Review of Start Collecting Ironjawz (in Orruk Warclans)

This is a review of the Start Collecting Ironjawz box: a good starting point for an Ironjawz army but also an important step for a Big Waaagh! army, the newest allegiance in the Orruk Warclans battletome.

If you do not know anything about what a Start Collecting box is, here is a short introduction.

The Start Collecting boxes are a very convenient way to get started playing Warhammer or start a new army with a specific faction.

You will usually get at least 1 character, 1 sort of “basic unit” (many times a battleline unit) and 1 unit that is a bigger elite/monster type sort of deal.

Which models are included in the Start Collecting Ironjawz Box?

This box contains:

• 1 Warchanter
• 3 Gore-gruntas
• 10 Ardboys

1 Warchanter

The Orruk Warchanter is your inspiring hero, able to push the other Ironjawz to extreme peaks of violence.

Within an Ironjawz army he is a common sight, especially after his ability has been buffed (adding extra damage to other Ironjawz) and now that he is a key part of the semi-broken Ardfist summoning battalion.

It is unlikely you will see many Ironjawz armies without a warchanter, so getting one in the starter box is sweet.

3 Gore-gruntas

The Orruk Gore-gruntas is the heavy cavalry of the Ironjawz and extremely powerful as well. Re-styled with the new battletome, now choosing your weapon becomes more of a challenge:

Choppas for a consistent 4 attacks at 3+/3+ or Gore-hackas for 3 attacks but 2+/2+ on a charge? Their charge does also some mortal wounds to units at the end of their stampede.

With the Gore Hackas they can do some serious damage on the charge!

As a battleline of both an Ironjawz and a Big Waaagh! army, and a constant in many battalions like the Ironfist, they are a really good tool in your army. Slightly more expensive than the Boarboys in a Big Waaagh! they represent a greater threat.

10 Ardboys

The Ardboys saw their minimum size unit go down to 5. However, to be battleline in a Big Waaagh!, they have to be used in a minimum size of 10, while this restriction does not apply for Ironjawz.

Their warscroll has also been simplified (and improved!) with all weapons having now the same profile, so assemble them however you prefer, but don’t forget the drummer for that extra +2 to the charge roll and the banner!

They are the staple of your army whichever allegiance you want to use being the cheapest non-hero unit and the cheapest battleline.

These bois really recieved quite some buff in the damage department, so it is not an uncommen sight to see Ironjawz or Big Waaagh! list containing mainly Ardboys. Getting 10 in your starter box is a good start, but you will likely want more once you have seen them perform on the tabletop.

Points cost in the Start Collecting Ironjawz Box

Using the new points from the Orruk Warclans battletome:

• Warchanter is 110 points
• A unit of Gore-gruntas is 160
• Each unit of 5 Ardboys is 90 (so 180 in total).

So in total the box will yield you 450 points.

Note: this article was made prior to the December 2019 points update, so some points could have changed there.

Value of the Ironjawz box

The sum of all models as purchased directly from the GW store is 98.5£ and with a cost of the box of 60£ the discount is a good 39%.

The Arboys box contains 15 models instead of 10, so with this box you would get a unit less.

Overall verdict on the Ironjawz box

This box contains a really good value whichever allegiance you plan to use for your Orruks and you will need at least one of these boxes.

If you are collecting only the Ironjawz, this box alone represents good re-purchasability as it gives you a really useful hero, some cavalry and your infantry.

Even in a Big Waaagh! you can decide to use these models mixed with Bonesplitterz for an effective Orruk army.

The Warchanter gives you some extra points and neat abilities, most of it tied to Ironjawz only, so keep them close together.

If you want to hit and smash your way to victory this is your mandatory first step. Very good value overall and it provides you with units that you would otherwise also buy.