Minimum weight by STR

[S'mon]

In the interests of credibility there's a limit to how non-magically strong an 80lb human can be. The following is a suggested table of absolute minimum character weight by STR, since lean muscle mass has a pretty consistent weight/power ratio. This should work fine for manlike humanoids, it may not work for halflings or gnomes (it wouldn't work for chimpanzees either). If a generated character has weight below these minima, simply raise their weight to the minimum given. Figures are derived from the PHB Encumbrance by STR table. Table can be ignored for magically augmented STR (eg Wishes).

STR Minimum weight
24-25 350 lb
22-23 270 lb
20-21 200 lb
18-19 150 lb
16-17 115 lb
14-15 88 lb
12-13 65 lb
10-11 50 lb
8-9 40 lb
6-7 30 lb
4-5 20 lb
2-3 10 lb

 

[Crothian]

This is an interesting idea, but are there really problems with light characters being overly strong?

 

[Upper_Krust]

Dammit I knew I wasn't maximising my strength!

I'm three points down on what I could be!

I concur with the idea by the way!

 

[CRGreathouse]

I like the idea, but the weights seem a little low for the medium-low Str scores... 88 pounds for 15 Strength?

 

[S'mon]

This is an interesting idea, but are there really problems with light characters being overly strong?

It bugs me to see eg 100 lb human female characters with (non-magical) STR 18. Frankly it also bugs me that 30 lb halflings can have STR 16. The table is just to prevent the worst absurdities, and a weigh to reflect the simple truth that non-magical STR requires some muscle mass.

 

[S'mon]

I like the idea, but the weights seem a little low for the medium-low Str scores... 88 pounds for 15 Strength?

The figures are self-consistent - they're the medium-point of medium encumbrance from the PHB encumbrance table - but they are all VERY low, and intended to be - these are the absolute **minimum** weights for that STR. There's no need to consider the size of the individual, nothing but the absolute minimum muscle mass to generate that STR and the minimum skeleton to support it. If you accept the high STR figures as OK, the low ones follow naturally. I know it doesn't appear very intuitive, but it's logical. Almost all humans with STRs below 18 should be well above the minimum weights.

 

[S'mon]

Dammit I knew I wasn't maximising my strength!

I'm three points down on what I could be!

I concur with the idea by the way!

Thanks U_K - Thrin may be flabby & fat in his old age, but starting as a STR 18/00, 5' tall elf he could probably have used a visit from this table...

 

[whatisitgoodfor]

So, if I'm understanding you, you're a halfling hater.

In addition to the -2 they get from their race, you want to limit their final Str to 11.

 

[S'mon]

So, if I'm understanding you, you're a halfling hater.

In addition to the -2 they get from their race, you want to limit their final Str to 11.

I am indeed famous as a halfling hater and if it were up to me I would happily limit their STR to 11. Why should these non-magical, humanlike creatures be able to carry 10 times their own bodyweight, anyway?
However I do specificaly say in the initial post that it may not work for halflings and gnomes - if you rule that these are more akin to chimps in their muscle characteristics, they could have up to 6 times as much STR by muscle mass than humans and humanlike creatures. They don't _look_ like chimps to me though, and logically a 30lb STR 16er should be an unbelievable acrobat, just like a chimp.

 

[MythandLore]

You guys do know that larger and smaller then mansize creatures carry diffrent amounts.
Small creatures are 3/4. (page 142 phb)
So a halfling with 16 STR (very very strong for his race) can only carry 57lb.s as a light load, instead of the 76lb.s a Human can carry.
With a max of 172.5lb.s unlike a humans 230 max.

Lets compare,
A very strong halfling (16 str) can lift 172.5lb.s Max.
A very strong Human (18 str) can lift 300lb.s Max.
The type of the weapons a smaller character is limited too, so the +'s to damage and hit are also balanced out.
There isn't going to be a halfling using a Merc Greatsword even if he wanted too.
So I don't think there is much of a problem.

So a roach (Fine) superpowered (20str) can lift 50lb.s max.