Do you want to play as the ultimate fighting machine in your D&D group? Are you looking to create a character as wild and tough as he or she is awesome? If playing to stereotype and getting quirky with it is what you do best, you’ll love the Half-Orc Fighter.

Keep reading for our quick guide on how to roll, roleplay, and fight with your Half-Orc Fighter. 

The Half-Orc race AND the Fighter class can be found in the Player’s Handbook. Click here to pick up your own copy of The Player’s Handbook!

How to Make a Half-Orc Fighter

The first thing to know when rolling Fighter characters is the weapon or fighting style that you want to use. If you plan to become an archer, make Dexterity your highest ability score. 

However, the best fighting style for Half-Orcs is any style that uses melee weapons. Users of melee weapons need to make Strength their highest ability score. Half-Orcs have a +2 increase in this ability score, as well as a +1 in Constitution, which makes you more durable.

In the PHB, there are three martial archetypes or Fighter subclasses:

• Champion
• Battle Master
• Eldritch Knight

Your subclass may also affect how you assign your ability score numbers when you roll your character first.

If you follow the Eldritch Knight’s path, make Intelligence your highest ability score instead. For Half-Orcs, the best subclass is the Champion subclass. However, if you want to be extra versatile in battle, take the Battle Master archetype.

How to Play a Half-Orc Fighter

When in battle, keep your head on straight—literally and figuratively. Fighters work best in the front lines, trading damage with opponents. The Champion’s improved critical ability gives you an extra 5% chance to make a critical hit on a dice roll. Your Orc blood helps you deal even more extra damage when you roll critical hits. This comes from the savage attack trait of Half-Orcs.

Second Wind gives fighters a chance to regain hit points. As a Half-Orc, you also have protection from hitting 0 hit points from blows that may bring you there. This comes in the form of your Relentless Endurance trait. 

If you want to be an Eldritch Knight, add the following spells and cantrips to your repertoire:

• Minor Illusion
• Booming Blade
• Shield
• Misty Step
• Counterspell
• Haste
• Sleet Storm

You can sustain your versatility and survivability when you avoid spells that rely on single target hits and ability checks. 

How to Roleplay as a Half-Orc Fighter

Roleplaying as a Half-Orc Fighter is an interesting experience. In some campaigns, you may have to deal with more attention to your race. On other campaigns, Half-Orcs may be common as a Human or Elf, so you may have to focus on other issues, like politics.

Most people play Half-Orcs with deep, rough voices and brazen personalities. You can do the same with your version or break the mold.

Why not play a Half-Orc Fighter who grew up in nobility, and thus has a noble background? Or play one who grew up sheltered, naive, and clueless of the horrors and tragedies of the real world. Half-Orcs don’t always need to be tough and brutal.