Difference between revisions of "Orc (monster class)"

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==Common traits==
 
==Common traits==
Orcs hitting a [[riding|mounted player]] have a 50% chance of hitting the steed instead of the usual 25% chance that others have.{{refsrc|mhitu.c|341}} According to a comment in the [[source code]], this is because orcs "like to steal and eat horses and the like".
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Orcs attacking [[you]] while you are [[riding]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of hitting your steed, rather than the standard {{frac|4}} chance for other monsters.{{refsrc|mhitu.c|341}} According to a comment in the [[source code]], this is because orcs "like to steal and eat horses and the like". Unlike [[Orc (starting race)|player orcs]], they lack [[poison resistance]].
  
Wielding [[Sting]] or [[Orcrist]] will [[warned of monster type|indicate the positions of any orcs on the current level]].
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Wielding [[Sting]] or [[Orcrist]] will [[warned of monster type|warn you of any orcs on the current level]].
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{{upcoming|3.7.0|As part of resolving [https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/issues/679 issue #679] regarding congruence between non-player monsters and their player counterparts, {{commit|b6a3d4b984eb118ddb02f1605d76b1010df76055|commit b6a3d4b}} makes it so that [[polyself]] into a [[strong]] orcish monster caps [[strength]] at 18/50 to match that of player orcs, and additionally gives [[poison resistance]] to all orcs ''except'' the goblin and hobgoblin - this is done in order to distinguish them from the other orcs.}}
  
 
===Generation===
 
===Generation===
 
Orcs [[Monster starting inventory|typically wear]] orcish armor and ordinarily wield [[orcish dagger]]s or else [[orcish bow]]s and [[orcish arrow]]s, the latter of which are often poisoned. Orcs are also [[throne room]] monsters, and many of them can appear among the members of the "court".
 
Orcs [[Monster starting inventory|typically wear]] orcish armor and ordinarily wield [[orcish dagger]]s or else [[orcish bow]]s and [[orcish arrow]]s, the latter of which are often poisoned. Orcs are also [[throne room]] monsters, and many of them can appear among the members of the "court".
  
A variant of [[Minetown]] is overrun by orcs, with the usual inhabitants all killed - this "Orcish Town" will contain numerous named orcish monsters within and outside the walls. In a game with Orcish Town, more named orcs will be encountered throughout the [[Gnomish Mines]] and the [[Dungeons of Doom]], carrying loot that would normally be found there. This includes weapons such as the [[watch captain]]'s [[long sword]] or [[silver saber]] and even [[candle]]s (normally sold by [[Izchak]] and done so that players can still obtain seven for [[Candelabrum of Invocation|later in the game]]).
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A variant of [[Minetown]] is overrun by orcs, with the usual inhabitants all killed - this "Orcish Town" contains numerous named hostile orcs within and outside the walls. In a game with Orcish Town, more named orcs will be encountered throughout the [[Gnomish Mines]] and the [[Dungeons of Doom]], carrying loot that would normally be found in Minetown: this includes weapons such as armor from the [[watch]], the [[watch captain]]'s [[long sword]] or [[silver saber]], and even [[candle]]s normally sold by [[Izchak]] to ensure there is a source for the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]] later on.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
Individually, goblins and orcs are generally easy targets unless you happen across one with a very powerful weapon or a wand. Orcs often appear in groups, however - even then their strength is not too great, but their poisoned weapons may catch you unaware and lead to an untimely death. [[Poison resistance]] and crowd-control tactics such as the following can make battles against them much easier:
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Individually, goblins and orcs are generally easy targets unless you happen across one with a very powerful weapon or a wand. Orcs often appear in groups, however - even then their strength is not too great, but the poisoned weapons of stronger orcs may catch you unaware and lead to an untimely death. [[Poison resistance]] and crowd-control tactics such as the following can make battles against them much easier:
  
* Lure the orcs into a corridor, so never simultaneously fight more than one (or two, if they surround you).
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* Lure the orcs into a corridor to avoid being surrounded and fighting more than one or two at a time.
* Climb the [[staircase]], wait until you heal, then return to the level to kill the remaining orcs.
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* If weakened, climb the [[staircase]] and wait until you heal, then return to the level to kill the remaining orcs.
 
* Engrave [[Elbereth]] and scatter the orcs while you pick them off.
 
* Engrave [[Elbereth]] and scatter the orcs while you pick them off.
  
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===SLASH'EM===
 
===SLASH'EM===
 
{{main|Orc (SLASH'EM)}}
 
{{main|Orc (SLASH'EM)}}
[[SLASH'EM]] introduces several new orcs:
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[[SLASH'EM]] introduces several new orcs to the monster class:
  
 
*{{monsymlink|war orc}}
 
*{{monsymlink|war orc}}
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===UnNetHack===
 
===UnNetHack===
In [[UnNetHack]], orcs will attack any elves they see (and vice versa) as part of Nephi's [[grudge]] patch.
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In [[UnNetHack]], orcs hold a [[grudge]] against elves, and will attack each other if they meet.
  
 
The [[deep orc]] is introduced as a new orc.
 
The [[deep orc]] is introduced as a new orc.
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}}
 
}}
  
== References ==
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==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
{{nethack-343}}
 
{{nethack-343}}
 
[[Category:Monster classes]]
 
[[Category:Monster classes]]

Revision as of 18:56, 2 August 2023

For other uses, see Orc.

Orcs are a monster class that appear in NetHack of monsters represented by a lowercase letter o. All orcs are, unsurprisingly, orcish.

The orc monster class contains the following monsters:

Common traits

Orcs attacking you while you are riding have a 12 chance of hitting your steed, rather than the standard 14 chance for other monsters.[1] According to a comment in the source code, this is because orcs "like to steal and eat horses and the like". Unlike player orcs, they lack poison resistance.

Wielding Sting or Orcrist will warn you of any orcs on the current level.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

As part of resolving issue #679 regarding congruence between non-player monsters and their player counterparts, commit b6a3d4b makes it so that polyself into a strong orcish monster caps strength at 18/50 to match that of player orcs, and additionally gives poison resistance to all orcs except the goblin and hobgoblin - this is done in order to distinguish them from the other orcs.

Generation

Orcs typically wear orcish armor and ordinarily wield orcish daggers or else orcish bows and orcish arrows, the latter of which are often poisoned. Orcs are also throne room monsters, and many of them can appear among the members of the "court".

A variant of Minetown is overrun by orcs, with the usual inhabitants all killed - this "Orcish Town" contains numerous named hostile orcs within and outside the walls. In a game with Orcish Town, more named orcs will be encountered throughout the Gnomish Mines and the Dungeons of Doom, carrying loot that would normally be found in Minetown: this includes weapons such as armor from the watch, the watch captain's long sword or silver saber, and even candles normally sold by Izchak to ensure there is a source for the Candelabrum of Invocation later on.

Strategy

Individually, goblins and orcs are generally easy targets unless you happen across one with a very powerful weapon or a wand. Orcs often appear in groups, however - even then their strength is not too great, but the poisoned weapons of stronger orcs may catch you unaware and lead to an untimely death. Poison resistance and crowd-control tactics such as the following can make battles against them much easier:

  • Lure the orcs into a corridor to avoid being surrounded and fighting more than one or two at a time.
  • If weakened, climb the staircase and wait until you heal, then return to the level to kill the remaining orcs.
  • Engrave Elbereth and scatter the orcs while you pick them off.

Variants

SLASH'EM

Main article: Orc (SLASH'EM)

SLASH'EM introduces several new orcs to the monster class:

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, orcs hold a grudge against elves, and will attack each other if they meet.

The deep orc is introduced as a new orc.

Origin

The orcs of NetHack are derived from Dungeons & Dragons, which in turn are based on their portrayal in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien.

Encyclopedia entry

Orcs, bipeds with a humanoid appearance, are related to the goblins, but much bigger and more dangerous. The average orc is only moderately intelligent, has broad, muscled shoulders, a short neck, a sloping forehead and a thick, dark fur. Their lower eye-teeth are pointing forward, like a boar's.
Female orcs are more lightly built and bare-chested. Not needing any clothing, they do like to dress in variegated apparels. Suspicious by nature, orcs live in tribes or hordes. They tend to live underground as well as above ground (but they dislike sunlight). Orcs can use all weapons, tools and armors that are used by men. Since they don't have the talent to fashion these themselves, they are constantly hunting for them. There is nothing a horde of orcs cannot use.

[ Het Boek van de Regels; Het Oog des Meesters ]

References

This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.

It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.4.3. Information on this page may be out of date.

Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-343}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.