MekBoyz are a fascinating and essential part of Ork society in Warhammer 40,000. These Orks are the inventors, engineers, and tinkerers of the greenskin race, driven by an innate, almost instinctual understanding of machinery and technology. This natural aptitude for creating and fixing things is as much a part of them as their lust for battle, making them pivotal figures within any Ork Waaagh!
MekBoyz, or “Meks” for short, are responsible for building and maintaining the wild assortment of wargear, vehicles, and weapons that Ork warbands use to wreak havoc across the galaxy. From the massive, clanking Battlewagons and the roaring Dakkajets to the fearsome Stompas and Killa Kans, much of the Orks’ battlefield hardware comes from the workshops and scrapyards of the MekBoyz.
What sets MekBoyz apart from other Orks is their combination of creativity and lunacy. They are constantly experimenting, cobbling together new contraptions from whatever bits of scrap and battlefield debris they can find. Ork technology, as devised by the Meks, is notoriously unreliable—often held together by sheer belief as much as by actual engineering principles. This “Waaagh! energy” is a unique aspect of Ork society, where if enough Orks believe something should work, it often does, defying logic and reason.
MekBoyz are often seen leading teams of Gretchin (or Grots), who serve as assistants, ammo carriers, or, more often than not, expendable test subjects for their latest inventions. The relationship between a Mek and his Gretchin helpers is one of mutual mistrust, with the Grots knowing that their MekBoss might order them to do something exceedingly dangerous at any moment.
In battle, MekBoyz not only maintain and repair vehicles but also take to the field with their custom-built weapons and gadgets. A Mek might wield a Shokk Attack Gun, which teleports volatile Snotlings through the warp directly into the enemy ranks, or a Kustom Mega-Blasta, a powerful but unstable energy weapon. They often ride into battle on vehicles of their own design, sometimes sporting wild contraptions like Deff Dreads or Grot tanks.
MekBoyz also serve as de facto leaders in Ork society when it comes to all things mechanical. They work closely with other Ork specialists, like Painboyz, who handle biological modifications, and Weirdboyz, who channel psychic energy. Together, they form the backbone of the Ork war machine, ensuring that the Boyz are always ready for a good scrap.
In summary, MekBoyz are the mad inventors of the Ork world, embodying the chaotic creativity and brutal efficiency that defines the Ork race in Warhammer 40,000. Without them, the Orks’ relentless wars of conquest across the stars would grind to a halt, making them both indispensable and highly respected within Ork culture.