"Half-Orc Army Thoughts" Topic

I'm thinking about half-orcs, since I'm messing around with my 15mm half-orc figures (Jacobite) again.

In a fantasy way of thinking, half-orcs are halfway between orc and men. Still savage, but with more tendency towards civilization. So half-orcs are less tribal, more settled, more stable.

Now, depending on your concept of Orcs, so go the half-orcs. If Orcs are weak and cannon fodder (as in the old D&D days), then half-orcs are less weak. If Orcs are big and strong (Warhammer?), then half-orcs are less big and strong…

OK, dumb question, but at 15mm, how distinctive is a half-orc army? Orc army… OK, lots of big, green or grey guys depending on whether you go traditional or LOTR. Human barbarian army is sort of standard fare. But does a half-orc army look different enough to justify the time and money? Wouldn't half-orcs be a part of an orc army or a human army, depending on who is taking them in; would they really have their own army? (Don't there have to be orcs and humans to even make half-orcs?) I always thought the half-orc was an interesting D&D character, but I don't know about an army of them. Just my two cents (considering that we are talking about something completely made up, and you can do whatever you please).

I would think half-orcs would be more conscious of weapons and tactics, more likely to accept discipline – so you might see a half-orc phalanx, for instance.

I see half-orcs as outcasts, most likely shunned by both parent races. I'd then see them gathering together as guerilla-type warriors, or scattered mercenary bands at best, not as well-disciplined troops.

I'm with mwindsorfw in that they were interesting in D&D but I struggle to see them as an army. Scouts for human armies, or infiltrator elements for the dark forces perhaps.

Cheers, RC.

The Jacobite 15mm line included these half-orcs that I know of:

* with hammers
* with poleaxes
* with spears
* with swords
* with axes
* command figures (one with whip, one with banner)

Yeah Bill you asked, but I don't think you are listening. Great concept as a single captain, but not an army, with the exception of Sauroman's hybrids.

A half-orc army should have 50% orcs, and 50% other races, if you ask me…

But seriously, the question you need to answer first is: how did so many half-orcs come about?

The answer to that question will tell you what the place of half-orcs is in your fantasy world.

Use some handwavium and instant botique army. Nothing wrong with that. I admit I know thing it makes an army I would not play regularly but as long as the other player(s) know how it differs from mainstream fantasy armies -and agree – then play on!

Weren't the Huns the original half-orcs being a mix of unclean spirits & gothic witches?
Anyway, I can quite easily see an half-orc army, when the conquerors intermingle with defeated people, although there will still be some pure-bloods of the various races. Historically, all you have to think of is the Norman conquest…I can quite easily see the Normans as Orcs

LOL! Huscarle, I think I need stitches in my tongue! Can I send you the bill for the urgent care visit?

Yeah Bill you asked, but I don't think you are listening. Great concept as a single captain, but not an army…

I can see them forming villages or even towns on the fringes of civilization, doing a mixture of trading and thieving.

The Jacobite range has half-orc cavalry riding big boars, very distinctive.

You can see a listing of the Jacobite half-orc figures here: link

(Don't there have to be orcs and humans to even make half-orcs?)

I suppose half-orcs could breed among themselves?

Tolkien created them as half human – half orc combined by some magical means.

They were superior to normal orcs and probably account for the Urk-hai.

TomT

Bill,I would paint those up as red skinned, blue nosed hobgoblins, never mind half orcs. Always found hobs much more interesting than half orcs. :)