Half-Giants Powerful Build.... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Half-Giants Powerful Build.... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AQuebman
04-11-07, 01:56 PM I swear i've seen this before but I got into an argument with my DM about it so I thought i'd let the forums decide. He claims that my Half-Giant should do the damage of a large creature as far as grappling or dealing monk damage. I think I have read before that they are considered medium for all of those purposes.

My other problem is im going for the Reaping Mauler prestige class which requires defeating 3 creatures 1 size category larger than me. As a half-giant would that be a large creature or a huge creature??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Empiro
04-11-07, 02:18 PM It does not do that. You can point out the FAQ. The wording of the ability is also very explicit in what it does do (and it doesn't say anything about unarmed or grapple damage).
tos_shai_hulud
04-11-07, 02:25 PM For your first question:

Does the powerful build racial trait change the damage the character deals with unarmed strikes and natural weapons?
No. The powerful build racial trait allows the character to “use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty” but doesn’t say anything about changing the damage dealt by his unarmed strikes or natural weapons.

For your second question:

Does the powerful build racial trait allow a character to take advantage of feats for size Large or larger creatures, such as Awesome Blow? Would a half-dragon goliath qualify as Large for determining whether it has wings?
No and no. The powerful build racial trait (found in the goliath entry in Races of Stone and the half-giant entry in Expanded Psionics Handbook) spells out exactly when the character is treated as one size larger than normal:
1) Whenever subjected to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check. This includes grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts.
2) When determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size can affect him. This includes improved grab and swallow whole.
3) When determining what size of weapons the character can use.
That’s it. The character isn’t treated as one size larger when determining space, reach, Hide check penalty, or for the purpose of qualifying for anything that requires size. Some feats, prestige classes, or other game elements may specifically allow a Medium character with powerful build to qualify as if he were Large. Such examples are specific and intentional exceptions to the normal rule.

The character is Medium. If you want a creature that is one size category larger than him, you need to find Large creatures, not Huge ones.
AQuebman
04-11-07, 02:58 PM Could one of you kind folks give me a book and page possibly of where that is written out? Or possibly a link to some D&D errata that I can show to my fellow Playmates? I doubt they will completely believe posts in a D&D Forum.
tos_shai_hulud
04-11-07, 03:16 PM Click on the links to the FAQ I provided. Then search for Powerful Build.
AQuebman
04-11-07, 03:18 PM Cool thank you very much this should help clear things up.
Marcus Majarra
04-11-07, 03:29 PM The powerful build trait is great for reaping maulers. You qualify for the class as a medium character, yet grapple your opponents as if you were large.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AQuebman 04-11-07, 01:56 PM	I swear i've seen this before but I got into an argument with my DM about it so I thought i'd let the forums decide. He claims that my Half-Giant should do the damage of a large creature as far as grappling or dealing monk damage. I think I have read before that they are considered medium for all of those purposes. My other problem is im going for the Reaping Mauler prestige class which requires defeating 3 creatures 1 size category larger than me. As a half-giant would that be a large creature or a huge creature?? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Empiro 04-11-07, 02:18 PM	It does not do that. You can point out the FAQ. The wording of the ability is also very explicit in what it does do (and it doesn't say anything about unarmed or grapple damage).
tos_shai_hulud 04-11-07, 02:25 PM	For your first question: Does the powerful build racial trait change the damage the character deals with unarmed strikes and natural weapons? No. The powerful build racial trait allows the character to “use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty” but doesn’t say anything about changing the damage dealt by his unarmed strikes or natural weapons. For your second question: Does the powerful build racial trait allow a character to take advantage of feats for size Large or larger creatures, such as Awesome Blow? Would a half-dragon goliath qualify as Large for determining whether it has wings? No and no. The powerful build racial trait (found in the goliath entry in Races of Stone and the half-giant entry in Expanded Psionics Handbook) spells out exactly when the character is treated as one size larger than normal: 1) Whenever subjected to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check. This includes grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts. 2) When determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size can affect him. This includes improved grab and swallow whole. 3) When determining what size of weapons the character can use. That’s it. The character isn’t treated as one size larger when determining space, reach, Hide check penalty, or for the purpose of qualifying for anything that requires size. Some feats, prestige classes, or other game elements may specifically allow a Medium character with powerful build to qualify as if he were Large. Such examples are specific and intentional exceptions to the normal rule. The character is Medium. If you want a creature that is one size category larger than him, you need to find Large creatures, not Huge ones.
AQuebman 04-11-07, 02:58 PM	Could one of you kind folks give me a book and page possibly of where that is written out? Or possibly a link to some D&D errata that I can show to my fellow Playmates? I doubt they will completely believe posts in a D&D Forum.
tos_shai_hulud 04-11-07, 03:16 PM	Click on the links to the FAQ I provided. Then search for Powerful Build.
AQuebman 04-11-07, 03:18 PM	Cool thank you very much this should help clear things up.
Marcus Majarra 04-11-07, 03:29 PM	The powerful build trait is great for reaping maulers. You qualify for the class as a medium character, yet grapple your opponents as if you were large.