40 Years of Warhammer: Miniature Retrospective – Orc Shaman

How did a lowly Orc Shaman reshape the way we think of Warhammer Orcs, Orks, Orruks and all the gitz inbetween?

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Warhammer and Games Workshop is taking some time to look back at miniatures that had a big impact on their work. Today we’re going to answer that question and why the Orc Shaman Nazgob continues to be an inspiration to this day.

via Warhammer Community

“Named Nazgob, this hunchbacked malevolent magician marked a real break from the past. Previous orcs had still been green – but far less mean. Legendary Citadel sculptor Brian Nelson was part of the team that changed all that, creating hulking green beasts with a uniquely slouched anatomy and vast, gaping gobs bristling with great ivory gnashers.

There’s something else different about Nazgob too; while he wasn’t the first orc wizard, he did come to redefine how the spell-slinging devotees of Mork and Gork would come to look.”

Orc Shaman Nazgob

This humble looking Orc Shaman is the predecessor for the modern Orcs, Orruks, and Orks for Warhammer. Many of the features we associate with Warhammer Orcs come directly from this model:  “lantern-jawed brutes with huge protuberant tusks and a rowdy attitude.” Before there had been orcs with black, brown and even red skin. We see nods to those skin tones in the Hobgrots and Kruleboyz. But this model helped set the greenskin as “standard orc” moving forward.

Orc Shaman Nazgob here was accompanied in the classic Idol of Gork campaign with the Night Goblin Shaman Oddgit and a “troop of leering Orc Big ‘Uns.” Combined, these models really helped to redefine Orcs in Warhammer. Their introduction became the guide posts for the entire range and the impact has been seen for the past 25 years. Heck, even da boyz today are reminiscent of these models.

While the newer models are different from the Orc Shaman you can still see elements of the design throughout. The Kruleboyz share the hoods and rags while the Orruks still have that iconic lantern-jaw and mighty tusk-toof look! Man…now I want to see more Orcs/Orruks/Gitz using carved Dragonbones as weapons and magic items…

Conjure up a salute to the classic Orc Shaman!

Author: Adam Harrison

Writer, Editor, Texas Native, and Austinite for 15+ years, Adam covers all things Tabletop Gaming. Which includes Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, D&D, Board Games and everything else that involves dice, boards, cards and a table. A hobbyist, player, and collector of miniatures and games, Adam's current obsession are his Death Armies for Age of Sigmar, his Blood Angels and Tyranids for 40k, and his ever growing Arkham Horror: The Card Game Collection.