Preferred hordes: What's your favorite evil humanoid?

[Hand of Evil]

I am shocked about the orc standing, what has happen to them to be beat out by Kobolds and goblins! Now I know why Freingi made it is Star Trek!

 

[Tonguez]

I am shocked about the orc standing, what has happen to them to be beat out by Kobolds and goblins! Now I know why Freingi made it is Star Trek!

They became Cliche?
They aren't that hard to beat?
They became civilised and PC?
The other races are just cooler?

 

[Dirigible]

Hobgobblers, all the way !
As has been said, gotta love Pozas' legionnaires.

Warhammer-esque (as opposed to D&d-equse) orc waaghs come a close second.

 

[Desdichado]

Warhammer-esque (as opposed to D&d-equse) orc waaghs come a close second.

I prefer LotR-style orcs to either Warhammer or D&D ones, but for many of the same reasons I prefer D&D hobgobblers.

I do agree that Warhammer orcs are an interesting take, though. For that matter, Warcraft orcs are pretty interesting.

 

[Li Shenron]

Well, since the poll is about evil + recurrent + masses, I use Orcs and Undead (which are not "humanoid" type, but anyway).

I agree Humans are usually the top notch villains together with outsiders, but I have never used them in "evil massive hordes" or similar, just as single powerful villains, perhaps in charge of a horde, that's why I didn't vote them.

I like other humanoid races too, but would use them sparingly, not often, except maybe the Goblins, but only on low-level play.*

Kobolds and Gnolls are ok, but most of my players are completely uninspired by them: they have a mental image from movies and books for Orcs, Undead, Goblins, but Kobs and Gnos say nothing to them at all.

*just because for my taste they are best exactly in groups (and later packs and armies) but without character levels

 

[AFGNCAAP]

Thanks for the continued response! Keep `em coming!

Man, orcs aren't yielding the numbers that I thought they would--kinda wonder why. Is it because:
* they're close to goblinoids as it is (basically a sort of bigger, tougher goblin that still is vulnerable to sunlight)?
* they've been overused before (esp. in previous editions of D&D)?
* half-orcs are a more acceptable/inticing race for players to choose since class & level restrictions have been dropped?
* they're just so cliche now?

Then again, it's very cool to see some other races (esp. gnolls) get used more.

Keep `em coming!

 

[Jeph]

I tend to run humanocentric campaigns, so I voted Humans. But my GM, Corlon, loves him his sahuagin. Even when we fireball their ships, they just swim! Ngyargh!

 

[Kesh]

Thanks for the continued response! Keep `em coming!

Man, orcs aren't yielding the numbers that I thought they would--kinda wonder why. Is it because:
* they're close to goblinoids as it is (basically a sort of bigger, tougher goblin that still is vulnerable to sunlight)?
* they've been overused before (esp. in previous editions of D&D)?
* half-orcs are a more acceptable/inticing race for players to choose since class & level restrictions have been dropped?
* they're just so cliche now?

Then again, it's very cool to see some other races (esp. gnolls) get used more.

Keep `em coming!

I was somewhat tired of the traditional racial setups given throughout the years. So, once I decided to make gnolls my primary humanoid threat.... I thought, "hey, why not get rid of orcs entirely? Maybe the gnolls wiped them out ages ago! And hobgoblins too..."

Of course, that means no half-orcs for PCs either (or H-O are a rare, dying breed, but then everyone will want to play them for the cool factor ). I might develop a 'half-gnoll', but more likely I'll just figure up a substitute race for that niche.

Goblins, kobolds and the like have basically been driven into a swampland region that the gnolls care nothing for, so they're mostly just a nuisance (occasional border raids and such)... unless you wander into their swamp. They've become quite adept with the terrain now...

 

[Rashak Mani]

Put me in the Real Orc list too... the puny orcs in MM arent anything compared to the Tolkien like ones I put in my world. Smart and organized.

 

[Templetroll]

I like Trogs. Some lizards will do a push-up like action to intimidate foes. I ncorporated this into my trogs. The unarmed trogs are the more bestial, berserker types and they will do this the first time they encounter someone. If a party member imitates the behavior one of the trogs will move forward slightly and increase the movement hissing loudly. If the character has intimidate or handle animal at a minus they may have a chance to make the trog back down. In this case any other interaction will be peaceful but unfriendly unless there were some other interaction. If they battle it will depend on the result of the battle - defeat of the trog would be peaceful but unfriendly. Defeat of the party member would be peaceful but arrogant.

Standard party reaction is usually violent against the group, so that interferes with any other interaction.