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A couple of beefs with the height and weight chart.
1) The whole 'base height' and 'base weight' plus a die roll thing a) has always confused me a little, and b) doesn't provide any useful information in and of itself. Instead of using 'base' numbers, why not print an average height and weight (always useful) and the die roll as +/- from the average.
Example: instead of saying "Human, male - base height 4' 10" + 2d10," say "Human, male - average height 5' 8" +/- 1d10."
Easier to understand and know you actually know what the average height and weight for each race is.
2) What the heck does a weight modifier of " x (2d4) lbs " mean? Is anyone seriously saying that a human male weights between 120 lbs (120 base x 1) and 960 lbs (120 base x 8)? Or should the "x" be a "+" ?
Again, how about just giving us an average weight and a +/- variation.
As I understand the chart and have used it, the base line is to roll the 2d10 from your example and add it to the base height. Remember that number because you will multiply it by the result of the x(2d4) to get the additional weight to add to their base weight. I know it is poorly explained and a pain in the a**, but as I said that is my understanding of how it is to be used.
I agree it could be a little simpler to use. I just have no ideas on the subject of how to go about it.
Just my 2 cp.
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... roll the 2d10 from your example and add it to the base height. Remember that number because you will multiply it by the result of the x(2d4) to get the additional weight to add to their base weight ...
That's right! I think the DMG must explain it and it didn't get reprinted in the Beat. Still, confusing. Give me an average that I can add or subtract from.
Give me an average that I can add or subtract from.
and then you'll also toss a coin to determine the + or - ?
how is that simpler than just the min. value to add to?... roll the 2d10 from your example and add it to the base height. Remember that number because you will multiply it by the result of the x(2d4) to get the additional weight to add to their base weight ...
IMO the additional weight should be based on the strength score.
otherwise you could get an 8STR human with the same height and weight as an 18STR human.not so much a problem with the 8STR PC as you can account for the extra weight as fat, but how does the 18STR account for all the extra muscle?
and does the fat count against the max load of the 8STR person?
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Give me an average that I can add or subtract from.and then you'll also toss a coin to determine the + or - ?
how is that simpler than just the min. value to add to?... roll the 2d10 from your example and add it to the base height. Remember that number because you will multiply it by the result of the x(2d4) to get the additional weight to add to their base weight ...IMO the additional weight should be based on the strength score.
otherwise you could get an 8STR human with the same height and weight as an 18STR human.not so much a problem with the 8STR PC as you can account for the extra weight as fat, but how does the 18STR account for all the extra muscle?
and does the fat count against the max load of the 8STR person?
I think it's also dependant on your CON score, i.e. a low STR and high CON character could be lean and fit -- on the other hand, you could describe such a character as being fat. This is mechanically supported by 3E, which -- at least in certain supplements -- seems to equal CON with your "size".
STR 18 human with low CON might be "lean'n'mean" or simply muscular but "out of shape" (i.e. low pain treshold and immunity system/health).
These things are not written in stone, which, in my opinion is good. I don't we need the accurate tables for everything Rolemaster and other more complex "simulationist" RPG systems have (e.g. for the length of your limbs, each of which in turn provide a penalty or bonus to a number of statistics). Having said that, I don't think it's really relevant to think about how fat or height affects a person's carrying capacity -- it's not relevant to the system.