You are implying that the terminators need to huddle, they do not.
The boyz on the other hand do as shown in my diagram, if all the boys went 1 by 1 waiting for the last boy to finish dying the terminator could take on 50 boyz that way.

As it is units like boyz need to swarm units like termnators cause they cannot face them 1v1.
In the 3v9 scenario the terminators dont need to huddle at all, while if the Orks want to see the benefits of their numbers show they do.

Heck even if they huddle together like they are making out (hot steamy terminator action) the cleave still clearly benefits terminators, diagram time:

None of the boyz can physically attack more than two terminators with cleave on, whilst the termies depending on their weapon and swinging arc can hit either 3 or 4 boyz.
Also factoring in that termie hits will probably 1 shot a simple boy it is clear who dominates the advantage with cleave.
You can add more participants, make bigger diagrams, but in the end taking into factor the stronger hitting power of the terminator they will always dominate in the cleave department.
Comparatively without the cleave the terminators would simply be overwhelmed due to opposing the attack rate of X number of Orks at once (who also have a faster attack speed) whilst they could only kill a single Ork in a preset amount of time which wont in the end be enough.

I imagine trying to shoot at this mess now with ff on

The whole point is you're not meant to shoot at them with FF on you're meant to let them duke it out.

I will punch the both of you in the nuts, if you turn this into FF thread 2.0.

SO WHEN DO I GET TO SHOOT AT ANYTHING !!! (sorry Djemo, that's the last one...on my side at least )

*shakes fist in anger*

I understand your point, but the cleave mechanic just doesn't gel with me, I can't shake the feeling of that it's fake cartoony combat action.

Everything you say Djem is true and can be reversed for Nobz in Mega armour vs assault marines.

I would prefer "cleave" not to exist as an attack form but to have certain CC weapons have AoE attacks, have people choose specific CC for the job they do and the faction that they are fighting.

Well then, guess our views differ. Nothing wrong with that, we will let the powers that be decide the fate of cleave.
I hope you listened to me and posted a request to view this thread on Patricks profile.

You shoot at the dudes that aren't in the middle of a massive brawl.

That's kind of the point.

And where do I find that in EC, on my strike cruiser?