The "Size Discount for ST -- Why?" Discussion

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Mailanka

So we're arguing about two problems: SM should maybe be priced on its own, and ST is overpriced.

For the former, I think the argument is that SM is largely unimportant. I mean, the giant gas-bag alien also has longer reach and faster base move, etc. There are advantages to being that really huge, gangly dude, even if you're not particularly strong. I think the RAW case for the modifier is a sort of a sop to even those scales a bit, to make sure the +1 SM is worth it, so the drawbacks and benefits even out. We can argue for or against that.

I'm definitely on the 'positive SM is a disadvantage' side of things. It offers some moderately useful benefits for a melee fighter, but its effect on melee combat rolls is similar to -1 to DX, which is brutal, and in ranged combat you're an easier target for basically no benefit.

Outside of combat, or the occasional bout of intimidation, it could be useful for navigating environments built for bigger creatures...but it's a lot easier to compensate for being too small to climb the stairs than for being to big to fit through the doors.

EDIT: SM does not give you base move. Gigantism does, but that's not coming from SM.

Originally Posted by Mailanka

The other problem is that ST is just too expensive. Actually, ST has a lot of problems. I did some homework on it awhile back, but I'd have to dig out my notes. In addition to being too expensive, it just doesn't scale well, and it causes a serious headache with "giant" critters. I tried to put together something inspired by Transformers, and ST was an absolute mess in that game.

Agree, and would be interested to see the notes.