In the tumultuous world of Baldur’s Gate 3, Half-Orcs stand out as fierce warriors, blending the brute strength of their orcish heritage with human resilience. These creatures of intense emotion are not just born fighters; they embody a unique duality, capable of unleashing devastating melee attacks while also displaying unexpected kindness. Whether you’re looking to dominate the battlefield with Savage Attacks or leverage Relentless Endurance to survive against overwhelming odds, this guide will equip you with everything you need to master the art of playing a Half-Orc in your adventures.
Half-orcs are one of two races (along with Dragonborn) added to Baldur’s Gate 3 after the game left early access. Representatives of this race are characterized by their great physical strength and useful racial traits that really make a difference. These features make Half-orcs a very interesting choice during character creation process. This page of our guide is a collection of useful information regarding this race. It will help you answer the question if a Half-orc is a good choice for you.
Racial traits and proficiencies
Half-orcs in Baldur’s Gate 3 possess unique racial traits and proficiencies that enhance their combat effectiveness and versatility. They feature Relentless Endurance, allowing them to avoid falling unconscious once per long rest when reduced to zero hit points, which is crucial in prolonged battles. Additionally, their Savage Attacks trait grants them the ability to deal extra damage on critical hits, making them formidable melee fighters. In terms of proficiencies, half-orcs are typically skilled with medium armor and various weapons, enabling them to excel in both offense and defense. These traits make half-orcs well-suited for roles that require resilience and aggressive tactics, such as tanks or front-line fighters, while also allowing for a degree of adaptability in character builds.
After leaving early access, BG3 abandoned the mechanics of adding bonuses to stats depending on race. From now on, every player can choose a bonus 1 and 2 to any statistic, regardless of race. This means that choosing a race will mainly influence the look of your character and racial features.
Base race speed: the distance you can travel in each round is 30 metres.
Darkvision: Half-orcs have good vision in dark and dim locations. Range – up to 12 m.
Relentless Endurance
In situations where a Half-orc’s HP drops to 0 and the attack doesn’t kill you, instead of entering a state of agony, the hero returns to life with 1 HP.
This trait can turn the tide of many dangerous encounters. An additional turn stemming from the fact that the hero stayed alive may open a possibility of quick healing or dealing a decisive blow to the opponent.
The skill activates one time only and is reset after a long rest.
Savage Attacks
The sheer physical force and aggressiveness of Half-orcs make them deal extra damage with each critical hit. The bonus is equal to one weapon damage dice roll.
Savage Attacks is a passive ability and activates with each critical hit with a melee weapon.
Half-orc – best class
Half-orcs in Baldur’s Gate 3 are exceptional choices for melee combat classes, primarily due to their unique racial traits that enhance both offensive and defensive capabilities. Their Relentless Endurance allows them to survive potentially fatal blows by dropping to 1 hit point instead of 0, providing a critical second chance in battle. Coupled with Savage Attacks, which grants extra damage on critical hits, half-orcs excel as Barbarians, Fighters, or Paladins. These classes leverage the half-orc’s inherent strength and resilience, making them formidable frontline warriors capable of dealing significant damage while sustaining themselves in the heat of combat. Overall, selecting a half-orc for a melee-focused build maximizes their potential and enhances gameplay experience in the rich world of Baldur’s Gate 3 .
What are the best classes to pair with a Half-Orc in Baldur’s Gate 3
Half-Orcs in Baldur’s Gate 3 are particularly suited for melee classes due to their unique racial traits, which enhance their combat effectiveness. Here are the best class pairings for a Half-Orc:
Best Classes for Half-Orcs
- Barbarian: The ideal choice for a Half-Orc, Barbarians can leverage their high Strength and the Savage Attacks feature to maximize damage output. The Barbarian’s Rage ability further amplifies their melee prowess, making them formidable in close combat. Their Relentless Endurance allows them to stay in the fight longer, even when severely injured.
- Fighter: This class benefits from the Half-Orc’s Savage Attacks and Action Surge, allowing for consistent damage dealing. Fighters can adapt to various combat situations, making them versatile in both offense and defense. Utilizing a two-handed weapon or a shield can enhance their survivability and damage potential.
- Paladin: With their strong physical attributes, Half-Orcs make excellent Paladins, especially as Oathbreakers. They can effectively tank damage while dealing significant melee hits thanks to their high Strength and the ability to use Divine Smite in conjunction with Savage Attacks to deal critical damage.
These classes capitalize on the Half-Orc’s strengths, allowing players to create powerful melee-focused characters that excel in Baldur’s Gate 3’s challenging encounters.
What are the best weapons for a Half-Orc Barbarian in Baldur’s Gate 3
For a Half-Orc Barbarian in Baldur’s Gate 3, selecting the right weapons is crucial to maximizing your combat effectiveness. Here are the best weapon choices tailored for this class:
Top Weapons for Half-Orc Barbarians
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Balduran’s Giantslayer
- Type: Greatsword
- Damage: 2d6 + 3 Slashing
- Description: This legendary weapon doubles your Strength modifier on damage rolls and provides an extra weapon action, making it the best choice for dealing massive damage, especially against larger foes. It’s particularly effective when combined with abilities like Rage and Elixir of Cloud Giant Strength for incredible damage output .
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Silver Sword of the Astral Plane
- Type: Longsword
- Damage: 1d8 + 2 Slashing
- Description: This weapon not only deals solid damage but also has unique properties that can be advantageous in various combat scenarios, making it a versatile option for a Barbarian .
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Sword of Chaos
- Type: Greatsword
- Damage: 2d6 Slashing
- Description: Known for its chaotic nature, this sword can deal significant damage and is perfect for Barbarians who thrive on unpredictability in combat .
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Corpsegrinder
- Type: Greataxe
- Damage: 1d12 Slashing
- Description: This weapon excels in dealing high single-target damage, making it ideal for a Barbarian’s aggressive playstyle .
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Everburn Blade
- Type: Greatsword
- Damage: 2d6 Slashing + 1d4 Fire
- Description: An excellent early-game weapon that provides additional fire damage, making it effective against enemies with lower resistances .
Weapon Strategy
- Two-Handed Focus: As a Barbarian, you should prioritize two-handed weapons to maximize your damage output. The increased damage from Rage and Savage Attacks synergizes well with high-damage weapons.
- Critical Hits: Utilize the Half-Orc’s racial ability, Savage Attacks, to capitalize on critical hits, which will further enhance your damage potential when wielding these powerful weapons.
By equipping these weapons and leveraging your Half-Orc traits, you can dominate the battlefield as a formidable Barbarian in Baldur’s Gate 3.
