Claw-claw-bite and armor

[roguebfl]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

Wow, I'm 6'(well, Five foot, Eleven and 7/8th inchs...) and 160, and I wouldn't consider Stating myself lower than ST 10 or 11. Of course, I also have a fairly physically demanding career, so that could account for it.

I'm 6' but I do stat myself at ST 8, I might grant that I'm ST 8 HP 10 or 11, but I have never developed any upper body ST

[Verjigorm]

Originally Posted by roguebfl

I'm 6' but I do stat myself at ST 8, I might grant that I'm ST 8 HP 10 or 11, but I have never developed any upper body ST

I guess there's something for variation between different people. But then again, I know for a fact that I can lift 150-160lbs over my head in less than 4 seconds, as I've done it repeatedly on a daily basis.

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

I guess there's something for variation between different people. But then again, I know for a fact that I can lift 150-160lbs over my head in less than 4 seconds, as I've done it repeatedly on a daily basis.

Actual performance is a far better benchmark than mass or height. I'm 5'9" and I have to struggle to lift 30 lbs above my head. I think I'd be simpler to stat up with the Weak Arms disad than a straight ST penalty though - I can throw my weight around effectively and I do much better once you put the weight on my back or hips.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Bruno

Actual performance is a far better benchmark than mass or height. I'm 5'9" and I have to struggle to lift 30 lbs above my head. I think I'd be simpler to stat up with the Weak Arms disad than a straight ST penalty though - I can throw my weight around effectively and I do much better once you put the weight on my back or hips.

That's the way it is for everyone though. I have trouble lifting anything above my head, but can and have carried 68 pounds on my back for over a mile. (What I won't do for diet pepsis.)

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

That's the way it is for everyone though. I have trouble lifting anything above my head, but can and have carried 68 pounds on my back for over a mile. (What I won't do for diet pepsis.)

The ability to carry 60-70 pounds on your back for over a mile doesn't argue for a ST score of higher than 8. A normal ST 10 guy shouldn't have problems carrying 100-120 lbs. around for such a short distance.

That's not to say that you might not have Lifting ST higher than 8. Just that this particular example doesn't prove anything beyond ST 8+.

According to Kromm, the 8xBL benchmark is supposed to measure how much an adventurer can somehow manhandle into a fireman's carry, as that's the most likely reason a typical GURPS character would have to lift something 'above' his head. It's not meant to measure any kind of legal weightlifting record. For that, you really need training, or you'll be managing far less than your ST would suggest that you should be able to lift over your head.

That means that anyone capable of lifting and carrying a typical adult (ca 150 lbs.) a decent distance is ST 10+. I usually find that benchmark the most reliable and accurate guide for real world ST scores. Of course, since a typical adult in Iceland is 180 lbs, the typical ST for someone who can handle another person on his back is 11+.

[Flyndaran]

I can carry much more than 60 to 70 pounds for a while, but walking a mile sucks no matter how much or little I carry. Good strength but unfit.