5e: Half-Orc or Orc?

Willie the Duck · April 19, 2018, 02:55:06 PM

If that's how you want to justify it.

HappyDaze · April 19, 2018, 10:29:59 PM

I'm going to use the Half-Orc stats, and I may just have some fun and keep on calling them half-orcs despite them being pureblooded since, in their own eyes, the only "full orcs" are Gruumsh, Luthic, Shargaas, Ilneval, Baghtru, and Yurtrus.

Warboss Squee · April 20, 2018, 08:35:41 AM

Quote from: Willie the Duck;1035034I'm not Squee, but I'll take a crack at it.

Other than the same stats (minus the full orc's Int penalty, which can be rendered mostly irrelevant unless playing a wizard), same skill bonus, same dark vision, same languages, and same speed, orcs and half-orcs have a few things--half-orcs have a bonus damage on crits and an ability to ignore the first 'drop due to 0 hp' that occurs to them in a day, while orcs have powerful build and a bonus-action move. The half-orcs are fairly all-around useful for any combat-seeking role (the crit bonus benefits crit-fisher builds like reckless attacking barbarians or champion fighters, but anyone who is attacking will see the benefit, and the second effect is all-around useful). The orcs abilities are both pretty situational (powerful build effects encumbrance on a race that already has a strength bonus, and the second ability is like a rogues dash... except that it doesn't negate OAs, and you can only advance with it).

Pretty much nailed it.

None of the Volo races are better than the core races, just different. But two are actually worse.

Then again, the Aasimar in Xanth's are nuts, so qc might be slipping.

Gorilla_Zod · April 20, 2018, 03:35:45 PM

Late to the party, but I'd definitely go half-orc or go home. Also I've got a re-fluffed Fallen Aasimar as a PC in my 5e game and it's stupid. Not a session goes by where I dont threaten to turn it into race-as-class.

HappyDaze · April 20, 2018, 06:34:49 PM

Quote from: Warboss Squee;1035200Pretty much nailed it.

None of the Volo races are better than the core races, just different. But two are actually worse.

Then again, the Aasimar in Xanth's are nuts, so qc might be slipping.

Isn't the Aasimar also in Volo's?

Warboss Squee · April 20, 2018, 07:12:08 PM

Quote from: HappyDaze;1035271Isn't the Aasimar also in Volo's?

Can't remember tbh.

RPGPundit · April 23, 2018, 04:42:03 AM

Orcs.

Patrick · April 23, 2018, 09:31:58 PM

Aasimar are on pg 104 of Volos.

Krimson · April 24, 2018, 12:20:37 AM

Quote from: HappyDaze;1035271Isn't the Aasimar also in Volo's?

The Aasimar in Volo's have subraces,