Best Builds for a Half-Orc

[Seven Sons of Sin]

Half-orcs are probably the worst mechanical race (in my opinion). You get +2 Strength, sure but also -2 Intelligence (a real killer) and -2 Charisma.

You also have zero supplementary abilities (besides darkvision) and are stuck with Favoured Class: Barbarian (also the worst base class), which messes up mutliclassing and your xp income.

So, out of curiousity, are there builds that favour (if only a little) half-orcs? Are there builds that a half-orc will just be awful at?

Is there "optimal" combinations to capitalize on that +2 Strength, but avoid the -2 Int/Cha? Having Wis unscathed certainly leads to the idea of monks and clerics.

[Scurvy Cur]

Off the top of my head, monk is a reasonably good choice for half orcs, so long as you are willing to buy up to 12 intelligence (and gift to 14). Monks get by reasonably well without the feat you lose for being non-human, and a majority monk gifted to 14 int can cover the core monk skills (tumble, discipline, hide, ms) comfortably, with enough left over to grab utility skills, such as lore and enough UMD on a rogue dump to handle wands.

The same argument can be made for favored souls, except in this case, you would be buying charisma to 12 at creation, gifting to 14, and aiming for a build that blends 10-13 or so favored soul for permabuffs with principally fighter and weaponmaster. Since 14 charisma is reachable without an insane investment on a half-orc, and you won't need more than 14-15 charisma for the build, the limitation isn't too crippling.

Warlock also gets an honorable mention here, not because half-orcs are actually good at being warlocks, but because warlocks in general, and fiendlocks in particular, are pretty indifferent to stat spread, so long as you get yourself to 16 charisma, a reasonable dexterity score, and a heap of constitution.

When it comes to builds to avoid, avoid anything that relies on int or cha as a primary (not secondary or tertiary) stat. It's alright to get enough charisma to run a FvS or lock, but you don't want to go paladin or sorc (str-based blackguard might work, though). Additionally, avoid any character that is going to be feat or skill starved. You will get 2 fewer skills than a human of comparable stat distribution, and miss out on one feat. On some builds this isn't a huge issue, on others, it can be crippling.

[Mayonnaise]

There are lots of builds that can work for Half-Orcs. With lower Charisma and Intelligence, but higher strength, you will probably benefit from a heavy bruiser build. My favorite character so far on Arelith has been a strength based Rogue/Fighter.

Heavy damage, average stealth, and fair versatility. It has clear weaknesses, though. Those being Undead, High detect foes, and high DC spells. It's saves aren't great at all. However, with proper gear and Spellcraft multiclassing you can do well.

That being said, there are a multitude of builds and ways to play many classes. So, pick from a combination of classes that will benefit from high strength, and won't be hit too hard by Charisma or Intellgience penalties.

Other things off the top of my head that may be fun..

Cleric Fighters
CoT Barb Bard (Saves/DR tank)
Fighter PM Bard
Fighter Rogue

Whatever you to with, game on! Good luck.

[Yellena]

Pure barbarian.
18 starting STR, +2 gift, +2 race, +4 from Level Up, +12 Items/Buffs: 38 STR
17 starting CON, +2 gift, +3 from Level Up, +12 Items/Buffs: 22 CON
Barbarian DR: 6/-
Epic DR III: 9/-
Final: 15/-

4 Fighter Levels post Epic:
1) Epic Weapon Focus
2) Epic Prowess
4) Epic Weapon Specialization

Terrifying Rage when you can.

Big manly two handed weapon.
Base DMG +21 (STR) +6 (EWS) +6(Damask) = Base DMG+33


*runs away*
(traditional 5min build)

[Jagel]

Half-orcs make decent druids. 10 int should be enough to get the essential skills, cha is unimportant and you can get the same wis as other races.

Plus a strength of 16+ is pretty useful. Carrying capacity, melee damge and such. High wis and zen archery makes for good ranged ab and when things close in you whack them with a large hammer or flail. Get a flanking companion to shred 'em from behind.

On top barb is a useful multiclass dip for druids:
- discipline, taunt
- martial weapons (hammertime!)
- uncanny dodge (very useful when shapeshifting into forms with high dex)
- 10% speed increase
- extra hp
- full bab
- when and if the barb update happens, rage might be useful