(White Dwarf #53)
A short article on Orc’s with lots of evocative John Blanche artwork to fire the imagination.
What’s it about?
Art inspires the reader and elevates RPGs. Russ Nicholson and John Blanche make White Dwarf feel so much bigger. In this article Rufus Wedderburn looks to move orcs beyond their Monster Manual depiction towards Tolkien.
The article introduces various orc types: cowardly Snaga slave-orcs, disciplined Soldier Orcs, elite Uruks, and the fearsome Olag-Hai (an orc-troll hybrid). Stats are provided for males, females, and children—except for the Olag-Hai. However, I find the stats questionable. A base movement of 15’ makes orcs faster than all player races without explanation, though this is easily adjusted. Soldier Orcs are given 2–4 HD, making them too strong for a level 1 party; they will have to fight Snaga instead.
The various breeds of orc are described, as are the types of leaders they look to, favored weapons and armor, and combat tactics. It also details clan composition, breaking down the ratios of males, females, children, and different orc types.
Is this a keeper?
Yes. Orcs are given variety and fleshed out, returning them to their Tolkien. It provides a model for expanding on a staple humanoid and keeping them credible across levels. This article helps establish orcs as a formidable force in your world—more than fodder, but a rival civilization. I'm adding it to the 'best of'.
No comments:
Post a Comment