D&D 5E Design a Goliath sub-race!

[Slit518]

But Andre was nonetheless a human.
I like that medium size goes to 8 ft to account for tall humans. It also establishes that giants - including goliaths - should be taller than 8 foot and have the bulk to match - giants arent just tall humans ...

Goliaths are supposed to be on the tall side of Medium, bordering Large. So say large beings at 9', they are supposed to be 7-8 1/2' tall. 300-500 pounds. That off the top of my head and not actually looking at the book.
Since most average Medium races don't go above 6'6" on normal, you can see why the Goliath has a bit of extra bulk. However, I feel they should of given them the ability to wield slightly larger weapons, aka one die-grade higher than normal. So for example a d8 Longsword becomes d10 when one-handed.

 

[Samloyal23]

I miss the 2E Half-Giants from the Dark Sun campaign. TWELVE FEET of badassery with no apologies...

 

[Aldarc]

Goliath, Stormborn

This subrace makes me feel like an idiot for not seeing how goliaths could be made into playable half-giants of different giant types.

 

[Fenris-77]

This subrace makes me feel like an idiot for not seeing how goliaths could be made into playable half-giants of different giant types.

Huh, weird, that was the first thing I thought of when I read them the first time. Well, we're on the same page now. Sub-races for me would definitely be indexed to giant type. It's cool, it fits into the lore like a glove, and it opens up some neat design space for abilities.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

Goliath, Forbidden Mountains (this is the Fomorian-linked subrace, I am open to other names):
+1 to Int. (replaces con)
Evil Eye (replaces mountains endurance): The goliath magically forces a creature it can see within 60 feet of it to make a Charisma saving throw. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your intelligence modifier + your proficiency bonus. A creature takes 2d6 psychic damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level.
Once you have used this ability, you can't use it again until you complete a long or short rest.

 

[Eyes of Nine]

I sort of see Firbolgs as Goliath sub-types. Or maybe the other way around...

 

[TheCosmicKid]

From my campaign...

ENCLAVE GOLIATH
Once, the mountaintops were crowned with soaring walls and towers, and the cliff-faces rang with the songs of a proud people. Now, in scattered settlements, enclave goliaths seek to preserve the ways of their ancient, long-lost civilization.

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

Oral Histories. You have proficiency in the History skill.

Memory of Stone. If you prepare spells, you can prepare one extra spell per rest. If you learn spells without preparing them, you learn one extra spell. If you have another class feature which allows you to choose two or more abilities from a list of options, such as the battlemaster fighter's maneuvers from its Combat Superiority feature, you can choose an extra option. If more than one class feature could benefit from Memory of Stone, only the first feature you gained benefits. For example, if you are a sorcerer, you learn one extra sorcerer spell, but you do not not gain an extra metamagic option at 3rd level, and if you gain a cleric level, you do not prepare any extra cleric spells.

Powerful Build. As base goliath.

Mountain Born. As base goliath.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, Giant, and one other language of your choice. Enclave goliath culture does not traditionally use writing; you may choose to be illiterate.

 

[Fenris-77]

I'll take a stab at some Giant Kin, why not. I'll start with Stone Giant...

Stone Kin: +2 STR +1 CON

Stone Shapers: Stone Kin have proficiency in Stonecarver's Tools (new, based on Woodcarvers tools). Stone Kin double their proficiency for tests that involves carving stone or evaluating stonework.

Stone Sight: Stone Kin have a deep connection to the bones of the earth. They may cast their senses deep into stone to gain insight and information. You may pick one of the following effects:

Memory of Stone - The Stone Kin receives a vague approximation of the number and type of beings who have crossed the stone within the last day. The nature of this information is up to the DM.

Seek the Mountains Root's - the Stone Kin can determine if there are empty spaces on the other side of a natural or constructed stone wall, within a maximum of 15'. The information gained will be in the form of general size/number and distance.

Bounty of Stone - The Stone Kin can detect the presence and direction of un-mined precious metals and gems within 100'.

You may use this ability once per Short Rest.

Powerful Build and Mountain Born as per Goliath.