Half-orc revisions

[Dinkeldog]

I'm kind of curious what altenrate universe survey they were looking at that said half elves and half orcs were really popular and half orcs were powerful.

I'd be wondering what they did to correct inadequacies of those races in that alternate universe, too.

As it is, I've seen probably a fair share of half-orcs, but they're the most one-dimensional of the races. All of the half-orcs I've seen in play have most of their levels in barbarian, whereas I've seen dwarves that weren't fighters at all, elves that weren't wizards at all, and gnomes that weren't illusionists.

I don't think I've seen a single half-elf in play. Every PC I've started making as a half-elf got revised to a human before play began.

 

[Wolfspider]

From the latest wizard Q&A on D&D3.5:

"Q: Is anything being done to half-orcs and half-elves?

A: Many of the races in the Player's Handbook received minor changes, but both half-orcs and half-elves are extremely popular as PCs. If we changed them significantly (particularly the half-orc, which is a very powerful and popular PC race) we would do a disservice to fans of those races and the revision."

In other words, half-orcs will still be shafted.

 

[EricNoah]

I bet they get some sort of "weapon familiarity" though. Not that this will assist in the "unshafting" of half-orcs, probably all races except humans and maybe half-elves will get some sort of familiarity...

 

[Vaxalon]

Half-orcs can take the Double-axe as a martial weapon in 3.5

 

[Wolfspider]

Is it just me, or does the answer to the half-orc question that I quoted seem a little facetious? I'm sure they're very aware of the complaints that have been made concerning half-orcs. I'm sure no fan of half-orcs would raise a ruckus if they all got Scent or if there was some other positive addition made to the race.

 

[Desdichado]

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

 

[Joseph Elric Smith]

when did half orcs get shafted? if they where truly so under powered I don;t think they would be near as popular.
ken

 

[Shard O'Glase]

That sums it up. 1/2 elves don't exist, and 1/2 orcs are played when all you want to do is hit somethng with your sword.(-2 int just destroys flexibility not only in skils but in combat feats as well) Oh yeah and let us not forget the look at me i'm a great roleplayer I can play a 1/2 orc wizard group.

 

[astralpwka]

I'm just happy that I will soon be able to defend carrying that double axe without the exotic weapon proficiency.

To my game group: "Ha Ha!" (mimic Simsons laugh)

 

[Wolfspider]

when did half orcs get shafted? if they where truly so under powered I don;t think they would be near as popular.
ken

I don't think that power has anything to do with popularity. If that were true, everyone would be playing gnomes.

Half-orcs are kewl because they're big and strong and mean and tough and so forth. But they really don't match up to the other races in terms of abilities. Their +2 to Strength is balanced out by their penalties, and they get nothing else except darkvision. Orc blood seems to be more of a weakness than anything else.