Goliaths and Very Large Shields

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Tetsubo wrote:
> The Goliath race (Races of Stone) has the Powerful Build racial
> ability. Which, among other things, allows the race to wield weapons one
> size larger than their Medium size. If a Goliath can wield a Large
> Bastard Sword in one hand (with appropriate Exotic Feat) what would stop
> them from utilizing a Very Large Shield in one hand as well? Something
> like a Tower Shield in size but not requiring the Feat, Tower Shield
> Proficiency... Would this be unbalancing? Maybe just have a Large shield
> (no Tower Shield cover issue) that was +1 over a normal sized shield of
> that type... Any thoughts?
>

Larger armor doesn't give any additional benifits, beyond possibly
having more HP, and therefore being harder to sunder.

- Justisaur

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

The words "Huge Shield" come to mind.
Reminds me of tower shields that could give various cover, if the owner
wasn't in melee...

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Justisaur wrote:

>Tetsubo wrote:
>
>
>>The Goliath race (Races of Stone) has the Powerful Build racial
>>ability. Which, among other things, allows the race to wield weapons one
>>size larger than their Medium size. If a Goliath can wield a Large
>>Bastard Sword in one hand (with appropriate Exotic Feat) what would stop
>>them from utilizing a Very Large Shield in one hand as well? Something
>>like a Tower Shield in size but not requiring the Feat, Tower Shield
>>Proficiency... Would this be unbalancing? Maybe just have a Large shield
>>(no Tower Shield cover issue) that was +1 over a normal sized shield of
>>that type... Any thoughts?
>>
>>
>>
>
>Larger armor doesn't give any additional benifits, beyond possibly
>having more HP, and therefore being harder to sunder.
>
>- Justisaur
>
>
>
Why shouldn't a larger shield provide greater protection? A larger
weapon does more damage. It would seem to be a logical extension... and
using a larger shield has got to be easier than using a Large Bastard
Sword in one hand...

--
Tetsubo
My page: http://home.comcast.net/~tetsubo/
--------------------------------------
If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.
-- Anatole France

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:59:29 -0400, Tetsubo <tetsubo@comcast.net>
wrote:

> The Goliath race (Races of Stone) has the Powerful Build racial
>ability. Which, among other things, allows the race to wield weapons one
>size larger than their Medium size. If a Goliath can wield a Large
>Bastard Sword in one hand (with appropriate Exotic Feat) what would stop
>them from utilizing a Very Large Shield in one hand as well? Something
>like a Tower Shield in size but not requiring the Feat, Tower Shield
>Proficiency... Would this be unbalancing? Maybe just have a Large shield
>(no Tower Shield cover issue) that was +1 over a normal sized shield of
>that type... Any thoughts?

I would think this is already taken into account. A halfings "Large
Shield" isn't as large as a human's "Large Shield", but it provides
the same protection, because it proportionally covers the same area. A
Goliath should already be using a Large Shield of the appropriate
size.

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Chad Lubrecht wrote:
>
> On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:59:29 -0400, Tetsubo <tetsubo@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> > The Goliath race (Races of Stone) has the Powerful Build racial
> >ability. Which, among other things, allows the race to wield weapons one
> >size larger than their Medium size. If a Goliath can wield a Large
> >Bastard Sword in one hand (with appropriate Exotic Feat) what would stop
> >them from utilizing a Very Large Shield in one hand as well? Something
> >like a Tower Shield in size but not requiring the Feat, Tower Shield
> >Proficiency... Would this be unbalancing? Maybe just have a Large shield
> >(no Tower Shield cover issue) that was +1 over a normal sized shield of
> >that type... Any thoughts?
>
> I would think this is already taken into account. A halfings "Large
> Shield" isn't as large as a human's "Large Shield", but it provides
> the same protection, because it proportionally covers the same area. A
> Goliath should already be using a Large Shield of the appropriate
> size.

Except that goliaths are Medium creatures.

-Bluto

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Chad Lubrecht wrote:

>On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:59:29 -0400, Tetsubo <tetsubo@comcast.net>
>wrote:
>
>
>
>> The Goliath race (Races of Stone) has the Powerful Build racial
>>ability. Which, among other things, allows the race to wield weapons one
>>size larger than their Medium size. If a Goliath can wield a Large
>>Bastard Sword in one hand (with appropriate Exotic Feat) what would stop
>>them from utilizing a Very Large Shield in one hand as well? Something
>>like a Tower Shield in size but not requiring the Feat, Tower Shield
>>Proficiency... Would this be unbalancing? Maybe just have a Large shield
>>(no Tower Shield cover issue) that was +1 over a normal sized shield of
>>that type... Any thoughts?
>>
>>
>
>I would think this is already taken into account. A halfings "Large
>Shield" isn't as large as a human's "Large Shield", but it provides
>the same protection, because it proportionally covers the same area. A
>Goliath should already be using a Large Shield of the appropriate
>size.
>
>
The point I'm trying to make, poorly it seems, is that if a Goliath
can use an oversized weapon with ease, why can't they use an oversized
shield. The same hand and arm would be holding the item. It would just
be a shield that a normal Medium humanoid couldn't use effectively. But
the Goliath has the Powerful Build racial ability. They should be able
to use a shield geared towards a race that is Large.

If a Goliath takes down a Giant he can pick up the Giants Large
Longsword and use it. But he can't pick up the Large Shield (Large as in
size, not type) and use it...? I just see an inconsistency here...

--
Tetsubo
My page: http://home.comcast.net/~tetsubo/
--------------------------------------
If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.
-- Anatole France

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Tetsubo wrote:
> If a Goliath takes down a Giant he can pick up the Giants Large
> Longsword and use it. But he can't pick up the Large Shield (Large as in
> size, not type) and use it...? I just see an inconsistency here...

When he uses a large creatures weapon, he does the same damage with
as a large creature would. When he uses a large creatures shield, he
gets the same AC boost from it as a large creature would.

That's not inconsistant.

--
tussock

Aspie at work, sorry in advance.

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

tussock wrote:

> Tetsubo wrote:
>
>> If a Goliath takes down a Giant he can pick up the Giants Large
>> Longsword and use it. But he can't pick up the Large Shield (Large as
>> in size, not type) and use it...? I just see an inconsistency here...
>
>
> When he uses a large creatures weapon, he does the same damage
> with as a large creature would. When he uses a large creatures shield,
> he gets the same AC boost from it as a large creature would.
>
> That's not inconsistant.
>
The inconsistency is that their is a difference from a Medium and a
Large version of a weapon for a Medium humanoid. For a Medium humanoid a
Medium Longsword does 1d8 damage but a Large Longsword does 2d6 damage.
For a Medium humanoid a Medium sized Heavy Steel Shield provides a +2 AC
boost but a Large sized Heavy Steel Shield provides a +2 AC boost...?
How is that consistent? One shield is larger than the other, FOR A
MEDIUM HUMANOID, and yet it provides the same amount of protection...?

If a Large weapon for a Medium humanoid gives a damage boost, then a
Large shield for a Medium humanoid should provide greater protection...
that's really clear to me. And I'm not talking about a huge difference
here. I'd have a Large Heavy Steel Shield provide a +3 AC boost for a
Medium humanoid. It's a 50% increase in protection yes. But the maximum
damage amount between a Medium Longsword and a Large Longsword is 50% as
well.

I don't think that this is a radical shift if the role that a shield
plays. I am just looking to bounce ideas off of people. I've never heard
of this idea anywhere so I thought it might be interesting to discuss.

--
Tetsubo
My page: http://home.comcast.net/~tetsubo/
--------------------------------------
If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.
-- Anatole France

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Tetsubo wrote:
> tussock wrote:
>
>> Tetsubo wrote:
>>
>>> If a Goliath takes down a Giant he can pick up the Giants Large
>>> Longsword and use it. But he can't pick up the Large Shield (Large as
>>> in size, not type) and use it...? I just see an inconsistency here...
>>
>> When he uses a large creatures weapon, he does the same damage
>> with as a large creature would. When he uses a large creatures shield,
>> he gets the same AC boost from it as a large creature would.
>>
>> That's not inconsistant.
>>
> The inconsistency is that their is a difference from a Medium and a
> Large version of a weapon for a Medium humanoid.

There is. However, PB critters don't use medium weapons, and
regular Medium critters don't use large weapons. You're comparing apples
and oranges.

> One shield is larger than the other, FOR A MEDIUM HUMANOID, and yet it
> provides the same amount of protection...?

BTB, PB critters use normal sized armour. You're suggesting as a
house rule, not unreasonably, that they should use larger than normal
shields.
What you're forgetting is that if they're so big as to use an
over-sized shield without penalty, then it's perfectly reasonable to
consider them to be so large as to need that size to fully protect
themselves.

> If a Large weapon for a Medium humanoid gives a damage boost, then a
> Large shield for a Medium humanoid should provide greater protection...
> that's really clear to me.

Bigger creatures do more damage with their bigger weapons. Bigger
creatures *do not* get bigger AC boosts with their bigger shields. PB
creatures are *bigger*, and get some of the benefits of that. Increased
AC from shields is *not* a benefit of being bigger.

> I don't think that this is a radical shift if the role that a shield
> plays. I am just looking to bounce ideas off of people. I've never heard
> of this idea anywhere so I thought it might be interesting to discuss.

Give them a free proficency in "Extreme Shields" if you must.

--
tussock

Aspie at work, sorry in advance.

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

tussock wrote:
>
> Tetsubo wrote:
>
> > One shield is larger than the other, FOR A MEDIUM HUMANOID, and yet it
> > provides the same amount of protection...?
>
> BTB, PB critters use normal sized armour. You're suggesting as a
> house rule, not unreasonably, that they should use larger than normal
> shields.
> What you're forgetting is that if they're so big as to use an
> over-sized shield without penalty,

BZZZZT! Not "big." *Powerfully built.* If they were
"big," they'd be Large.

Tetsubo makes a very rational point. I think it's a
Bad Idea to let PB creatures gain some extra advantage
from Large shields, but he makes a good point.

-Bluto

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

"Repent tussock!" said the Ticktockman. "Get Stuffed!" tussock replied.
Then he added:

> Give them a free proficency in "Extreme Shields" if you must.
>
>

Would a proficency in Extreme Shields allow my elf archer to surf down a
flight of stairs while still shooting arrows?

--
Billy Yank

Quinn: "I'm saying it's us, or them."
Murphy: "Well I choose them."
Q: "That's NOT an option!"
M: "Then you shouldn't have framed it as one."
-Sealab 2021

Billy Yank's Baldur's Gate Photo Portraits
http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2xvw6/

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Senator Blutarsky wrote:

>tussock wrote:
>
>
>>Tetsubo wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>One shield is larger than the other, FOR A MEDIUM HUMANOID, and yet it
>>>provides the same amount of protection...?
>>>
>>>
>> BTB, PB critters use normal sized armour. You're suggesting as a
>>house rule, not unreasonably, that they should use larger than normal
>>shields.
>> What you're forgetting is that if they're so big as to use an
>>over-sized shield without penalty,
>>
>>
>
>BZZZZT! Not "big." *Powerfully built.* If they were
>"big," they'd be Large.
>
>Tetsubo makes a very rational point. I think it's a
>Bad Idea to let PB creatures gain some extra advantage
>from Large shields, but he makes a good point.
>
>-Bluto
>
>
Thank you.  

--
Tetsubo
My page: http://home.comcast.net/~tetsubo/
--------------------------------------
If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.
-- Anatole France

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Tetsubo wrote:
> The Goliath race (Races of Stone) has the Powerful Build racial
> ability. Which, among other things, allows the race to wield weapons one
> size larger than their Medium size. If a Goliath can wield a Large
> Bastard Sword in one hand (with appropriate Exotic Feat) what would stop
> them from utilizing a Very Large Shield in one hand as well? Something
> like a Tower Shield in size but not requiring the Feat, Tower Shield
> Proficiency... Would this be unbalancing? Maybe just have a Large shield
> (no Tower Shield cover issue) that was +1 over a normal sized shield of
> that type... Any thoughts?
>

This might have been covered in Races of Stone, but I don't have it
available to check. Off the top of my head, I'd say that while a
goliath could use such a shield, it wouldn't necessarily give him
anymore benefit than normal. He could certainly use it to make shield
bash attacks as normal for any oversized weapon. Remember, he's BIG but
not Large, so it wouldn't be like a human wielding such a shield.

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Tetsubo wrote:
> Justisaur wrote:
>
>> Tetsubo wrote:
>>
>>
>>> The Goliath race (Races of Stone) has the Powerful Build racial
>>> ability. Which, among other things, allows the race to wield weapons one
>>> size larger than their Medium size. If a Goliath can wield a Large
>>> Bastard Sword in one hand (with appropriate Exotic Feat) what would stop
>>> them from utilizing a Very Large Shield in one hand as well? Something
>>> like a Tower Shield in size but not requiring the Feat, Tower Shield
>>> Proficiency... Would this be unbalancing? Maybe just have a Large shield
>>> (no Tower Shield cover issue) that was +1 over a normal sized shield of
>>> that type... Any thoughts?
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> Larger armor doesn't give any additional benifits, beyond possibly
>> having more HP, and therefore being harder to sunder.
>>
>> - Justisaur
>>
>>
>>
> Why shouldn't a larger shield provide greater protection? A larger
> weapon does more damage. It would seem to be a logical extension... and
> using a larger shield has got to be easier than using a Large Bastard
> Sword in one hand...
>

BUt the goliath is bigger than normal, just not big enough to actually
be considered Large for other purposes. Now, a human wielding such a
shield is another story.

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Tetsubo wrote:
> Chad Lubrecht wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:59:29 -0400, Tetsubo <tetsubo@comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> The Goliath race (Races of Stone) has the Powerful Build racial
>>> ability. Which, among other things, allows the race to wield weapons
>>> one size larger than their Medium size. If a Goliath can wield a
>>> Large Bastard Sword in one hand (with appropriate Exotic Feat) what
>>> would stop them from utilizing a Very Large Shield in one hand as
>>> well? Something like a Tower Shield in size but not requiring the
>>> Feat, Tower Shield Proficiency... Would this be unbalancing? Maybe
>>> just have a Large shield (no Tower Shield cover issue) that was +1
>>> over a normal sized shield of that type... Any thoughts?
>>>
>>
>>
>> I would think this is already taken into account. A halfings "Large
>> Shield" isn't as large as a human's "Large Shield", but it provides
>> the same protection, because it proportionally covers the same area. A
>> Goliath should already be using a Large Shield of the appropriate
>> size.
>>
>>
> The point I'm trying to make, poorly it seems, is that if a Goliath
> can use an oversized weapon with ease, why can't they use an oversized
> shield. The same hand and arm would be holding the item. It would just
> be a shield that a normal Medium humanoid couldn't use effectively. But
> the Goliath has the Powerful Build racial ability. They should be able
> to use a shield geared towards a race that is Large.
>
> If a Goliath takes down a Giant he can pick up the Giants Large
> Longsword and use it. But he can't pick up the Large Shield (Large as in
> size, not type) and use it...? I just see an inconsistency here...
>

He can USE it, but that wasn't your orginal question. You were actually
asking if it would act as a tower shield. The answer to that question
is probably "No."

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Tetsubo wrote:
> tussock wrote:
>
>> Tetsubo wrote:
>>
>>> If a Goliath takes down a Giant he can pick up the Giants Large
>>> Longsword and use it. But he can't pick up the Large Shield (Large as
>>> in size, not type) and use it...? I just see an inconsistency here...
>>
>>
>>
>> When he uses a large creatures weapon, he does the same damage
>> with as a large creature would. When he uses a large creatures shield,
>> he gets the same AC boost from it as a large creature would.
>>
>> That's not inconsistant.
>>
> The inconsistency is that their is a difference from a Medium and a
> Large version of a weapon for a Medium humanoid. For a Medium humanoid a
> Medium Longsword does 1d8 damage but a Large Longsword does 2d6 damage.
> For a Medium humanoid a Medium sized Heavy Steel Shield provides a +2 AC
> boost but a Large sized Heavy Steel Shield provides a +2 AC boost...?
> How is that consistent? One shield is larger than the other, FOR A
> MEDIUM HUMANOID, and yet it provides the same amount of protection...?
>
> If a Large weapon for a Medium humanoid gives a damage boost, then a
> Large shield for a Medium humanoid should provide greater protection...
> that's really clear to me. And I'm not talking about a huge difference
> here. I'd have a Large Heavy Steel Shield provide a +3 AC boost for a
> Medium humanoid. It's a 50% increase in protection yes. But the maximum
> damage amount between a Medium Longsword and a Large Longsword is 50% as
> well.
>
> I don't think that this is a radical shift if the role that a shield
> plays. I am just looking to bounce ideas off of people. I've never heard
> of this idea anywhere so I thought it might be interesting to discuss.
>

Well, a goliath isn't just a normal Medium humanoid. It's a Medium
humanoid with so much mass/whatever that in certain respects it's
treated as Large, while not actually being Large--sort of a half-step
between Medium and Large. Thus, it may not have more benefit from a
Large shield because it's closer to a hill giant's size than a normal
Medium humanoid.

For what it's worth, here's what the FAQ says:

"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."

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Billy Yank wrote:
> "Repent tussock!" said the Ticktockman. "Get Stuffed!" tussock replied.
> Then he added:
>
>> Give them a free proficency in "Extreme Shields" if you must.
>
> Would a proficency in Extreme Shields allow my elf archer to surf down a
> flight of stairs while still shooting arrows?

Balance DC 20, higher for uneven slopes, or poor platforms, take
damage for a fall down the stairs on a failure.
Treat it as a mount with penalties for shooting on the move, speed
based on gradient, no brakes, with a DC 15 balance, jump, or tumble
check to get off safely at the bottom or fall prone and take 1d6 subdual
damage.

--
tussock

Aspie at work, sorry in advance.

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Senator Blutarsky wrote:
> tussock wrote:
>
>>Tetsubo wrote:
>>
>>
>>>One shield is larger than the other, FOR A MEDIUM HUMANOID, and yet it
>>>provides the same amount of protection...?
>>
>> BTB, PB critters use normal sized armour. You're suggesting as a
>>house rule, not unreasonably, that they should use larger than normal
>>shields.
>> What you're forgetting is that if they're so big as to use an
>>over-sized shield without penalty,
>
> BZZZZT! Not "big." *Powerfully built.* If they were
> "big," they'd be Large.

*They're 8 feet tall*.

PB is a half-assed way of making a creature that only gets *some*
of the benefits of being Large, because while they're bigger than every
other Medium creatures they're still smaller than the Large ones.
Plus, you know, it results in a lower LA than actually being Large.

> Tetsubo makes a very rational point.

Bah.

--
tussock

Aspie at work, sorry in advance.

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

tussock wrote:
>
> Senator Blutarsky wrote:
> > tussock wrote:
> >
> >>Tetsubo wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>One shield is larger than the other, FOR A MEDIUM HUMANOID, and yet it
> >>>provides the same amount of protection...?
> >>
> >> BTB, PB critters use normal sized armour. You're suggesting as a
> >>house rule, not unreasonably, that they should use larger than normal
> >>shields.
> >> What you're forgetting is that if they're so big as to use an
> >>over-sized shield without penalty,
> >
> > BZZZZT! Not "big." *Powerfully built.* If they were
> > "big," they'd be Large.
>
> *They're 8 feet tall*.

And *Medium* size, you obstinate git!

-Bluto

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Some Guy wrote:
> Tetsubo wrote:
> > Chad Lubrecht wrote:
> >
> >> On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:59:29 -0400, Tetsubo <tetsubo@comcast.net>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> The Goliath race (Races of Stone) has the Powerful Build racial
> >>> ability. Which, among other things, allows the race to wield weapons
> >>> one size larger than their Medium size. If a Goliath can wield a
> >>> Large Bastard Sword in one hand (with appropriate Exotic Feat) what
> >>> would stop them from utilizing a Very Large Shield in one hand as
> >>> well? Something like a Tower Shield in size but not requiring the
> >>> Feat, Tower Shield Proficiency... Would this be unbalancing? Maybe
> >>> just have a Large shield (no Tower Shield cover issue) that was +1
> >>> over a normal sized shield of that type... Any thoughts?
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >> I would think this is already taken into account. A halfings "Large
> >> Shield" isn't as large as a human's "Large Shield", but it provides
> >> the same protection, because it proportionally covers the same area. A
> >> Goliath should already be using a Large Shield of the appropriate
> >> size.
> >>
> >>
> > The point I'm trying to make, poorly it seems, is that if a Goliath
> > can use an oversized weapon with ease, why can't they use an oversized
> > shield. The same hand and arm would be holding the item. It would just
> > be a shield that a normal Medium humanoid couldn't use effectively. But
> > the Goliath has the Powerful Build racial ability. They should be able
> > to use a shield geared towards a race that is Large.
> >
> > If a Goliath takes down a Giant he can pick up the Giants Large
> > Longsword and use it. But he can't pick up the Large Shield (Large as in
> > size, not type) and use it...? I just see an inconsistency here...
> >
>
> He can USE it, but that wasn't your orginal question. You were actually
> asking if it would act as a tower shield. The answer to that question
> is probably "No."

He not only can use it, when he shield bashes with it he does extra
damage. But he doesn't get any extra armor class.

DougL

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

"DougL" <lampert.doug@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1125957042.941666.150050@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Some Guy wrote:

>> He can USE it, but that wasn't your orginal question. You were actually
>> asking if it would act as a tower shield. The answer to that question
>> is probably "No."
>
> He not only can use it, when he shield bashes with it he does extra
> damage. But he doesn't get any extra armor class.

You *could*, in fact, reasonably say that just like the Goliath is
large/powerful, but not quite large enough to be Large, the shield in
question is large, but not quite large enough for +1 AC.

--
^v^v^Malachias Invictus^v^v^

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the Master of my fate:
I am the Captain of my soul.

from _Invictus_, by William Ernest Henley

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

DougL wrote:
> Some Guy wrote:
>
>>Tetsubo wrote:
>>
>>>Chad Lubrecht wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:59:29 -0400, Tetsubo <tetsubo@comcast.net>
>>>>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> The Goliath race (Races of Stone) has the Powerful Build racial
>>>>>ability. Which, among other things, allows the race to wield weapons
>>>>>one size larger than their Medium size. If a Goliath can wield a
>>>>>Large Bastard Sword in one hand (with appropriate Exotic Feat) what
>>>>>would stop them from utilizing a Very Large Shield in one hand as
>>>>>well? Something like a Tower Shield in size but not requiring the
>>>>>Feat, Tower Shield Proficiency... Would this be unbalancing? Maybe
>>>>>just have a Large shield (no Tower Shield cover issue) that was +1
>>>>>over a normal sized shield of that type... Any thoughts?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I would think this is already taken into account. A halfings "Large
>>>>Shield" isn't as large as a human's "Large Shield", but it provides
>>>>the same protection, because it proportionally covers the same area. A
>>>>Goliath should already be using a Large Shield of the appropriate
>>>>size.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> The point I'm trying to make, poorly it seems, is that if a Goliath
>>>can use an oversized weapon with ease, why can't they use an oversized
>>>shield. The same hand and arm would be holding the item. It would just
>>>be a shield that a normal Medium humanoid couldn't use effectively. But
>>>the Goliath has the Powerful Build racial ability. They should be able
>>>to use a shield geared towards a race that is Large.
>>>
>>> If a Goliath takes down a Giant he can pick up the Giants Large
>>>Longsword and use it. But he can't pick up the Large Shield (Large as in
>>>size, not type) and use it...? I just see an inconsistency here...
>>>
>>
>>He can USE it, but that wasn't your orginal question. You were actually
>>asking if it would act as a tower shield. The answer to that question
>>is probably "No."
>
>
> He not only can use it, when he shield bashes with it he does extra
> damage. But he doesn't get any extra armor class.
>
> DougL
>

Bingo!