Giant Rock Throwing

[shadowspawn]

From the M&T: Rock Throwing: Hill giants can hurl boulders up to 330 feet. A successful
attack inflicts 2d8 points of damage.

My take of this is 330 feet is the max range so Short Range is 1-110, Medium Range (-2) is 111-220, and Long Range (-6) is 221-330. It seems fair to apply the range modifiers to them. What do you guys think?

[serleran]

I do not like flat increments, to be honest, but that works just as well as any.

My personal preference would be more like:

1 - 160 feet = short
161 - 250 feet = medium
251 - 330 feet = long
331+ feet = extreme

[TheMetal1]

Both seem good, but I'm partial to Shadowspawn's 1/3rd distance for each increment. Anything beyond that gets the extreme (which IIRC is -8)

Just curious do envision the rock throwing like the giant tossing a huge boulder two-handed or the giant throwing a hand sized rocks like a baseball?

If the former would you give a SIEGE check to avoid the Boulder?

[serleran]

Both seem good, but I'm partial to Shadowspawn's 1/3rd distance for each increment. Anything beyond that gets the extreme (which IIRC is -8)

Just curious do envision the rock throwing like the giant tossing a huge boulder two-handed or the giant throwing a hand sized rocks like a baseball?

If the former would you give a SIEGE check to avoid the Boulder?

I picture the giant throwing both types of rocks. Two-handed, I reduce the range by half, although I double the damage. I allow a save vs. breath weapon to avoid / negate. Which depends on several factors, like room, actions already performed in the round, and other too-numerous-to-mention considerations. I also do this when they use big club like weapons. Giants are nasty SoBs in my games and not to be taken lightly... all because I once simplified them when running the G series and want to remind myself how awesome they should be.

[Arduin]

Both seem good, but I'm partial to Shadowspawn's 1/3rd distance for each increment. Anything beyond that gets the extreme (which IIRC is -8)

Just curious do envision the rock throwing like the giant tossing a huge boulder two-handed or the giant throwing a hand sized rocks like a baseball?

If the former would you give a SIEGE check to avoid the Boulder?

No. There is no difference combat wise. A hand propelled missile attack doesn't allow for saving throws. Only an attack roll vs. AC. No different from an arrow attack.

[Lord Dynel]

Both seem good, but I'm partial to Shadowspawn's 1/3rd distance for each increment. Anything beyond that gets the extreme (which IIRC is -8)

Just curious do envision the rock throwing like the giant tossing a huge boulder two-handed or the giant throwing a hand sized rocks like a baseball?

If the former would you give a SIEGE check to avoid the Boulder?

Sure, why not? Traditionally, it's an attack roll. But you're well within your rights, as a CK, to allow a player make a saving throw or other SIEGE check. I wouldn't do both, were it me, just one or the other (attack or SIEGE check).

I use regular attacks but I give medium creatures a +2 AC (and small +4), for size differential. I also adjust for range - ranges given in M&T are max ranges so I calculate the ranges for the rocks. A quick example - A hill giant can throw a maximum of 330 feet. His close range would be from 0-110 feet, incurring no penalty. Medium range would be from 111-220 feet, carrying a -2 penalty. Long range would be from 221-330 feet, and have a -6 penalty.

[serleran]

Both seem good, but I'm partial to Shadowspawn's 1/3rd distance for each increment. Anything beyond that gets the extreme (which IIRC is -8)

Just curious do envision the rock throwing like the giant tossing a huge boulder two-handed or the giant throwing a hand sized rocks like a baseball?

If the former would you give a SIEGE check to avoid the Boulder?

No. There is no difference combat wise. A hand propelled missile attack doesn't allow for saving throws. Only an attack roll vs. AC. No different from an arrow attack.

When I allow a save, it is only due to the size of the rock being hurled. Most are man-sized and require only the giant to hit. If the giant hurls a 500 ton, 80 foot diameter boulder... that is a different story. And for that, I allow it only to be thrown from short range. It does not come up often in the game, but I like having the option to change things as needed, keep the players on their toes, and remind them that even the best armor can turn them into flatman.

[Arduin]

When I allow a save, it is only due to the size of the rock being hurled. Most are man-sized and require only the giant to hit. If the giant hurls a 500 ton, 80 foot diameter boulder... that is a different story. And for that, I allow it only to be thrown from short range. It does not come up often in the game, but I like having the option to change things as needed, keep the players on their toes, and remind them that even the best armor can turn them into flatman.

I'm only talking about giant stone throwing as covered in the M&T. House ruled created attacks could well need saving throws. Your example is probably a good case for it.