The Kult of Speed Detachment is a high-octane subfaction within the Orks army in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, renowned for its obsession with speed, noise, and raw mechanical chaos. Focused entirely on mobility and aggressive tactics, this detachment brings a different flavor of warfare to the tabletop, turning every engagement into a furious chase of roaring engines and blaring dakka. Whether you’re new to Orks or looking to build a unique, thematic army list, the Kult of Speed offers a fast-paced playstyle that rewards risk-taking, reckless charges, and relentless pressure on your enemies.
What Is the Kult of Speed?
The Kult of Speed is a specialized detachment for Ork armies that centers around fast attack units, vehicles, and bikes. In Warhammer 40K lore, these Orks are completely devoted to the thrill of movement. They believe that going faster is not only fun it makes them stronger, luckier, and closer to their gods. On the tabletop, this translates into a list that focuses on rapid deployment, speed-based stratagems, and heavy firepower mounted on fast-moving units.
This detachment often favors units like Warbikers, Deffkoptas, Warbuggies, and anything else that has wheels, treads, or jet engines. Infantry is usually kept to a minimum, with emphasis placed on maximizing the impact of each movement phase. If you like the idea of hitting your opponent before they can react and keeping them on the back foot then the Kult of Speed is the right choice for your Waaagh!
Core Units of a Kult of Speed Detachment
Building a Kult of Speed detachment means focusing on units that move fast, hit hard, and can reposition quickly. Here are the core units most commonly seen in a successful Kult of Speed army list:
Warbikers
These fast-moving Orks ride into battle with twin dakka guns and brutal melee potential. Warbikers benefit greatly from speed-focused stratagems and can contest objectives or harass enemy lines effectively.
Deffkoptas
Flying jet-powered machines piloted by crazed Orks, Deffkoptas offer flexibility, ranged support, and solid mobility. Their high movement makes them excellent for flanking and deep strikes.
Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy
This unique buggy unit delivers high-explosive squig bombs from a distance. It brings fun and destructive power, perfect for eliminating infantry squads or lightly armored vehicles.
Shokkjump Dragsta
A staple of Kult of Speed lists, the Shokkjump Dragsta can teleport short distances via shokk fields, allowing it to bypass terrain and enemy screens. It’s a precision tool for taking out key targets.
Warboss on Warbike
The ideal HQ for a Kult of Speed army. Fast, brutal, and equipped with strong melee options, the Warboss on Warbike synergizes well with nearby biker and buggy units, boosting their effectiveness in both melee and morale.
Wazbom Blastajet
This flying gunship adds aerial firepower to your detachment, giving you access to more devastating ranged attacks and additional movement tactics.
Detachment Rules and Army Composition
The Kult of Speed detachment comes with special rules that enhance the performance of your units. These rules typically provide bonuses when advancing, charging, or using certain fast-attack strategies. The goal is to keep moving, keep attacking, and never let the opponent catch their breath.
Army Composition Tips
- Maximize Fast Attack slots. These are your bread and butter units, and Kult of Speed makes them shine.
- Bring at least one or two HQ units that boost mobility, such as the Warboss on Warbike or a Speedboss.
- Keep infantry to a minimum unless they have transport or mobility support.
- Use transports like Trukks or Battlewagons only if they contribute to the overall speed strategy.
Most players build around two or three core fast-attack units, then mix in specialty buggies and aircraft to keep their threats diverse and unpredictable. It’s less about staying in one place and more about overwhelming the enemy with high-speed threats from multiple angles.
Stratagems and Tactics
In a Kult of Speed detachment, the right stratagems can amplify your strengths and punish slower armies. These tactics are built around movement manipulation, charge boosts, and increasing your dakka efficiency. Some common stratagems that synergize well include:
- Drive-by Krumpin’: Allows a unit to shoot and then move again, perfect for hit-and-run tactics with buggies.
- Extra Gubbins: Adds special wargear to characters, such as speed boosters or custom dakka weapons.
- Red Paint Job: Increases movement and makes your units just that little bit faster (and deadlier).
- Hit ‘Em Harder: Boosts melee attacks after a charge, essential for closing the distance and cleaning up survivors.
Learning how and when to use these stratagems is key to maximizing the Kult of Speed’s full potential. You want to be unpredictable, fast, and able to shift focus quickly depending on how the battlefield evolves.
Playstyle and Game Strategy
The Kult of Speed detachment thrives on disruption. Your army won’t outlast a well-entrenched gunline in a straight shootout, but it doesn’t have to. Your strength lies in mobility, board control, and early pressure. Here’s how to approach each phase of the game:
Early Game
- Scout and advance quickly to threaten objectives and weak backlines.
- Use Deffkoptas and Warbikers to force your opponent to split their attention.
- Deploy buggies to soft targets where they can unload dakka without retaliation.
Mid Game
- Rotate units to where they’re most needed, using speed to your advantage.
- Target key threats with precision units like Shokkjump Dragstas or Wazbom Blastajets.
- Use stratagems to retreat, re-engage, or pull off surprise charges.
Late Game
- Reclaim objectives using any remaining fast units.
- Pick off weakened units and isolate high-value targets.
- Disengage from hopeless fights and redeploy for secondary objectives.
It’s a game of movement and momentum if you slow down, you lose your edge. But if you keep pressing forward, most opponents won’t be able to recover from the relentless onslaught.
Pros and Cons of the Kult of Speed
Like every specialized detachment, Kult of Speed comes with both strengths and weaknesses. Knowing both helps you plan better and adapt to different matchups.
Advantages
- Exceptional mobility and board control
- High volume of firepower, especially from buggies and bikes
- Fun and dynamic playstyle with room for creativity
- Strong alpha strike potential with deep threat range
Disadvantages
- Fragile units compared to elite or armored armies
- Can struggle against heavy armor or high-invulnerable save units
- Requires careful positioning mistakes are punished quickly
- Dependent on synergy losing HQ support early is costly
Despite these drawbacks, the Kult of Speed remains one of the most enjoyable and thematic Ork detachments. It encourages bold tactics and rewards aggressive players who embrace risk and chaos.
The Kult of Speed detachment is a thrilling way to play Warhammer 40,000 for fans of the Orks faction. It’s loud, fast, and utterly relentless, turning every match into a blur of explosions, screeching tires, and roaring WAAAGH! cries. With the right unit composition, smart use of stratagems, and a willingness to charge headfirst into danger, the Kult of Speed can dominate the battlefield before your enemy even knows what hit them. Whether you’re looking to race into battle or just want to live out your wildest Mad Max-inspired army dreams, this detachment delivers raw speed and even rawer fun.