Munchkins and goliaths

[ErickArnell]

I've been reading about goliaths, and wonder if their +1 LA is too low.

It seems to me one of the big downsides to LA races (especially in melee combat) is lost hit points and BAB. But with an extra hp because of the Con bonus and an extra +2 to hit in melee because of Str bonus, that downside seems minimized.

With a favored class of barbarian, it means that the normal goliath will start out with 13+ hp, respectable for second level PCs (in my games anyway).

Am I just being overly sensitive to min/maxing?

 

[shilsen]

Just a little sensitive. IMO, the goliath is a strong +1 and would be a very weak +2. If you don't like it, I'd suggest dropping the "not large but gets the benefits of large" ability.

 

[The Souljourner]

Aww, but it's the "large but not large" ability that makes them special. Otherwise they're just a different flavor of orc.

I really don't think they're too powerful for +1. On the high side of +1? Slightly. But +2? Meh. All they get above a normal Orc (+0 race) is +2 con, losing -2 to a mental stat, and counting as large sometimes. I think that's a fair trade. Both have barbarian as their favored race, even.

-The Souljourner

 

[DM_Matt]

They certainly are much weaker than half-ogres.

 

[Darklone]

Yeah, having no reach is a big drawback, even if you'd have to squeeze

 

[The Souljourner]

Comparing them to half ogres is like saying your Corvette is no Ferrari... doesn't mean it's slow.

Yes, they are certainly much weaker than half ogres, and thank god! At least as is, you have SOME chance of convincing your DM they're fine as a +1 race.

-The Souljourner