I was thinking to introduce a new trait called Hulking (for Orcs and Half-Orcs) that would give +2 to Strength and -2 to Dexterity.
Do you think it would be too unbalanced?
I was thinking to introduce a new trait called Hulking (for Orcs and Half-Orcs) that would give +2 to Strength and -2 to Dexterity.
Do you think it would be too unbalanced?
Yes, I think so.
It gives the option of taking something an extra boost to your primary stat for something of lesser value (given that you play a character non dependant on dex).
Drop the base speed to 20ft and it could look a very lil' bit bore balanced.
Sounds like a 'mini-rage'.
I would also give -1 to Fly and -2 to Stealth (half the penalty for a Large creature).
I would also give -1 to Fly and -2 to Stealth (half the penalty for a Large creature).
That is just it, those who benefit from strength instead of dex, is not going to have any drawback from penalties to those skills.
Still those are the penalties linked to an increase in size.
Even big and strong characters have to make a stealth roll from time to time.
Anyway, he should also decrease by one point the "Maximum Dex Bonus" of any armor worn.
I would say you should include that they only get those benefits/drawbacks from being enlarged that they do not already have. That would be a meaningful drawback and it would prevent double dipping size bonuses.
In other words a hulking orc being enlarged would become large but its strength and dex would not change as they are already as they would be after enlarge.
Are there any other traits that do anything remotely like this? My impression is that traits generally give a small bonus to very specific checks and rolls... not flat-modifying a character attribute.
For that reason alone, I'd be incredibly skeptical of this being in-line with other traits.
Dex DOES affect a lot of different things: AC, initiative checks, Reflex saves, ranged attacks, and a lot of skills, like Acrobatics, Ride, and Stealth. Also, penalizing Dex and increasing Str has a net effect of 0 to your CMD.
Half-Orc can just straight up take a +2 to strength as his racial and Orcs have a huge Strength bonus to begin with. It seems kind-of redundant to give a trait that gives them even more strength.
Not only that but I can't think of any scenario with such a trait if I am making a fighter-esque character not to take the Adopted trait and give myself an extra +2 strength.
If you wanted a trait that was more in-line with the other traits, I would make it more like "Choose a strength-based skill, add 1 and you are now proficient in that skill".
This is 110% no on my part. I don't like traits at all, but this is way too good for a trait.
If you wanted some kind of "hulking" trait, give them +/- on other size-related modifiers (CMB, AC, stealth, etc.). Something small.
An orc barbarian with this trait as-is would be utterly unstoppable.
If you wanted some kind of "hulking" trait, give them +/- on other size-related modifiers (CMB, AC, stealth, etc.). Something small.
I like that. Something like this then?
Trait: Hulking
Although you are still medium-sized, you are unusually large and bulky. Gain +1 Size bonus to either CMB & CMD or Melee Damage rolls. However, take -2 Size Penalty to Stealth checks. When squeezing, you take a -6 Size penalty to AC and Attack Rolls.
I like this, but I would also kick in that they reduce the penalties for using over sized weapons by one as well.
And maybe give them a feat that will reduce it by another point.
Perhaps rules-wise it's not quite right, because size doesn't actually increase melee damage, it increases Strength (but I was trying to avoid directly doing that). So having +1 to CMB, CMD and reducing penalty on over-sized weapons is probably enough. Could perhaps increase carrying capacity by 10%, but now this is looking TOO good :)If you wanted some kind of "hulking" trait, give them +/- on other size-related modifiers (CMB, AC, stealth, etc.). Something small.
I like that. Something like this then?
Trait: Hulking
Although you are still medium-sized, you are unusually large and bulky. Gain +1 Size bonus to either CMB & CMD or Melee Damage rolls. However, take -2 Size Penalty to Stealth checks. When squeezing, you take a -6 Size penalty to AC and Attack Rolls.I like this, but I would also kick in that they reduce the penalties for using over sized weapons by one as well.
And maybe give them a feat that will reduce it by another point.
That would only lead to even more player searching for cheesy ways to use oversized two-handed weapons. Or who would try to get through with claiming that being unable to use such weapons is a penalty which is reduced by the trait.
Besides the (in my opinion) strongest campaign trait for kingmaker only gives +1 CMD (not CMB) and +1 to one skill. Your trait is not only much stronger than that but much too strong.
