While quite a lot remains the same in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, some big changes have also come toDungeons & Dragonsby way of the species included in the tome or rules. And orcs are certainly no exception. From the name change to lore and traits, playing an orc is different in the 2024 sourcebook, which is overall for the better.
But what exactly has changed? How do the new orcs play versus the half-orcs of the 2014 ruleset? This guide will cover that, along with some class recommendations, what their traits are now, and the lore behind the orcs of the 2024 rules.
What Is An Orc?
Orcs follow in the footsteps of thegod who created them, Gruumsh, who was a wanderer themselves andwanted the orcs he blessed to do the same. This is reflected inthe natural skillsthat he gave them, whether they followed his teachings or not.
These heavenly giftsmade orcs determined and gave them the endurance and staminaneeded to make long treks or set off on never-ending journeys. He also threw ina dash of Darkvision, because everything is better when you can see in the dark, but we’ll get to that.
Many young orcs grow up with the storiesof heroism and strengththat excite them tofollow their ancestors' trails, counting the days until they too can set out on their own and make a name and some stories about themselves.
Orc Traits
Orcs only havethree traits, one of them beingthe aforementioned Darkvision, which many species receive. And yes, your Dungeon Master (DM) knows you can see in the dark, no reminder needed.
That means that they only gettwo traits that are all their own. But, given their powerful nature, maybe that’s okay. Their traits are as follows:
When you do so, gain temporary hit points.
Darkvision
you may see in dim light and darkness for 120 feet.
Relentless Endurance
When you would be knocked unconscious but don’t die, you’re able to instead fall to one hit point.
The first of the traits is Adrenaline Rush, which you can useas many times as your proficiency bonus allows. So, if you are at first level, you have a proficiency bonus of two, letting you use this ability twice before needing eithera long or short rest.
You activate this trait when youDash as a bonus action. Once it activates, yougain some temporary hit points. These are alsoequal to your proficiency bonus. So, using the same example of being level one again, you would gain two temporary points of health.
As your orc character levels up, and their proficiency bonus increases, thenumber of times you use thisandthe number of hit points you getwill also continue to improve.
Thenyou have Darkvision, but not just any Darkvision. This is advanced or equal to other species that gain Superior Darkvision. Most speciescan only see for 60 feetin the dark, butorcs can see twice beyond thatdistance. This makes them great fordungeon diving and exploring dark and scary placesand planes.
Last but not least, you have Relentless Endurance. When an attack doesn’t kill you but would insteaddrop you to zero hit points, you can decide to push through the attack andkeep a tight hold of one hit point, keeping you consciousand on your feet.
While you might be pressed to think of a time when you wouldn’t want to be brought back to one hit point, it still stands that thisis a powerful traitand can notjust keep you in combatbut can be enoughto turn the tide in battle.
Now for sizeand speed. You area medium-sized humanoidwhen it comes to those classifications. You also have30 feet of movement, which would be60 feet when you Dash.
Which Class Should You Consider?
Naturally, some of the best options when it comes to your class are going to be the martial ones.Barbarian, cleric, fighter, monk, paladins. You will ideally want to pick anyone whois going to be in front, charging ahead of everyone else in the fight.
However, there are some classes that get overlooked.Druid is oneof them.
Every class will bethankful to have not one buttwo traits that extend your time in combat, but a druid can take the Adrenaline Rush and Relentless Endurance and run with them.
Are you and the party in a battle to the death with whatever foes you’ve been sent to or have decided to track down? You cantransform into a creatureand havethose temporary hit points at your disposal. Then, when youDash forward to attack, you gain more temporary hit points.
Are they dealing more damage than you’re able to take? No worries. Even after youlose your beast shape, you can use your Relentless Enduranceand then Wild Shape again togetmore temporary hit points.
That could be just what you need to end a fight or, because the foe isn’t catching any breaks, it gives your teamtime to aid you with healingin any shape or form.
Druids canuse their Wild Shape ability twiceandgain additional uses based on their level, unlike other skills that are based purely on a character’s proficiency bonus.
And, with healing on the mind,any class that grants you access to healingcan make sure you stay a problem for anyone you take on. Thismakesthe paladin and cleric classes very desirable, but evenbards and rangershave a bit of healing.
It makes it so that if you’re in a bad situation,you can bail yourself outinstead of being reliant on your party members, who may be struggling themselves. So, while you may feel like brute force is all you need,having some spells or healing abilitiesin your back pocket can make you a threat to anyone who wants to try you or your allies.
Differences In The 2024 Player’s Handbook
Well,they’re called orcsin the 2024 Player’s Handbook. This is much different than inthe 2014 Player’s Handbook only focusing on half-orcs. Even in describing their link to Gruumsh, it is said that “their human blood moderates the impact of their orcish heritage.”
That’s not the only thing different about their lore. Before, it was said that these half-orcs livedin tribes and slums. It also made it outthatonly humanswere willing to accept half-orcs.
Though they are orcs, you may still roleplay them as half-orcs if you so choose.
There are some differences between traits as well. One is to Darkvision. Remember that60 feet is more standard? Well the half-orcsonly had 60 feet of Darkvisionversus the120 feet of the orcs.
Instead of Adrenaline Rush, half-orcshad Savage Attacks. This would allow you toroll one extra damage dicewhenever yourolled a critical hitagainst a foe.It was a good trait, but depending on how your dice rolls went, you maynot have been able to use it often.This makes Adrenaline Rush amuch more active trait.
The last change to traits, aside from no longer havingability score increases and learned languages, is that orcs no longer getthe Menacing trait, which gave themproficiency with Intimidation checks. This probably has a lot to dowith the lore changewhich made orcs less monstrous and more in line with the other humanoids.
