diff --git a/res/eressea/equipment.xml b/res/eressea/equipment.xml
index d0f37a404..a03aba2ce 100644
--- a/res/eressea/equipment.xml
+++ b/res/eressea/equipment.xml
@@ -36,11 +36,6 @@
     <skill name="perception" level="3"/>
   </set>
 
-  <set name="new_orc">
-    <skill name="polearm" level="1"/>
-    <skill name="melee" level="1"/>
-  </set>
-
   <set name="spo_seaserpent">
     <item name="dragonblood" amount="6"/>
     <item name="seaserpenthead" amount="1"/>
diff --git a/scripts/eressea/equipment.lua b/scripts/eressea/equipment.lua
index d7fa9d43a..423fc0280 100644
--- a/scripts/eressea/equipment.lua
+++ b/scripts/eressea/equipment.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,46 @@
--- Equipment
+-- forward declaration required:
+local sets = {}
 
-local sets = {
+local function equip_new_orc(u, flags)
+    local eqname = 'orc_' .. config.rules
+    local set = sets[eqname]
+    if set then
+        return equip_unit(u, eqname, flags)
+    end
+    return false
+end
+
+function equip_unit(u, name, flags)
+    local set = sets[name]
+    if set then
+        local items = set['items']
+        if items then
+            for k,v in pairs(items) do
+                u:add_item(k, v)
+            end
+        end
+        local skills = set['skills']
+        if skills then
+            for k,v in pairs(skills) do
+                u:set_skill(k, v)
+            end
+        end
+        local spells = set['spells']
+        if spells then
+            for k, v in ipairs(spells) do
+                u:add_spell(v)
+            end
+        end
+        local callback = set['callback']
+        if callback and type(callback) == 'function' then
+            callback(u, flags)
+        end
+        return true
+    end
+    return false
+end
+
+sets = {
     ['first_unit'] = {
         ['items'] = {
             ['money'] = 2500,
@@ -25,6 +65,15 @@ local sets = {
             ['melee'] = 1
         }
     },
+    ['new_orc'] = {
+        ['callback'] = equip_new_orc
+    },
+    ['orc_e2'] = {
+        ['skills'] = {
+            ['polearm'] = 1,
+            ['melee'] = 1
+        }
+    },
     ['seed_dwarf'] = {
         ['items'] = {
             ['axe'] = 1,
@@ -108,34 +157,4 @@ local sets = {
     },
 }
 
-function equip_unit(u, name, flags)
-    local set = sets[name]
-    if set then
-        local items = set['items']
-        if items then
-            for k,v in pairs(items) do
-                u:add_item(k, v)
-            end
-        end
-        local skills = set['skills']
-        if skills then
-            for k,v in pairs(skills) do
-                u:set_skill(k, v)
-            end
-        end
-        local spells = set['spells']
-        if spells then
-            for k, v in ipairs(spells) do
-                u:add_spell(v)
-            end
-        end
-        local callback = set['callback']
-        if callback and type(callback) == 'function' then
-            callback(u)
-        end
-        return true
-    end
-    return false
-end
-
 return nil