Ancestry with Large weapons heritage


Homebrew and House Rules


I am creating an ancestry of almost giant-sized creatures. One of their heritages is associated with their capability to wield large weapons for a medium-size creature. The way I modelled the larger weapons was granting a +2 damage when wielding large weapons with no disadvantages. I consider this a fair enough benefit for a heritage. However, I don't like the way it interacts with other abilities, especially, the Giant barbarian instinct, since the titan mauler says specifically "You can’t remove this clumsy condition or ignore its penalties by any means while wielding the weapon." Since my heritage grants a large weapon with no penalty. Creating a Giant instinct barbarian of my ancestry will in effect create a member of that heritage that is actually worst at wielding large weapons than someone that is not a giant instinct barbarian.
My question is:
How can I word a way to circumvent the penalties from the barbarian or even the enlarge spell that is not quite wordy or cumbersome.
Or should I grant the clumsy condition to members of my heritage to be consistent? And If I do it, will it be underpowered to grant +2 to damage in exchange of the clumsy condition?

Thanks in advance.


I just flipped through the existing Heritages and couldn't find any example of a flat (or really even situational) damage boosts. That would make this particular Heritage one-of-if-not-the-strongest option for smashing fools. Seems a tad overpowered, relative to existing Heritage options which seem to grant either situational bonuses, additional scaling survival features, or some quirk that increases options.

I could see something like the above as a series of Ancestry feats that expand options around being "just wow big".

Having said all that...

Let's go, dude. Keep in mind that overlapping options are thing and are part of the design conceit of the game.

If I wanted to build this as a Heritage, I might consider something like...

Giant-Blooded [AncestryName]
The blood of a giant runs through your veins, giving you the ability to wield weapons of a larger size than normal. You gain Access to a single Large weapon at character creation. Additionally, gain a +2 status bonus to weapon damage while under half health and wielding a Larger or larger weapon. If you are a Giant-Instinct barbarian, instead of the above bonuses, you ignore the clumsy effect of the Instinct Ability.

I still think this is on the high-power side of Heritage abilities.

(Also: Flagging this as wrong forum, as it should probably be in Homebrew.)


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Saedar wrote:

I just flipped through the existing Heritages and couldn't find any example of a flat (or really even situational) damage boosts. That would make this particular Heritage one-of-if-not-the-strongest option for smashing fools. Seems a tad overpowered, relative to existing Heritage options which seem to grant either situational bonuses, additional scaling survival features, or some quirk that increases options.

I could see something like the above as a series of Ancestry feats that expand options around being "just wow big".

Having said all that...

Let's go, dude. Keep in mind that overlapping options are thing and are part of the design conceit of the game.

If I wanted to build this as a Heritage, I might consider something like...

Giant-Blooded [AncestryName]
The blood of a giant runs through your veins, giving you the ability to wield weapons of a larger size than normal. You gain Access to a single Large weapon at character creation. Additionally, gain a +2 status bonus to weapon damage while under half health and wielding a Larger or larger weapon. If you are a Giant-Instinct barbarian, instead of the above bonuses, you ignore the clumsy effect of the Instinct Ability.

I still think this is on the high-power side of Heritage abilities.

(Also: Flagging this as wrong forum, as it should probably be in Homebrew.)

Thanks. Perhaps you are right and the ancestry benefit is too good. I was trying to model the old "powerful build" race trait that half-giants had, but since weapon size is no longer a game element is harder to model. I saw that the enlarge spell in 2e had a comparable benefit and this one does not have a reach increase. I thought that this power, a simple +2 to damage was comparable to the dwarf fire resistance, or a bite attack or a +1 to saves. However, perhaps the benefit is way too general. Making it a go-to power.


I mean. I'm happy to brainstorm an Ancestry here with you.


Saedar wrote:
I mean. I'm happy to brainstorm an Ancestry here with you.

Thanks, Saedar. This ancestry is vaguely based on the physical appearance of giants that appear in Banner Saga. The idea is that they are almost large horned powerfully build creatures. They are smart and strong and they live in a very complicated cave-dwelling society full of intrigue, and backstabbing since their time of glory has passed them and now they live and opulent decadence (They dress sort of the vultures in the dark crystal). They have huge esteem for their physical and mental prowess to a fault.

I gave them +2 Strenght +2 Intelligence but ince they are quite large they have -2 to dexterity

So far I have heritages that grant them damage when they succeed in a shove action (they use their horns). Another one to obtain dark-vision.
I want some to show their mental prowess, perhaps something to help with arcane knowledge or some sort of control over random variables in spells.

But I am missing the ability to use large weapons. I Could do without it, but it was part of the original race in pathfinder 1e


There may be another way to spin this.

If the Ancestry/Heritage is known for wielding Large weapons, does that necessarily mean that they ALL do that? Instead of providing a flat damage bonus or the ability to wield Large weapons, why not provide something that intentionally compliments the type of character who would pick a Giant-Instinct Barbarian or otherwise is fond of big (but Medium-sized) two-handers?

Some quick and dirty ideas:
* Something like the Indestructible Goblin where you get more HP than normal for your Ancestry.
* Situational boost to Demoralize checks.
* Situational bonus to bend bars/lift gates (or other similar tasks).
* Grant them an unarmed attack (either their Horns or a Slam). Less useful to a Giant-Instinct Barbarian but still fitting the theme.

This way all members of the Heritage are known for being physically imposing. The legendary members of the Heritage, though, take on the Giant Instinct and can grow to great size and wield incredible weapons.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder Second Edition / Homebrew and House Rules / Ancestry with Large weapons heritage All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in Homebrew and House Rules