Rules edition: This is a legacy build using the 2014 Half-Orc from the 2014 Basic Rules and the 2014 Fighter. The 2024 Player’s Handbook Orc is a different species with different traits; do not add its Adrenaline Rush to this Half-Orc. Use the options printed for your table’s chosen version.
A 2014 Half-Orc Fighter is durable without being invulnerable, and its traits reward decisive melee play without requiring a critical-hit-focused build. Strength is a natural priority for a melee character; Constitution helps with Hit Points. Dexterity can matter for Initiative, saves, and lighter armor. Choose your equipment and subclass around the role your party needs.
What the 2014 Half-Orc actually gets
The original Half-Orc increases Strength by 2 and Constitution by 1, has Darkvision to 60 feet, and gains Menacing proficiency in Intimidation. Relentless Endurance lets you drop to 1 Hit Point instead of 0 when you are not killed outright, once per Long Rest. Savage Attacks lets you roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time when you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack.
Savage Attacks does not add another attack, double your ability modifier, or apply to every hit. It is an extra weapon damage die on a qualifying critical hit. Relentless Endurance also does not make you immune to being reduced to 0 again later; track its once-per-Long-Rest use separately from Second Wind.
Build with the 2014 Fighter
The 2014 Fighter receives Fighting Style and Second Wind at level 1, Action Surge at level 2, and a Martial Archetype at level 3. Extra Attack arrives at level 5, with later increases at Fighter levels 11 and 20. This is the original class progression, not the revised 2024 feature table.
For a melee build, Strength supports attack and damage rolls; Constitution supports Hit Points. A shield and one-handed weapon can make a durable defender, while a two-handed weapon offers a different damage and feat path. A Dexterity-based option is possible with suitable weapons and armor, but the Half-Orc’s fixed increases in this legacy version favor Strength and Constitution.
Champion, Battle Master, and Eldritch Knight are core 2014 archetypes with different play patterns. Champion adds a straightforward critical-hit feature; Battle Master offers maneuvers and tactical choices; Eldritch Knight combines weapon use with spellcasting. Supplemental subclasses use their own sourcebook text and progression. Choose based on the decisions you want to make, not on the assumption that Savage Attacks requires Champion.
Feats and equipment are optional choices
Feats are an optional 2014 rule. If your table uses them, select feats based on your weapon and campaign. The original Great Weapon Master feat has a −5 attack/+10 damage option; that is the 2014 version and should not be confused with the revised 2024 feat. You do not need that feat for Savage Attacks to function.
Carry a ranged option if the party may face flying or distant enemies. A Half-Orc’s durability cannot help if there is no useful action available, and a Fighter’s equipment choices can make the character more flexible outside melee. Work with the DM on what armor and gear are available in the setting.
Make the character more than a damage plan
Decide what this Half-Orc learned from the people who raised them and how they feel about the assumptions others make. Menacing grants an Intimidation proficiency; it does not require the character to be threatening in every conversation. Relentless Endurance might reflect stubbornness, training, luck, or a personal promise. These are roleplaying choices, not additional rules benefits.
For a travel-focused version, see our Half-Orc Fighter exploration guide. For critical-hit and frontline details, see our Half-Orc Fighter combat guide. The distinct artifact-campaign guide focuses on story integration.
Official Rules Sources
- 2014 Basic Rules: Races — Half-Orc traits and ability-score increases.
- 2014 Basic Rules: Fighter — Fighting Style, Second Wind, Action Surge, Martial Archetypes, and Extra Attack.
- D&D Beyond Half-Orc species page — identifies the original Half-Orc as legacy material.
