Re: [Epic] Space Fleet : Ork Ships

From: Michael Reed <Reed_at_...>
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 01:08:52 -0000

> Excerpts from Epic: 10-Mar-98 Re: [Epic] Space Fleet (off.. by Thane
> Morgan_at_...
> >but need some info on other
> > races space vehicles.
>
> Orks: ye generic Hulk, decked out with force fields up the wazoo to hold
> the air in. The intro to Final Liberation also suggets that Orks
> capture Imperial ships, which is possible I suppose (though how they got
> to the Impy ship in the first place is a good question...).

The old "Waaargh Orks" source book had some info on Ork spacecraft.
What follows is pretty well a direct quotation of the book.

The nucleus of any Ork fleet is composed of mighty Space Hulks. These
derelict spaceships are often of gigantic proportions, having been built
originally be various known and unknown races. In most cases, they have
been "mended" by the mekboyz. Some Ork space hulks may even be the
accretions of debris, incorporating remains of several ships or space
stations. Others may be giant structures created by ambitious mekboyz.
Space Hulks can be trapped and crewed by Orks by means of their crude
but effective force fields and teleporters. Force fields are used to hitch
smaller craft onto the hulk and enclose them in the space hulk's atmosphere.
Then, under the direction of the mekboyz, the Ork crew sets to work renovating
the wrecks to suit Orkish requirements. The meks build thruster engines for the
hulks so that they can be directed instead of just being left to drift on the space
currents. Most Space Hulk fleets relentlessly cruise through space without
much ability to manoeuver. The rest of the Ork fleet - the smaller, faster, and
more manoeuverable vessels - must fight around them, operating as escorts.

The next most important type of spaceship used by the Orks is the tribute
ship. These ships are built by slave races according to simple but practical
designs and are armed with limited weaponry. Some of these ships are based
on ancient designs devised by the engineer or navigator castes of subjugated
worlds. Since the Orks have located and enslaved many remote Human
worlds as well as several obscure alien civilisations, they have access to
many strange and varied kinds of tribute ships. Some of the smaller craft found
escorting an Ork fleet are made by the mekboyz themselves, according to their
designs and requirements. Consequently no two ships are alike; each craft
varies considerably in armament and capabilities. Collectively, these smaller
craft are called "Kroozers".

In space combat the Orks use a variety of strange and bizzare weapons devised
by the mekboyz. Above all, the Orks prefer to fight at close quarters using
boarding actions. These tactics have several advantages for the Orks. First, Ork
ships are crude but robust, and they can sustain a lot of damage as they close
in. Secondly, the larger ships teem with warriors, which gives them superiority
of numbers if they can get troops aboard enemy vessels. And last, the meks
have devised transporter weapons which can "shoot" bands of warriors into the
heart of an enemy vessel. Orks prefer to capture enemy ships rather than destroy
them, so they can be renovated or cannibalised by the meks.

Hope this helps.
                                                Mike Reed
Received on Thu Mar 12 1998 - 01:08:52 UTC