Attacks from Giant (and larger) opponents

[KaiserKris]

One thing that I am pondering is making avoiding damage from a giant (or comparable opponent) a Dexterity save instead of an AC check. It just seems to me that with a creature so powerful, your armour might just get you crushed like a tin can. I imagine there's some balance issues that get raised, but given that plate armour could be pierced by a strong human with the right weapons, it seems it would be of little utility against a giant.

If nothing else, it would probably encourage front-liners to take a serious look at getting a Dexterity prime ...

Thoughts?

[Arduin]

One thing that I am pondering is making avoiding damage from a giant (or comparable opponent) a Dexterity save instead of an AC check. It just seems to me that with a creature so powerful, your armour might just get you crushed like a tin can. I imagine there's some balance issues that get raised, but given that plate armour could be pierced by a strong human with the right weapons, it seems it would be of little utility against a giant.

If nothing else, it would probably encourage front-liners to take a serious look at getting a Dexterity prime ...

Thoughts?

Well, what you are suggesting is that the giants don't use attack rolls but are hitting unless a saving throw is made (much like a spell). Don't see it working well within the existing combat system.

[KaiserKris]

Yeah, you're probably right. It would certainly make those opponents a lot more brutal to fight, and make it incredibly difficult for any Fighter without a Dexterity prime to compete.

[Lord Dynel]

It's actually not that terrible of an idea, Kris, but the problem it would create is that you now have multiple and different combat systems. Would you use the same system when the PCs fight pixies, or other similiarly small creatures? And what you said about non-Dex prime PCs is right - they'd be totally screwed. I actually thought about this in conjunction with giants' rock hurling ability, but couldn't figure a decent way to handle it.

[redwullf]

Someone fighting giants is likely to be wearing magic armor, as well. And that's not so easily crushed.

[TheMetal1]

One thing that I am pondering is making avoiding damage from a giant (or comparable opponent) a Dexterity save instead of an AC check. It just seems to me that with a creature so powerful, your armour might just get you crushed like a tin can. I imagine there's some balance issues that get raised, but given that plate armour could be pierced by a strong human with the right weapons, it seems it would be of little utility against a giant.

If nothing else, it would probably encourage front-liners to take a serious look at getting a Dexterity prime ...

Thoughts?

Well I think what would be helpful in developing this would be to take a look at C&C's definition of Armor Class:

Armor class is representative of a defender’s ability to avoid damage. Armor class results from a combination of armor and dextrous avoidance of attacks, and even an ability to absorb the shock of a damaging blow or roll with it. Armor class takes into account an active defense (aware of the attacker), the armor worn and a general ability to withstand or avoid attacks. It is does not represent armor alone. However, for game purposes, armor class is the primary determinate of armor class as it is the most easy to quantify.

As stated above, AC is not just damage reduction - its rolling with the punches, Damage Absorbtion, Dexterity. Further with you say you'd use a DEX Save instead of an AC Check, do mean that you won't roll 'to Hit' at all and every attack the giant does will be simply the PC makes their save or they get hit?

Regardless as you're doing so, I think it's important to consider the Giant itself. So take your standard Hill Giant, it's 10 feet tall wielding a Giant Club which does 2d8Damage, and has Hit Dice of 9. So all attacks from a Hill Giant are at +9 - making the DEX save a Challenge Level 9. For someone with a non-prime Dex they'd have to be at least 8th Level to have a 10% chance to make their save - if you're playing that everyone who rolls a natural 20 regardless of level is able to make their save.

Also consider the giant's weapon. A normal club in the PHB does 1d6 damage (with no strength bonus). The Hill Giant's Giant Club will likely do almost 3 times the damage a normal club. That certainly is a pretty powerful blow, but perhaps what you're looking for is Damage Reduction and Equipment Wastage rules which is in the Castle Keepers Guide. That might fit the bill for what you're looking for.

Quick question though, I should know this, but does the Hit Dice for the Hill Giant (or any other creature) get added to Damage as well?

[Ieuane]

One thing that I am pondering is making avoiding damage from a giant (or comparable opponent) a Dexterity save instead of an AC check.

Thoughts?

If you just want to make giants more formidable in your world, do both. Give the giants in your campaign a secondary special attack, such as "Slam" or "Bash," that requires a Dexterity Save to avoid, or maybe a Strength Save if the attack hits vs. AC to remaining standing and not take extra damage. Something like, "Giant bashes you with his club for 8 points...[failed Strength save]...and sends you flying 10 feet for [roll 1d6] 4 more points of damage. Your breastplate has a nice dent in it now, and your face is in the dirt."