Powefrul Build: What EXACTLY does it give you...

[Remathilis]

From the XPH SRD:

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.


From the Goliath Excerpt at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20040711b&page=5

Powerful Build: The physical stature of a goliath lets him function in many ways as if he were one size category larger. Whenever a goliath 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 goliath is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him. A goliath 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 goliath 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.​

Ok, that means a PC with powerful build gets...​

+4 Grapple Checks​

+4 Bull Rush Checks​

+4 Trip Attacks​

+4 Disarm Resist Attempts​

+4 Overrun attempts​

Bonuses to Resist Swallow-whole​

Bonuses Vs. Wind Effects​

Use of Large Weapons Without Penalty (see below)​

He DOESN'T get​

-1 AC, Atk -4 Hide Checks​

Reach​

10' x 10' facing​

But does he get?​

Large Unarmed Damage for a monk?​

required to spend more on armor?​

The ability to wield large weapons as if he was one size category larger (IE, use a large longsword 1 handed as if he was large with no penalty) or 2 handed as if a medium creature, abit without the -2 penalty).​

+4 Bonus to Intimidate based on size?​

Maximum Vertical Reach for Jump?​

Carrying Load as a large creature (x2)?​

+4 bonus to breaking objects?​

 

[Tilla the Hun (work)]

Consult the players guide to faerun...

Look up Johtunblud (sp?)

It clarifies those questions quite a bit.

In simple terms - you're considered one size larger whenever it is favorable to the character to do so for the purposes of opposed rolls.

That's grapple, trip, etc. as you pointed out.

It's not for weapons (no opposed rolls) nor for size occupied (non-favorable to character) nor for AC (again, non-favorable to character)

Seriously - don't bother with h-giant as a race unless you want something in specific in their description for flavor to your character.

Take that johtunblud feat instead. Simpler, and all the same bennies really.

 

[Elephant]

But does he get?
Large Unarmed Damage for a monk? Yes. It's a Special Attack Based on Size.
required to spend more on armor? No. With a 5' square space, Large armor doesn't make sense.
The ability to wield large weapons as if he was one size category larger (IE, use a large longsword 1 handed as if he was large with no penalty) or 2 handed as if a medium creature, abit without the -2 penalty). Yes. He can wield a Large Longsword 1-handed with no penalty.
+4 Bonus to Intimidate based on size? Yes. This is an opposed check with a special size modifier.
Maximum Vertical Reach for Jump? No. This is not an opposed check.
Carrying Load as a large creature (x2)? No. With a 5' space, it doesn't make sense.
+4 bonus to breaking objects? No. This is not an opposed check.

 

[babomb]

But does he get?​

Large Unarmed Damage for a monk?​

I'd say yes.

required to spend more on armor?​

Nope.

The ability to wield large weapons as if he was one size category larger (IE, use a large longsword 1 handed as if he was large with no penalty) or 2 handed as if a medium creature, abit without the -2 penalty).​

Not sure. The way it's written sounds as though he wields large weapons 2-handed but without the -2.

+4 Bonus to Intimidate based on size?​

Yup.

Maximum Vertical Reach for Jump?​

Don't think so.

Carrying Load as a large creature (x2)?​

No.

+4 bonus to breaking objects?​

Don't think so.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Not sure. The way it's written sounds as though he wields large weapons 2-handed but without the -2.

That's certainly what it says as written. There's no suggestion that the normal Large-longsword-is-a-two-handed-weapon rule is ignored.

However, the NPC Half Giant in the book wields a Large greatsword, which suggests that the Powerful Build ability as written is incorrect, and should state that he wields Large weapons as a Large creature, rather than 'without penalty'.

-Hyp.

 

[Gilwen]

I think the intent is to allow him to use the large weapons as if he was large himself. It would be much cleaner if it was stated that way. Otherwise how would he wield a large two-handed weapon? The ablility says "A half-giant can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty". It doesn't say he can only use large light and one handed weapons, but rather gives him the entire range of large weapons to use. If he had to use two hands to wield a large longsword then it doesn't really track how he could use a large two handed weapon effectively (which a normal medium creature could not do).

Gilwen

 

[Hypersmurf]

The ablility says "A half-giant can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty".

Right.

A Medium creature can normally wield weapons designed for a creature one size larger with a penalty. The half-giant does not get that penalty.

It's also the case that when you wield weapons one size larger, their relative encumbrance category is increased; the half-giant's Powerful Build ability says nothing about affecting this rule at all. If the weapon becomes larger than two-handed because of this, it's too big to wield; the half-giant's Powerful Build ability says nothing about affecting this rule at all, either.

However, the sample NPC indicates that, perhaps, it should say something...

-Hyp.

 

[Saeviomagy]

I guess it's just a case of what you take 'penalty' to mean.

If you think that being unable to wield the weapons, or requiring more effort to wield them is a penalty, then he's using large weapons as if he's a large creature.

If you think that the -2 is the penalty, then he's not gaining any benefit at all - he could just use the appropriately sized weapon which does the damage he's after.

 

[Gilwen]

I guess it's just a case of what you take 'penalty' to mean.

If you think that being unable to wield the weapons, or requiring more effort to wield them is a penalty, then he's using large weapons as if he's a large creature.

If you think that the -2 is the penalty, then he's not gaining any benefit at all - he could just use the appropriately sized weapon which does the damage he's after.

I take pentaly to mean that you have to subtract some amount from your roll. I also believe that the ability is supposed to allow you to weild large weapons as if you where large yourself.

Gilwen

 

[Hypersmurf]

I guess it's just a case of what you take 'penalty' to mean.

Penalty: a negative modifier to a die roll. It's in the glossary

If you think that the -2 is the penalty, then he's not gaining any benefit at all - he could just use the appropriately sized weapon which does the damage he's after.

Not if he's just claimed the Ogre King's +3 Large Longsword of Speed as his share of the loot...

-Hyp.