitment[ | ]
Greenskins
- Unlocked with: Black Orc Barracks or Big Fort
- Crooked Moon
- Unlocked with: Black Orc Barracks or Big Fort (requires ownership of Karak Eight Peaks for Black Orc Barracks)
Description[ | ]
Black Orcs are the biggest, meanest and strongest of all Orcs. They get their name from their dark green or black skin, although the title is just as much derived from their dour demeanour. Black Orcs are grim and singularly focused on war - an occupation they take extremely seriously. It can truly be said that Black Orcs live to fight. In this regard all Black Orcs treat other Greenskins, even the more battle-worthy types, such as Boar Boyz, as little more than frivolous amateurs. This is largely because lesser Orcs, even the hulking Big 'Uns of the Orc tribes, are likely to squabble amongst themselves instead of concentrating on the foe. This lack of discipline is a shortcoming that Black Orcs neither forget nor forgive. The Black Orcs' opinion of Goblins is even worse, seeing them as beneath contempt and not fit to carry spare equipment, much less fight.
Attributes[ | ]
- Axe & Shield Infantry
- ▲ Armoured & Shielded: Armoured units can block damage from any source apart from Armour-Piercing damage. Shields have a chance of blocking arrows, bolts, rifle shots and similar small arms fire - but only in a forward facing arc.
- ▲ Defender: This elite unit excels at pinning the enemy down in melee, buying time for the rest of your army to get into position.
Unit Abilities[ | ]
Active Abilities[ | ]
Scrap Upgrades[ | ]
General Upgrades[ | ]
| Upgrade | Effect |  Scrap Cost
|
Technology Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Da Best Blades "Oi! 'ands off dat one! Dat's for da best boyz only!" |
 Melee attack: +5 Weapon strength: +20%
|
55 |  Da Best Lootz |
| Sharpenin' Stones "Dese rocks look like dey'd sharpen da axes, so get da gobbos ta work!" |
 Armour-piercing weapon damage: +5
|
50 | Da Best Lootz |
Faction Upgrades[ | ]
| Upgrade | Effect | Scrap Cost
|
Faction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immortulz Armour "Black Orcs don't want no trinkets, jus' anyfing that makes dere battle gear betta." |
 Physical resistance: 5% Armour: +15 Leadership: +8
|
50 |  Grimgor's 'Ardboyz
|
Strategy[ | ]
The most effective defensive unit Greenskins have access to, Black Orcs are an anchor piece par excellence and should be placed on the part of the line you think is going to be hit the hardest. They're a tough enough wall to outlast most cavalry in the game head-to-head, and even when out-matched they can activate Immovable Bulwark and tarpit heroes and elite units while you fetch something to hit them in the rear.
Both AI and human players will often seek to simply avoid them, a behaviour you can exploit by setting up, for instance, Night Goblin/Nasty Skulker ambushes either side of them.
Gallery[ | ]
