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Right, so every STR score has a weight limit of how much it allows a character to lift. For example, an STR of 13 has a heavy load limit of 101–150 lbs. But what if the character is trying to prevent a column from falling and crushing a companion, or holding up a collapsing ceiling to allow his friends to escape? Chances are these will weigh more than 150 lbs. So how would this be handled? Is there a DC for holding up this much, even for a moment?
The lift off of floor/drag limit is 5x the heavy lift, so that would be 750 pounds, probably still not enough. At that point, a really high DC Strength check to hold on long enough to get the others out. As far as numbers, maybe a DC based on the difference between his drag and the actual weight, like +1 per 10 or 50 pounds, depending on whether you want to kill them off or just make them look like heroes.
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I would make it an opportunity for a heroic sacrifice. The best heroes died for others, so make it known that that character can lift that thousand pound pillar off the ground long enough for his friends to escape, but that he's taking 2 constitution damage for every round that he tries to hold something up that's obviously more than he can lift. Or 6 con damage, etc. Holding up an impossible weight for a round should be something that is done only as a great sacrifice, not as a "OH SWEET, I ROLLED A 20!"
Agreed, I would even go as far as to the declare that he can't lift it, or produce an absurd DC(who remembers trying to balance on a cloud folks?)
Telling him that there is no roll here, he can save the party by lifting just enough for them to escape, but as soon as everyone is safe, and he sighs relief, his body will succumb to the overwhelming strain and collapse.
I think it really fits the type of scene when the ceiling comes down, the one that stays behind holding is the one to bite the dust.
As Mergy said, this type of things should be heroic sacrifices, not some shooting for the miracle rolls.
Right, so every STR score has a weight limit of how much it allows a character to lift. For example, an STR of 13 has a heavy load limit of 101–150 lbs. But what if the character is trying to prevent a column from falling and crushing a companion, or holding up a collapsing ceiling to allow his friends to escape? Chances are these will weigh more than 150 lbs. So how would this be handled? Is there a DC for holding up this much, even for a moment?
From Hyboria's Fiercest, a splat book for Mongoose Publishings Conan d20 rules:
Basically, it is a Strength check. If the weight you are trying to lift/hold up is more than your maximum heavy load, but less than twice your maximum heavy load, then the DC is 10, +1 for every 10 pounds of weight over your maximum load. If you succeed, you can move normally, but lose your Dex bonus to AC. Failure means you can still lift the weight, but are staggered (Can only move 5 feet).
For objects equal to twice your maximum heavy load or more, the DC is 20, +2 for every 10 pounds of weight over twice your maximum load. If you succeed, you lift the weight and can move, but you are staggered. Failure means you can't lift the weight.
If either case above, you can maintain holding the weight without a problem for for a number of rounds equal to twice your Strength modifier. After that, you become staggered (if not already), or you drop the weight if already staggered. If you are still holding the weight, you begin taking 2d6 points of non-lethal damage every round until you drop the weight.
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Poor Strength. No one respects you.
Strength already does little enough. Stop picking on it. Would you let someone make a heroic sacrifice with Dex or Int? Make a reflex save they otherwise wouldn't have made in the interest of drama or succeed on a knowledge roll in the name of great sacrifice?
If the 13 strength character wants to hold up the crumbling pillar or lift the iron gate so that the party can escape he/she should talk to the party's strong character and let him/her shine.
I would let a player succeed on a Knowledge roll in the name of great sacrifice ANY day of the week and in a heart beat!
Then again, I like cosmic horror and messing with the character's sanity(everyone, including the NPC's dog), so in my games at least certain knowledge pertains to things mortals are not meant to know, and sometimes that leads to heroic sacrifices in order to find some clue and delivering it before loosing your mind, only hoping that the survivors will take care of the rest.
But I digress, I pictured the ceiling coming down on the character, or a really big column, I was thinking this character is trying to hold up something huge or gargantuan, clearly an impossible feat my mortals.
But maybe I interpreted things differently, I guess it could be done with hard DCs if you work the math.
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Strength checks have always been a problem for me. Even the iconic Barbarian kicking in the door tends to result in a lot of multiple kicks. Or portcullises with arbitrary strength DCs, and PCs asking, "what's the weight? My STR is 18 so it better be damn heavy to be worth rolling."
I think a STR based skill called ATHLETICS would be awesome. Covering Climb, Swim, and Feats of Strength like bursting bonds and kicking down doors. Much like Acrobatics covers Jump, Balance and Tumble (anything that frees up a fighters skill points is welcome in my book)
Right, so every STR score has a weight limit of how much it allows a character to lift. For example, an STR of 13 has a heavy load limit of 101–150 lbs. But what if the character is trying to prevent a column from falling and crushing a companion, or holding up a collapsing ceiling to allow his friends to escape? Chances are these will weigh more than 150 lbs. So how would this be handled? Is there a DC for holding up this much, even for a moment?
The strength limit of carrying items vs other things are different. If the character was not strong enough to support that pillar he better stay out of the way though. The 2nd option is GM Fiat. A strength of 13 is not something I see holding up a pillar though, even a small one.
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Whilst I'm pretty sure that a PC shouldn't really be able to in a strict rules sence, I think under some circumstances, I.E: Players sacrificing themselves to save other players, should have some level of Rule Of Cool involved. The GM will always have that little say that under the circumstances the player finds a well of strength he doesn't normally have access to, but the extremity of the situation allowed him to go above and beyond the call of duty?
Strength checks have always been a problem for me. Even the iconic Barbarian kicking in the door tends to result in a lot of multiple kicks. Or portcullises with arbitrary strength DCs, and PCs asking, "what's the weight? My STR is 18 so it better be damn heavy to be worth rolling."
I think a STR based skill called ATHLETICS would be awesome. Covering Climb, Swim, and Feats of Strength like bursting bonds and kicking down doors. Much like Acrobatics covers Jump, Balance and Tumble (anything that frees up a fighters skill points is welcome in my book)
they do, it's in 4e.
Remember the weight limits by strength are what you can do ALL the time. If your life over head is 150lbs you can always life 150lbs over your head. If you are rolling a strength check it should be for something exceeding your normal limits. The case of the pillar is still probably too heavy, but you are not restricted by your normal weight limits when making strength checks.
From Hyboria's Fiercest, a splat book for Mongoose Publishings Conan d20 rules:
Basically, it is a Strength check. If the weight you are trying to lift/hold up is more than your maximum heavy load, but less than twice your maximum heavy load, then the DC is 10, +1 for every 10 pounds of weight over your maximum load.
Thanks to everyone who answered my question. There were no bad answers, in my book, but I think this is what I was looking for.