What's the draw of half-orcs?

[Mikaze]

Just to throw in a counterpoint to the general "They're fun because they're a bit on the dark/evil side of things" explanations, I like them for three major reasons.

1. They're underdogs. In most settings, they're going to be looked down upon. They have a ton of social stigma hanging over their heads. A bit like half-elves, yes, but which of the two do you think is going to catch the most breaks in a mostly human society? A lot of people enjoy playing characters that have those odds against them.

2. No filter. I don't assume this would be true for ALL half-orcs, but I tend to view them generally being more honest about how they feel at the moment than most races, subtlety and politeness be damned.

3. Related to the underdog bit, their appearance. Not every player race should have to be "pretty". The notion that any player options need to look pretty/cool/whatever in order to be worthwhile has grated on me for years, regardless of where it has popped up(not just in TTRPGs). Half-orcs are pretty much D&D's primary means of punching holes in that superficial idea. I'm very much not a fan of "Beauty Equals Goodness", so I loves me some half-orc heroes.



My favorite half-orc PC was played pretty much like a CG Jayne. Heart of gold, zero social graces. It was great after coming out of a Legend of the Five Rings campaign. Liberating even. It was like going commando. Wrecked my voice though.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

To the OP, Dragonhelm:

Send me your email, and I will send you a free copy of Heroes of High Favor: Half-Orcs.

It's for 3.0, but it should answer your question.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

I like (half-)orcs because they remind me of Klingons.

 

[Dragonbait]

I've never played a half-orc, but I've seen them played before. Some play them for the power the race brings. Big muscles, a gruff attitude. Granted, those that do that either don't know about things like half-ogres, or did not want to deal with level adjustments (a pain in the butt if you want to take the hits for the group..).

Some do it for the story factor. Torn between a savage world and a civilized world. They have it harder than the half-elves, who are a crossbreed of two cultures that, in generic D&D, interact often. It's hard to buy the story of a suffering half-elf if they live in a world that used the assumed setting information provided in the 3E core rules. A half-orc could play that up.

I've never seen Tolkien play in to it.

Half-orcs in 4E are kind of a new breed of creature, so I can't speak for them as of yet.

 

[Dragonhelm]

To the OP, Dragonhelm:

Send me your email, and I will send you a free copy of Heroes of High Favor: Half-Orcs.

Done! Thank you, thank you!

It's for 3.0, but it should answer your question.

Thank you so much. That will be a huge help.

 

[Riley]

What's the draw of Half-Orcs?

1) +1 STR
2) +1 CON
3) You get to be a fighter/assassin.

Truth is, I've never played a half-orc. But for a player who wants to play a rough-and-ready brawler or a tough, I've seen them be a whole lot of fun.

It doesn't really answer the question, but I love this race description from the 1e Player's Handbook, and I want to share:

Orcs are fecund and create many cross-breeds, most of the offspring of such being typically orcish. However, some one-tenth of orc-human mongrels ore sufficiently non-orcish to pass for human. Complete details of orcs and crossbreeds will be found under the heading Orc in ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS MONSTER MANUAL.​

Classic Gygax.

 

[Hereticus]

D & D What's the draw of half-orcs?

I played a Half Orc Barbarian from first to the teens in levels (3.5E). He wasn't the sharpest marble in the bag, but his wisdom gave him insight into combat strategy.


And he always had a different (often diametrically opposed) perspective to the situation than the Humans, Elves, Dwarves, or other so-called civilized races.

 

[Oni]

Because sometimes you want to be ugly, the uglier the better.

 

[EricNoah]

I played a half-orc wizard whose shorter life expectancy as compared to a human drove him work harder and be better than everyone else in the guild. I enjoyed playing the guy who looked savage, but acted aristocratic. Fun!

 

[Piratecat]

I've played the same half-orc (cleric/rogue) for over 12 years now, 2e -> 3e -> 3.5e, closing in on 300 game sessions. He is, without question, the most fun and complex character I've ever played. Gruff and obnoxious exterior, loves to lick things, full of spiritual and emotional contradictions, tusks, and a piebald tongue. Really, what's not to love?