The Battlewagon is the Orks’ go-to heavy transport, a big, loud, armoured box that carries a mob of Boyz straight into the fight while laying down serious firepower. It’s the ride of choice for Nobz and Warbosses who want to arrive in style and crush everything in their path.
What is the battlewagon?
A Battlewagon is a large Ork vehicle built to carry a whole mob of Orks, plus their gear, Gretchin, Snotlings, Squigs, and anything shiny they’ve looted. It’s typically heavy, noisy, and heavily armoured, though many are open-topped.
Owning one marks an Ork as prestigious, or ‘flash’. Nobz usually own them, and Warbosses often ride with their retinue in one or more Battlewagons.
- Carries a full mob of Orks and their equipment
- Heavily armoured, but often open-topped
- A sign of status among Orks
Design and weapons
Like all Ork vehicles, Battlewagons don’t follow a standard pattern. Mekboyz start from a basic chassis they seem to know instinctively, then customize it with armour plates, flagpoles for banners, and whatever weapons they can bolt on.
Common armaments include a Kannon, Zzap Gun, Lobba, or Lifta-Droppa, plus Big Shootas, Rokkit Launchas, Deffrollas, Stikkbomb Chukkas, and Grabbin’ Claws. They’re not fast, but they’re sturdy and offer good protection for passengers, until they stick their heads out.
- Built around a basic chassis, then heavily customized
- Typical weapons: Kannon, Zzap Gun, Lobba, Lifta-Droppa
- Often fitted with Deffrollas, Big Shootas, and Rokkit Launchas
Variants
Krushas are a popular subtype, including Bonebreakas, Bonecrushas, Spleenrippas, and Gitmashers. They combine transport capacity with heavy firepower and a massive spiked Deff Rolla, making them devastating assault vehicles.
Gunwagons trade transport space for heavy artillery, becoming armoured mobile gun platforms that advance slowly while hammering the enemy. Their main drawback is the spectacular explosions when they’re hit, which Orks see as a chance to take enemies with them.
Lifta Wagons are another variant, equipped with a Lifta-Droppa to lift and drop enemy vehicles.
- Krushas: assault-focused with Deff Rollas
- Gunwagons: artillery platforms with reduced transport capacity
- Lifta Wagons: use a Lifta-Droppa to manipulate enemy vehicles
On the tabletop
In 10th edition, the Battlewagon is a dedicated transport with Toughness 10, 16 wounds, a 3+ save, and a 6+ invulnerable save. It moves 10″ and has OC 5.
Its weapons include a Big Shoota with rapid fire 2, a Kannon with frag and shell profiles, a Killkannon, and a Lobba with indirect fire. It’s tough and can carry a sizable squad, making it a solid choice for delivering Orks into the thick of it.
| M | T | SV | W | LD | OC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10″ | 10 | 3+ | 16 | 7+ | 5 |
Key facts
- The Battlewagon is a heavy Ork transport, typically carrying a full mob of Boyz.
- It’s heavily armoured but often open-topped, and usually owned by Nobz or Warbosses.
- Common weapons include Kannon, Zzap Gun, Lobba, and Deffrolla.
- Variants include Krushas, Gunwagons, and Lifta Wagons.
- In 10th edition, it has Toughness 10, 16 wounds, and a 3+ save.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a Battlewagon and a Trukk?
A Battlewagon is bigger, tougher, and carries more Orks. A Trukk is lighter, faster, and more fragile, meant for quick delivery rather than sustained brawling.
Can a Battlewagon be used as a dedicated transport?
Yes, in 10th edition it’s a dedicated transport, meaning it can be taken as part of a unit’s transport option rather than a separate slot.
What’s a Gunwagon?
A Gunwagon is a Battlewagon variant that sacrifices transport capacity for heavier artillery, turning it into a mobile gun platform.