D&D 5E Design a Goliath sub-race!

Slit518

Adventurer

• Apr 29, 2020

• #1

As we all know, Goliath is a pretty boss race. Why is it not a core race? Probably because the folks at WotC like making us wait for good stuff.

But, one thing you may have noticed is a lack of sub-races for the Golaith.

So, I have a task for you folks! Each and everyone of you who wants to participate, design a sub-race for the Goliath!

The sub-race design will replace the +1 Constitution the Goliath normally gets, as well as the Mountain Born feature.

 

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Jester David

Hero

• Apr 29, 2020

• #2

It didn't seem as iconic five years ago, but did make it into the first expansion of content in early 2015.
But you can bet when they revise 5e or do 6e the goliath will almost certainly be in the PHB.

Okay, as a shamansitic people, a Wisdom bonus instead of Constitution seems the most obvious route. Allow clerics and druids along with rangers.

Mountain Born is a nice ribbon feature, so it gets kept. It's not big enough to be swapped out for something else. And Powerful Build and Natural Athlete seem pretty tied to physicality.
That leaves Stone's Endurance as the variable feature.
How about:

Will of Stone. Your focused mind makes you single-minded and determined. When you start your turn and are frightened or charmed, you can make an immediate saving throw, ending the effect upon yourself on a success.
After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

 

bedir than

Full Moon Storyteller

• Apr 29, 2020

• #3

Step One: Firbolgs are a now a Goliath sub race (temperate rain forests). It's going to take some work, but they become STR+2 and WIS+1, drop Firbolg Magic to 3rd level, and maybe done.

Step Two: Design other subraces around other extreme environments. Arctic, Desert, and Jungle would be where I look for inspiration. Fi

Step Three: Mountain Born and Stone's Endurance and the CON bonus are what potentially change.

Arctic still get CON bonus.
Child of Ice: the cold benefit from Mtn Born, and a swimming speed that's the same as walking.
Friend of Frost: You learn the cantrip Ray of Frost.

Desert still get the CON bonus.
Camelback: The first level of exhaustion results in no penalties, and the Goliath needs no extra water resources no matter the weather.
Shifting Sands: Advantage to cover tracks on sand or exposed rock.

Jungle get a DEX bonus.
Something about climbing and living in the canopy
Proficiency in Sleight of Hand and advantage on use of rope

 

Twiggly the Gnome

Legend

• Apr 29, 2020

• #4

Goliath, Moai

Moai Traits

Moai share a number of traits in common with each other.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Natural Athlete

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Stone’s Endurance

You can focus yourself to occasionally shrug off injury. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to roll a d12. Add your Constitution modifier to the number rolled, and reduce the damage by that total. After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Island Born

You’re acclimated to high wind and heavy precipitation. You suffer no disadvantage to Wisdom (Perception) checks under those conditions.

 

Tonguez

A suffusion of yellow

• Apr 29, 2020

• #5

Volcano Born Goliath
Goliaths born within the sulfurous caldera of active volcanoes gain an elemental affinity with molten rock

+ 2 Str + 1 Con
Volcano Born:
Volcano born Goliath, gain an elemental affinity with the molten rock, they are immune volcanic gases and are resistant to Fire.

Flaming Rocks:
The Volcano born Goliath is able to enfuse heat and fire into the rocks around it causing them to burst into flame, these Rocks can be thrown for 2d6 fire damage



Cloud Goliath
Sometimes at the top of giant beanstalks are found cloud castles, Goliath are found amongst the inhabitants of these mysterious structures.

+ 2 Con + 1 Dex

Featherfall:
The Goliath of the Clouds rate of descent is 60 feet per round up to 600 ft, ie they are permanently under the effects of a Featherfall spell

 

Last edited: Apr 29, 2020

Iry

Hero

• Apr 29, 2020

• #6

Goliath, Stormborn

Stormborn Traits
Unlike most Goliaths, Stormborn often grow pale white or grey beards that they braid and decorate like dwarven folk. They also tend to be slightly more slender than their Stoneborn cousins, resembling human proportions with grey, blue, or greenish skin tones.

Ability Score Increase
Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Natural Athlete
You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Thunder's Touch
You know the shocking grasp cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the thunderwave spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the thunder step spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Casting these spells with this trait doesn’t require material components. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Stormborn
You’re acclimated to high wind and heavy precipitation. You suffer no disadvantage to Wisdom (Perception) checks under those conditions, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.

 

Slit518

Adventurer

• Apr 29, 2020

• #7

This is what I like to see, the Goliath love!
My favorite races are Human; Goliath; Drow.

 

NaturalZero

Hero

• Apr 29, 2020

• #8

I imagine that with the popularity of Critical Role and the subsequent animated series that Amazon is going to publish, we should expect to see Goliaths as a staple in future editions.

 

doctorbadwolf

Heretic of The Seventh Circle

• Apr 29, 2020

• #9

I have been thinking about a Cliff Diver variant, that replaces mountain born with immunity to fear from high places or the threat of falling (total ribbon), acclimation to deep waters, and the ability to hold their breath for minutes equal to 10x constitution score. Wisdom boost or Dex boost.

I also have thought of a nerdy variant, who would gain +1 Int, and trade mountain born for 2 extra languages and a tool of their choice. Maybe a special ability to decipher text in even unknown languages.

 

Jester David

Hero

• Apr 29, 2020

• #10

Twiggly the Gnome said:

Island Born

You’re acclimated to high wind and heavy precipitation. You suffer no disadvantage to Wisdom (Perception) checks under those conditions.

Click to expand...

Moving them from mountains to islands is an inspired choice, and does make for a nice ribbon that isn't overpowered.
Anything that has a real combat effect is probably too much.

doctorbadwolf said:

I have been thinking about a Cliff Diver variant, that replaces mountain born with immunity to fear from high places or the threat of falling (total ribbon), acclimation to deep waters, and the ability to hold their breath for minutes equal to 10x constitution score. Wisdom boost or Dex boost.

Click to expand...

Holding breath would also be a good ribbon as well, either for the above or a different subrace.