Ok, so the advanced race guide is fine with Large PCs.....but why? It seems like in every other version of rpgs people see it as a really really bad idea.
Because Pathfinder has squeezing rules that allow large PCs to go through doors?
Because Pathfinder has squeezing rules that allow large PCs to go through doors?
The posts I found (talking about 3.5, and 4e) were concerned more about the unbalancing effect of extra reach, use of large size weapons, and bursts centered on the character affecting more enemies.
Having allowed Large characters in my games before (yeah, I'm such an edgy rebel that way) I can say that it's hardly unbalancing. Reach can be an advantage, yes, and Large weapons tip things in that character's favor in low levels. Now if the entire party was Large-sized, that might throw things out of whack, in which case a good GM would adjust challenges to compensate.
However, you don't get any extra range on a burst since you only measure such things from one corner of the character's square, not the center.
Also, rickety bridges, tight tunnels, mounts, beds at inns, and various other in-game situations modeled for Medium characters can be inconvenient to downright dangerous.
Bottom line: If you're not playing in Pathfinder Society organized games, then what the official books are "fine" with doesn't matter. The GM is the final arbiter of what does and doesn't fly in the game. If a GM doesn't want Large-sized characters in the party, then the GM doesn't allow them. Easy peasy.
Also, rickety bridges, tight tunnels, mounts, beds at inns, and various other in-game situations modeled for Medium characters can be inconvenient to downright dangerous.
Could you tell me more about rickety bridges and tight tunnels?
|
I don't see an issue with large PCs, but the trick is that its balanced by the fact they live in what's essentially a medium-sized world.
I had one barbarian ill-advisedly get himself permanently enlarged. He rapidly discovered the following.
The berthing on the airship the group traveled around on barely had space to comfortably accomodate medium people, let alone large (he ended up sleeping in the cargo hold with the horses).
The same aircraft, and most cities, had privies which were essentially 5X5 rooms and he always, always had to squeeze into them.
His love interest became somewhat daunted at the fact her beau was now fifteen feet tall.
He ultimately decided it wasn't worth the trouble and got the permanency revoked.
There is another setting that routinely allows 'large' PCs: Shadowrun.
Trolls frequently have trouble because everthing from car remotes, to cars themselves aren't sized for them. Vans are a necessity just to transport them around in a lot of cases.
In effect, being Large is like being Gandalf in the hobbithole, for your entire life. Its great in combat, you're really intimidating, but it can be a pain in the butt.
Remember, there is not one standard (or even 'uncommon') race option for PCs that is outside the small-medium range. The sample large races have well above average build points.
The ARG just provides rules for how to make large PCs if the GM decides to run a 'monstrous' campaign.
Basically I'm looking at a multi-racial city, and considering whether letting players play a character with a bit of giant blood would be appropriate.
Could you tell me more about rickety bridges and tight tunnels?
Also, rickety bridges, tight tunnels, mounts, beds at inns, and various other in-game situations modeled for Medium characters can be inconvenient to downright dangerous.
Some spaces are simply going to be too small for a Large character to fit into without magical assistance (reduce person, gaseous form, etc), while the rest of the group can do so with little difficulty.
Any situation where weight is a factor (like the aforementioned rickety bridge) is going to be a problem for Large characters. An obstacle as simple as an old bridge could be navigated by a party of Small or Medium-sized PCs by simply going one at a time. That big guy though, means the party has to either come up with an alternate plan to get across, or, again, has to burn magical resources (reduce person, levitate, fly, et al.) to accomodate the Large PC.
Protection spells are also a factor. Spells like magic circle against evil aren't going to be able to encompass Large PCs plus the rest of the party.
Yout realize that in order to both be large and have reach thats 2 traits in the race builder for 7 and 1 points. Halflings and humans are worth 9 points. So for all but one or two of your racial points you get:
10ft reach, +2 strength -2 dex, +1 CMD, -1 AC -1 to hit and can use large weapons. And then maybe like lowlight vision or something.
And in addition to that you get all the hassles other posters have mentioned that come along with not fiting in a medium sized world. So whats the issue?
I'll be watching this thread. I have a giant race in my (untested) home-brew setting that I'm really excited about. It doesn't seem unbalanced to me, though it definitely provides advantages in some situations...just like being small. Small is great for rogues, not so great for barbarians. Large is great for fighters, not so great for wizards. But I'm anxious to see what other people have experienced.