Half-Giant subrace?

[Ken14]

So, just a suggestion….Now that we have these awesome sliders to adjust height, why wouldn't the half-giant subrace be a viable new addition?


I've checked out a few editions of the half-giant subrace and I think the most viable option for ravenloft would be this one: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/halfGiant.htm

My reasoning:

-It would be a fun new addition to the bigger races. Right now, we 'only' have Half-Orc ( and all it's variations), Caliban ( with some variations), Scro, Mul and Tanaruk. That's a sizable pool, but kinda on the shallow end once you consider what the other races get in terms of choice.

-This version is 7 to 8 feet tall ( 84 - 96 inches), which I believe isn't outside the possible range on the sliders. Other versions can get as big as 10 feet tall, which is likely impossible to emulate.

-The advantages aren't gamechanging, in comparison to other versions, which may have +4 STR/CON.

-The level adjustment is only +1, making it easier to play then a +3 adjustment would, like other versions. Granted, this one is weaker then those, but we play it for the roleplay, not the stats.

-Powerful build doesn't seem to be too hard to implement. Half-giants are still medium size, but they're deemed one size bigger for combat maneuvres and wielding of weapons. Maybe inherent Improved Knockdown & Improved Parry feat to simulate this? It would make up for the lack of Naturally Psionic, as I don't think that's something the server has.

[Grendlykins, Simp of Azalin Rex]

Mechanically this is possible to implement from a size perspective, even if they were ten feet tall. The height variable can go much higher than what is listed in the regular character height ranges; those are determined by developer implementation. The more accurate question is what does it bring to the atmosphere and roleplay of the server; kobolds, goblins and other similarly outlandish races have been categorically stated to be on the "never happening" list due to those factors.

In addition to the roleplay concerns, after a certain height things start looking ridiculous with scaling. Outside of those issues, this is possible to implement but that is contingent on the developers finding it a suitable addition to the roster.

[Monktrus]

Half-Giants are a core PC race in Dark Sun, and the module does support nearly every other option other than Thri-Kreen. Might be a cool add if you could stomach the colossal OCR penalty.

[ForgottenBhaal]

Could besides that just make it an application based Subrace as well.

[MAB77]

As per official D&D rules

Some of the races will be shunned by most people in Ravenloft. The demiplane of dread is primarily a land of humans. The sight of a half-giant or thri-kreen in most domains is likely to cause panic. Unfortunately, there is no way to disguise their alien nature. Unless the rules for a particular domain specify otherwise, half-giants and thri-kreen will be treated as monsters by the populace.

Furthermore, it's been often commented that they are a really poor fit for the Ravenloft setting in general. Their 3.5e game stats modifiers alone as per the official Dark Sun setting website (+8 Str, +4 Con, -2 Dex, -4 Int, Wis & Cha) makes them fit only to fill the roll of an overly strong brutish idiot. Not a role we are particularly keen to encourage. Their sheer size compared to other PCs males them a tad immersion breaking too. All this adds up to a race that adds little value to the module. If you are so dead set in playing a brutish lout, the less mentally challenged half-orcs and calibans can more than aptly fill the roll while allowing you to pursue deeper role-play options. The half-giant race will never be considered for inclusion.