[baronspam]

It is generally well established that Orks are probably the most mechanically advantageous race among the standard metatypes, at least in terms of  cost efficiency.   That high body and strength for only 20 points is a deal, even for non combat characters.  Orks make fine hackers, and as a Int based magician you are giving nothing up either.

Honestly, the only reason I don't pick an ork for every character I design is the RP fluff.  Orks die of old age by 40.  That drives me absolutely bats**t.  Every time I make an ork I end up with a character who is obsessed with making enough money to pay for the life extension treatments they will need to ever have a retirement.  Not only do you need a million in the bank for that high lifestyle retirement, you need another million for the extra 40 years of life extension to live as long as a human. 

Anyone else bugged by this?

[FastJack]

Not really, since a) most runners won't survive until they're 40 anyway, and b) the only time the lifespans were mentioned was in 1st Edition, and that was (propagandized!) supposition on the natural lifespan by "experts", and the "experts" were taking into account the skewed data that many orks died young due to the sub-standard living conditions of the ghettos and such.

For instance, if you compare the Life Expectancy between 1960-2011 among the United States, Somalia and the overall world average, you see that US has been consistently about 15-20 years above the average, while Somalia has been 15-20 below the average. Now, in the sixth world, take a look at the young ork that grows up in a place like the Barrens, without consistent shelter, nutrition and medical assistance. Then compare him to the average corp rat born and raised in the safety of his "family". I'd say that's pretty near equivalent to difference between Somalia and the US.

[FastJack]

Of course, that's how I run it.

[Mirikon]

Well, there's actually a table on page 72, SR4A that has average height, weight, and lifespans for the various metatypes.

[baronspam]

Not really, since a) most runners won't survive until they're 40 anyway, and b) the only time the lifespans were mentioned was in 1st Edition, and that was (propagandized!) supposition on the natural lifespan by "experts", and the "experts" were taking into account the skewed data that many orks died young due to the sub-standard living conditions of the ghettos and such.

For instance, if you compare the Life Expectancy between 1960-2011 among the United States, Somalia and the overall world average, you see that US has been consistently about 15-20 years above the average, while Somalia has been 15-20 below the average. Now, in the sixth world, take a look at the young ork that grows up in a place like the Barrens, without consistent shelter, nutrition and medical assistance. Then compare him to the average corp rat born and raised in the safety of his "family". I'd say that's pretty near equivalent to difference between Somalia and the US.

Actually, the lifespan is right in SR4A in the "Metahuman Characteristic Tables" as 35-45 years.  Under human it says 65(worldwide) but it does not give the same notation about orks.  Certainly the worldwide levels of poverty in humans vs. orks isn't so disparate that it can account for a humans living on average a third longer?  Trolls, who integrate into society even less well than orks do, and are thus more likely to be living in conditions of extreme stress, make it on average 55 years.  It seems to me that orks are just doomed to pay into social security and never collect .

Still, I suppose your argument  means that an ork with a decent standard of living and access to medical care makes it to 55-60, which is a bit better, but you still better be saving your pennies if you ever want to retire in style.

[FastJack]

It's all propaganda! Don't believe THE MAN!

[ArkangelWinter]

Most of the people I've seen play orks have followed the Conan rule: when you know youre living on borrowed time, live life big and die in a blaze of glory. Orks as enforcer-types bother me; orks as adrenaline junkies, high-risk mages, or speed demons to me makes a lot of sense.

[CanRay]

"Never Trust An Elf" wasn't propaganda, showing Kham's Mom and his Grandfather.  Also, there is a scientific way of measuring a general lifetime with DNA threads (That's how they've estimated Dwarven and Elven lifetimes.).

So, yes, Orks live shorter lives, mostly due to poverty, but also due to genetics.  Trolls are a bit better.  Either way, Trogs just can't catch a break.

[FastJack]

Yes, yes, I know... Just saying that if it bugs you, change it for your game.

[CanRay]

Yes, yes, I know... Just saying that if it bugs you, change it for your game.

Rules are guidelines, not set in stone.  Always remember that!

[x6u]

Isn't it just natural born orks that have a gimped life span? I remember reading somewhere that goblinized orks retain their normal human life expectancy. So if it really bugs you that much, just make your character one of them goblinized orks.

[All4BigGuns]

Isn't it just natural born orks that have a gimped life span? I remember reading somewhere that goblinized orks retain their normal human life expectancy. So if it really bugs you that much, just make your character one of them goblinized orks.

Only problem there is that your character is pretty old at this point. I mean just look at Bull. 

[Forged]

Doesn't goblinization still happen though? I mean not on the scale it did when it first happened. I also thought there was a second major wave of Goblinization/ whatever they call it for elves and dwarves.

[All4BigGuns]

Doesn't goblinization still happen though? I mean not on the scale it did when it first happened. I also thought there was a second major wave of Goblinization/ whatever they call it for elves and dwarves.

I was under the impression that elves and dwarves just started being born for the most part and didn't goblinize.

[x6u]

Re orks: yeah, there are still orks that goblinize, it says in the book that 95% of humans born to ork mothers ork out when they hit puberty.