| 13 people marked this as FAQ candidate. |
In the book and on grids the monster's dimensions are done in squares which are 2-dimensional. However most of us apply it so that the monster is a cube shaped.
When the question comes up on the boards the person asking normally easily accepts that the monster such as a large one is taking up space equal to 10 by 10 by 10.
I figured since this is a fairly easy rule I could FAQ it and get an official answer.
Question is bolded below:
Is the 3rd dimension of a monster on a map equivalent to the other 2 dimensions? As an example if a large* giant is listed as 15 feet tall would his space on the grid be 10x10x10 or 10x10x15?
*That was referring to the size category applied to creatures in the game.
|
I don't really like the idea of strict cubes. It would mean that a typical human (over 5' tall) is basically crouching in his cube. From a "visual" perspective, I'd be more at ease with taking the stated length of the monster/character and rounding up to the nearest five to get the cuboid dimensions.
However, strict cubes are considerably simpler to work with, so that's something to consider as well.
Assume a spherical cow?
I don't really like the idea of strict cubes. It would mean that a typical human (over 5' tall) is basically crouching in his cube. From a "visual" perspective, I'd be more at ease with taking the stated length of the monster/character and rounding up to the nearest five to get the cuboid dimensions.
However, strict cubes are considerably simpler to work with, so that's something to consider as well.
The cube is actually the rule, but it is not actually written.
If a monster is huge and you are 20 feet over his head he can't reach you even if he is 20 feet tall since game goes by squares. Otherwise the same leniency would be applied to length or width since there is no rule saying height is not the dimension left out someone could easily say the length is the undefined dimension and get extra reach that way.
I don't really like the idea of strict cubes. It would mean that a typical human (over 5' tall) is basically crouching in his cube. From a "visual" perspective, I'd be more at ease with taking the stated length of the monster/character and rounding up to the nearest five to get the cuboid dimensions.
However, strict cubes are considerably simpler to work with, so that's something to consider as well.
For what it's worth, chances are good that you're not standing straight up in combat. It's also really good chance that you've got you're feet spread for additional support and so you can twist your leg muscles and torso to put extra strength into an attack.
So yeah, the 5ft height is a fine approximation.
And remember it's only an approximation. It's not like any actually human is 5ft long or 5ft wide, Honey Boo Boo's mom excluded.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
KISS.
Cubes are simpler and easier to manage, even if a little weird at times.
|
|
It's cubed. You can somewhat overshoot your cube and still be valid, but it is cubed.
(snip)
A titan stands 70ft tall, but also occupies the 30x30x30 space.
I think that this is overshooting it so much that the system breaks down. Titans are clearly used to standing up straight and proud. Imagine you're invading a titan's home. The ceilings are sure to be over 70ft high.
But apparently, flying at 70ft high, the titan can't reach you, because he's forced to crouch down into a 30ft cube.
The cube is actually the rule, but it is not actually written.As far as I know, there simply isn't a rule for "gridding" height. That's why the Fly rules use a completely different movement cost system for flying upwards.
I will reword my last comment. It is the intent, but it is not actually written. The point of me asking for this FAQ is to prove intent. Most people just accept it when they ask, but since it is the intent I do think it should be actually stated somewhere.
What the combat chapter actually says is how far your reach from your squares. It never really says if those dimensions refer to height, length or width so someone could argue their length gives them more reach, and the change it to height if it is convenient.
If you(not you specifically) really want to say they are squares, well once could say squares have no height or that you can only attack 10 feet from the ground as a large creature. The square is not 10 feet above the ground so you can't assume your point of reference for attacks comes from there. <----I am sure(99%) nobody would really do it though.
I support your efforts to get some clarity and consistency in the rules here. I'm just not entirely sold that strict cubes are a perfect solution. I do like their simplicity, but sometimes the results are odd.
I am not trying to get a perfect solution. I am trying to get official word on intent. The game is full of situations where things are abstracted for ease of play. Facing is one example.
|
I don't really like the idea of strict cubes. It would mean that a typical human (over 5' tall) is basically crouching in his cube. From a "visual" perspective, I'd be more at ease with taking the stated length of the monster/character and rounding up to the nearest five to get the cuboid dimensions.
However, strict cubes are considerably simpler to work with, so that's something to consider as well.
For what it's worth, chances are good that you're not standing straight up in combat. It's also really good chance that you've got you're feet spread for additional support and so you can twist your leg muscles and torso to put extra strength into an attack.
So yeah, the 5ft height is a fine approximation.
And remember it's only an approximation. It's not like any actually human is 5ft long or 5ft wide, Honey Boo Boo's mom excluded.
This is a good assumption. I play ice hockey as a goalie. I stand 6 feet tall in skates, but when I am crouched and ready for the puck, my head is barely above the crossbar (which is 4 ft off the ice).
I figure this is one of those deliberately undocumented things. Most creatures the space is cubed, but it can't be in all cases. Not sensibly.
Large swarm of ants? NOT a 10ft cube. Most other things? A cube.
In 3.5 the rule is that, in general, creatures are as tall as their space.
As a general rule, consider creatures to be as tall as their space, meaning that a creature can reach up a distance equal to its space plus its reach.