By Alan McCoy from Dungeons & Dragons: Fundamentals
How to build challenging
encounters against Orcs
Note: This has been prepared utilizing only the 5E Core Rules. The Orc can be found in the Monster Manual (pages 244-247). This guild will focus on encounters with Orcs only, the addition of Leader types to include orcs with potential character classes will of course make for an even tougher encounter.
I will be including a large section of my own notes regarding Orcs, these notes are not RAW and can be completely ignored if you choose.
Orcs are every Dungeon Master’s favorite shock troops. Tougher than Kobolds and Goblins, Strong, Tough bruisers that can stand up to some punishment and dish it out as well.
As shock troops they are only rarely found in groups that are composed of strictly Orcs. At the very least an Orog, a War Chief, or an Eye of Gruumsh will usually be found with the group. This guide will focus on Orcs found without a leader-type present.
Step 1) Let’s review what we know about the Orc.
Orcs are hulking brutes. Very High Strength, Very High Constitution, Above Average Dexterity, Very Low Intelligence. They wear hide armor and use great axes in melee.
They have ‘Aggressive’ as a bonus action which means that they can effectively DASH and still attack.
While they have some skill in intimidation, I believe that skill is reserved to bully farmers, townsfolk, merchants or other prey into either surrender or rout. Most often if an Orc sees you, they will attack probably sooner vs later.
Step 2) Determine the probable Strategy.
CHARGE!
If the orcs have the position of choice, they will begin combat between 40 and 60 feet away. They will initially be spread out as they are wise enough to know about Area of Effect spells. While not exactly coordinated, they will all charge in with a war cry.
Step 3) Determine Tactics
Orcs will start combat from 40 to 60 feet distant and use their bonus action ‘Aggressive’ to close rapidly on their targets. As noted above, they will be spread out if possible, so that not all can be hit by Area Effect spells.
This will be followed immediately by an ATTACK action from their Great-Axe. They focus their attacks on one opponent until that one falls, then move on to the next. If they need to use their ‘Aggressive’ charge again to get to the next opponent, why not.
Orcs are unlikely to expose themselves to attacks of opportunity, not by strategy, but simply because the closest visible opponent is their next target.
Orcs tend to fight to the death, preferring to die an honorable death rather than retreat or surrender.
While somewhat Stupid, if an Orc finds himself fighting multiple targets, they shift position out of at least one targets reach. If this move subjects them to opportunity attacks, that’s is a risk that must be taken.
Orcs are armed with Javelins (throwing spears). They can throw these weapons effectively and will do so at opponents that are out of range or if they can identify an obvious spellcaster that they cannot reach by charging.
Remember the Orcish point of view:
If I can hit it with my Axe… CHARGE!
What about Lairs
Orcs in a Lair are never found without a leader type of some sort. Even if the current leader has been slain, the orcs are very likely to follow the ‘plan’ he gave them for defense. Orcs detecting intrusion to their lair will rush towards the disturbance. This is from the twin desires to ‘blood their axe’ and equally powerful ‘demonstrate their courage’.
Orcs without a leader to maintain discipline are easily distract and may abandon assigned posts to ‘go to the gore’.
Now then, let’s consider the Orc MY WAY. Note: This is not a RAW, merely a considered opinion as to the way these savage humanoids would fight.
I have taken the liberty of adjusting their weaponry and tactics to better reflect the power of this race in its most brutal form. I tend to utilize Orcs as tier 2 shock troops, tier one adventurers will rarely see them in action.
As shock troops they are only rarely found in groups that are composed of strictly Orcs. At the very least an Orog, a War Chief, or an Eye of Gruumsh will usually be found with the group. This guide will focus on Orcs found without a leader-type present.
My Changes to the Orc:
Change #1 – Arms and Armor:
Orcs will capture and utilize the best possible armor they can find. While it is rare that they can find anything that will fit their body type, they will when possible acquire shields. This will increase their AC from the RAW 13 to and adjusted 15.
Utilizing a Shield will of course, take away their ability to utilize a two-handed weapon such as the Great-Axe. Martial Weaponry as the Battle-Axe, Flail, Morning Star, Longsword or Warhammer are all solid choices. If you choose to use them as tier 2 shock troops, try giving them the Dueling fighting style for a solid +2 Damage bonus.
Additionally, instead of the Javelin, I arm them with either hand axe or light hammer as throwing weapons. Javelin’s as small spears are bulky and hard to carry.
Change #2 – Tactics:
Use of a shield opens two tactics for the Orc to use.
First: when charging on their target, they will use their momentum to SHOVE with their shield and attempt to knock them prone. YES, I know this is part of the Shield Master Feat, but as it fits so well with the Orc mentality. “Knock it down and kill it”, I’ve decided it’s an appropriate part of their aggressive charge. As part of their charge, I grant orcs Advantage on the Strength check.
Knocking an opponent down is an opposed strength check which the character can resist with either the Athletics or Acrobatics skill, or a Strength or Dexterity roll if not proficient. Success means that the target is prone, (PHB Appendix A page 292) granting the attacker ‘ADVANTAGE’ on melee attacks until the target stands.
Second: Once engaged in melee, the Orc will ATTACK with his weapon and bonus attack with his shield.
Third: Should the Orc have a clear line of sight to a opponent that appears weak, or looks like a spellcaster, they will use their bonus attack to throw a weapon at it.