D&D 5E Goliaths WebDM Misses the Mark, but Sparks My Curiosity

[Garthanos]

The game mechanics support it just as much as other races, given fact that they can lift and drag, what four times more than other races. That's certainly a very clear demonstration of strength, in par with the others.

That is realistic due to square cube laws (or actually in defiance of them) with someone as tall as proportionate 9.5 foot tall it is totally acceptable to me. If you wanted proportionate 12 foot tall it would need to be like 8 times instead of 4.

 

[Garthanos]

Fae in my concept are like the pixie tinker bell in the movie hook, they are mighty because they are that way on the inside. I have dwarves but they are decidedly not human (constructed slaves) and the miner dwarves are very wide of frame and compact no one would doubt they would have heroic strength. The player who wants their non-miner (household) dwarf to be strong would need a strange story line to justify it. But then again they can build a damn fine dex based combatant (could be done in 4e and 5e both) . I do not have halflings in my game world(see household dwarfs).

After this discussion I might expand Goliath up to 12 foot tall and 8x the lift and move capacity and give them bonus damage against non movable/inanimate targets and maybe some form of bonus to knocking back or down others when they attack. I think slowing down their movement rate as they tend to keep their feet more firmly on the ground and reduce knock back they take would be good too. Anyway the idea is to have very strength and mass demonstrating abilities. (They don't even need to be a bonus on Con really)

 

[BookBarbarian]

I like Goliaths in part because I hate their culture. It's super easy for me to make a Goliath that wanted to leave the tribe as soon as they could.

My latest one Is a Sage background Goliath Rune Knight who's goal is to explore the relation between Goliaths and true Giants and in pursuit of that goal picked up some rune magic.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I really like the idea of adding some sort of oral history/incredible memory feature, or a navigation benefit when the stars are visible, something less physical, to the race.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I really like the idea of adding some sort of oral history/incredible memory feature, or a navigation benefit when the stars are visible, something less physical, to the race.

I'd like an oral history added to them, almost no civilized race in the game has an oral history culture instead of a written one, and nomadic people like Goliaths would make a great fit for it.

 

[Garthanos]

I'd like an oral history added to them, almost no civilized race in the game has an oral history culture instead of a written one, and nomadic people like Goliaths would make a great fit for it.

Oral History == Bards are the proper lore keepers

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I'd like an oral history added to them, almost no civilized race in the game has an oral history culture instead of a written one, and nomadic people like Goliaths would make a great fit for it.

Yep. If I get to play a new character soon, it may be a Goliath Bard with Keen Mind.

Or I may try to build a swordmage in 5e as a Goliath. Either way, Keen Mind.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Oral History == Bards are the proper lore keepers

Yeah, but I also feel like a lore bard just doesn’t feel right for them. Maybe Valor.

But I think maybe I’d want a scholarly Druid subclass?

Or just like...a Storyteller Bard? Not sure what that would even be, but...idk.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I definitely think there is room for more race-inspired subclasses, by the way.

Dawncaller Bard is all about greeting the dawn, inspiring hope and pushing people past what they think their limits are. Lore connected to Goliaths.

Doomspeaker Bard is the master of disheartening enemies, filling their hearts with a nameless dread. Shadar -kai.

Swordmage [fighter, ranger?] learns the ancient art of the Elemental Aegis, marking enemies, adding elemental damage to all weapon attacks, gaining a version of armor of agythis that can be ice, fire, lightning, or thunder. Genasi.

Maybe a Gith inspired monk that gets psionic and arcane stuff.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Yeah, but I also feel like a lore bard just doesn’t feel right for them. Maybe Valor.

But I think maybe I’d want a scholarly Druid subclass?

Or just like...a Storyteller Bard? Not sure what that would even be, but...idk.

Depending on whether or not you want spellcasting, I'd go with:
Goliath Rune Knight Fighter Str/Int/Wis
Take your extra feat to take Keen Mind and Skilled: History, Diplomacy, Religion

Or

Battlesmith Artificer, with Sage or Performer background, casting with woodcarver/mason/leatherworking tools
You are a runecarver with a Defender whose a spiritbeast-possessed runic construct.
Carve runes and totems to enhance your party's items