Which is Better: Large Size or Medium with Powerful Build?

[Nyaricus]

So, say you're designing a new race (or something along those lines) and you have to deicide whether they should be large-sized or medium with powerful build. Are these interchangable (ie a race with powerful build and medium sized would be equivalent to a race who's large size?) or is one better?

Here's the full text of each:

Powerful Build: The physical stature of [this race] let's him finction in many ways as if he were one size catergory larger. Whenever [this race] is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an oppposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts) [this race] is treated as being one sized larger if doing so is advantageous to him. [This race] is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature's special attacks based on (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect him. [This race] can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, his space and reach remain those of a creature his atual size. The benefit of this racial trait stack with the effects of abilities and spells that change the subjects size catergory. Space/Reach is 5 ft./5 ft..

Large Size: [This race] takes a -1 penalty to Armor Class, -1 penalty on attack rolls, -4 penalty on Hide checks, +4 bonus on grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits double those of Medium characters. Space/Reach is 10 ft./10 ft..

 

[Rystil Arden]

You should remove Grapple from the Large Size Only category, as you have correctly identified in Powerful Build that it applies there too. Anyway, Powerful Build is better--the reach is quite useful (the carrying/lifting limit is fairly negligible except to Hulking Hurlers) but it isn't worth all the penalties (including other problems not listed like weighing eight times as much and not being able to ride on normal mounts or conveyances or fit in many buildings, etc).

 

[JoeyD473]

It depends on the purpose of the race and its ability.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

Overall, I would say they are equal. Reach is a powerful ability that makes up for a whole lot of penalties. Such as the -1 on AC and to hits, even the -2 to dex scores taht most large creatures have, with the +4 strength.

On the other hand, Powerful Build is La+0 and that is quite powerful, as it allows casters to have the advantages of large without taking a spellcasting penalty.

So roughly equal, I would say.

First vote!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rystil Arden]

Overall, I would say they are equal. Reach is a powerful ability that makes up for a whole lot of penalties. Such as the -1 on AC and to hits, even the -2 to dex scores taht most large creatures have, with the +4 strength.

On the other hand, Powerful Build is La+0 and that is quite powerful, as it allows casters to have the advantages of large without taking a spellcasting penalty.

So roughly equal, I would say.

First vote!!!!!!!!!!

I think you've made several assumptions here (+4 Strength for the Large creature? Huh?, LA +0 for Powerful Build? Double huh?) that aren't part of the poll.

 

[blargney the second]

Adults are Large, young'uns are Medium with Powerful Build.
-blarg

 

[Sejs]

Large is better, Powerful Build is cheaper.

Pretty straight foreward, really.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Well in my homebrew I have a race of bear-folk that practiacally verge on Large size height wize, but for [average] playability they are medium size with the PB trait. Personally I think it is the better way to go.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

I think you've made several assumptions here (+4 Strength for the Large creature? Huh?, LA +0 for Powerful Build? Double huh?) that aren't part of the poll.

Look at the MM for increasing creatures form medium size to large size to see the ability adjustments.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Look at the MM for increasing creatures form medium size to large size to see the ability adjustments.

That is only important if you _increase_ a creatures size. Not if you set it at a certain size.
If it was about increasing, the benefits would be obvious - becoming Large is pretty advantageous.

Drawbacks Large:
-1 penalty to AC and Attacks, -4 penalty to Hide checks, bigger facing (10 x 10 ft)
Advantage Large:
10 ft Reach

From an offensive point of view, reach is very useful. You will gain a lot of AoOs against opponents, and you can avoid AoOs by enemies a lot easier. The bigger facing can become a problem though, but I doubt it will be as big as the reach is an advantage.