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

[starslayer]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

Because ST doesn't really become less valuable as you get larger.

High ST costs too much, and high SM is probably something you should get points back for. But the discount to ST for high SM doesn't address either of those problems well.

I would argue otherwise.

As you get larger armour and weapons you can effectively wield get heavier, requiring more strength just to carry them.

A sm0 fencer and a sm+2 fencer given equal but properly sized equipment are going to need radically different strength values.

Discounting the SM+2 fenders fencers St means that being a sm+2 fencer carries a cost (in the form of the required new St value) but, it is less than being a sm0 fencer who happens to be as strong as a giant.

Similarly an eagel can snatch up a mouse for dinner. An albatross a fish, but without radically increased St the rock cannot carry it's elephant quarry home. And it needs a meal that size to survive.

[Boomerang]

Cheaper strength for larger creatures make sense to me. What I am wondering is whether strength should be cheaper for everyone once out of normal human range.

For example pay for strength normally up to 20 and then at half cost for strength over 20, including for strength based traits like hit points, lifting and striking strength. Then apply size discounts on top of that half price discount. So a normal sized super with ST 100 would cost 500 points and this would reduce to 450 points for size modifier +1.

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by starslayer

I would argue otherwise.

As you get larger armour and weapons you can effectively wield get heavier, requiring more strength just to carry them.

A sm0 fencer and a sm+2 fencer given equal but properly sized equipment are going to need radically different strength values.

Discounting the SM+2 fenders fencers St means that being a sm+2 fencer carries a cost (in the form of the required new St value) but, it is less than being a sm0 fencer who happens to be as strong as a giant.

Similarly an eagel can snatch up a mouse for dinner. An albatross a fish, but without radically increased St the rock cannot carry it's elephant quarry home. And it needs a meal that size to survive.

Yes, being strong is perhaps more desirable for big characters. Which is why I said: "ST doesn't really become less valuable as you get larger."

(I agree that it should be much cheaper to be a giant strong creature, but I think that the rule we have is both grossly inadequate and badly misdirected.)

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

Yes, being strong is perhaps more desirable for big characters. Which is why I said: "ST doesn't really become less valuable as you get larger."

It does, however become more appropriate as you get larger.

[Tallor]

I'm staying subscribed on this one since I don't think I can reach a consensus quite yet...

The main reason I even ask is because size discounts are one of the only non-linear modifiers. You may as well have SM act as a balance of density and have huge gasbag aliens able to ride the wind or be pushed around by it. There's a concept!