Rules edition: This combat companion uses the 2014 Half-Orc and Fighter. It focuses on critical hits, frontline choices, and the original rules interactions. The 2024 Orc and Fighter have different traits and progression; do not combine those features with this build.
The 2014 Half-Orc Fighter is durable and can add a damage die when a specific critical hit occurs. That is useful, but it is not a guarantee of extra damage every turn. Build the character to function on ordinary hits, then treat Savage Attacks as an additional benefit when its trigger occurs.
Savage Attacks has a narrow trigger
When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, Savage Attacks lets you roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time and add it to the critical hit’s extra damage. It does not add an extra attack, double your ability modifier, or trigger on every weapon hit. Read it together with the 2014 critical-hit rules and the specific weapon’s damage dice.
A Champion’s 2014 Improved Critical feature expands the number of attack-roll results that count as critical hits. It can create more chances to use Savage Attacks, but it does not change what Savage Attacks adds. Other archetypes may give tactical options, defensive features, or magic; choose based on the full subclass rather than critical hits alone.
Make the Fighter effective between critical hits
The 2014 Fighter gains Extra Attack at level 5, with additional attacks later in the class progression. More attack rolls create more opportunities for a critical hit, but reliable accuracy, positioning, and survival still matter. Strength supports melee attacks; Constitution helps you stay in the fight. Dexterity, armor, and a shield may matter depending on your chosen equipment.
Great Weapon Master is an optional 2014 feat. Its power-attack option trades a penalty to the attack roll for extra damage; use that version only if your table uses 2014 feats. It is not part of the Half-Orc’s species traits, and it is not the 2024 version of the feat.
Stay on the frontline deliberately
Relentless Endurance lets you remain at 1 Hit Point instead of dropping to 0 once per Long Rest when you are not killed outright. It can buy the party a turn, but it does not prevent further damage. Second Wind is a separate Fighter feature that restores Hit Points as a Bonus Action. Keep both uses visible on your character sheet and do not assume one refreshes the other.
Choose when to spend Action Surge based on the encounter. In the 2014 rules it grants an additional action on your turn. It is not a Bonus Action and does not automatically grant another use of Second Wind or a species feature. Communicate your plan with allies so that a downed enemy, opened route, or protected companion creates a meaningful advantage for the group.
Play the party, not just the damage roll
A Fighter can protect allies by occupying a route, drawing attention, or helping someone escape a dangerous position. Intimidation proficiency does not require a threatening personality, and Relentless Endurance does not require reckless choices. Give the Half-Orc a reason to fight and a boundary they will not cross.
For the general 2014 build, see our Half-Orc Fighter guide. The travel companion covers exploration choices, while our artifact-campaign guide explores a distinct story hook.
Official Rules Sources
- 2014 Basic Rules: Races — Savage Attacks, Relentless Endurance, and other Half-Orc traits.
- 2014 Basic Rules: Fighter — Extra Attack, Action Surge, and Martial Archetypes.
- D&D Beyond Half-Orc species page — the original 2014 Half-Orc option.
