Who here thinks that half orcs are underpowered? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Who here thinks that half orcs are underpowered? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
creyzi4zb12
02-23-07, 08:08 PM Duh, too many penalties..not so many bonuses..The only good thing these guys have is the strength boost, and compared to other bonuses of other races their bonuses are nothing, they should be nerfed if u ask me.
Valgard
02-26-07, 07:36 AM I agree. I always thought (and I still think) that half-orcs are the worst character race in the PHB. Then, a poll in the Wizards website stated that half-elf was the worst race. After that, I intended to improve both races. As humans (the common part of these races) get bonus skill points and a bonus feat, I gave to the "half-humans" one of each. In UA, a sidebar proposes to give half-elfs the bonus skill points, and so I did. Half-orcs get, then, a bonus feat, but it must be one related to physical might or endurance (such as Endurance, Power Attack, Toughness, or similar).
yarethon
02-26-07, 09:39 AM I agree. I always thought (and I still think) that half-orcs are the worst character race in the PHB. Then, a poll in the Wizards website stated that half-elf was the worst race. After that, I intended to improve both races. As humans (the common part of these races) get bonus skill points and a bonus feat, I gave to the "half-humans" one of each. In UA, a sidebar proposes to give half-elfs the bonus skill points, and so I did. Half-orcs get, then, a bonus feat, but it must be one related to physical might or endurance (such as Endurance, Power Attack, Toughness, or similar).

I don1t think they are underpowered, but your solution seems to be a good one.
bayke
02-26-07, 11:34 AM I gave half-elves the human bonus skill points. Then I gave half-orcs a bonus feat from the Fighter list at 1st level, weapon familiarity with the the orcish double axe, a +2 on Survival checks, and the ability to use Strength instead of Charisma for Intimidate checks.
jamorris09
02-26-07, 04:19 PM the ability to use Strength instead of Charisma for Intimidate checks.

I like this solution. As long as your dm is alright with stuff like that I see no problem in it. My dm is extremely lenient in the character creation process. I use the unearthed arcana all the time along with 3rd party sources. I got two natural 18's for abilities with none of the other ones being under 12. My dm doesn't allow this to make the game easy he just throws encounters we shouldn't be able to survive at us. That way it evens out, last battle me (wizard) and one other guy (warlock) were left concious with no way of helping out our bard, our only healer, we made it, but barely, lol.

Back to half-orcs. There are a limited number of classes most people are going to use with half-orcs. Namely fighter, barbarian, maybe monk, and rogue or ranger if you don't mind the negatives. So while for a melee fighter I prefer con if you have a healer of some sort str is always nice for quickly finishing battles and they can lead parties with their darkvision without giving away their position.
bitter thorn
02-27-07, 12:30 AM I agree. I always thought (and I still think) that half-orcs are the worst character race in the PHB. Then, a poll in the Wizards website stated that half-elf was the worst race. After that, I intended to improve both races. As humans (the common part of these races) get bonus skill points and a bonus feat, I gave to the "half-humans" one of each. In UA, a sidebar proposes to give half-elfs the bonus skill points, and so I did. Half-orcs get, then, a bonus feat, but it must be one related to physical might or endurance (such as Endurance, Power Attack, Toughness, or similar).

I think half orcs do get short changed, so I like this solution.
BadCatMan
02-27-07, 12:58 AM I saw a good one on the boards once that I quite liked and once adopted myself (no-one used it): half-orcs get -2 to any two ability scores. Like -2 Int and -2 Wis, but normal Cha. Any combination they like. They keep the orcish mental deficiency, but aren't overly barred from any particular occupation like a human.

I also gave a free +2 to sets of skills, and let half-elves change theirs.

And +1 racial bonus on saves, to half-orcs and half-elves. Because simply surviving to adulthood makes them tough and determined.

It's cheap and simple, but seems alright.
Stigger
02-27-07, 02:59 AM Not being a big believer in racial balance in the first place... I'd say they were just fine the way they were. So what if they aren't the 'best' race out there, or even a mediocre one? Life just isn't fair, so why should a game be? This is called a role-playing game for a reason...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
creyzi4zb12 02-23-07, 08:08 PM	Duh, too many penalties..not so many bonuses..The only good thing these guys have is the strength boost, and compared to other bonuses of other races their bonuses are nothing, they should be nerfed if u ask me.
Valgard 02-26-07, 07:36 AM	I agree. I always thought (and I still think) that half-orcs are the worst character race in the PHB. Then, a poll in the Wizards website stated that half-elf was the worst race. After that, I intended to improve both races. As humans (the common part of these races) get bonus skill points and a bonus feat, I gave to the "half-humans" one of each. In UA, a sidebar proposes to give half-elfs the bonus skill points, and so I did. Half-orcs get, then, a bonus feat, but it must be one related to physical might or endurance (such as Endurance, Power Attack, Toughness, or similar).
yarethon 02-26-07, 09:39 AM	I agree. I always thought (and I still think) that half-orcs are the worst character race in the PHB. Then, a poll in the Wizards website stated that half-elf was the worst race. After that, I intended to improve both races. As humans (the common part of these races) get bonus skill points and a bonus feat, I gave to the "half-humans" one of each. In UA, a sidebar proposes to give half-elfs the bonus skill points, and so I did. Half-orcs get, then, a bonus feat, but it must be one related to physical might or endurance (such as Endurance, Power Attack, Toughness, or similar). I don1t think they are underpowered, but your solution seems to be a good one.
bayke 02-26-07, 11:34 AM	I gave half-elves the human bonus skill points. Then I gave half-orcs a bonus feat from the Fighter list at 1st level, weapon familiarity with the the orcish double axe, a +2 on Survival checks, and the ability to use Strength instead of Charisma for Intimidate checks.
jamorris09 02-26-07, 04:19 PM	the ability to use Strength instead of Charisma for Intimidate checks. I like this solution. As long as your dm is alright with stuff like that I see no problem in it. My dm is extremely lenient in the character creation process. I use the unearthed arcana all the time along with 3rd party sources. I got two natural 18's for abilities with none of the other ones being under 12. My dm doesn't allow this to make the game easy he just throws encounters we shouldn't be able to survive at us. That way it evens out, last battle me (wizard) and one other guy (warlock) were left concious with no way of helping out our bard, our only healer, we made it, but barely, lol. Back to half-orcs. There are a limited number of classes most people are going to use with half-orcs. Namely fighter, barbarian, maybe monk, and rogue or ranger if you don't mind the negatives. So while for a melee fighter I prefer con if you have a healer of some sort str is always nice for quickly finishing battles and they can lead parties with their darkvision without giving away their position.
bitter thorn 02-27-07, 12:30 AM	I agree. I always thought (and I still think) that half-orcs are the worst character race in the PHB. Then, a poll in the Wizards website stated that half-elf was the worst race. After that, I intended to improve both races. As humans (the common part of these races) get bonus skill points and a bonus feat, I gave to the "half-humans" one of each. In UA, a sidebar proposes to give half-elfs the bonus skill points, and so I did. Half-orcs get, then, a bonus feat, but it must be one related to physical might or endurance (such as Endurance, Power Attack, Toughness, or similar). I think half orcs do get short changed, so I like this solution.
BadCatMan 02-27-07, 12:58 AM	I saw a good one on the boards once that I quite liked and once adopted myself (no-one used it): half-orcs get -2 to any two ability scores. Like -2 Int and -2 Wis, but normal Cha. Any combination they like. They keep the orcish mental deficiency, but aren't overly barred from any particular occupation like a human. I also gave a free +2 to sets of skills, and let half-elves change theirs. And +1 racial bonus on saves, to half-orcs and half-elves. Because simply surviving to adulthood makes them tough and determined. It's cheap and simple, but seems alright.
Stigger 02-27-07, 02:59 AM	Not being a big believer in racial balance in the first place... I'd say they were just fine the way they were. So what if they aren't the 'best' race out there, or even a mediocre one? Life just isn't fair, so why should a game be? This is called a role-playing game for a reason...