Half-orc revisions

[Psion]

It's kinda weird. Although the half-orc arguably is relatively popular, I haven't seen that the half-elf is anymore.

Indeed. I've not seen a half elf PC in 3e that was not a translation of a 2e character.

 

[Merlion]

I agree with Eric...I think they will be reciving minor changes. I think the designers are still operating under some odd rules as to what they can and cant say and what information they can and cant give.
I am going to be disapointed if their are no changes to the half elf in 3.5. Might even write em an email or something

 

[astralpwka]

Orc blood seems to be more of a weakness than anything else.

Seinfeld moment!!!

"Orc Blood not weak! Orc Blood STRONG!!!" (Half-orc flips over D&D table, spilling Cheetos and Mountain Dew)

 

[BryonD]

It's kinda weird. Although the half-orc arguably is relatively popular, I haven't seen that the half-elf is anymore.

Exactly.

Half-orcs are popular enough as is.
Being the only race with +2 STR puts them in their own niche and they don't really need anything else.

 

[Dinkeldog]

I just merged these threads together.

Bryon, my response to your point is above, actually, as it was in the other thread.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

Exactly.

Half-orcs are popular enough as is.
Being the only race with +2 STR puts them in their own niche and they don't really need anything else.

Yes they do. Sure yeah they are popular witht he "I hit him hard" crowd. But anyone who want anything past that is severly limited if he picks 1/2 orc.

They are popular purely because there are enough people out there who do nothing but run form fight to fight. Or are happy to ignore the game until a fight comes to them. They aren't popular because they are balanced.

 

[Drakron]

Like elves are balanced?

Most min-max players and downright muchkins play elves ... why?

Because elves can be used in min-max combinations with more effectiveness that other races, even human bonus dont come close to what can be done with elves bonus.

Also I think the most popular choises are playing half-dragons and other oddities, D&D is becaming more and more playing the oddity ...

 

[Psion]

Like elves are balanced?

Most min-max players and downright muchkins play elves ... why?

If so, maybe they aren't paying too much attention to race/class abilities? I find in 3e, HUMANS are the min/max race of choice. The bonus feat is far more a min/maxer's tool of choice than a +2 dex and racial abilities that suck if you are a fighter type.

Also I think the most popular choises are playing half-dragons and other oddities, D&D is becaming more and more playing the oddity ...

Again, another trend I have just not seen. Half0dragons (more properly, "dragonbloods") are a part of my campaign setting and have been open as a character option from day 1 of my 3e campaign.

I have seen ONE half dragon in my campaign EVER.

 

[BryonD]

Yes they do. Sure yeah they are popular witht he "I hit him hard" crowd. But anyone who want anything past that is severly limited if he picks 1/2 orc.

They are popular purely because there are enough people out there who do nothing but run form fight to fight. Or are happy to ignore the game until a fight comes to them. They aren't popular because they are balanced.

???

I think you undermine your own point.

The "I hit him hard" crowd is a legitimate part of the D&D community. If the half-orc was underbalanced, they would not select this race nearly as often as they do. But, as you point out so clearly, the -2 INT and -2 CHR are not nearly as important to them as the +2 STR. So clearly, the +2 STR at least balances out the penalties. Then throw in darkvision on that. I don't think the case could be made that they are overpowered. But they are a long way from shafted.

Dinkeldog,

I will agree that they wind up being one-dimensional. But that just the way it is. I would not be adverse to adding in more flavor type stuff as long as it was very careful to not add to the overall effectiveness of the race.

But, OTOH, if you want a role-playing oppurtunity, I have a hard time seeing how it would be difficult to not find a gold mine of possibilities in just being a half-orc. It is the only standard race that has one foot in the "official enemies camp". I think people tend to look only at the mechanical definitions of the races and forget about these type of interesting elements.

 

[Gez]

If so, maybe they aren't paying too much attention to race/class abilities? I find in 3e, HUMANS are the min/max race of choice. The bonus feat is far more a min/maxer's tool of choice than a +2 dex and racial abilities that suck if you are a fighter type.

True, true... Except if you picture in subraces.

Grey elves: -2 Str +2 Dex -2 Con +2 Int, standard elven traits: Every min-maxing wizard will be one, unless playing in the Realms.
Gold elves: -2 Con +2 Int, standard elven traits: The FR equivalent of the grey elf, but with Spellcasting Prodigy as well.
Strongheart Halfling: Standard halfling traits, but bonus feat instead of +1 luck to all save: The min-max race of choice for any non-melee character concept (Str penalty, reduced speed, and smaller weapons matter nigh only for melee combat).