Orcs: How Important Are They?

[Corinth]

Been done, as with the goblinoids, giants, etc. so I'm not using them with the new game I'm working on now.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

As with some others, I'm not particularly into the intrinsicly evil "genocide against them is OK" races. (unless they are non-mammalian.) And if an enemy is created by evil wizards/dark gods, we've got undead for that. So my only use for Orcs in a campaign would be deconstructing their standard fantasy use and that's a little self indulgent for a good game.

 

[Fifth Element]

When I DM, I don't use orcs at all. I don't use the 'all humanoids of this species are evil' thingy.

On the other hand, I think every new D&D player's first encounter should be with orcs. It's a rite of passage.

 

[WayneLigon]

I like the idea of an all-pervasive low level enemy race that sits in general opposition to humanity, but it doesn't have to be the orc. It could be any of the goblinoid races, or something brand new. Doesn't much matter to me as long as it matches the tone of the setting.

 

[lukelightning]

I said "meh" because I think goblinoids and orcs overlap a lot. That being said, I think a D&D game needs some sort of evil brutish "cannon fodder" monster. An enemy that is clearly an enemy, that attacks in superior numbers but is lacking exotic powers.

I am sick of the whole "noble savage" character that has started to redefine orcs. They are not some noble barbarian tribe that is merely misunderstood. They are rapacious monsters who have no place for mercy, friendship, or peace.

 

[Doug McCrae]

I don't use the 'all humanoids of this species are evil' thingy.

Neither does the 3rd ed Monster Manual.

 

[Particle_Man]

on ecan get creative with them:

1) Orcs have only existed for 10 years, ever since an epic magical spell designed to make everyone in the North country "better" went awry, killing millions and leaving the rest rampaging beasts (yes, I steal from the best).

2) Unbeknownst to everyone, every time anyone in the world casts an Arcane spell, it creates an Orc, somewhere in the world. If some Orc finds out about this...

3) AFter a magical explosion, the people of York were transformed. So were the people halfway to York, but they were transformed less (Half-York) and can still function as decent beings, not that all do.

I mean, there are things that could be done to jazz them up a bit.

 

[Ed_Laprade]

I voted for the middle option, not because orcs or goblinoids are "meh" but because they largely fill the same niche -- it all depends on what flavor you want. Right now, I'm running a campaign in Erlkazar in the Realms, where orcs have been killed off hundreds of years before but goblinoids have a heavy presence. (And have thus far been the main nemesis for my PCs.) OTOH, I may soon run another campaign with orcs as the primary brutes.

I like the orcs as Klingons analogy. Continuing with that, hobgoblins are Romulans. One thing that's always bothered me about orcs, though, is that they're a different subtype than goblinoid.

I would have voted that way, but the opening Meh caused me to change it to the next one up. (Campaign staple.) But they are always around in my campaigns.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

I am sick of the whole "noble savage" character that has started to redefine orcs. They are not some noble barbarian tribe that is merely misunderstood. They are rapacious monsters who have no place for mercy, friendship, or peace.

Well, actually they are whatever a given DM makes them. If you have a place in your world for a entire race of rapacious monsters who have no place for mercy, friendship, or peace, orcs fit the bill nicely. If not you either skip orc or go the "competing, not intrinsicly evil" route.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I love Orcs, although I fancy them more like the LE 1st Edition variety, battling goblins on Acheron in their afterlife. Roger Moore's old articles really formed the basis for my Orcs.

Me too. My Orcs are LE not CE.