Waaagh

Waaagh! is a term used in the Warhammer universes (notably Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy) to describe both a collective warlike phenomenon and a campaign conducted by Orks. It functions as a battle cry and as a psychic-energetic state that Orks are said to generate when large numbers of them mobilize for war. The larger the Ork population and the more aggressive the mobilization, the stronger the Waaagh! is described to be, enhancing Ork fighting ability and the performance of their vehicles and technology.

As a phenomenon, Waaagh! is presented as a psychosocial and psychic effect tied to the Ork species. It is believed to synchronize Ork warfare, improve coordination in battle, and temporarily boost the ferocity and stamina of fighters. The effect is culturally framed as being fueled by Ork belief and collective aggression, rather than by conventional science, and is often cited in-game rules and fiction as influencing battlefield effectiveness during a campaign.

As a campaign, Waaagh! also designates a specific invasion or invasion-turned campaign led by a Warboss. Such campaigns are typically characterized by mass migrations of tribes, sprawling armies, and a distinctive, riotous energy that defines the invasion. Notable examples in lore include long-running orcs-led campaigns such as those associated with Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka, whose Waaagh!s are among the most famous in the setting.

Waaagh! remains a central concept in Ork culture within the Warhammer worlds, emblematic of their communal strength, exuberant violence, and the belief that numbers and enthusiasm fuel power.