Uruk-hai

The Uruk-hai are a special breed of orcs, designed as shock troops. They are larger than black orcs--about the height of men, though with more orcish body proportions (longer limbs and a more barrel-like torso, etc). They are correspondingly stronger and more hardy than black orcs, and tend to be more intelligent (but let's not push this point too far... there aren't likely to be any Uruk-hai alchemists any decade soon!). Because of their greater size and slightly higher IQ, Uruk-hai are almost always chosen as leaders when in mixed bands with other orcs, and even among trolls. Uruk-hai are also bred to perform better in sunlight, though even they suffer some loss of stamina and strength in bright light. The downside is that Uruk-hai can not see as well in the darkness as black orcs, and do not have quite the agility of their smaller cousins.