Smart Orcs [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Smart Orcs [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Novem
10-21-07, 01:41 PM Are there any smart Orc races? I thought I saw one on the website, but I can't seem to find it- could someone point it out for me if it exists? I've always thought the "smart Orc" is an interesting concept.
jeff_crippen
10-21-07, 02:05 PM If memory serves me correct you can have a half orc/half dragon and you would have a smarter orc.
ff6shadow
10-21-07, 02:29 PM Races of Destiny pg. 104. The Sharakim. +2 Str, -2 Dex, +2 Int, -2 Cha. LA +1. They don't count as orcs or have orc blood or anything, but the flavor describes them as a humans cursed to be orcs.
CryoSilver
10-21-07, 02:39 PM Can't you just give orcs a 12 Intelligence and call it a day?
lord_xarallon
10-21-07, 05:15 PM Sharakim (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20041203a&page=3) are in the excerpt.
Wharin
10-22-07, 03:08 AM While not "smart" (ie. bonus to INT) in either the FRCS or Races of Faerun there are these Grey Orcs that get a wisdom bonus (but also an LA)

If you are looking for not-dumb orcs and are up for Home-Brewed races, feel free to check out my "Gothin" from my Hybrid Races list. People seem to like it, but you can judge for yourself.
Ogrebear
10-24-07, 08:54 AM In one world of mine I dropped the -2 to Int from Orcs and gave them a -2 to Dex instead to reflect them as Big and musclebound rather than dumb- they are still rash (-2 wis) and not very socialable (-2 cha) but they had no particular problems with learning.

This was a world where there where no Half Orcs, just Orcs that where civilized and some that still lived in the hills/tribes of the MM.
Goldenmaxter
10-30-07, 09:58 PM Playing a half-orc isn't about being smart, it's about being hella intimidating and crushing skulls with axes!
adamb0nd
10-30-07, 10:22 PM Seeing as I find half-orcs to be one of the most underpowered phb races, I give my players the option of gaining a +2 CON, or dropping one of the -2 in INT or CHA
Tema69
11-05-07, 12:57 PM Smart Orcs!? Hahaha... Hremm.. I mean.. Give an Orc Intelligence 9, and he's pretty smart for his kind, isn't he? And yes, racism is okay, as long as you're talking 'bout races that don't exist, right?
Ralvuimego
11-05-07, 02:44 PM I can only respond to this with a quote...

"Would it comfort you if I yelled 'Grog Smash' while you burned beneath my arcane fire?" -- Grog of the Third Eye, orc wizard.
Ogrebear
11-06-07, 08:47 AM Good quote Ralvuimego!

Problem with Orcs is that they are pigeon holed to be one thing and one thing only- the dumb barbarian. its very hardto break them out of that role without fundamentally re-writing the race. Yes they can be made scary and hard to overcome as an enermy as they are, but their role is still the same and they still suck as PC's both as full bloods and half.

The Grey Orcs (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20030301a) of Faerun are better but still never break from the stereotype. I hoped we'd see the Sharakim as the first offical Orc varient that broke the 'dumb brute' role but they are not either (being Human).

Why can't Wizards offer an Orc varient that can take its place amongst the civilized world?
Return of the Flumph
11-06-07, 02:18 PM I made a variant orc that was much more versatile and balanced. Unfortunately, it still has the intelligence penalty.
baby_kamikaize_kobold
11-06-07, 05:02 PM Smart Orcs!?! what's next a gnome with no sense of humor?

But seriously, I would just drop the int penalty its not like it would overpower the race or anything just have a reason why like maybe 1 out of 100 orcs is born with human intelligence.
Ralvuimego
11-06-07, 08:21 PM Smart Orcs!?! what's next a gnome with no sense of humor?

I had a gnome spellthief that believed that he was the reincarnation of the ancient god of banditry (Campaign setting specific). He was Lawful Evil, and yes, he had no sense of humor. :P
Return of the Flumph
11-06-07, 08:34 PM Anyway, as it is, orcs are at a net -2 stat penalty. Dropping the int penalty won't unbalance them.
Ikyotojin
11-06-07, 08:43 PM I dug out a VERY old notebook and looked up the original stats for a now retired character I had. From way back when in AD&D -

STR: 17
DEX: 13
CON: 13
INT: 10
WIS: 14
CHA: 11

The DM allowed three rolls of 3d6 per stat, keep the highest roll and in order, no swapping. Apply racial adjustments and have at it. The above stats are what I ended up with after choosing to play a half-orc. He started as a fighter and eventually became the leader because of his wisdom and the way I played him... Essentially as someone who would have been a paladin had fate given him the chance. When he was the only character in the campaign to have survived till he died of old age, had won a kingdom and even some of the other players got choked up when he died in his bed surrounded by his children and grand children, I knew he would be a part of any game I ran as a legendary figure - eventually he was elevated to godhood.

You can make a CHARACTER out of just about any race now - it's up to the player to make it memorable one. Half orc or orc or whatever - play it well and have fun with it.
PhantomMike
11-06-07, 09:07 PM There is a 3.5 version of Scro in an issue of Dragon whose number escapes me. It was in one of their "Annual Old Campaign Setting Stuff" issues. Originally from Spell Jammer, though the 3.5 update gives them racial hd and an LA.
dawnbringer
11-07-07, 07:46 AM I have a normal Orc Wizard (Conjurer) Character with 19 intelligence, 12 strength, 16 Con, 16 Dex, I think 14 Wisdom and I think 10 or 12 Charisma.
The_Shaman
11-07-07, 08:40 AM :whistle: talk about good rolls, eh?
dawnbringer
11-07-07, 08:42 AM Nah, I used to be a human, but died and got reincarnated as an orc.
Ogrebear
11-07-07, 08:42 AM There is a 3.5 version of Scro in an issue of Dragon whose number escapes me. It was in one of their "Annual Old Campaign Setting Stuff" issues. Originally from Spell Jammer, though the 3.5 update gives them racial hd and an LA.

I can't remember which Dragon that was but there are a couple of fan versions of the Scro on-line:

Spelljammer.org version (http://www.spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Scro.html)

shatteredfractine.com version (http://www.shatteredfractine.com/critters/monsters/35scro.html) and monster class build (http://www.shatteredfractine.com/races/monster-scro.html)

The Scro are defaintly more sophisticated than normal D&D Orcs - much more advanced and disciplined- in some ways more Uruk Hai than the standard MM Orc!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Novem 10-21-07, 01:41 PM	Are there any smart Orc races? I thought I saw one on the website, but I can't seem to find it- could someone point it out for me if it exists? I've always thought the "smart Orc" is an interesting concept.
jeff_crippen 10-21-07, 02:05 PM	If memory serves me correct you can have a half orc/half dragon and you would have a smarter orc.
ff6shadow 10-21-07, 02:29 PM	Races of Destiny pg. 104. The Sharakim. +2 Str, -2 Dex, +2 Int, -2 Cha. LA +1. They don't count as orcs or have orc blood or anything, but the flavor describes them as a humans cursed to be orcs.
CryoSilver 10-21-07, 02:39 PM	Can't you just give orcs a 12 Intelligence and call it a day?
lord_xarallon 10-21-07, 05:15 PM	Sharakim (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20041203a&page=3) are in the excerpt.
Wharin 10-22-07, 03:08 AM	While not "smart" (ie. bonus to INT) in either the FRCS or Races of Faerun there are these Grey Orcs that get a wisdom bonus (but also an LA) If you are looking for not-dumb orcs and are up for Home-Brewed races, feel free to check out my "Gothin" from my Hybrid Races list. People seem to like it, but you can judge for yourself.
Ogrebear 10-24-07, 08:54 AM	In one world of mine I dropped the -2 to Int from Orcs and gave them a -2 to Dex instead to reflect them as Big and musclebound rather than dumb- they are still rash (-2 wis) and not very socialable (-2 cha) but they had no particular problems with learning. This was a world where there where no Half Orcs, just Orcs that where civilized and some that still lived in the hills/tribes of the MM.
Goldenmaxter 10-30-07, 09:58 PM	Playing a half-orc isn't about being smart, it's about being hella intimidating and crushing skulls with axes!
adamb0nd 10-30-07, 10:22 PM	Seeing as I find half-orcs to be one of the most underpowered phb races, I give my players the option of gaining a +2 CON, or dropping one of the -2 in INT or CHA
Tema69 11-05-07, 12:57 PM	Smart Orcs!? Hahaha... Hremm.. I mean.. Give an Orc Intelligence 9, and he's pretty smart for his kind, isn't he? And yes, racism is okay, as long as you're talking 'bout races that don't exist, right?
Ralvuimego 11-05-07, 02:44 PM	I can only respond to this with a quote... "Would it comfort you if I yelled 'Grog Smash' while you burned beneath my arcane fire?" -- Grog of the Third Eye, orc wizard.
Ogrebear 11-06-07, 08:47 AM	Good quote Ralvuimego! Problem with Orcs is that they are pigeon holed to be one thing and one thing only- the dumb barbarian. its very hardto break them out of that role without fundamentally re-writing the race. Yes they can be made scary and hard to overcome as an enermy as they are, but their role is still the same and they still suck as PC's both as full bloods and half. The Grey Orcs (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20030301a) of Faerun are better but still never break from the stereotype. I hoped we'd see the Sharakim as the first offical Orc varient that broke the 'dumb brute' role but they are not either (being Human). Why can't Wizards offer an Orc varient that can take its place amongst the civilized world?
Return of the Flumph 11-06-07, 02:18 PM	I made a variant orc that was much more versatile and balanced. Unfortunately, it still has the intelligence penalty.
baby_kamikaize_kobold 11-06-07, 05:02 PM	Smart Orcs!?! what's next a gnome with no sense of humor? But seriously, I would just drop the int penalty its not like it would overpower the race or anything just have a reason why like maybe 1 out of 100 orcs is born with human intelligence.
Ralvuimego 11-06-07, 08:21 PM	Smart Orcs!?! what's next a gnome with no sense of humor? I had a gnome spellthief that believed that he was the reincarnation of the ancient god of banditry (Campaign setting specific). He was Lawful Evil, and yes, he had no sense of humor. :P
Return of the Flumph 11-06-07, 08:34 PM	Anyway, as it is, orcs are at a net -2 stat penalty. Dropping the int penalty won't unbalance them.
Ikyotojin 11-06-07, 08:43 PM	I dug out a VERY old notebook and looked up the original stats for a now retired character I had. From way back when in AD&D - STR: 17 DEX: 13 CON: 13 INT: 10 WIS: 14 CHA: 11 The DM allowed three rolls of 3d6 per stat, keep the highest roll and in order, no swapping. Apply racial adjustments and have at it. The above stats are what I ended up with after choosing to play a half-orc. He started as a fighter and eventually became the leader because of his wisdom and the way I played him... Essentially as someone who would have been a paladin had fate given him the chance. When he was the only character in the campaign to have survived till he died of old age, had won a kingdom and even some of the other players got choked up when he died in his bed surrounded by his children and grand children, I knew he would be a part of any game I ran as a legendary figure - eventually he was elevated to godhood. You can make a CHARACTER out of just about any race now - it's up to the player to make it memorable one. Half orc or orc or whatever - play it well and have fun with it.
PhantomMike 11-06-07, 09:07 PM	There is a 3.5 version of Scro in an issue of Dragon whose number escapes me. It was in one of their "Annual Old Campaign Setting Stuff" issues. Originally from Spell Jammer, though the 3.5 update gives them racial hd and an LA.
dawnbringer 11-07-07, 07:46 AM	I have a normal Orc Wizard (Conjurer) Character with 19 intelligence, 12 strength, 16 Con, 16 Dex, I think 14 Wisdom and I think 10 or 12 Charisma.
The_Shaman 11-07-07, 08:40 AM	:whistle: talk about good rolls, eh?
dawnbringer 11-07-07, 08:42 AM	Nah, I used to be a human, but died and got reincarnated as an orc.
Ogrebear 11-07-07, 08:42 AM	There is a 3.5 version of Scro in an issue of Dragon whose number escapes me. It was in one of their "Annual Old Campaign Setting Stuff" issues. Originally from Spell Jammer, though the 3.5 update gives them racial hd and an LA. I can't remember which Dragon that was but there are a couple of fan versions of the Scro on-line: Spelljammer.org version (http://www.spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Scro.html) shatteredfractine.com version (http://www.shatteredfractine.com/critters/monsters/35scro.html) and monster class build (http://www.shatteredfractine.com/races/monster-scro.html) The Scro are defaintly more sophisticated than normal D&D Orcs - much more advanced and disciplined- in some ways more Uruk Hai than the standard MM Orc!