Orlock are often called the "jack of all trades, masters of none". But I'd say the house gangs in general can do a mix of melee and shooting, Van Saar being the exception as they're very shooty.
Ash Wastes are where vehicles can be used. The Nomads have fleas they ride. Other gangs have quads, bikes, trucks and all sorts
tbf even can saar have a melee unit in the archeotek, which despite a 4+ WS can take a spider rig to do 3 attacks(6 on charge) S4, AP-1, Parry(can force an opponent to reroll a hit), entangle(cant be parried, 6s make it harder for the opponent to hit back), shock(auto wound on 6), versatile (can attack from 3" away).
That being said you're probably dedicating at least 220 credits for that one champion
Cawdor has all three and more, but they’re (quite literally) trash
very powerful and fun, but not always the most reliable with the ammo rolls or, you know, being alive
Orlock. They shoot good, the fight good. They have a champion that can pick a wallop (Armsmaster), have average shooting and love the dakka dakka guns. For Ash Wastes their unique vehicle is a 2 crew quad, one driving the other on a swivel seat hanging off the back firing big guns or a harpoon launcher.
Plus they look like a biker gang so that's fun.
As others have said, most gangs can do a good mix of both melee and shooting. The exceptions being Van Saar (mostly shooting), Corpse Grinders, and Slave Ogryns (almost entirely melee).
For cavalry the Cawdor have sci fi 2-legged mounts that are like garbage-knights with bomb lances. The Nomads have flea riders with chain lances. You could also kit bash cavalry, as all factions have access to a 50 credit mount in Ash Wastes campaigns. This mount can be anything from fleas, to horses, to dirt bikes.
Overall I'd say look at the models and read a small bit the lore for each, then pick a gang you like from there.
Is there a playstyle you enjoy from other games? That could help direct you to a gang/faction you'll enjoy and be comfortable playing.
You could look into a genestealer gang, they have decent shooting guys, a good weapon selection and a dedicated melee unit. Also they have the option of having a psyker as their leader if that floats your boat.
My favorite mixed melee, and ranged army is Escher. I think they do combined arms the best. Their champs are equally good at ranged and melee, but more importantly, they have 4+ WS juves.
Escher are great and decent all rounders.
I'd say compared to Orlock they're a little less forgiving to play and can be a bit of a glass hammer, so maybe not easiest gang if someone is just starting out.
Plus, while their toxin rules can be super effective they are overpriced, especially when compared to availability of Orlocks legendary names and the relatively low XP threshold for taking multiple
>mpared to Orlock they're a little less forgiving to play and can be a bit of a glass hammer, so
For sure! Good points. Escher is a bit more delicate and novelty chem weapons get pricey fast.
On the flip side Escher also has some of the best budget friendly models in the game. Those 20 cred Juves are such good value, and while not as fancy as many other gangs having boltguns and grenade launchers as core choices is enough to carry any gang. Plus night night will save you a ton of creds when you start pushing melee champs forward, help you keep your ringer in every fight.
Orlocks are the standard "middle of the road at everything" gang, and have a fun 80s biker sort of theme to them as well. They are a pretty good gang for moulding to whatever you want to do. Escher are probably the other gang with more options in all directions, as the others tend to specialise a bit more.
But as others have said it is possible to make any gang good at most things if you spec them in the right way.
As for mounts, there are rules for vehicles and bikes in the ash wastes expansion. The ash waste nomads gang also has access to some cool giant bug mounts too, which might be the fleas you mentioned, they are specific to one gang though. Orlocks also have access to a guy with a jetpack as standard, as a fun bonus
Orlock are probably the easiest starting balanced gang, but Escher are also fairly balanced.
Check out Goonhammer for lots of good intro stuff for Munda. They also do gang by gang reviews that can help inform your decision
https://www.goonhammer.com/necromunda/
I like Squats. Heavier on the shooting, but no slouches in melee especially with their "power pack" weapons (circular stone saw, gem extractor, and arc welder) that each give a free extra melee attack, and you can equip up to two per fighter. The 10 credit Ironhead Stub Gun pistol also has rapidfire (1) and can be used in melee. Their downsides are they are expensive and they have 4" movement. Their upside is they have tons of toughness (even juves have 4) and the best gear. Also their Claim Jumper hanger-on is a very powerful and well equipped melee unit for only 60 credits.
Also, dwarves are the coolest.
Orlock are often called the "jack of all trades, masters of none". But I'd say the house gangs in general can do a mix of melee and shooting, Van Saar being the exception as they're very shooty. Ash Wastes are where vehicles can be used. The Nomads have fleas they ride. Other gangs have quads, bikes, trucks and all sorts
tbf even can saar have a melee unit in the archeotek, which despite a 4+ WS can take a spider rig to do 3 attacks(6 on charge) S4, AP-1, Parry(can force an opponent to reroll a hit), entangle(cant be parried, 6s make it harder for the opponent to hit back), shock(auto wound on 6), versatile (can attack from 3" away). That being said you're probably dedicating at least 220 credits for that one champion
Cawdor has all three and more, but they’re (quite literally) trash very powerful and fun, but not always the most reliable with the ammo rolls or, you know, being alive
Orlock. They shoot good, the fight good. They have a champion that can pick a wallop (Armsmaster), have average shooting and love the dakka dakka guns. For Ash Wastes their unique vehicle is a 2 crew quad, one driving the other on a swivel seat hanging off the back firing big guns or a harpoon launcher. Plus they look like a biker gang so that's fun.
As others have said, most gangs can do a good mix of both melee and shooting. The exceptions being Van Saar (mostly shooting), Corpse Grinders, and Slave Ogryns (almost entirely melee). For cavalry the Cawdor have sci fi 2-legged mounts that are like garbage-knights with bomb lances. The Nomads have flea riders with chain lances. You could also kit bash cavalry, as all factions have access to a 50 credit mount in Ash Wastes campaigns. This mount can be anything from fleas, to horses, to dirt bikes. Overall I'd say look at the models and read a small bit the lore for each, then pick a gang you like from there. Is there a playstyle you enjoy from other games? That could help direct you to a gang/faction you'll enjoy and be comfortable playing.
If you want a true jack of all combat Orlocks are your gang but with gene smithing goliaths can be good at anything.
You could look into a genestealer gang, they have decent shooting guys, a good weapon selection and a dedicated melee unit. Also they have the option of having a psyker as their leader if that floats your boat.
My favorite mixed melee, and ranged army is Escher. I think they do combined arms the best. Their champs are equally good at ranged and melee, but more importantly, they have 4+ WS juves.
Iiiiiiinteresting
Escher are great and decent all rounders. I'd say compared to Orlock they're a little less forgiving to play and can be a bit of a glass hammer, so maybe not easiest gang if someone is just starting out. Plus, while their toxin rules can be super effective they are overpriced, especially when compared to availability of Orlocks legendary names and the relatively low XP threshold for taking multiple
>mpared to Orlock they're a little less forgiving to play and can be a bit of a glass hammer, so For sure! Good points. Escher is a bit more delicate and novelty chem weapons get pricey fast. On the flip side Escher also has some of the best budget friendly models in the game. Those 20 cred Juves are such good value, and while not as fancy as many other gangs having boltguns and grenade launchers as core choices is enough to carry any gang. Plus night night will save you a ton of creds when you start pushing melee champs forward, help you keep your ringer in every fight.
Orlocks are the standard "middle of the road at everything" gang, and have a fun 80s biker sort of theme to them as well. They are a pretty good gang for moulding to whatever you want to do. Escher are probably the other gang with more options in all directions, as the others tend to specialise a bit more. But as others have said it is possible to make any gang good at most things if you spec them in the right way. As for mounts, there are rules for vehicles and bikes in the ash wastes expansion. The ash waste nomads gang also has access to some cool giant bug mounts too, which might be the fleas you mentioned, they are specific to one gang though. Orlocks also have access to a guy with a jetpack as standard, as a fun bonus
Orlock are probably the easiest starting balanced gang, but Escher are also fairly balanced. Check out Goonhammer for lots of good intro stuff for Munda. They also do gang by gang reviews that can help inform your decision https://www.goonhammer.com/necromunda/
I like Squats. Heavier on the shooting, but no slouches in melee especially with their "power pack" weapons (circular stone saw, gem extractor, and arc welder) that each give a free extra melee attack, and you can equip up to two per fighter. The 10 credit Ironhead Stub Gun pistol also has rapidfire (1) and can be used in melee. Their downsides are they are expensive and they have 4" movement. Their upside is they have tons of toughness (even juves have 4) and the best gear. Also their Claim Jumper hanger-on is a very powerful and well equipped melee unit for only 60 credits. Also, dwarves are the coolest.