Favored enemy and half-orcs

[RangerWickett]

Now, I'm opponent of the favored enemy mechanic in general because it's silly, but if I have favored enemy (orcs), and/or favored enemy (humans), do I gain any sort of bonus against half-orcs?

As to why I think it's silly, favored enemy (undead) gives you bonuses to damage against elf vampires and human vampires, as well as huge monstrous creatures with souls in their chests, and ghosts, and death knights. But favored enemy (humanoid) just doesn't work, because we know that the different humanoid races are so distinctive that there's no way someone skilled in fighting humans would be any good at fighting, say, elves.

:/

 

[ElvishBard]

half orcs count as orcs for all effects, so only favored enemy orc would effect it regardless of if you have favored enemy human or not. Half-elves also count as elves so only favored enemy elf will effect them.

 

[RangerWickett]

But if I hate humans, I'm out of luck? No bonus against half-humans, only half-orcs, eh? Hrm.

Thanks for the answer. I still just think the rule is silly, though.

 

[Kobold Stew]

not so silly?

Now, I'm opponent of the favored enemy mechanic in general because it's silly, but if I have favored enemy (orcs), and/or favored enemy (humans), do I gain any sort of bonus against half-orcs?

As to why I think it's silly, favored enemy (undead) gives you bonuses to damage against elf vampires and human vampires, as well as huge monstrous creatures with souls in their chests, and ghosts, and death knights. But favored enemy (humanoid) just doesn't work, because we know that the different humanoid races are so distinctive that there's no way someone skilled in fighting humans would be any good at fighting, say, elves.

:/

I'm not sure I fully get what your objection is. The game seems to say that rangers can study the anatomies of particular enemies and use it to (significant) advantage in combat. Half elves have the benefit of "elven blood" and half-orcs have "orcish blood" which might mean that they have a copper base instead of an iron one, or that orcs and half orcs have anatomies with an extra aorta, or whatever. One may wish to rid the world of humans, but all the half-humans happen to take on more of the features of the other race's anatomy than they do of ther humans, at least internally.

I see it as a mechanic of the game that, genetically, humanity breeds itself out (at least against elves and orcs). Your game can explain that any way it wants. Why are there no half-dwarves? (in the materials I know, at least)-- either because the races are sterile with each other, or (given the above) because the union always preduces a dwarf. (I'd rule the former, but the latter could elad to some interesting plot hooks).

Favoured enemy (undead) is different again because, no matter whether it is human undead or elvish undead, blood fails to flow as it once did, and severing ligaments proves to be the way to go (or whatever one imagines makes undead receive extra damage in one's game; it shouldn't be what makes living foes vulnerable--I actually quite like that feature).

Granted, favoured emenmy (undead) does represent an apparent broader range of specialization, but that is (perhaps) only because I know so little about the ecology of zombies, despite the hours of research I have put into the subject since Dawn of the dead was first released.As a DM I could rule that all undead are animated by a force field external to the creature, which when interrupted causes extra damage, and certain rangers know that technique.

Hope this helps.

Kobold Stew.

 

[dcollins]

But if I hate humans, I'm out of luck? No bonus against half-humans, only half-orcs, eh? Hrm.

But fortunately, "half-human" is not an actual game term, so that's not a situation that ever actually arises.

 

[Felix]

It's a game balance thing.

How many humanoids do you encounter in an average session?

How many undead?

The answers will probably be a) a whole lot, b) not so many. So the mechanic is adjusted so that all the options of favored enemies are relatively equal to each other. Shoot, Favored Enemy: Human gives you your bonus on Bluff, Sense Motive, Survival, etc., and PCs generally run into humans all the bloody time. So making it FE: Humaniod would basically give Rangers a Weapon Specialization feat that improves every 5 levels to every weapon they use. That ain't so cool, neither.

 

[RangerWickett]

Oh, I understand the balance reasons, but the illogic still amuses me. If you have favored enemy (animal), you can kill all manner of primates, pachyderms, porpoises, and porcupines, but if you have favored enemy (human), you just can't figure out where to stick your sword in the elf for maximum effect.

I think it's just a bad idea and should be gotten rid of.

 

[hong]

But if I hate humans, I'm out of luck? No bonus against half-humans, only half-orcs, eh? Hrm.

Oh for cripes sakes.

You!
Do!
Not!
Hate!
Your!
Favoured!
Enemy!



Ahem. 'Scuse me.

 

[Hypersmurf]

You!
Do!
Not!
Hate!
Your!
Favoured!
Enemy!

Well, more accurately, you need not hate your favoured enemy.

Your perfectly within your rights to hate your favoured enemy if you so choose, but it isn't obligatory.

Someone who hates elves might take Ranger levels just for the favoured enemy bonus, after all...

-Hyp.

 

[irdeggman]

The issue with half-human is what human type benefits do the half-X race receive as compared to the other half?

For both half-elves and half-orc the race receives far more benefits from the non-human side, and in fact only half-elves receive anything I can perceive as human (i.e., any favored class).

So what mechanically (and logically) happens is that the human half becomes the submissive gene (similar to brown versues blue eyes).