
Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

All Creatures
Abilities | Monsters | NPCs
All | Families | Theme Templates
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W | Z

PFS StandardOrc Commander

When orcs raid, the strongest is chosen as the leader, backed up by their siblings and other immediate family. If leadership is contested, candidates vie for control with displays of physical prowess or stirring speeches.

Recall Knowledge - Humanoid (Society): DC 16
Unspecific Lore: DC 14
Specific Lore: DC 11

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Weak are marked in red below.
NOTE: The -2 damage penalty to non-strike offensive abilities (-4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Weak Orc CommanderCreature 1

Medium Humanoid Orc 
Source Monster Core pg. 259
Perception +8; darkvision
Languages Common, Orcish
Skills Athletics +6, Intimidation +4, Survival +3
Str +4, Dex +2, Con +1, Int -1, Wis +1, Cha +2
Items greatclub, hide armor, javelin (6)
AC 17; Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +5
HP 22
Ferocity [reaction] Reactive Strike [reaction]
Speed 25 feet
Melee [one-action] greatclub +8 [+3/-2] (backswing, shove), Damage 1d10-2+4 bludgeoningMelee [one-action] fist +8 [+4/+0] (agile, shove), Damage 1d4-2+4 bludgeoningRanged [one-action] javelin +6 [+1/-4] (thrown 30 feet), Damage 1d6-2+4 piercingBattle Cry [one-action] (auditory, concentrate, emotion, mental) Bellowing mightily, the orc commander gives themself and all orc allies within 60 feet a +1 status bonus to attack and damage rolls until the start of the orc commander's next turn.

All Monsters in "Orc"

NameLevel
Dromaar Mountaineer2
Orc Brute0
Orc Commander2
Orc Scrapper0
Orc Veteran1
Orc Warchief2
Orc Warrior1

Orc

Source Monster Core pg. 258
Many orcs are forged in the fires of violence and conflict, often from the moment they're born. As they live lives that are frequently cut brutally short, orcs revel in testing their strength against worthy foes, whether by challenging a higher-ranking member of their community for dominance, taming a powerful beast, or slaying a fearsome monster.

Tall and powerful, with long arms and thickly muscled legs, many orcs top 7 feet in height. Their heavy limbs and broad, almost bow-legged stances combine with a tendency to slouch forward to create an almost contradictory set of circumstances where an orc can tower over other humanoids while simultaneously staring them in the eye. These features, alongside a tendency to scar easily, can make them seem quite intimidating.

The half-orc dromaars, most commonly born of unions between orcs and humans, are often tested even more harshly than their full orc kin, but those who endure these tests can rise to positions of authority. “An orc can have what an orc can hold” is a saying that not only applies to an individual's ability to secure their own destiny and position, but is also likely the root of orcs referring to their communities as holds.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Gods Of War

While there are orc deities, their worship is surprisingly uncommon. Orcs believe that if a creature has a face and a name, it can be killed, and so their own deities are targets, rather than objects of reverence.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Megafauna Mounts

Orcs are known for riding strange and fearsome beasts, particularly megafauna like dire wolves and smilodons. Given the opportunity, orcs also enlist drakes, manticores, and anything else big and frightening enough to suit their needs.