@ Niffit - Doh! I got the idea of it, was reading the math line literally however when you wrote those "averages" - I was seeing a str base of 10. You are right on the relativity thing; but what I was looking at was the "totals" figure as optimized.
I like the "giant blood" factor for this race in a major way.
What scares me here is that Powerful Build + Enlarge Person = Huge Weapons wielded by first level character. VERY SCARY
Under the "Core" it would be Possible for you to get a "virtual" 4d6 build however. Specifically, a theoretical Rogue, Taking weapon proficency Greatsword and recieving the enlarge person from a potion = 3d6 + 1d6 sneak die.
IF this race is not balanced - it is only unbalanced at levels 1-4, and more so at levels 1 and 2. You really have to "max" the build however.
Summarizing the racial features:
Mountain Men
- –2 Dexterity; also one of the following +2 Strength or +2 Constitution (Player Choice)
- Medium: As Medium creatures, half-giants have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
- Base land speed is 30 feet.
- Low-Light Vision
- Powerful Build: Their physical stature lets them function in many ways as if they were one size category larger.
Whenever they are subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), they are treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him.
They are 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. They can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, their 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.
- Giant Blood: for the purposes of magic and abilites such as a ranger's favored enemy this character is considered a giant and a human.
As a side note - the Natural Height/weight on this race (for random rolls) needs to be higher than that of the half orc. 6ft as a base, 4d6 inches for a height modifier. Weight of about 225 for a base; +4d4 lbs per inch of height.
This nerfs slightly the idea of said character taking a large mount not of the dire or str 20+ variety, as his bodyweight and gear is likely to exceed 300lbs (light load carrying cap of your str 18 warhorse).
With those slightly indirect drawback/consequences (giant blood and size) added in - I would say this deal is a go, and definitely balanced as a +0 LA.