A mystery race ?

[Irda Ranger]

It's very likely 4e orcs won't be daylight sensitive.

Why do you say that?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Why do you say that?

Kobolds and orcs frequently work together. He knows a kobold who knows a goblin who knows an orc.

 

[Belorin]

How about Firbolgs from MMII? They're a large race.

Bel

 

[Monkey Boy]

To quit picking on Orcs, specifically, I just think that the monstrous/enemy races need to stay that way. No PC orcs, goblins, kobolds, or even drow*.
Half-orcs, sure...it's not their fault they were born they way. But I think half-orcs are out because they didn't offer much. Tieflings I like...they are unique to D&D and should fit the bill for people who want to play the outcast or someone with a dark past or personality.

As for the rest of them, let the monsters be monsters!

*Just because I suspect drow is the mystery race doesn't mean I want it to be.

Reaper Steve, I would like to hear what you suggest for the big strong THOG SMASH style race. I think this is a very strong archetype that is popular amongst players. I think WOTC would be doing themselves a diservice by not catering to that play style with a suitable race.

 

[Lurks-no-More]

I see a full orc as a possibility, especially if WotC is redoing them a bit. (Such as dropping the light sensitivity; the 3.* orcs aren't Tolkien's orcs. Goblins for Snaga-hai and hobgoblins for Uruk-hai are a much better match.)

Goliaths are another possibility; I don't know too much about them, but what I can recall, they were pretty well balanced.

Hmmm... how about half-ogres, for that matter? They seem to be fairly popular, and are archetypal big bruiser race?

 

[Baby Samurai]

I'm really hoping it isn't orc, for the same reason I'm disappointed halflings are still around – too directly Tolkien.

Just like I don't want Haruchai and Melniboneans in the PHB etc.

 

[Baby Samurai]

Hmmm... how about half-ogres, for that matter?

Yeah, I think half-ogres or half-giants would make a good "Hulk Smash!" race for the PHB.

 

[GSHamster]

After reading all the responses, I think I would love to see a Dragonlance-style Minotaur as a standard race. Honorable, warriors, sailors. They fit the big brute archetype, but they're more than that. They're also very different from the other races that will be in the PHB.

Plus, Kaz (from The Legend of Huma) has always been a favorite character of mine.

 

[StarFyre]

minos!!!

seeing how Minotaurs are a core race in Dragonlance since 2nd edition (early 90s), I would love to see them in 4E. It's certainly not copying WoW, since Dragonlance, an official D&D setting, did it before them

Sanjay

 

[Wormwood]

After reading all the responses, I think I would love to see a Dragonlance-style Minotaur as a standard race. Honorable, warriors, sailors. They fit the big brute archetype, but they're more than that. They're also very different from the other races that will be in the PHB.

Plus, Kaz (from The Legend of Huma) has always been a favorite character of mine.

I hadn't considered minotaurs at all. They would be PERFECT as a brute race (once mechanically balanced), without all that Tolkien baggage associated with orcs.

Great idea!