D&D (2024) bring back the pig faced orcs for 6th edition, change up hobgoblins & is there a history of the design change

[el-remmen]

Hobgoblins in my current setting have an empire across the sea, and the PCs (among others) are just having first contact with them in the form of foreign mercenaries hired by their opponents. They like to use electrum pieces (foreign money!) and have a very gender segregated militant society that is mostly matriarchal.

 

[jgsugden]

It depends upon the 'origin' you're referencing. Tolkien is a foundational influence in D&D, and Tolkien's use of goblin and orc does not derive directly from folklore descriptions.

The physical appearance of a humanoid type in D&D really doesn't matter. My world is huge, so I have creatures that use the orc stats that come from very different locations, and are described very differently.

In 6E, when that comes way down the line, I would expect:

• Humanoids will be used as antagonists less often. When they are antagonists, there will be a mix of humanoids, rather than a single 'tribe' encountered.
• We'll see a few creatures moved further away from being a humanoid type. Gnolls will be demons. Orcs, elves and goblinoids may become fey creatures. Aasimar will be celestials.
• There will be a clear line that humanoids have more free will than other creature types, while non-humanoids will be bound by inherent controls - although there will be a mechanic for PCs of these types to break free from those controls. An example is the Goblinoid Curse in Matt Mercer's Tal'dorei campaign setting that are generally bound by the Curse of Strife. Note that I do not think this is necessarily a good idea - just that I think it will happen.

 

[Steve Stumpff]

Orcs have followed a very similar path as Klingons. They started as "Bad guys . .because bad guys." Now they are something more nuanced. I like the martial Hobgoblin of 5E. You can play them so darn lawful that they seem at face value to lack empathy.

 

[el-remmen]

I do have to say that one of my current groups was shocked to find the hobgoblin mercenary they slew had a portrait of her wife in locket she had tucked under her armor.

 

[Dragonsbane]

1. On Orcs- oh no. That's a thread closer.

2. On Hobgoblins- I think the idea of being organized, fearsome martial warriors - similar to Roman Legions - has become much more prevalent, and is a great hook for them.

On 1 - thankfully maybe not this time?

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

On 1 - thankfully maybe not this time?

Lucy. Charlie Brown. Football.

 

[Stormonu]

On 1 - thankfully maybe not this time?

Give it to about page 8 before the trolls )) take over.

 

[TwoSix]

Real orcs:

 

[Sacrosanct]

Not sure exactly sure when orcs were changed but I argue they should be changed back

Not gonna argue the accuracy of your claims, but there are plenty of illustrations of orcs in 1e where they are not pig faced. So it's been a while. Even if I personally prefer the pig faced ones (as mentioned upthread, because I always thought of the Star Wars Gamorreans as orcs). It's not a recent change.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Fizbang the Munificent Mage: So, uh, I traveled back in time.

Gork the Orc: Cool, man.

Fizbang: Yeah, I uh, was wandering around this keep, and got caught up in an adventure ....

Gork: Great!

Fizbang: And I ran into some of your, um, compatriots from back then ....

Gork: ................

Fizbang: They looked a little ... you know ... strange ....

Gork: .................

Fizbang: Anything you wanna tell me, Gork?

Gork: WE DON'T SPEAK ABOUT IT!