Given this, I would have three questions:ġ) Why does the player want to play a large creature? Your response as a DM will differ if they are largely looking at role playing opportunities versus players that want to be more powerful in combat.Ģ) How well does the 3p race mechanically define large (both advantages and disadvantages)?ģ) How balanced is the mechanics of the large size, both within the context of the race, and in comparison to what the other players will get from their race choices? So a player has options for large creatures that are mechanically similar enough to medium creatures so as to not break combat. Additionally, they count as medium for the purpose of grapple and shove (a point which I disagree with, but we are talking RAW). But they also don't take up more than one 5' square on a grid, and don't deal double damage as most large creatures. They are bigger than medium creatures and can carry more. Because being large also comes with mechanical advantages (some having already been mentioned) a well-balanced race will specify what specifically they get as large creatures.įor example, for all intents and purposes Goliaths are large creatures. I think it would probably help a bit to understand what mechanical benefits the specific race grants. Will have to put up with endless requests by the rest of the party to carry their stuff. almost everyone they will be dealing with). If I were the GM, I'd say at least 10× the price from medium-sized crafters (i.e. Fitting them with armour doesn't just involve bigger armour, it might also involve ladders or trestles to measure and fit the pieces. Will pay a lot more for all their clothing and gear. Even if they can get in the door, they will be smacking their head on light fittings, getting cramp for tiny chairs and tables, and getting frustrated eating and drinking from tiny plates and mugs. Will probably not be joining the rest of the party having a quiet drink. The player just has to sit there being bored. Visiting the merchant guild leader so she can pay the characters? Nope. Visiting the sheriff in the guard building? Nope. Going to the abbey to meet the abbot? Probably not. Will not be joining the rest of the party in most places in town. Will be sleeping in the stables, not the inn.
A medium character protected by a low wall might have half cover, but a large character likely has little to no cover from it.ĥ) Large characters will need to squeeze or crawl through certain areas meant for medium characters, and that carries its own penalties.Ħ) Large characters are heavier and risk falling through things that can support the weight of a medium character. Which is a real possibility when the PCs' enemies think taking out the party's large member will even the odds.Ĥ) Large creatures will receive less benefit than medium sized creatures from taking cover behind the same obstacles.
Generally, there are some disadvantages to being large.ġ) Armor costs more because it takes more material and more time to make it.Ģ) Large characters are likely to be seen as bigger threats because of their size (regardless of whether they're more dangerous than their smaller party-mates) being focus-fired upon is something large characters should expect, and they don't necessarily get more Hit Points just for being large.ģ) Related to point #2, large characters have more spaces adjacent to them, meaning more foes can engage them in melee combat.