Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 llama1996 Jul 05, 2014 10:53:02	This is less of a question about the rules themselves, and more of me wanting to know peoples opinions on a minor thing which I noticed in the basic D&D rules. There is a height and weight table on page 33, and while working out the height and weight for a halfling, I noticed that they seem a bit low. As far as I knew, halflings were based on hobbits and hobbits tended to be 2-4 feet, with an average of 3'6". Based on this table, a "hobbit" cannot get more than 3'3", which is actually below average. I know it is completely optional and I could use whatever heights and weights I want, but I am curious to know if anybody else has noticed this, and if any similar tables were in older books for me to compare these to. How big should halflings (and elves and dwarves etc.) be, in your opinion?   Also, mods feel free to move this if there is another section it would fit better in.
#2 Plaguescarred1 Jul 05, 2014 11:04:07	I like random height & weight tables, but I agree the halfling may be a bit small.
#3 E-Tallitnics Jul 05, 2014 13:56:04	llama1996 wrote:
#4 Sword_of_Spirit Jul 05, 2014 20:52:32	They also neglected to have separate male and female entries...which is just ridiculous. It's just human anatomy that adult males average about 5" taller than adult females.   I'm not sure why the book felt the need to force people to research that if they wanted a bit of verisimilitude. Of course, you have to adjust and guess for the other races.   The best thing I can say for it is that I like how they're carefully deciding exactly what words need to make the cut into the product to squeeze as much goodness in as they can without sacrificing flavor. And that is a big compliment. I like how they're compacting the info in general.
#5 HollowMan42 Jul 05, 2014 21:02:32	In the AD&D 1e DM's Guide, there are tables for randomly generating NPCs, and on page 102, it says Halflings average 36", with minus 1-3" or plus 1-6".   3.5e and Pathfinder list them as being 3 ft as well.   So 5e seems a bit lower overall, but it's not ridiculously out of whack with earlier editions.   -HM
#6 Nesian42Ryukaiel Jul 06, 2014 0:20:19	When assuming that a halfling has the same body parts ratio as a human and only half sized, 1/2 is cubed for weight and it becomes 1/8. That said, they're somewhat heavier (up to about twice) relatively compared to humans, density wise.