How does a 'Warlord' turn into a 'Duke of Ork'? How do I prevent it from turning into one?

I've been fighting against an enemy identified as a 'Warlord'. While fighting him, I noticed that he turns into a 'Duke of Ork'. He also appeared to deal and absorb more damage as a Duke of Ork:

Duke of Ork

This is in Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM).

My questions:

  • What types of enemies turn into a Duke of Ork? Also, do they revert back?
  • How does a Warlord turn into a Duke of Ork?
  • What changes when a Warlord turns into a Duke of Ork? (Any new attacks, behavior changes, etc?)
  • Any tips or strategies on how to prevent a Warlord from turning into a Duke of Ork? In UVHM, my Psycho character can't seem to prevent it from leveling up even though I keep shooting it with my shotgun or ranged Buzz Axe Rampage.
  • Any tips or strategies on fighting a Duke of Ork? (If I'm unable to prevent a Warlord from turning into a Duke of Ork)
    • Any particular weapons that seem to work better than others?
    • Any characters that are better than others at killing one?
    • Are they more susceptible to one kind of elemental damage more than another?

When a Warlord Grug/Turge levels up five times, it becomes a Duke of Ork. When you are not actively attacking them, they can do a sort of battle cry which levels them up. As you can see, the Duke is very high level and can dish out a considerable amount of damage with his giant axe/hammer. When you see a Warlord, take him down quickly!

There is a unique version called Warlord Slog. After leveling five times in the same manner, he will become the King of Orks.

Note: This Kotaku article mentions a leveling Badass Orc Warlord as well, but does not specifically say it can become a Duke of Ork as it does with Warlords Grug and Turge.


The best way to kill the Duke after he has reached that stage is to remove all other Orks from the equation and then find a loop to run. Slag him with grenades or weapons and use Release the Beast and Buzz Axe Bombardier in unison to throw your axes as a badass psycho mutant while keeping him at a distance whilst you run that loop.

Alternatively, in the Mines of Avarice, have him plunge at you... off the edge of a cliff.