Monsters?

[Murdock Mudeater]

Been wondering for a while, but doesn't matter always. In the CRB, Defensive Combat Training for Dwarves grants +4 AC when fighting Monsters of the Giant subtype.

What does "Monsters" mean?

[Java Man]

Fluff term. The giant subtype is the important part.

[dragonhunterq]

Technically monster is a defined term so arguably a creature with no racial HD and the giant subtype would deny the dwarf their +4AC.

...Technically :D

In actual gameplay (and how I would rule it) Java Man is correct.

[Java Man]

Huh, never realized monster was actually defined.

[John Murdock]

but the big question now, are there giant without racial HD?

[Matthew Downie]

Yes:
Ogre as PC/NPC race.

[Java Man]

Ogrekin template changes subtype to giant.

[Murdock Mudeater]

John Murdock wrote:

but the big question now, are there giant without racial HD?

Pretty sure you can add subtypes to creatures in a number of ways. Plus, GM's race creator in ARG allows for all sorts of odd subtype mixes.

Not certain, but I'm pretty sure "racial heritage: Giant" would allow a human to qualify for this racial ability.

The other bit is that Subtypes are often retained when applying templates, such as the Skeleton Champion (which even uses giant as the example subtype). So the applications aren't just to humanoids with the giant subtype.