Why do half-orcs have -2 stat adjustment?

[Question]

I mean overall, they have unbalanced stat adjustment. Every other core non-la race has balanced out stat adjustment. The only thing i can figure out is that darkvision 60 ft is worth -2 stats?

 

[airwalkrr]

Probably because the designers didn't want a world full of half-orcs. Secondly, mental stats are not typically as valuable in the D&D game as the physical ones. If you build a fighter or barbarian, that -2 int and -2 cha isn't hurting you as much as that +2 str is helping you. If you build a wizard and choose a half-orc, you are asking to play a low-powered character. I have a half-orc wizard and he's lots of fun.

 

[Jdvn1]

Because physical stats are supposedly worth more than mental stats.

At least, that's the logic. Half-Orcs are a pretty weak race and many people houserule them to make them a little better.

 

[ThirdWizard]

The excuse given is that -2 Strength is balanced by -2 to two mental ability scores, 'cause Str is so powerful.

Now, if I were a conspiracist, which I'm not, and if I were to give an explaination, which I'm not saying I am, I would say (that being that if I were saying it) that they gave them -2 Int and -2 Cha because they didn't want them being a good wizard or sorcerer. But, you didn't hear that from me. I said nothing.

IMC I give them +2 Str, -2 Int, darkvision 60', weapon familiarity with the orc double axe (give that to orcs, too) and Endurance. *counts on fingers* Yep.

 

[Question]

Ive heard the exact opposite most of the times, that mental stats are more valuable, as they are the only reliable means of raising spell DC, while melee damage is affected by a lot of other things.

 

[Jdvn1]

Ive heard the exact opposite most of the times, that mental stats are more valuable, as they are the only reliable means of raising spell DC, while melee damage is affected by a lot of other things.

You'd think so, but page 173 of the DMG disagrees with you.

Many people disagree with that, so there you go.

Then again, I said that's the logic behind the Half-Orc's ability modifiers. No one said the logic wasn't flawed, just that's what it was.

 

[Stalker0]

The idea is that for the half-orc's basic niche, the big fighter, +2 str is very valuable while a -2 to both int and cha don't hurt you that badly. As others have mentioned though from most people's experience this has not panned out.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

they really do get the long shaft. I think they should get tiny bonuses like all the other races though. Like a +6 diplomacy bonus to orcs and alwayse start out Indifferent to one another, and darkvision 120, and orc weapon fimilarity with martial prof, and more orc only magic iteams.

 

[frankthedm]

The idea is that for the half-orc's basic niche, the big fighter, +2 str is very valuable while a -2 to both int and cha don't hurt you that badly. As others have mentioned though from most people's experience this has not panned out.

Oh it panned out just as wotc intended it. That is why many folks don't like it. Just like ECL, the double -2's are there to protect the other core races.

I mean overall, they have unbalanced stat adjustment. Every other core non-la race has balanced out stat adjustment. The only thing i can figure out is that darkvision 60 ft is worth -2 stats?

In a way...Many character builds that take advantage of a with +2 STR and Darkvision. If the hit was to INT, they would be too good for combative bards, melee rogues, agro sorceres and damage seeking Paladins. If the Hit was to charisma, melee rogues and light armor combatants who were willing to avoid social interaction would be signing up a lot.

The double penalty makes sure that half orcs are the anomaly they are supposed to be. Without the double penalty, half orcs would be too attractive. If you build the character to do damage, INT or CHA are not that big of a concern most of the time. At least with the doble hit, the character feels the hit at least sometimes.

Dwarves’ speed hit is the ONLY other way to get Darkvision. [going light armor means losing the benefit of heavy armor not slowing you down.]

Elves smack to the con score hurts all melee characters.

Small size means weapons and STR are not the source of your damage.

Also the double penalty ensure a half orc has to put a 13 pre mod in Intelligence or Charisma rather than a 11 in one score to gain access to True Strike.

 

[BadMojo]

they really do get the long shaft. I think they should get tiny bonuses like all the other races though. Like a +6 diplomacy bonus to orcs and alwayse start out Indifferent to one another, and darkvision 120, and orc weapon fimilarity with martial prof, and more orc only magic iteams.

I agree that Half Orcs really got The Shaft™. Sean K Reynolds has something on his site that outlines his house rules. He gives them Weapon Fam., drops the Charisma penalty and gives a -1 to Diplomacy, Gather Info and Handle Animal checks.

IMO, it's really a bummer that you can't have a Half Orc spellcaster that isn't miles behind any other playable race from 1st level. I can't even remember the last time anyone in our gaming group played a half-orc, even for fighter types.