Forge Your Path to Greatness! Explore the best class choices for Orcs, celebrated for their strength and resilience.
These classes amplify Orcish traits, providing varied playstyles from brute force to cunning tactics. Set forth on thrilling adventures with these top classes!
Best Classes for Orcs
5. Bard
Primary Ability Score – Charisma
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Dexterity
Spellcasting Ability – Charisma
Armor Proficiencies – Light
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Shortswords, Rapiers, Longswords, Hand Crossbow
Why the Bard?
Orc Bards should still invest +2 in Charisma and +1 in Constitution (Extra HP) or Dexterity (Extra AC if wearing Light/Medium armor).
Bards will enjoy the added durability of an Orc’s features.
Relentless Endurance can occasionally save your life, and Adrenaline Rush allows you to get out of a dangerous situation or rush to a party member.
Recommended Bard Colleges
- Eloquence
- Lore
4. Druid
Primary Ability Score – Wisdom
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Dexterity
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields (Druids won’t use shields or wear armor made from metal)
Weapons Proficiencies – Spears, Slings, Sickles, Scimitars, Quarterstaffs, Maces, Javelins, Darts, Daggers, Clubs
Why the Druid?
Orc Druids should focus on adding +2 to Dexterity and +1 to Wisdom. Higher Dexterity is crucial for raising a Druid’s AC in Light armor.
Like Bards, Druids will use Adrenaline Rush to quickly get to their party members or escape from a dangerous situation (usually fatal for a Druid).
Adrenaline Rush and Relentless Endurance might work while in Wild Shape, so you can get more value out of them that way.
Recommended Druid Circles
- Spores
- Stars
- Moon
3. Cleric
Primary Ability Score – Wisdom
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple
Why the Cleric?
Orc Clerics should focus on putting +2 in Wisdom and +1 in Constitution. Clerics desperately need Wisdom to function effectively.
Clerics benefit from Adrenaline Rush for the same reason Druids and Bards do, especially if you play as a healer.
Relentless Endurance also works best if you act as a healer. If you stay alive, your party will stay alive. It’s that sort of concept.
Recommended Cleric Divine Domains
- Grave
- Life
- Peace
2. Fighter
Primary Ability Score – Strength (STR-based), Dexterity (DEX-based)
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Intelligence (For Eldritch Knight)
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Heavy, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Fighter?
Orc Fighters should go for +2 Strength and either +1 in Constitution or Dexterity.
Note: If you choose Strength and want Heavy armor, choose Constitution. If you choose Strength but want Medium armor, choose Dexterity.
With Second Wind, high AC, Relentless Endurance, and Adrenaline Rush, you won’t be brought down quickly. I can guarantee it.
The best way to play this would be as a high-damage-dealing two-handed Orc. This not only fits the theme but also allows you to take advantage of the Fighter’s flexibility around Feats.
Recommended Fighter Martial Archetypes
- Battle Master
- Champion
- Samurai
1. Paladin
Primary Ability Scores – Charisma and Strength
Secondary Ability Score – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Charisma
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Heavy, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Paladin?
Orc Paladins should focus on Strength and Charisma, giving +2 to whichever ability score they want to use most and +1 to their other ability score.
Paladins gain durability from Relentless Endurance (like they need more), and Adrenaline Rush gives them an easy way to exit or enter fights.
Just be sure to keep trash of your Bonus Action, as Paladins do use it quite often.
Recommended Paladin Sacred Oaths
- Conquest
- Ancients
- Crown
- Vengeance
- Oathbreaker
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer the divine might of a Paladin, the strategic prowess of a Fighter, or the natural arcane abilities of a Druid, there are numerous options to suit your playstyle.
Consider your character’s backstory, strengths, and weaknesses to find the class that best fits your vision.