For me, I'm having a really hard time considering the cultural implications of a race that can change its size to increase its Strength and speed. Though not all Goliaths have access to this ability, it's still a little hard for me to wrap my head around.
Some of the Goliath's other abilities...
Crawford comes up with nonsense rulings all the time. Just look at the number of class abilities that clash with the logic of the game world.
Warlock: "I thought you were a master of the longsword."
Fighter: "That was yesterday. Today, I decided to switch. I forgot how to use the longsword...
Sure. We can homebrew. But that doesn't change the fact that the rogue scout (as written) is not a low magic ranger replacement. If WotC wanted it do what you've written, they would have written it to do so.
And as of 2024, rogues are no longer proficient with longswords.
To some extent, you are correct. Yet, I don't think the rogue scout matches many conceptions of the ranger, if any.
Which ranger in literature goes from being the type of person that speaks the secret language of thieves to suddenly (around 3rd level) waking up a wilderness expert?
In the 2024 version, they have Thieves' Cant at 1st level and are no longer proficiency with longswords, only "Martial weapons that have the Finesse or Light property" (p. 129).
Maybe this fits a certain wilderness archetype, but it doesn't fit the grizzled outdoorsman I imagine when I hear the...
I have an unusual relationship with Goodkind. His writing is sloppy, his characters are generic, his imagination is depraved - and yet I've read the series twice. Something about this books just - well - works. At least for what it is.
One level of fighter for Heavy armor. While you're there, snag the Unarmored Fighting style for use with Flurry of Blows.
I would go for a greatsword. Then use Flurry of Blows with Open Hand Technique to knock enemies Prone before attacking.
I've made an early start on my Hexcrawl25.
I've decided to go for a weird-fantasy swords and sorcery setting.
Anyone have any ideas how I should go about posting my progress?