Silly Question on Half-Orcs

[Fester]

I can't find a reference in the half-orc description that says they are proficient with orc double axes (whereas it specifically gives weapon familiarity for dwarves and gnomes). So, I am assuming that they require the exotic weapon feat or suffer the penalties.

Is this right or have I missed something?

 

[Sejs]

Is this right or have I missed something?

You are correct - orcs and half orcs must spend a feat to use their racial weapon, even if they're a class that gives proficiency with all simple and martial.

The most often used part of the orcish double axe is the shaft, you see.

 

[Fester]

Thanks, Sejs. I figured as much, but just wanted to make sure I wasn't having a brain fart moment.

 

[Scion]

Nope, apparently wotc found that half-orcs were perfectly well balanced as is because, apparently, somewhere out ther people actually play them.

I've never actually seen one played.. mainly for the reason that when people pick a race they generally want there to be bonuses rather than hot irons and giant proding sticks to the eyes.

Something like that

 

[Hypersmurf]

I can't find a reference in the half-orc description that says they are proficient with orc double axes (whereas it specifically gives weapon familiarity for dwarves and gnomes). So, I am assuming that they require the exotic weapon feat or suffer the penalties.

Right.

To add insult to injury, there's a variant rule in the Complete Warrior where a DM gives different weapon familiarities, as long as the weapon contains the racial name...

... up to a limit of the number of weapon familiarities the race has in the PHB.

Which is, obviously, zero in the case of the half-orc

-Hyp.

 

[Hardhead]

Right.

To add insult to injury, there's a variant rule in the Complete Warrior where a DM gives different weapon familiarities, as long as the weapon contains the racial name...

... up to a limit of the number of weapon familiarities the race has in the PHB.

Which is, obviously, zero in the case of the half-orc

-Hyp.

I think h/orcs are pretty well balanced. +2 STR is very good.

 

[Scion]

I think h/orcs are pretty well balanced. +2 STR is very good.

But no where near good enough for the beating they get in every other aspect of the game (save darkvision, but then lets compare the halforc to dwarves or a second level spell or a fairly cheap magical item)

Is it nice? sure. Is it worth the pain they have to go through? no, not even close.

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

What sort of "pain" do they have to go through? I see them dish out a lot of pain, but not recieve much...

 

[Sejs]

It's an emotional pain *sniff*

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

I upgun the hell out of Half Orcs in my campaign, and add regular Orcs as a PC race, but one ability I don't give either race is familiarity with the Orc Double Axe. It's a stupid, awful weapon that will not see play at my table.