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Kaladorm
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1176 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Mar 2006 : 11:46:38
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quote:
• Powerful Build: The physical stature of half-giants lets them function in many ways as if they were one size category larger.
Whenever a half-giant is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), the half-giant is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him.
A half-giant is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect him. A half-giant can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, his space and reach remain those of a creature of his actual size. The benefits of this racial trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject’s size category.
Taken from the half giant entry in the SRD.
My question is: Would you consider a monks natural attacks to be of a medium size category or large size category (i.e. for damage purposes)
Thanks scribes :)
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Jindael
Senior Scribe
USA
357 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2006 : 12:55:24
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| I would think that "special attacks based on size" would include the monks unarmed damage, yes. It makes sense to me, and isn't horribly overpowering. |
"You don't have a Soul. You are a Soul. You have a body."
-- C.S. Lewis |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2006 : 13:43:35
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From the FAQ:
quote:
Does the powerful build racial trait change the damage
the character deals with unarmed strikes and natural
weapons?
No. The powerful build racial trait allows the character to
“use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without
penalty” but doesn’t say anything about changing the damage
dealt by his unarmed strikes or natural weapons.
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Jindael
Senior Scribe
USA
357 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2006 : 13:54:42
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| I've never seen Arivia be wrong, and in this case it isn't even her ruling, but that doesn't seem to make sense to me. |
"You don't have a Soul. You are a Soul. You have a body."
-- C.S. Lewis |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2006 : 14:03:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Jindael
I've never seen Arivia be wrong, and in this case it isn't even her ruling, but that doesn't seem to make sense to me.
It does to me. The special attacks based on size bit refers to the applicability of special attacks. A small case can be made based off the ability to use weapons sized for larger creatures, but I'd think that refers to greater strength and endurance, not larger body sizes, which is what the unarmed damage dice are based off of. |
Edited by - Arivia on 08 Mar 2006 14:04:14 |
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Jindael
Senior Scribe
USA
357 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2006 : 15:22:55
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| When I think of Powerful Build, I image a critter with large hands and feet, and bulky. I guess that’s where I’m basing my (incorrect) assumption that the trait would allow a size increase for damage I mean, it’s called Powerful Build after all. |
"You don't have a Soul. You are a Soul. You have a body."
-- C.S. Lewis |
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Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 09 Mar 2006 : 01:40:21
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The key to most feats is that the feat specifically outlines what it does and is limited to just those advantages. Since increased unarmed damage is not listed, one should not extrapolate that it grants it.
Powerful Build (and Jotunheim for humans) are designed to allow a character to have some (but not all) of the benefits of the next size category, without any of the penalties of the next category.
Even without increasing unarmed damage, this is a pretty powerful feat. It combines the advantages of Jotunheim with monkeygrip and does not have the penalties that monkeygrip confers. One could argue that a character with this feat AND monkeygrip could wield weapons two size categories larger than him.
I'd say that if you want to allow the next size category's unarmed damage, you should just allow the character to be the next size category with all of the advantages and disadvantages that this would entail. |
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msatran
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2006 : 04:37:37
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Sarta, that's Jotenbrud. Jotenheim means "Land of the Giants." Jotenbrud means "Brood of the Giants." :)
In general, Sarta, that rule applies to ANYTHING that Wizards does. If it's not written in the spell description, it doesn't happen.
The only rule that overcomes this is rule zero. In rule zero, the DM says "It happens this way." And it happens. |
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Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2006 : 06:00:23
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quote:
Originally posted by msatran
Sarta, that's Jotenbrud. Jotenheim means "Land of the Giants." Jotenbrud means "Brood of the Giants." :)
In general, Sarta, that rule applies to ANYTHING that Wizards does. If it's not written in the spell description, it doesn't happen.
The only rule that overcomes this is rule zero. In rule zero, the DM says "It happens this way." And it happens.
 You are very right. I was in a hurry. I hope Thrym can forgive me.
As to the other, yeah, I played Magic the Gathering for years. I've taken to reading all feats as if I were reading a new magic card. |
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Powerful Build/Monks
