Article-At-A-Glance
- The Orcish Warlord[1] builds unleash powerful synergies combining Draconic and Orc bloodlines.
- Half-Elf race choice allows unique weapon proficiency boosting offensive capabilities.
- Balanced spellcasting and melee combat artfully tempered by critical feats and equipment.
- Navigate in-game social dynamics with high Charisma and formidable Intimidate skill.
Click on the level for more information
At level 1, the Orcish Warlord[1] is a Half-Elf Crossblooded Sorcerer specializing in electric damage spells and melee combat. Equipped with a Fauchard, they can deal significant spell damage using Blood Havoc and Shocking Grasp. Strong Charisma enhances spellcasting and intimidate skills.
Level 1 Stat Block
Orcish Warlord[1]: male, Half-Elf Sorcerer 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid (half-elf); HD 1d6+2; hp 8; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12, touch 10, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +0; Grp +3; Atk Fauchard +3 melee (1d10+3/18-20/x2); Full Atk Fauchard +3 melee (1d10+3/18-20/x2); SA Blood Havoc; SQ Darkvision 60 ft.; AL N; SV Fort +2, Ref +0, Will +4; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 9, Wis 7, Cha 18.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +8; Toughness, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Fauchard), Eschew Materials.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Blood Havoc, Shocking Grasp (+1 caster level).
Possessions:
Fauchard, clothes.
This is a Level 5 Orcish Warlord[1] Sorcerer build. It focuses on melee combat while maintaining powerful blasting capabilities. The build uses the Crossblooded archetype, combining Draconic and Orc bloodlines to enhance spell damage, particularly electricity spells. As a Half-Elf, it gains proficiency with a Fauchard, a formidable reach weapon. Key feats include Power Attack for stronger melee strikes and Spell Focus (Evocation) to boost spellcasting prowess.
Level 5 Stat Block
Orcish Warlord[1]: male, Half-Elf Sorcerer (Crossblooded) 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (half-elf); HD 5d6; hp 30; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12, touch 10, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +3; Grp +6; Atk Fauchard +4 melee (1d10+3/18-20) or spell; Full Atk Fauchard +4 melee (1d10+3/18-20) or spell; SA -; SQ Draconic Bloodline (Electricity), Orc Bloodline, Blood Havoc; AL CN; SV Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +5; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 18.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate 8, Use Magic Device 5; Toughness, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Fauchard), Eschew Materials, Power Attack, Spell Focus (Evocation). Spell-Like Abilities: Magic Missile, Shock Shield, Shocking Grasp, Mage Hand, Enlarge Person, Spider Climb.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Blood Havoc, Shocking Grasp (+1 caster level), 2nd level spell access, and a high chance to intimidate foes.
Possessions:
Fauchard, basic clothing, spell component pouch.
The build at level 10 excels as a melee blaster, utilizing magic and physical combat abilities. It features high Charisma, using Spell Focus and Empower Spell to enhance electrical spells. The character wields a Fauchard effectively due to Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Power Attack, and Cornugon Smash. The Eldritch Knight class supports strong melee options, allowing Weapon Specialization and Weapon Focus. Quick movement across the battlefield is aided by a Cavalier mount.
Level 10 Stat Block
Orcish Warlord[1]: Male, Half-Elf Sorcerer (Crossblooded) 9/Eldritch Knight 1; CR 10; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 10d6; hp 47; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +7; Grp +10; Atk +12 melee (1d10+6, Fauchard [18-20/x2]) or +7 melee (touch, spell); Full Atk +12/+7 melee (1d10+6, Fauchard [18-20/x2]) or +7 melee (touch, spell); SA Spellcasting, Power Attack, Cornugon Smash; SQ Draconic and Orc bloodline powers, Darkvision 60 ft., Blood Havoc (+1 damage die); AL Chaotic Good; SV Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +9; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 9, Wis 7, Cha 18.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +16, Spellcraft +9; Toughness, Eschew Materials, Power Attack, Spell Focus (Evocation), Cornugon Smash, Improved Initiative, Empower Spell, Outflank.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Blood Havoc allows +2 to damage per dice on spells from a focused school, with +3 for electricity spells.
Possessions:
Fauchard, basic clothing.
At level 15, this Half-Elf Sorcerer/Eldritch Knight excels at blasting and melee combat. With a critical range of 15-20 on a Fauchard and powerful spells like Chain Lightning, it dominates the battlefield. The build capitalizes on Strength and Charisma, further enhanced by bloodline abilities and metamagic feats to maximize spell damage.
Level 15 Stat Block
Orcish Warlord[1]: Male, Half-Elf Sorcerer (Crossblooded) 9/Eldritch Knight 5; CR 15; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 9d6+5d10+28; hp 112; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 10, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +9; Grp +12; Atk Fauchard +14 (1d10+6/15-20) or cast Shocking Grasp (6d6+12); Full Atk Fauchard +14/+9 (1d10+6/15-20) or cast spell; SA Spells, Blood Havoc, Power Attack; SQ Draconic and Orc Bloodlines, Blood Havoc, Fearless, Strength of the Beast; AL CN; SV Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +9; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 24.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +22; Toughness, Power Attack, Cornugon Smash, Empower Spell, Quicken Spell, Widen Spell, Ascendant Spell, Arcane Strike, Improved Critical (Fauchard), Weapon Specialization (Fauchard), Greater Weapon Focus (Fauchard).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Blood Havoc provides additional damage on spells, their mastery of the Fauchard allows increased damage and crit rates in melee.
Possessions:
Fauchard, clothing, and essentials.
The character is an Orcish Warlord[1] Sorcerer-Gish with a focus on electricity spells and melee versatility. With medium BAB, strong HP, and impressive spellcasting abilities using Metamagic, this build excels in battlefield control and damage output. Access to Cavalier, Eldritch Knight levels and Fauchard proficiency allows for dynamic positioning and critical strikes. Notable features include Blood Havoc for increased spell damage and impressive Reach weapon efficiency.
Level 20 Stat Block
Orcish Warlord[1]: Male, Half-Elf Sorcerer (Crossblooded) 9/Cavalier 1/Eldritch Knight 10; CR 20; Medium humanoid (half-elf); HD 19d6 +19d10; hp 175; Init +8; Spd 30 ft.; AC 28, touch 14, flat-footed 24; Base Atk +18; Grp +21; Atk Fauchard +27 (1d10+11/15-20) or spell +24; Full Atk Fauchard +27/+22/+17/+12 (1d10+11/15-20) or spell +24; SA Spellcasting, Bloodline powers, Metamagic; SQ Draconic and Orc bloodlines, Fearless, Strength of the Beast, Arcane Strike, Weapon Specialization; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +12, Ref +11, Will +17; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 22.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +27, Spellcraft +28; Toughness, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Fauchard), Eschew Materials, Power Attack, Spell Focus (Evocation), Cornugon Smash, Improved Initiative, Empower Spell, Outflank, Quicken Spell, Arcane Strike, Ascendant Spell, Weapon Focus (Fauchard), Improved Critical (Fauchard), Weapon Specialization (Fauchard), Widen Spell, Greater Weapon Focus (Fauchard).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Blood Havoc for +2 damage per dice, Paragon Surge for Expanded Arcana.
Possessions:
+5 Fauchard, Ring of Protection +4, Amulet of Natural Armor +3, Cloak of Resistance +5, Fauchard and basic clothing.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: At level 1, the Half-Elf Sorcerer starts with the Crossblooded archetype, choosing the Draconic (Electricity) and Orc Bloodlines, and applies Blood Havoc. Key feats include Toughness for durability, and Power Attack for melee combat boosts. Exotic Weapon Proficiency allows the use of the Fauchard, a critical component of this build.
- Levels 6-10: Transition into Eldritch Knight begins at level 10, after a level in Cavalier for mounted combat options and access to Cavalier’s Order. Gain Spell Focus in Evocation for spellcasting enhancement, and embrace an explosive casting style with improved initiative and potential melee prowess.
- Levels 11-15: This period sees the sorcerer bolster its combat capabilities with Empower Spell and Quicken Spell, enhancing casting speed and power. Arcane Strike pairs with Weapon Focus on the Fauchard, leveraging the Eldritch Knight’s fighter feat access to amplify physical combat.
- Levels 16-20: Critical potential peaks as Improved Critical and Greater Weapon Focus on the Fauchard, combined with Widen Spell for massive area control in combat. Here, the sorcerer truly emerges as a dominant battlefield force with a mix of versatile spellcasting and impactful melee attacks.
Core Abilities & Features
The strength of the Orcish Warlord[1] build lies in its dual-bloodline strategy. By utilizing the Crossblooded archetype, you gain access to both the Draconic and Orc bloodlines. This synergy boosts your offensive spellcasting prowess, specifically through electricity-based spells. With Blood Havoc, you’re looking at an extra point of damage per damage die for spells you specialize in, stacking to give a devastating edge with electricity spells. Imagine wielding spells like Lightning Bolt with enhanced potency, where every die rolls total far exceeds your enemies’ expectations.
Adaptability comes through the build’s racial choice. Choosing a Half-Elf for your character allows you access to the Ancestral Weapon trait, granting proficiency with the deadly Fauchard. This weapons’ impressive critical range (18-20) gives you a significant advantage in melee combat, a distinct characteristic for a sorcerer. Placing your ability increases into Charisma amplifies both your spellcasting and your intimidating presence in the battlefield. Your stats are streamlined for both debilitating spells and melee confrontations, with a notable emphasis on Charisma.
Defensively, the build innovates with a blend of toughness and reach. Important feats like Power Attack harmonize with the Eldritch Knight’s potential, culminating in the capacity to engage effectively in close combat. Your favored class bonus is placed into hit points rather than skills or spells, ensuring staying power in prolonged engagements. This build keeps you mobile with spells like Fly and supports your frontline role with buffs and resistances, all while raining destruction from afar.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Masterwork Fauchard | A masterwork version of the Fauchard provides a +1 bonus to attack rolls. This critical range weapon is ideal for increasing early damage potential. |
| L6-10 | +1 Fauchard | This magical enhancement gives a +1 to attack and damage, stacking with the masterwork quality, preparing for the mid-level Eldritch Knight abilities. |
| L11-15 | Fauchard of Speed | Grants an additional attack during a full attack action, crucial for maximizing damage with the increased crit range and Eldritch Knight’s critical abilities. |
| L16-20 | +3 Keen Fauchard | The Keen property doubles the weapon’s critical threat range, paired with Greater Weapon Focus and Specialization, becomes lethal for crit-based strategies. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- In the dark, narrow halls of a dungeon, leverage your Fauchard’s reach to keep enemies at bay. Use Mage Armor for protection in close quarters. Enlarge yourself with a spell to dominate small spaces, using Lightning Bolt to clear clustered foes.
- Open Fields:
- On an expansive battlefield, utilize your mount for mobility to get into optimal casting range. Fly spells offer aerial advantage, making you a harder target. Use Chain Lightning to maximize damage across scattered foes. Stay mobile to avoid being pinned down.
- Ambushes:
- If caught by surprise, react quickly with Shock Shield and empower your response with Quicken Spell. Intimidate foes to disrupt their momentum, and follow up with a rapid succession of Shocking Grasps or spells like Lighting Arc to regain control.
- Defensive Stands:
- Brace for impact with defensive spells like Resist Energy and bolster your team with Spider Climb for strategic positioning. Use positional awareness to lead enemies into kill zones where your Fauchard’s crit range can shine. Focus firepower with empowered spellcasting.
- Urban Encounters:
- In cityscapes, maneuver through alleys with Telekinetic Maneuver to manipulate the environment or foes. Leverage urban cover with Alter Self to blend when needed. Use Paragon Surge to adapt your spell repertoire swiftly, exploiting Flanking Opportunities.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Spell Diversity | Focus on electricity-based spells for increased damage with Blood Havoc. Select spells from varied schools during progression for flexibility in combat responses. |
| Light Sensitivity | The Orc’s Bloodline ability Strength of the Beast at level 9 removes Light Sensitivity, improving performance in bright environments and negating penalties. |
| Lacks High-Level Spells | Access 9th-level spell slots with the use of metamagic feats. Utilize Paragon Surge to gain Expanded Arcana when needed, effectively overcoming the lack of 9th level spells known. |
| Limited Melee Focus | Boost melee capability with Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, and further enhance with Improved Critical and Fauchard’s crit range of 18-20 for optimized melee damage. |
| Susceptible to Spell Resistance | Utilize buffs like Spell Penetration and Greater Spell Penetration to counteract foe’s spell resistance, ensuring spell effects penetrate protective barriers effectively. |
Roleplaying
Adopting the mantle of the Orcish Warlord[1] isn’t just about casting spells and swinging weapons. It’s about embodying the fierce heart of an orc infused with the magical prowess of a sorcerer. As a half-elf who proudly claims this path, there’s tension and opportunity in bridging these worlds.
Embrace themes of duality. Your character could possess an eternal conflict, torn between the disciplined cunning of elven ancestors and the raw, untamed power of orcish bloodlines. Every decision is a balance of control and chaos. This dynamic tension can add layers to every interaction, whether you’re making allies or intimidating foes.
Your charisma offers more than just a spellcasting advantage. As a natural leader, rally allies with words of encouragement or veiled threats, manipulating battlefield dynamics with your presence. In social settings, use your formidable charm to gather intel or sway opinions, either through diplomatic discourse or impressive displays of might. Leverage your Intimidate skill to dissolve conflicts before they arise or to control chaotic situations.
Portray your connection to electricity not just as a combat trait, but as an elemental link that influences your character. Describe the crackle of static in your hair or the faint smell of ozone that follows you, hinting at your potential for destruction. Engage other players in scenes where your electric aura reacts to intense moments, like flickering light during tense negotiations or sparks dancing around your fingertips when emotions run high.
In combat, your character executes plans with a strategist’s mind. As an Eldritch Knight, seamlessly transition between casting and combat, using your Fauchard to strike from afar. Picture yourself orchestrating battlefield tactics, coordinating with your cavalier mount for swift shifts in position, making every battle feel as personal as it is epic.
FAQ
What makes the Orcish Warlord[1] a powerful build?
The Orcish Warlord[1] combines raw magical power with brutal melee strength. The synergy between Draconic and Orc bloodlines enhances electricity-based spells. This makes spells like Lightning Bolt especially deadly. The Fauchard adds a unique melee edge with its extended reach and crit range.
How does the Crossblooded archetype affect the sorcerer’s development?
Crossblooded archetype grants access to two bloodlines, but it slows spell progression. While limiting known spells, it allows powerful combination effects. Using feats like Extra Spell can mitigate the limitations. The versatility it offers can lead to powerful customized spell choices.
What are the best strategies for leveling with this build?
Early levels should focus on defense and basic melee strategy. From level six, transition to Eldritch Knight and use Cavalier skills for mobility. Prioritize spell focus feats to boost spellcasting capacity. Keep enhancing Fauchard use and aim for critical-hit potentials in higher levels.
Which spells should one prioritize with this build?
Electricity based spells are highly effective due to Blood Havoc. Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning are key offensive spells. Defensively, prioritize Fly and Resist Energy for battlefield control. Strategic use of Quicken Spell boosts casting speed dramatically.
How do racial traits enhance the Orcish Warlord[1]’s capabilities?
The Half-Elf racial trait, Ancestral Weapon, provides Fauchard proficiency. It boosts melee effectiveness with a critical reach advantage. Strength of the Beast counters Light Sensitivity, critical for bright environments. These traits improve both offensive and defensive combat strategies.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Orcish Warlord!
Experience the Orcish Warlord[1] in your next game session! Explore the blend of magic and martial prowess for thrilling gameplay. Do you believe the Orcish Warlord[1] might be the best build in Pathfinder 1E? Join the Stellar Dragons Discord server at https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7
Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Sorcerer – Orcish Warlord – Pathfinder 1E ( Orcish Warlord )
Orcish Warlord
Okay, that was cool and all but what if we really wanted to be the blastiest blaster to blast them all?
Don’t worry, I got us covered.
Enter Crossblooded, which by slowing down our spell known progression, lets us get two bloodlines. All the remaining builds use this archetype because it’s that good. We will also take a single level in Cavalier and then ride our way into Eldritch Knight.
Our leveling should look like the following:
Class
Sorcerer (Crossblooded) 9/Cavalier 1/Eldritch Knight 10
Bloodlines
We are taking the Draconic bloodline, taking either the Bronze or Blue dragon for Electricity, and the Orc Bloodline. We are also taking a Bloodline Mutation at lvl 1: Blood Havoc which replaces our 1st lvl bloodline power with the ability to add +1/dice in damage to our spell damages for spells of a school we have Spell Focus in, which cumulates with the Arcanas of both Bloodlines for +2 Damage per damage die on spells, and +3 per die on electricity spells.
For our Bloodline Powers, take the Orc’s Fearless and Strength of the Beast at lvl 3 and 9 to get rid of Light Sensitivity, get Natural Armor and a bonus to Strength.
Race
Let’s go for Half-Elf here. Take the Ancestral Weapon Alternative Racial Feature to get access to the Fauchard, which is a reach weapon with a crit range of 18-20. Place that +2 in Charisma.
Ability Scores
Put everything in Charisma.
15Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 10/Con 10/Int 9/Wis 7/Cha 18
20Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 10/Con 10/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 18
25Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 10/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 18
Traits
Reactionary for a +2 to Initiative, and Gifted Adept with the spell Shocking Grasp to be able to cast it at +1 Caster level(yes, this means 2d6+4 damage at first level with it)
Favored Class Bonus
Yeah, Hit Points this time, we’ll need em.
Skills
Intimidate.
Feats by Level
1-Toughness
Half-Elf-Exotic Weapon Proficiency(Fauchard)
Sorcerer 1-Eschew Materials
3-Power Attack
5-Spell Focus(Evocation)
7-Cornugon Smash
Bonus 7-Improved Initiative
9-Empower Spell Tactician
10-Outflank
11-Quicken Spell Bonus
11-Arcane Strike
13-Ascendant Spell
15-Weapon Focus(Fauchard)
Bonus 15-Improved Critical(Fauchard)
17-Weapon Specialization(Fauchard)
19-Widen Spell
Bonus 19-Greater Weapon Focus(Fauchard)
Yep. We’re doing a melee Sorcerer. Toughness, Power Attack and Cornugon Smash, due to our high Charisma, thus become very tasty choices. Still as a blaster we also get much value from Empower Spell, Quicken Spell, Widen Spell and Ascendant Spell. As an Eldritch Knight, we count as fighter for feats so Weapon Specialization and Weapon Focus are great, and since we cast arcane spells, Arcane Strike is great for us. Improved Critical combines sublimely with the Eldritch Knight’s Spell Critical ability, and with a Reach Weapon that will have a Crit Range of 15-20, we will make extremely good use of that.
Spells by Level
1-Jolt, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation,Shocking Grasp
2-Detect Magic
3-Enlarge Person, Mage Armor
5-Resistance, Magic Missile, Spider Climb, Resist Energy
7-Touch of Fatigue, Shock Shield, Alter Self, Paragon Surge, Fly
9-Bull’s Strength, Lighting Bolt, Telekinetic Maneuver, Spell Resistance
12-Read Magic
13-Bear’s Endurance, Suggestion, Dragon’s Breath,Telekinesis
15-Greater Aggressive Thundercloud, Lightning Arc, Chain Lightning
17-Dominate Monster, Transformation, Form of the Dragon II
19-Forcecage, Stormbolts
Equipment
A Fauchard and clothes I suppose.
Final Thoughts on the Build
We are a gish. We have a medium BAB, decent HP, and we can blast our enemies with lighting in a way that would make Palpatine proud. We can fight decently in melee too which is great.
Now you may have noticed that we do not learn 9th lvl spells, but still have 9th level slots. Which we can use anyway via Metamagics, or again, with our Paragon Surge-Expanded Arcana trick. We also get to choose a Cavalier’s Order and get a mount which is nice for rapidly moving across the battlefield for better positioning.
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