Alexandros Satorum wrote:
In halflings that also means +2 to Ac, +1 to all saves and a bonus to stealth. Now, a +2 to AC is like a heavy shield, a two hander halfling is probably doing more damage than a non twf shield and board human, so that is pretty even. And at later levels a couple of points in damage do not make the big diference and do not forget risky striker.
Not except at very low point buy it doesn't. It means +1 AC and the stealth bonus, except on monks and some fighters. And monks are far too MAD to consider a race that wastes a stat bonus on charisma. The way max dex works you're always better off in heavier armor than light and it doesn't take much to max out mithril full plate without armor training. A 14 and an ioun stone will do while the belt is saved for strength and con or a 12 if the belt gets dex on it. The +1 to saves isn't anything special either. Half-orcs can have that or if saves are more important to you that damage what you really want is a dwarf for double the bonus that can be expanded to +4 for a feat and stat boosts for the two most important saving throws.
The alleged saving graces of halfling martiality are both heavy armor classes using non-finessable weapons. That means dexterity is unimportant and gnome is just better. Except that past low levels most monsters are at least large and most dungeons therefore can accommodate large mounts. Medium cavaliers also fare better when something other than squeezing is shutting down charge lanes. Also, in PFS small characters aren't allowed to ride medium mounts. I gather that's one place where there's a bias towards humanoid opponents and 5' corridors could be commonplace, but thanks to that rule it doesn't matter.
