D&D (2024) Rogue's Been in an Awkward Place, And This Survey Might Be Our Last Chance to Let WotC Know.

[ECMO3]

Then why aren't these guys the world record gymnasts?

They aren't strong enough.

 

[ECMO3]

why?
because someone does not want to rework a premade adventure even a little?
it's not a lot of work.

Because many (I would say most) do not like playing that way.

Most people play adventures as published, just like most play RAW. Sure DMs can change them, but they rarely do, and when they do it is most often the plot they rework, not the loot.

 

[Vikingkingq]

They aren't strong enough.

While it's true that bodybuilders are often not as strong as you'd think, it's also true that you don't see a lot of weightlifters in gymnastics competitions as well, because there is a tradeoff regarding weight when it comes to acrobatics and the like. This is why I don't think Strength needs to subsume everything in Dexterity, because even if the names don't quite get it right, they are evoking distinct real-world issues.

 

[Horwath]

Moreover, this does bring up two other good reason that I forgot - On any small character a Longsword and a Warhammer are the highest damage strength weapons you can wield against foes within 5 feet without getting disadvantage. I had completely forgot about all the small characters using those two weapons.

What do small strength-based characters use in your games?

no reason that with 8 STR and 20 DEX you would think about using non-finesse weapon.

 

[Maxperson]

They aren't strong enough.

They could bend any gymnast in half with one hand.

 

[ECMO3]

no reason that with 8 STR and 20 DEX you would think about using non-finesse weapon.

Yeah, but I was talking about characters with a higher strength than dex.

In your games what weapons do small high-strength characters use?

 

[ECMO3]

They could bend any gymnast in half with one hand.

Even if true they still aren't strong enough to be the worlds best gymnasts.

Big muscles does not equal strength and world record gymnasts are far stronger than bodybuilders.

 

[Horwath]

Yeah, but I was talking about characters with a higher strength than dex.

In your games what weapons do small high-strength characters use?

sorry, sarcasm does not translate in writing always.

last time I saw STR based small character was a halfling barbarian back in 3E.

no use in having 2Handed weapon as a small character as you get +1 damage for -2 AC(no shield)

 

[tetrasodium]

Absolutely I would.

If you are optimizing you are not going to get GWM to start with, so let's just eliminate that one as a consideration. If you are getting that feat, that means you are not making a "top tier build" to start with.

Superior Technique makes a typical sharpshooter build A LOT better. You probably wait until 6th level to get it (after extra attack and Sharpshooter), but it is DEFINITELY worth getting at that time, and you can also get it with a 1-level fighter dip.

Superior Technique+quick throw+archery"sharpshooter means you can throw nets with a bonus action and a +2 on the attack roll and eliminate the disadvantage for long range. You can then follow up with +10 damage multi attack with advantage if you hit until the enemy gets rid of his net. Then the enemy has to waste an attack at minimum to become unrestrained and that is only if he has slashing damage, otherwise it is an entire action.

You can do this once every other fight if you are getting 2 fights per short rest.

As anohter example, if you are going Wisdom-based for attacks and are taking PAM or Sharpshooter Druidic Warrior is essentially required. the +2 from Archery on top of that is huge for sharpshooter and the +2 dueling is pretty darn good for PAM because it lets you use a shield.

That if there is doing an awful lot of lifting for the sentence proceeding it. So much so that said if-statement disqualifies everything you wrote following it because the PC you are now talking about is one the player has decided not to optimize.

 

[ECMO3]

last time I saw STR based small character was a halfling barbarian back in 3E.

You must play games where there is little variety among PCs.

My 16 Strength Kender Knight of the Sword Conquest Paladin, in Shadow of the Dragon Queen was freaking awesome. She was the best melee character in the party.

no use in having 2Handed weapon as a small character as you get +1 damage for -2 AC(no shield)

RAW they can use 2 handed weapons fine, they just can't use heavy weapons effectively.

In melee a small character can do 1d12 + strength using a lance with 2 hands which is only half a point difference from the highest damage weapon available, and it has reach to boot. Such a character will need another weapon to effectively attack close enemies though, and the highest damage available for that is a Longsword or Warhammer.

Strength builds are just weaker than dex builds, but when it comes to Strength I would put a Goblin Battlemaster with a Lance and Menacing attack against any other strength-based martial that doesn't have spells.