Edit: moved it here so as not to clutter up the IC thread....
The version I have says this:
"Warrior's surge (Standard, usable only while bloodied, encounter) * Healing
The orc bolt thrower makes a melee basic attack and regains 6 hit points."
I interpreted it literally- there's no mention of a hit. Anyhow, at 6 hp, I think it's fairly tame.
hmm... there must be some errata on that power then, because the in the MM, under the orc racial traits, the power specifically states that a healing surge can only be expended on a successful hit.
Here it is:
Warrior’s Surge Orc Racial Power
Spilling the blood of your enemy invigorates you.Encounter ✦ Healing, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Attack: Strength vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage, and you can spend a healing surge.Increase to 2[W] + Strength modifier damage at 21st level.
The bolded text is my emphasis.
hmm... I just checked out the lastest errata (01/2009) for the MM on the WotC site and I cannot find any errata regarding the Warrior's Surge power. What is the above source that you quoted?
Look, I'm not trying to be a dick here, I just want to make sure that I have it correct in my mind for future reference when I'm acting as DM or when I'm playing an orc character (I have an orc warlord), so it's important to me that I understand the power correctly.
If you rule as DM that the orc spends the healing surge even without a successful melee attack, then I'm cool with it- I just want to understand if it's RAW or a House Rule. That's all.