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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nail" data-source="post: 2009731" data-attributes="member: 224">After reading over the other reviews here at ENWorld, I think I'd better throw my own 2 cp in.  I got HoHF: Half-Orcs on the strength of the previous book <a href="http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/reviews/index.php?sub=yes&where=active&reviewer=Nail&product=hhfdwa" target="_blank">HoHF: Dwarves</a>.  The others here probably did the same.  We were expecting a book filled with solid writing, original rule-work, and little in the way of "fluff".    ...And wha'd'ya know, that's what we got.   Read over what the others said, and you'll find not one reviewer that says otherwise.    This is a concise, well-crafted tool set for iconic half-orc characters.  Its not for the angst-ridden mommy-boy half-orcs that sit weeping in corners, wresting with the "monster within".  And it's not for those that need long pages of mood text to tell them how to evoke the proper orcish demeanor.  If you think about it, it's the rules of the game that form the basis for whatever yer looking for in a character -- or even for an entire orcish empire, Grummish willing -- and this book delivers that foundation, for Player and DM alike. As usual at ENWorld, several <a href="http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/reviews/index.php?sub=yes&where=active&reviewer=Psion&product=HHHO" target="_blank">earlier reviews</a> go over the structure and content of the book very thoroughly, so I won't repeat that here.  I'll just talk about what I like (and don't like).   As always, YMMV.Chapter 1:  After my first read, I was left a bit cold, to be honest.  I was thinking: "These barbarian-orcs are portrayed so ....brutally!  What about the noble savage, questing for redemption, out-cast from his half-blood brothers, and never to be accepted by those in civilized lands....."   (Can you hear the violin music playing in the background?  Yep, there it is....)  Fortunately, I gave the book a second thorough read....and I realized how brain-washed I'd become in my thinking of what it is to be a half-orc.  Page 1 in this book wiped that all away, drowned it with visions of rage, blood, and slaughter....The point is: Half-orc favored class is barbarian.  There's a reason for that.  Think about it.Chapter 2 are the feats.  I especially liked the Rage feats, such as Bull's Health and Enraged Casting.  These bring out the role-playing opportunities, while at the same time providing a solid and balanced roll-playing benefit.  The Tribal/Totem Focus feats do the same thing as a sort of "feat chain" - I'm "yoinking" that idea right away; it's excellent.  My quibbles with the feat section were Adrenal Healing and Axe Mastery.  I think Adrenal Healing might be on the weak side of things...perhaps "Fast Healing: 2"?  And perhaps the (Axe, Spear, etc) Mastery feat could be made into a template feat, rather than a separate feat for each weapon.  <shrug>Chapter 3: I was hoping for some "craft" goodies (like the Craft Weapon and Armor in HoHF<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" />warves), and I wasn't disappointed.  Of course orcs aren't going to be carefully forging mithril keen masterwork long swords.  They're gonna be churning out Shoddy-craftsmanship spears, axes, an' bows.   Fer th' raging hordes, ya know?  Can't be spending weeks just to arm and armor 'em...they've got villages to raze and people to slaughter!(Trivia note: <a href="http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=308283#post308283" target="_blank">Shubba Goat-boy</a> makes an appearance in print at last!)The "breeding" section was excellent.  Top-notch idea (synergy with "half-orc" breeding, anyone?), and the mechanics are sound and balanced.  This is likely to be an NPC use, of course, unless the PCs have extra time.Chapter 4:  This chapter has received a fair share of grief and even misunderstanding.  As it covers each possible combination of multi-class barbarian, it's got it's work cut out for it.  IMO, here are the highs and lows:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Each section briefly suggests how to arrange your attributes to maximize your benefits.  Some may be put off by this, perhaps thinking it smacks of "munchkinism".  I like it, and I don't see any problem with this sort of advice, especially for newbies.  Moreover, it's the sort of advice that's sadly lacking in Player-focused supplements.  If a designer has ideas about good combos, I want to hear about it! </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Favored of the Eye:  Wow and Ouch!  I think that needs a nudge or two down the power scale.  Perhaps retain the BAB of a cleric, and/or loose the third domain. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Moulder: Awesome, no two ways about it.  Exactly the right feel and power level. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Fervent Antagonist:  Wins "most mis-interpreted PrC" award for this book.  Y'all should give it another look-over, because it can work and make sense.  I think the biggest reason for the mis-interpretation is that we, the readers, expect the Fervent Antagonist to be Lawful Good, while the PrC itself requires neither that nor that the character be a paladin (or ex-paladin).  Look at it again, and think "in the same ball-park as Blackguard, only it doesn't have to be evil (or good)."  It's simply an orcish holy warrior. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Rest of the PrCs: right on th' mark.  Several players I know would love to play the Wyrd.  (Shubba, anyone?) The Dire Stalker and the Coal-Tongue Raver are other stand-outs.</li> </ul>Chapter 5: Roleplaying   Short and to th' point, just like barbarians should be.   What?  Need more barbarian-playing help?  Watch one of the best movies of all time: Conan the Barbarian.... Crush your enemies,See them driven before you,And hear the lamentations of their women!...<ahem>........anyway....................:Conclusion:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Production: 4 (some of the editing looked hurried, otherwise very good)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Value for the money: 5  (Compact, no wasted space or gratuitous artwork)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Art: 3 (I don't personally like the look of these half- or full blooded orcs)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Rule-Set Balance and Useability: 5  (some minor quibbles)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Cool Idea Factor: 5 (Rage Feats; Shoddy Craftsmanship; Moulder, Coal-Tongue Raver, and Wyrd PrC) Overall: 4.5  (Not perfect; but it delivers exactly what it promises.) Would I buy this product "all over again"?: Yep.</li> </ul></blockquote>

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