So is it just me or does goliath seem extremly underwelming when compared to the Bugbear? it does everything the goliath does plus lik 3 other traits. there is the fact that bugbears are typically evil or at least hostile but beside that why choose goliath? the only things goliath holds over bugbear are 1. the resistance to cold and good at mountain shit or something 2. speaks giant 3. is more socially accepted than bugbear. 4. stones idurance (which i usually forget for some reason) 5. nat athletics stat. IMO it would make more sense if the bugbear had either -wisdom or intelligence or make them walk hella slower than other races.
edit: stones indurance is good but to me +1 con and some more tankiness isnt as good as the extra reach, darkvision, and suprise attack which i love. there is the nat athletics stat for goliath which might change my mind the more i think about it.
Goliaths are tougher than Bugbears, particularly at lower levels. They get con instead of dex as a secondary, so they can start with a 16 con using the standard array or point buy. They also can reduce damage from one source by 1d12+con/short rest, which is pretty huge at low levels.
I’m not gonna argue that Goliath is stronger or even as strong as the Bugbear, but Bugbear is not Goliath plus. Goliaths are tougher than Bugbears. Bugbears deal a tiny bit of extra damage, and have better utility.
I like bugbear a lot mechanically, but it's hard to justify one in most campaigns. Also I just don't know how to roleplay them. You're lazy... except when you're mad? How is a lazy character good at ambushing which requires you to be alert for long periods of time? How are you stealthy when almost everything else that is characterized big and strong in D&D is generally bad at stealth? Are they just supposed to be big cats?
Usually I don't have a tough time reskinning things, but these guys are tough for me. I always just end up going in another direction.
So is it just me or does goliath seem extremly underwelming when compared to the Bugbear? it does everything the goliath does plus lik 3 other traits. there is the fact that bugbears are typically evil or at least hostile but beside that why choose goliath? the only things goliath holds over bugbear are 1. the resistance to cold and good at mountain shit or something 2. speaks giant 3. is more socially accepted than bugbear. 4. stones idurance (which i usually forget for some reason) 5. nat athletics stat. IMO it would make more sense if the bugbear had either -wisdom or intelligence or make them walk hella slower than other races.
edit: stones indurance is good but to me +1 con and some more tankiness isnt as good as the extra reach, darkvision, and suprise attack which i love. there is the nat athletics stat for goliath which might change my mind the more i think about it.
Goliaths are tougher than Bugbears, particularly at lower levels. They get con instead of dex as a secondary, so they can start with a 16 con using the standard array or point buy. They also can reduce damage from one source by 1d12+con/short rest, which is pretty huge at low levels.
I’m not gonna argue that Goliath is stronger or even as strong as the Bugbear, but Bugbear is not Goliath plus. Goliaths are tougher than Bugbears. Bugbears deal a tiny bit of extra damage, and have better utility.
Bugbears should be able to surprise everyone else 50% of the time.... A 2nd edition feature that I always found out of place.
Stone's Endurance is very nice.
I like bugbear a lot mechanically, but it's hard to justify one in most campaigns. Also I just don't know how to roleplay them. You're lazy... except when you're mad? How is a lazy character good at ambushing which requires you to be alert for long periods of time? How are you stealthy when almost everything else that is characterized big and strong in D&D is generally bad at stealth? Are they just supposed to be big cats?
Usually I don't have a tough time reskinning things, but these guys are tough for me. I always just end up going in another direction.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
Having a 50% surprise ability would make a Bugbear Assassin insanely powerful.
What ever you think is more fun! But mechanically I think the Bugbear is better. Although it could get annoying to fight your kind.
Skitsch: Having a 50% surprise ability would make a Bugbear Assassin insanely powerful.
Yup!