Giants: How big should they be in an a Fantasy RPG?

[NexH]

Also is it me or does anyone else think that giants are drawn too thin/narow and should be protrayed as being broader overall (sort of like the frost giant pick)

Indeed; most of the time they look better that way, and that broader form seems better fit to support their weight.

 

[RangerWickett]

Looking at that image in the OP, how does the human deal a the lethal (killing) blow to the Huge giant? He can't hit above the giant's thigh.

This concept has always been a mental stumbling block for me.

Quasqueton

Someone needs to play Shadows of the Colossus. Even in your first battle, you jump onto the giant's leg, stab him in the calf to bring him down, then climb up onto his belt, up his back, and finally onto his head, where you stab him repeatedly until he falls. You're a skinny little guy, and this critter is at least colossal.

 

[diaglo]

none of the above.

 

[Nifft]

Why would Huge giants fight little tiny Humans with such large weapons? Wouldn't a flyswatter be more effective?

Imagine the reflex DC...

-- N

 

[Henry]

Looking at that image in the OP, how does the human deal a the lethal (killing) blow to the Huge giant? He can't hit above the giant's thigh.

I can visualize it - I would imagine them to have femoral arteries, same as humans do, plus hamstrings, calf tendons, and (I just looked it up) a half-dozen other major blood lines that would somebody up very nicely.

 

[lukelightning]

I think maybe fire and frost giants should be huge.

 

[heirodule]

The same issue comes up fighting the tarrasque.

See the silly Lidda sticking the rapier into the shoulder? Somehow I don't think that's really doing 10d6 sneak to the tarrasque. What vital organs are 1 foot deep in a 10 foot diameter shoulder?

rapiers also need a weapon vs AC adjustment

 

[Henry]

What vital organs are 1 foot deep in a 10 foot diameter shoulder?

Well, to be fair, it doesn't exactly look like they're winning.

 

[Quasqueton]

The same issue comes up fighting the tarrasque.

Yeah. There are two size categories above Huge, so the mental stumbling block just gets harder to get past.

Somehow I don't think that's really doing 10d6 sneak to the tarrasque.

Well, that's only 35 damage (average) on the tarrasque's 858 hit points. That's like 4 damage against 100 hit points; just a pin prick, like depicted in the image.

Well, to be fair, it doesn't exactly look like they're winning.

In that picture, they are not trying to win -- they are trying to destroy the wand of orcus by throwing it in the tarrasque's mouth. (Context from the book that image appeared in.)

Quasqueton

 

[Psychic Warrior]

I leave the giant sizes pretty much alone. If I want a huge giant I'll use a huge type. Besides how can your frost giants rider their mastadons if they're huge?!