Elder-Basilisk
First Post
There are a number of factors in this fight but the most important one is this:
-Does the fighter have Great Cleave?
A 5th level high strength fighter with great cleave will probably mow through 4 or 5 orcs per round--maybe 8 or 10 if they give him AoOs.
Other significant factors in the fighter's favor: Locked gauntlets, Reach Weapon+combat reflexes, Hold the Line+Combat Reflexes.
On the humanoid side, a couple orcs with nets could really make things easier for the group (even with the non-proficiency penalty, they'll probably hit).
Also worth attempting: Orcs with weapon focus: Ranseur attempting disarms en masse. Sooner or later one will succeed (actually, you'd probably only need 4 attempts--less if the fighter is using a one handed weapon or worse still, a light weapon) unless the fighter is wearing a locked gauntlet. (If the fighter is wearing armor spikes, this tactic will be somewhat mitigated as well).
Grappling is also a good tactic. The first orc will probably be cut down by the AoO but the others will be able to pile on the fighter (assuming he doesn't have combat reflexes. (In this case, armor spikes+great cleave could be useful for the figther).
Sunder is also a reasonable tactic unless the fighter has combat reflexes or a magic weapon. Orcs with glaives could avoid the AoOs making combat reflexes irrelevant but might have trouble dealing sufficient damage to hurt a metal weapon. This tactic is most effective against greataxes and similar weapons.
Trip is probably not the best idea for the orcs unless they're wielding flails or guisarms (or are barbarians). Odds are good they'll lose the opposed strength check and end up on the ground themselves (high strength fighters typically have a 16-20 strength which is better than the orc's 14).
Alternately, sooner or later, the orcs will score a crit with their greataxes. Two (one if the orc is a raging barbarian) of those will easily drop a 5th level fighter.
For disciplined humanoids, you could have two ranks--one with tower shields and light flails and a rear rank with glaives or ranseurs and nets. Have the front rank use full defense and 90% cover from the tower shields (assuming scale mail, that's AC 27--not easy to hit even for a well constructed 5th level fighter). The rear rank would then disarm the fighter. When the fighter is disarmed, the front rank would switch to no cover and destroy him with AoOs (trip option) when attempted to pick up his weapon.
A single humanoid cleric with the bless and doom spells would also be a great asset to the teaming masses of inhumanity here.
-Does the fighter have Great Cleave?
A 5th level high strength fighter with great cleave will probably mow through 4 or 5 orcs per round--maybe 8 or 10 if they give him AoOs.
Other significant factors in the fighter's favor: Locked gauntlets, Reach Weapon+combat reflexes, Hold the Line+Combat Reflexes.
On the humanoid side, a couple orcs with nets could really make things easier for the group (even with the non-proficiency penalty, they'll probably hit).
Also worth attempting: Orcs with weapon focus: Ranseur attempting disarms en masse. Sooner or later one will succeed (actually, you'd probably only need 4 attempts--less if the fighter is using a one handed weapon or worse still, a light weapon) unless the fighter is wearing a locked gauntlet. (If the fighter is wearing armor spikes, this tactic will be somewhat mitigated as well).
Grappling is also a good tactic. The first orc will probably be cut down by the AoO but the others will be able to pile on the fighter (assuming he doesn't have combat reflexes. (In this case, armor spikes+great cleave could be useful for the figther).
Sunder is also a reasonable tactic unless the fighter has combat reflexes or a magic weapon. Orcs with glaives could avoid the AoOs making combat reflexes irrelevant but might have trouble dealing sufficient damage to hurt a metal weapon. This tactic is most effective against greataxes and similar weapons.
Trip is probably not the best idea for the orcs unless they're wielding flails or guisarms (or are barbarians). Odds are good they'll lose the opposed strength check and end up on the ground themselves (high strength fighters typically have a 16-20 strength which is better than the orc's 14).
Alternately, sooner or later, the orcs will score a crit with their greataxes. Two (one if the orc is a raging barbarian) of those will easily drop a 5th level fighter.
For disciplined humanoids, you could have two ranks--one with tower shields and light flails and a rear rank with glaives or ranseurs and nets. Have the front rank use full defense and 90% cover from the tower shields (assuming scale mail, that's AC 27--not easy to hit even for a well constructed 5th level fighter). The rear rank would then disarm the fighter. When the fighter is disarmed, the front rank would switch to no cover and destroy him with AoOs (trip option) when attempted to pick up his weapon.
A single humanoid cleric with the bless and doom spells would also be a great asset to the teaming masses of inhumanity here.
