Orc Breeds.

Here's all the Orc breeds (or perhaps some of them are actually tribes,it's not always easy to tell) I can think of, apart from the unnamed "smaller breeds" mentioned in chapter two of book six.

Uruk-hai. Also called Uruks and black orcs.

Orcs of the Mountains. Also called Northerners.

Orcs of Mordor. Also called Orcs of The Eye.

Morgul Orcs. I don't think these guys were much different to the Orcs of Mordor, although they did have better gear.

Trackers.

Can anyone think of any others? One of the things I like most about LoTR is the way Tolkien characterised the Orcs. They are both amusing and brutal at the same time.

I don't think the Morgul Orcs and the Mordor Orcs were different breeds. They were just stationed in different places.

That's exactly what he said Eruve! (Read more carefully! )

0] tut tut tut unless you go search in book not written by Tolkien i don't think you'll find that much breed of orcs

There are obviously more than 2 or 3 breeds of orcs in JRRT. There is a reference to this in the RK.
"They were a gang of the smaller breeds being driven unwilling to their Dark Lord's wars; all they cared for was to get the march over and escape the whip." RK page 208

0] Yep but their is no particular name
if you want name you have to look in other book not written by Tolkien
that's what i mean

There would be many unnamed breeds and tribes of orcs.
I was only listing the ones that I could find named in the books.
There's also Saruman's half orcs, although I'm not sure if they really count.

what about Hobgoblins? they're mentined in The Hobbit.

you forgot Olog-hai
can't remember where they from, but they're there

Olog-hai are trolls.

so they are.......

The Goblins of the Misty Mountains are the small Orcs.

And Olog Hai are definatly trolls. Trolls that can go out in sunlight, no less.

I belive there was a reference to hobgoblins in The Hobbit. If they're of Orc-kind, they'd probably count as another breed(assuming they're not the Northerners).

I'd guess that whoever refered to them as Hobgoblins did because he didnt really know to call them orcs... And orc are a kind of hobgoblins...

I seem to recall Tolkien using both goblin and hobgoblin instead of orc in The Hobbit. (Although the word "orc" does show up once or twice if I remember properly.) The distinction---if one is truly meant to be made---is very uncertain.

Hmm...it would be interesting to know if this confusion made it into any of the translations. (Doesn't the word "gnome" pop up a few times in The Hobbit, as well? Or am I thinking of something else?)

If you read the preface to the Hobbit you'll see the explanation about Goblin and Hobgoblin.

In the original version of TH, "Gnome" was used, but I believe it was changed to "Elves" in the later edition after LotR. Tolkien said that he originally called the Noldor "Gnomes" but changed the name to avoid confusion with actual gnomes.

Good idea.... Gnomes are somehow.... ridiculous!

Preface? To The Hobbit?!? Where? What version?

My copy is supposed to be the revised edition! And you tell me I'm missing something? That's not fair. ::sullks::

Hey...maybe that means mine is almost antique. :lol:

I found the reference Bmilder was talking about. Here's the quote:
"Orc is not an English word. It occurs in one or two places but is usually translated goblin (or hobgoblin for the larger kinds)."
That, as Bmilder said is from Tolkien's preface to The Hobbit. Thanks Bmilder, I'd completely forgotten about that reference.
Perhaps hobgoblins are actually the Uruk-hai?

I know I've read that but it doesn't seem to be in my version.

DUDE! ALL THE ONES YOU JUST NAMED WERE TRIBES NOT BREEDS. EXEPT FOR THE MOUNTAIN ORCS.