Orcs as PC races [Archive] - Wizards Community

Orcs as PC races [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kelmourne
07-05-07, 01:09 PM So I was thinking of making orcs player races in my world. The thing is, MM orcs are not very flavorfull and some would argue unbalanced. If anyone has any suggestions I would be glad to use them. I was also thinking of getting rid of Half-Orcs (I just dont like them).
Anyways any suggestions would be nice.
Kursk
07-05-07, 01:21 PM They are what they are, a LA +0 monster. How are they "unbalanced"?
RobbyPants
07-05-07, 01:27 PM They're as unbalanced as any PC race with bonuses and penalties to ability scores. Players will always choose a race that is good at what they want to do, while trying to hide said race's weaknesses. Obviously, don't expect to see too many orcish casters, and do expect to see lots of orcish fighters and barbarians.

I don't think allowing orcs into your game will cause any problems. They'll seem much more potent at low levels, when that +4 Str really seems to be a big boost.

As for suggestions, I give them +2 on Intimidate checks and weapon familiarity, but that's just how I run them. I've seen all sorts of house-rules for these sorts of things.
Amaril
07-05-07, 01:48 PM I have an orc gatekeeper druid/barbarian PC in my Eberron game. Works fine as is.
AaronDireBear
07-05-07, 02:16 PM I have an orc gatekeeper druid/barbarian PC in my Eberron game. Works fine as is.

Well, thats Eberron though, where a chaotic evil half-fiend orc can be a paladin.
Kursk
07-05-07, 02:19 PM Well, thats Eberron though, where a chaotic evil half-fiend orc can be a paladin.

Um, no. In Core D&D an Orc could EASILY be a Druid/Barbarian.
Amaril
07-05-07, 02:38 PM and we're talking about game mechanics, not setting flavor.
lint trap
07-05-07, 02:50 PM Well, thats Eberron though, where a chaotic evil half-fiend orc can be a paladin.

Only if you're using the UA variant "evil" paladins. Eberron gives some flexibility with alignments and worshiped gods, but a standard paladin must still be LG.

Anyway, I think Eberron has some of the game's best flavor for orcs.
Amaril
07-05-07, 02:55 PM And the premise is that orcs are not inherently evil in Eberron, but I digress. The point still stands that orcs are a viable PC race mechanically.
SilverFoxKnows
07-05-07, 05:54 PM If you're after more flavor for the Orcs check out some third party books. They offer some more crunch, too. Lotsa goodies out there for 'em.
Ogrebear
07-06-07, 08:33 AM So I was thinking of making orcs player races in my world. The thing is, MM orcs are not very flavorfull and some would argue unbalanced. If anyone has any suggestions I would be glad to use them. I was also thinking of getting rid of Half-Orcs (I just dont like them).
Anyways any suggestions would be nice.

I would ask the question of what sort of world do you want your Orcs to live in?

Civilization like the 'standard phb' races? Wilds like the Elves? At the edge of what's liveable like in MM canon?

Also what is their role in the world? Barbarian raiders? Gladiators? Mercenaries? Normal folks who happen to be green but accepted? Any of the above like any other race?

Until you decide what the Orcs role will be you can't look at changing their flavour.
pres_man
07-06-07, 12:27 PM I give all orcs simple weapon proficiencies (it says this in the text of the orc in the MM, but not in the racial characteristics) and they can treat the orc double-axe as martial instead of exotic. That is all I do, they are still a very playable race, in fact I had an orc ranger/fighter/barbarian that could drop most big opponents in a single charge/power attack. They don't make super hot casters, but still half-orcs don't make great arcane casters, that hasn't stopped some interested souls from playing them.
RobbyPants
07-06-07, 12:34 PM I give all orcs simple weapon proficiencies (it says this in the text of the orc in the MM, but not in the racial characteristics)
Is this because they're orcs, or because the orc listed in the stat block is a level 1 warrior? I think the simiple weapon proficiency rule is supposed to be used for creatures with racial hit dice, and no class levels (but I could be wrong).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kelmourne 07-05-07, 01:09 PM	So I was thinking of making orcs player races in my world. The thing is, MM orcs are not very flavorfull and some would argue unbalanced. If anyone has any suggestions I would be glad to use them. I was also thinking of getting rid of Half-Orcs (I just dont like them). Anyways any suggestions would be nice.
Kursk 07-05-07, 01:21 PM	They are what they are, a LA +0 monster. How are they "unbalanced"?
RobbyPants 07-05-07, 01:27 PM	They're as unbalanced as any PC race with bonuses and penalties to ability scores. Players will always choose a race that is good at what they want to do, while trying to hide said race's weaknesses. Obviously, don't expect to see too many orcish casters, and do expect to see lots of orcish fighters and barbarians. I don't think allowing orcs into your game will cause any problems. They'll seem much more potent at low levels, when that +4 Str really seems to be a big boost. As for suggestions, I give them +2 on Intimidate checks and weapon familiarity, but that's just how I run them. I've seen all sorts of house-rules for these sorts of things.
Amaril 07-05-07, 01:48 PM	I have an orc gatekeeper druid/barbarian PC in my Eberron game. Works fine as is.
AaronDireBear 07-05-07, 02:16 PM	I have an orc gatekeeper druid/barbarian PC in my Eberron game. Works fine as is. Well, thats Eberron though, where a chaotic evil half-fiend orc can be a paladin.
Kursk 07-05-07, 02:19 PM	Well, thats Eberron though, where a chaotic evil half-fiend orc can be a paladin. Um, no. In Core D&D an Orc could EASILY be a Druid/Barbarian.
Amaril 07-05-07, 02:38 PM	and we're talking about game mechanics, not setting flavor.
lint trap 07-05-07, 02:50 PM	Well, thats Eberron though, where a chaotic evil half-fiend orc can be a paladin. Only if you're using the UA variant "evil" paladins. Eberron gives some flexibility with alignments and worshiped gods, but a standard paladin must still be LG. Anyway, I think Eberron has some of the game's best flavor for orcs.
Amaril 07-05-07, 02:55 PM	And the premise is that orcs are not inherently evil in Eberron, but I digress. The point still stands that orcs are a viable PC race mechanically.
SilverFoxKnows 07-05-07, 05:54 PM	If you're after more flavor for the Orcs check out some third party books. They offer some more crunch, too. Lotsa goodies out there for 'em.
Ogrebear 07-06-07, 08:33 AM	So I was thinking of making orcs player races in my world. The thing is, MM orcs are not very flavorfull and some would argue unbalanced. If anyone has any suggestions I would be glad to use them. I was also thinking of getting rid of Half-Orcs (I just dont like them). Anyways any suggestions would be nice. I would ask the question of what sort of world do you want your Orcs to live in? Civilization like the 'standard phb' races? Wilds like the Elves? At the edge of what's liveable like in MM canon? Also what is their role in the world? Barbarian raiders? Gladiators? Mercenaries? Normal folks who happen to be green but accepted? Any of the above like any other race? Until you decide what the Orcs role will be you can't look at changing their flavour.
pres_man 07-06-07, 12:27 PM	I give all orcs simple weapon proficiencies (it says this in the text of the orc in the MM, but not in the racial characteristics) and they can treat the orc double-axe as martial instead of exotic. That is all I do, they are still a very playable race, in fact I had an orc ranger/fighter/barbarian that could drop most big opponents in a single charge/power attack. They don't make super hot casters, but still half-orcs don't make great arcane casters, that hasn't stopped some interested souls from playing them.
RobbyPants 07-06-07, 12:34 PM	I give all orcs simple weapon proficiencies (it says this in the text of the orc in the MM, but not in the racial characteristics) Is this because they're orcs, or because the orc listed in the stat block is a level 1 warrior? I think the simiple weapon proficiency rule is supposed to be used for creatures with racial hit dice, and no class levels (but I could be wrong).