The Gretchin, also called Grots or Runts, are the smaller, weaker cousins of the Orks. They do the dirty work in Ork society, from cooking to looting, and they’ve carved out a sneaky niche for themselves in the 41st millennium.
What is a Gretchin?
Gretchin are a lesser Orkoid species that live alongside Orks as servants, slaves, and general dogsbodies. They’re much smaller, with runty legs and bulbous heads, but they’ve got sharp fangs and a talent for low cunning.
They’re far more numerous than Orks and rely on sharp senses (smell, hearing, low-light vision) to stay alive. Some even seem unnaturally lucky, which helps when your boss might eat you for looking at him funny.
- Also known as Grots or Runts.
- Physically similar to Orks but much smaller and weaker.
- Excellent senses and a knack for self-preservation.
- Some display a sixth sense for luck or survival.
Life in Ork society
Most Gretchin accept their lot. They serve Orks as personal servants, and in return they get scraps and a place to sleep. It’s not a great life, but it’s a life.
They’ve built their own black-market economy on the side, selling fungus-beer, roasting squigs, running bets on fights, and looting corpses. Some Gretchin tribes even strike out on their own, building small empires that mimic Ork society.
A few rebel against their masters. These Rebel Grots sometimes organise and even build war machines, though they rarely last long against a proper Waaagh!.
- Most are owned by Orks as servants.
- They run black-market businesses like fungus-beer stands and betting rings.
- Some form independent tribes or small space empires.
- Rebel Grots occasionally rise up, using their organisational skills.
Types of Gretchin
Gretchin fill all sorts of niche roles, some of them pretty weird. Cybernetic Grots get wired into Mega Armour, while Grot Servitors are turned into Imperial cyborgs. Weirdgrots are psychic, like Ork Weirdboyz, and Kommando Grots tag along on sneaky missions (often as decoys).
Then there are the Relovushonary Grots, who follow Da Red Gobbo, a legendary rebel figure. And ‘Orrible Gitz get stuck with the worst jobs in camp.
| Type | Role |
|---|---|
| Cybernetic Grot | Installed into Ork Mega Armour |
| Grot Servitor | Converted into Imperial Servitors |
| Weirdgrot | Psychic Gretchin, like Weirdboyz |
| Kommando Grot | Sneaky decoy for Kommandos |
| Relovushonary Grot | Followers of Da Red Gobbo |
| ‘Orrible Gitz | Assigned the worst jobs |
Gretchin in battle
On the tabletop, Gretchin are cheap, numerous, and surprisingly useful. They’re not tough, but they can grab objectives and screen for your bigger units. A Runtherd usually keeps them in line, cracking the whip when they get cold feet.
In the lore, Gretchin fight with grot blastas and whatever sharp objects they can find. They’re cowardly, but they’ll swarm when the odds look good. Their small size makes them easy to overlook, which is exactly how they like it.
- Cheap infantry that can hold objectives.
- Often led by a Runtherd to keep them from running.
- Armed with grot blastas and close combat weapons.
- Useful as screens or distraction units.
Key facts
- Gretchin are also called Grots or Runts.
- They’re a lesser Orkoid species, smaller and weaker than Orks.
- Most serve Orks as slaves, but some run black-market businesses.
- Types include Cybernetic Grots, Weirdgrots, and Kommando Grots.
- In battle, they’re cheap objective holders and screens.
- Rebel Grots sometimes rise up, led by figures like Da Red Gobbo.
FAQ
Are Gretchin just small Orks?
They’re a related Orkoid species, but not the same. Gretchin are smaller, weaker, and fill a servant role in Ork society. They share some biology but are distinct.
Can Gretchin be psykers?
Yes, Weirdgrots are psychic Gretchin, roughly equivalent to Ork Weirdboyz. They’re rare but do exist.
What’s a Runtherd?
A Runtherd is an Ork who manages Gretchin, often with a whip and a bad attitude. On the tabletop, they lead Gretchin units and keep them from fleeing.