Orc warriors are seasoned and versatile fighters. They are typically efficient and deadly warriors capable of using most anything as a weapon and being fairly proficient with it. Orc warriors, and to a greater degree Orc Ragers, form the core orc troops. Orcs that are able to control their bestial rage typically become warriors.
Characteristics: The orc warrior is very adept at using a large variety of weapons and is very formidable when charging.
It is rare for an orc to keep the same weapon for long. Normally the weapons they use are found on the corpses of their dead opponents. Orcs are not well known for keeping care of their weapons and commonly use them for tools and other uses that the weapons are not designed for. Weapons in the hands of orcs typically do not last long and often the orcs just switch weapons for the sake of change or experimentation in looking for the best weapon that hurts their enemies the most.
Orcs usually charge at their enemies as a display that they do not fear their opponent and also to cause them greater harm. When engaging in mass combat a vast field of charging orcs can greatly affect the morale of their enemies.
As the orcs' access to armor is usually quite poor, and often limited to the damaged spoils of war, they have learned how to best maximize their defensive capability in light and medium armor. By moving either with the blow or often straight into it, orc warriors are able to deflect a lot of the weapon's momentum off their armor thereby reducing its damage dealing capability.
Alignment: Orc warriors may be of any appropriate alignment.
Religion: Orc warriors typically follow Gruumsh and Ilneval and to a lesser degree, Bahgtru.
Background: Most orcs that grow up within the clan and show fighting prowess become Orc Ragers. Some orcs just can't summon a great bestial rage (probably because they are always in an enraged state) and others find that they are less formidable when they are raging. These orcs typically become orc warriors. They learn that anything they find can be used as an effective weapon. Within the clan they are deemed as equals to ragers.
Races: Almost all warriors are orcs. A few half-orcs who have been raised with orcs have become warriors.
Other Classes: Being part of the core orc troops, Orc warriors get along well with Orc Ragers and Orc Brawlers. Orc warriors are leery of Orc Scouts and neither like them or dislike them - some warriors who don't use missile weapons think scouts are cowardly for hiding in the shadows and not fighting their opponents face to face. Divine magic is not feared, but is not fully trusted. Warriors do not understand divine magic and its relation to the deities and spirits, and for that reason they do not cause any grief to Orc Shamans or Orc Spirit Talkers. Although the magic of the Orc Bangers is not understood, the brawlers often enjoy the beats of the banger's war drums and enjoy their rhythmic and magical effects they emanate. Orc Casters are feared as their magical abilities are not understood. Warriors stay away from casters. Warriors generally dislike any arcane spells being cast on them, even if it is a beneficial spell. Wizards of any race are also feared. Orc warriors will either completely avoid a wizard, or will charge straight to them in the hopes of killing them before they have a chance to cast a spell at the warrior.
Game Rule Information
Orc warriors have the following game statistics:
Abilities: Strength and Constitution are the most important attributes for the warrior allowing him to deal considerable damage and be able to withstand several blows. Dexterity can also be beneficial in helping the warrior to avoid blows.
Alignment: any
Hit Die: d10
Class Skills
The warrior's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are: Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Str or Cha), Jump (Str), Ride (Dex) and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at 1st Level: 2 + Int modifier) X 4.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the orc warrior:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Warriors are proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with all medium and light armor and shields.
Aside from the Weapon Group Specialization abilities, an orc warrior does have access to the Weapon Specialization, Greater Weapon Specialization and Greater Weapon Focus, Fighter feats for specific weapons. For pre-requisites treat the orc warrior's level equal to the Fighter level requirements.
Level |
Attack
Bonus |
Fort.
Save |
Ref.
Save |
Will
Save |
Deflection
Bonus |
Special |
|
| 1 |
+1 |
+2 |
+0 |
+0 |
+0 |
Bonus Feat, Non-Proficiency Bonus +1 |
| 2 |
+2 |
+3 |
+0 |
+0 |
+1 |
Weapon Group Specialization, Power Attack |
| 3 |
+3 |
+3 |
+1 |
+1 |
+1 |
|
| 4 |
+4 |
+4 |
+1 |
+1 |
+2 |
Orcish Charge: Reckless Charge |
| 5 |
+5 |
+4 |
+1 |
+1 |
+2 |
Bonus Feat, Non-Proficiency Bonus +2 |
| 6 |
+6/+1 |
+5 |
+2 |
+2 |
+2 |
Weapon Group Specialization, Brute Force +1 |
| 7 |
+7/+2 |
+5 |
+2 |
+2 |
+3 |
|
| 8 |
+8/+3 |
+6 |
+2 |
+2 |
+3 |
Orcish Charge: Bull Charge |
| 9 |
+9/+4 |
+6 |
+3 |
+3 |
+3 |
Bonus Feat, Non-Proficiency Bonus +3 |
| 10 |
+10/+5 |
+7 |
+3 |
+3 |
+3 |
Weapon Group Specialization |
| 11 |
+11/+6/+1 |
+7 |
+3 |
+3 |
+4 |
|
| 12 |
+12/+7/+2 |
+8 |
+4 |
+4 |
+4 |
Orcish Charge: Enraged Charge, Brute Force +2 |
| 13 |
+13/+8/+3 |
+8 |
+4 |
+4 |
+4 |
Bonus Feat, Non-Proficiency Bonus +4 |
| 14 |
+14/+9/+4 |
+9 |
+4 |
+4 |
+4 |
Weapon Group Specialization |
| 15 |
+15/+10/+5 |
+9 |
+5 |
+5 |
+4 |
|
| 16 |
+16/+11/+6/+1 |
+10 |
+5 |
+5 |
+5 |
Orcish Charge: Stunning Charge |
| 17 |
+17/+12/+7/+2 |
+10 |
+5 |
+5 |
+5 |
Bonus Feat |
| 18 |
+18/+13/+8/+3 |
+11 |
+6 |
+6 |
+5 |
Weapon Group Specialization, Brute Force +3 |
| 19 |
+19/+14/+9/+4 |
+11 |
+6 |
+6 |
+5 |
|
| 20 |
+20/+15/+10/+5 |
+12 |
+6 |
+6 |
+5 |
Orcish Charge: Swift Charge |
|
|
Bonus Feat: At first level and every fourth level thereafter the warrior gains a bonus feat which must be chosen from a combat-related feat.
Non-Proficiency Bonus: Orcs warriors commonly use many different weapons looted from a varied host of cultures. With this ability the warrior is able to reduce the non-weapon proficiency he would suffer from using a weapon he is not familiar with.
Normally when a character uses a weapon they are not proficient with they suffer a -4 penalty to their attack rolls. With this ability the warrior gains an additional bonus to offset the non-proficiency penalty. As warriors start out with proficiency in all simple and martial weapons, this bonus only applies to exotic weapons. (ie a 1st level warrior using a dwarven waraxe would be subject to the -4 non-proficiency penalty and gain a +1 bonus from his Non-Proficiency Bonus resulting in only a -3 penalty to his attack rolls.) The bonus for this ability increases every four levels until the warrior reaches level thirteen at which time he suffers no weapon non-proficiency penalties.
Deflection Bonus: Orcs are tough and hardy beasts and have learnt how absorb and deflect many blows off their armor that would normally cause them damage. To gain this benefit the orc warrior must be wearing light or medium armor - the warrior does not gain this benefit while wearing no armor or heavy armor.
Weapon Group Specialization: As the orc warrior progresses, his skill and mastery over a variety of weapons also increases.
At second level the orc warrior may select one group of weapons which he is very proficient with and gains the Weapon Focus feat for each weapon in the group. The weapon groups he may select from are: Simple Light Melee Weapons, Simple One-Handed Melee Weapons, Simple Two-Handed Melee Weapons, Martial Light Weapons, Martial One-Handed Melee Weapons, and Martial Two-Handed Melee Weapons.
At sixth level the orc warrior gains the Weapon Specialization feat for each weapon in the weapon group he chose at second level.
At tenth level the orc warrior gains the Greater Weapon Focus feat for each weapon in the weapon group he previously chose (his primary group), and additionally gains the Weapon Focus feat in a second broad group of weapons.
At fourteenth level the orc warrior gains the Weapon Specialization feat for his secondary group of weapons.
At eighteenth level the orc warrior gains the Greater Weapon Focus feat for all the weapons in his secondary weapon group and gains the Weapon Focus feat in a third broad group of weapons.
Orcish Charges: The orc warrior has learnt how to focus a great deal of his strength and power into a swift and deadly charge. As the orc warrior progresses in levels he gains additional abilities to make a more vicious and effective charge against his opponents. An orc warrior only gains the benefits of the Orcish Charge when charging on foot and when wearing no armor, light armor or medium armor. The orc warrior can combine one or more types of Orcish Charges into a single charge attack. All Orcish Charges use the charge combat mechanics as detailed in the Combat section of the Player's Handbook -- specifically all charges allow a +2 attack bonus and confer a -2 penalty to AC.
Orcish Charge - Reckless Charge: At fourth level the orc warrior learns how to make a fast and powerful charge albeit somewhat reckless. When charging the orc gains +10 to his base movement, -2 AC penalty and doubles any damage bonus he allots with the Power Attack feat. Charging with a two-handed weapon is exceptionally reckless and adds an additional -2 penalty to his AC and allows his opponent to make an attack of opportunity - however the orc warrior's damage bonus allotted from the Power Attack feat is tripled.
Orcish Charge - Bull Charge: At eighth level the orc warrior learns how to slam himself into an opponent rendering the opponent partially stunned. When using this ability the orc warrior gains all the benefits of the Improved Bull Rush feat. On a successful bull rush, the opponent must make a fortitude difficulty check versus 10 + ½ the orc warrior's level + the orc warrior's strength modifier. On a successful save nothing further happens. On a failed save the opponent is partially stunned and may only make a standard action.
Orcish Charge - Enraged Charge: At tenth level the orc warrior learns how to focus his rage into a mighty attack. The orc warrior enters a quick rage which only lasts long enough for the charge. In an enraged charge the warrior gains a +4 bonus to his Strength and suffers a -2 AC penalty. An enraged charge is somewhat draining and therefore the warrior can only perform an enraged charged as many times in a day equal to his Constitution bonus. If the warrior's Constitution bonus is equal to or less than zero then he can only perform this once a day.
Orcish Charge - Stunning Charge: At sixteenth level the orc warrior can slam himself into an opponent with a chance to fully stun him. Similar to the Bull Charge the opponent must make a successful fortitude save or be stunned for 1 round. The stunned opponent can't act, looses any Dexterity bonus to AC, and takes a -2 penalty to AC.
Swift Charge - Enraged Charge: At twentieth level the orc warrior has learnt how to make a lightning quick charge against his opponent. When performing a Swift Charge the orc warrior gains +20 to his base movement, +4 to his initiative round (only when using Swift Charge), and may make an additional attack at his second highest attack bonus. Additionally, the orc warrior suffers a -2 AC penalty.
Brute Force: At sixth level, and every six levels after the orc warrior's powerful and brutal attacks are nearly magical in nature. The warrior may damage creatures normally only struck by magical weapons if the orc warrior's Brute Force bonus sufficiently defeats the opponent's resistance requirement. The Brute Force bonus does not provide any additional bonus to hit or damage rolls. (i.e. A 6th level orc warrior may strike a creature normally only struck with a +1 magical weapon due to their damage reduction ability.)
The orc warrior is based off the fighter class. By removing the bonus feat the fighter obtained every 2nd level and replacing it with the warrior's vast specialization and charging bonuses, the class appears to be balanced. (revised March 29, 2004).
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