HeroQuest is a game of heroes and monsters. Orcs are one of the major villains of the game. There is, however, minimal variation in the standard rules and statistics for the orcs, regardless of the equipment on the miniature. There are seventeen variations of orcs that have been released, but there are only a few stat lines for the non-named adversaries. What follows is a gazetteer of orcish miniature production history, wherein you will find references for all the official HeroQuest orc miniatures spanning from 1989 through 2026. I have also included a selection of monster cards to provide you with options to use in your games.
The 2021 game system has eight orcs, two each of four versions of orc. Each sculpt is unique, with a unique weapon. There is a unifying style of armor, giving them the feel of a united group. The miniatures are cast in the traditional “army man green” color of the original 1989 release of the game.
A crowdfunded release called the Mythic Tier (2021) included a single unique enemy orc sculpt with a large war hammer and the same armor aesthetic. That release also included an orc bard intended to be used as a hero character for players. The orc bard did not maintain the same design aesthetic, and it caused quite a stir at the time because orcs were classified as “monsters.” The term “monster” has since become very loose so as to encompass humans, elves, and others.
The Mythic Tier box contained two of the green war hammer orcs and one red bard orc.
The war hammer orc was eventually rereleased in two additional expansion packs: Prophecy of Telor (2023) and The Spirit Queen’s Torment (2023). The sculpts are translucent colored plastic rather than green like the Mythic release. There are two of each of these miniatures in their respective boxes.
The orc bard was also rereleased in The Spirit Queen’s Torment, though it was reproduced with a red pearlescent treatment to the plastic.
The Mythic orc bard was just red.
The Spirit Queen’s Torment orc bard, was more than red.
The revised and expanded Against the Ogre Horde, 2024 edition, provided four more orcs of two additional sculpts. This time they were both archers, the male pointing to the left and the female pointing to the right. They maintain the same armor style as the previous villainous orcs.
A new female orc warcaster was introduced in the revised and expanded Wizards of Morcar, 2026. This miniature replaced the previous orc shaman from the Wizards of Morcar, 1991 release. It is cast in black plastic, like the original, rather than green. This helps the warcaster visually stand out on the game board among the rest of the orc hordes. The sculpt of this orc is slightly more human in appearance than the previous orcs. Additionally, it appears as though the warcaster can wear scale armor and use metal-edged weapons.
Circling back to the beginning, with the original HeroQuest 1989 release, there are four individual orc sculpts in a much more rigid and less drop-resistant plastic then the HeroQuest 2021 release. All four have the same stance and mishmash of armor. Only the weapons are different. There are three with the same sword, two with a flail, two with a giant cleaver, and one wielding a large sword with a wicked curve to the blade and a notched spine.
My players prefer to have a variety of game experiences and consistency in representation. Plus, it seemed like a terrible waste to me for there to be so many sculpts but very little variation in statistics. So, with the intent to provide fluctuating challenges and storytelling options, I have developed monster cards for use in my games.
These cards reflect my game sensibilities. I have 10 design rules I use when making HeroQuest cards.
- Every humanoid enemy that uses weapons will have a dagger in addition to their primary weapon. This allows for a cheap shot at range.
- Weapons will be listed primary / secondary on the Weapons line and primary / secondary on the Attack Dice line.
- All have the minimal Body Points and Mind Points I have assigned to a basic human. Elites, champions, and hero orcs will have more.
- Every humanoid enemy wears some sort of armor, either scavenged scraps or variations of armor types.
- Not every enemy of the same ethnic group moves the same number of squares.
- Rules that apply to hero equipment limitations also apply to the enemies. For example, full plate armor reduces movement to a maximum of six squares.
- Every sculpt has a name, and that name is representative of the orc’s position in battle.
- Cultural Accent: Orcs have cultural norms and sayings:
- Their accent reflects a mouth full of teeth and tusks. The “er” at the end of descriptive names is replaced with a soft, unstressed “uh” sound, just as it is in common American slang.
- The hard “H” sound is not pronounced, as orcs are mostly mouth breathers due to excessive teeth and tusks, and an additional lungful of breath for a single sound is wasteful.
- Multiples of a group use the same word as the singular.
- As with heroes, Attack Dice are based on the weapon in use, with a short sword being the basic hand weapon.
- The cards will be similar to, but not exact duplicates of, the regular game.
1989 Game System Release Sculpts
The following are intended to be used with the basic orcs from the 1989 release of the game.
‘og Splitta
It took time to determine that the cleaver in the image is more of a hog splitter than a basic meat cleaver. Hog splitters are large, heavy-duty blades historically used by butchers to split whole hog or cattle carcasses. As there is no real suit of armor, I have assigned scavenged scrap. This allows the miniature to take on the role of a non-military but skilled orc—orc rabble, if you will.
Slasha
The Slasha orc is armed with a sword that fits within the range of a short sword or bastard sword when compared in proportion to the large sword miniature. These swords are shorter and lighter than a broadsword. Therefore, in my game, they do not pack the punch of a broadsword. The rounded, cutlass-style blade is designed for wide sweeping slashes and for flaying hunks of meat off enemies.
Swinga
Ball-and-chain flails are always unwieldy weapons. The flail cannot distinguish friend from enemy and can be equally dangerous to both. Often seen as unstable individuals in orc society, they are given weapons that allow them to lash out with satisfying and unpredictable results. This is what passes as orc therapy. Swingas are popular for their vibrant personalities, matched only by their melancholy.
Shouta
“It’s like chaperoning orcs” is a popular saying in the realm. It means that one person is trying to organize the behavior of a mob of unruly, unresponsive, and self-absorbed individuals, for whom the idea of listening to somebody else is a waste of time. A Shouta wields a large sword, shouts orders, and knocks heads when things are not as they see fit.
2021 Game System Release Sculpts
The following are intended to be used with the orcs from the 2021 release of the game.
Basha
The Basha wields a war maul of similar length and weight to a war hammer. In battle, they are loud, boisterous maniacs willing to hit things and heroes with equal glee. When their target has stopped moving and the orc has ceased hitting it, the target is termed “Basha-full.” Basha are friendly until offended, and then they will defend themselves until the offending party is incapable of moving, breathing, or living.
Chopa
What is an orc who likes to be seen and acknowledged to do when they lack the charisma to take command? They become a Chopa, of course. The Chopa use their mighty axes to cleave through foes like a scythe through wheat. When a young orc feels fear and desires safety, they yell, “Get to the Chopa!” while running toward perceived safety.
Slamma
Unlike the boisterous and friendly Basha, the Slamma is sullen, socially awkward, and tight-lipped. Their backward thinking helps isolate them from the rest of orc society. Their frustration, rage, and anger are compressed within the social construct of orc civility, where it brews into a potent torrent of destruction. Slamma often lament the price of their war hammer.
Slasha
This is the modern take on the Slasha. Gone is the thin carving curved blade, replaced with a hook and wedge shape. This allows for slashing with both the blade and the tip. “More meat, less muscle” is the term used to describe its use. These swords leave large gashes while requiring minimal strength to wield. Poison coatings have been found on these blades that make even the shallowest cut deadly.
Shouta
After years of dealing with humans, the orcs have learned at least one thing: a bigger sword and louder voice motivate unwieldy orcs. “Long and stabby beats curved and wicked” is the adage most modern Shouta follow. There are of course adherents to the classic sword with its curved blade and notched spine, but they are dying off and the modern Shouta blame a lack of length.
Against the Ogre Horde, 2024 Sculpt
Shoota
“Not’ing says ‘I slay you’ like an arrow through the ’art.” Old orc training aphorism.
Orc Shoota understand that killing enemies at range is far preferable to close combat. They wear armor and recognize that eliminating enemies before they reach striking distance greatly improves survival. Both female and male orcs use the same gear.
I am interested in what you have to say in reference to these optional monster cards. Please feel free to let me know.
AI was one of the tools used when creating imagery for the cards.
– Dru
Dru's Den of Ill Repute 