As the title tells, i am dead. I mean, super dead. Like a bug. Crushed and dominated by the giant's strength and athletics checks. As an archery rogue this was not going to happen, but a bad stealth check and ... shit happens if you're stupid and greedy. I need to roll a new character starting at level 8 and this got me thinking of poetic justice ...
My question: Is it possible to create a build that could actually challenge the giants in athletics check? Make them cry? At least be challenging for them? Perhaps striking them down prone for advantage on melee attacks? I don't know. I just want to beat them on their own home turf.
Or should I just forget this plan and roll up a wizard or a bard?
Current party: 1 melee tank/striker, 1 striker, 1 cleric and 1 celestial warlock.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Player type: Primary I am a Storyteller, Actor, and Explorer.
When your enemy is the mountain, you must be like the sea. When your enemy is the sea, you must be like the mountain. You must train hard to understand this.
OK, it's been a few years since I read the book of five rings (it seemed so vague as to be useless in actual single combat and life in general) but that is one of the 'principles' espoused. I think it means don't ask your girlfriend about their last lover, don't try to out-drink a rugby player, and don't arm-wrestle with giants.
Poetic justice? Just cut off the beasty's head and make up whatever stories and rhymes you want afterwards.
Storm giants have a +14 in athletics. You could do it but you'd be optimizing for athletics to the point where you'd have a one trick pony who would be weak to worthless for almost everything else.
The way that party looks, you can roll up anything and fit in, so I'd just go with something that's fun for you.
Storm giants have a +14 in athletics. You could do it but you'd be optimizing for athletics to the point where you'd have a one trick pony who would be weak to worthless for almost everything else.
But how do I opt it? I How do I handle grappling a huge creature as a medium creature? I get it that i need 18 och 20 strength and expertise in athletics. What else?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Player type: Primary I am a Storyteller, Actor, and Explorer.
It's a difficult bridge to gap... but here is one idea: Create an 8th-level Wizard with polymorph--transform into a giant ape. Now you're working with a +9 to Athletics. Then, make sure to have an ally use the "help" action in some way to give you advantage on your rolls. This could come close to matching the giant.
When your enemy is the mountain, you must be like the sea. When your enemy is the sea, you must be like the mountain. You must train hard to understand this.
OK, it's been a few years since I read the book of five rings (it seemed so vague as to be useless in actual single combat and life in general) but that is one of the 'principles' espoused. I think it means don't ask your girlfriend about their last lover, don't try to out-drink a rugby player, and don't arm-wrestle with giants.
Poetic justice? Just cut off the beasty's head and make up whatever stories and rhymes you want afterwards.
And was the profanity required in the poll?
This isn't 100% the meaning of that excerpt, but it's close.
(To the OP)To elaborate on this: Storm Giants have their huge advantage in athletics. To properly combat, you must strip them of that advantage and apply your own, especially if that plays on their disadvantage. In the case of a rogue, you'll have a rough time competing up front with one unless you have amazing perception or you pull them from rocky terrain.
Keep in mind also that this is a CR 7 creature, so it's meant to be approached by the party. A wizard or druid who can mitigate the terrain factor in your favor would go a long way. This could be done with spells like Control Water to flood an area or transmute rock to make it difficult terrain, even for the giant. The latter of which can be used (with DMs approval) to strip the field of any rocky terrain that would give the giant advantage on stealth. (But you won't have a 5th level slot until 9, I think)
If spells aren't an option, simple traps may work if you use the terrain to your advantage. It's perception is really weak so if you bait the giant you need to kill, you could possibly run him right into a trap of your own. Spike pitfall or hunters trap to restrain him, then pick him apart.
There's two key factors to keep in mind here: They are relatively dumb to an imaginative player. They are average run in the mill intelligence so the foresight of dodging traps may not be a thing if played accurately by the DM. The other is don't pit yourself with the giant at his best, in his own zone. Instead, make him fight you in your peak status.
Edit: Oh yes. Poisons and modified weaponry. I've always been a huge one about this one in my games, so much so that my DM doesn't let me get a whole lot of fun stuff (I actually think he really just loves seeing what I can do with basic crap) but examples of how to use your ordinary stuff in an extraordinary ways.
Alchemy jug: Pours oil. Oil is flammable. Create cherry bomb sacks. Don't light them but store them and when ready, coat a target in oil and light him up.
Alchemy jug: Pours poison. Saturate rags with this poison, stuff them into the bottom of quivers, tips will be coated in poison when needed. (DM ruled that this only lasts for a period of time because I decked out our level 3 party with poison coated everything lol)
Kits: Metal clangs on rock. Things like crowbars, pitons, hammers and such can be used as rudimentary alarms or as attempts to lure out the target. This goes back to the trap thing a bit.
Terrain traps: Can any rocks or boulders be pushed onto the giant while he is distracted?
When your enemy is the mountain, you must be like the sea. When your enemy is the sea, you must be like the mountain. You must train hard to understand this.
I think it means don't ask your girlfriend about their last lover, don't try to out-drink a rugby player, and don't arm-wrestle with giants.
This isn't 100% the meaning of that excerpt, but it's close.
Yeah, I don't think they played rugby back then. :)
When your enemy is the mountain, you must be like the sea. When your enemy is the sea, you must be like the mountain. You must train hard to understand this.
I think it means don't ask your girlfriend about their last lover, don't try to out-drink a rugby player, and don't arm-wrestle with giants.
This isn't 100% the meaning of that excerpt, but it's close.
Yeah, I don't think they played rugby back then. :)
Lol, I mean the meaning behind that is to be different, compatible and resilient to the situation. Don't try to out-mountain a mountain. Be the ocean and erode the mountain.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
You only lose if you die. Any time else, there's opportunity for a come back.
It's a difficult bridge to gap... but here is one idea: Create an 8th-level Wizard with polymorph--transform into a giant ape. Now you're working with a +9 to Athletics. Then, make sure to have an ally use the "help" action in some way to give you advantage on your rolls. This could come close to matching the giant.
Would it work together with expertise in athletics?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Player type: Primary I am a Storyteller, Actor, and Explorer.
As the title tells, i am dead. I mean, super dead. Like a bug. Crushed and dominated by the giant's strength and athletics checks. As an archery rogue this was not going to happen, but a bad stealth check and ... shit happens if you're stupid and greedy. I need to roll a new character starting at level 8 and this got me thinking of poetic justice ...
My question: Is it possible to create a build that could actually challenge the giants in athletics check? Make them cry? At least be challenging for them? Perhaps striking them down prone for advantage on melee attacks? I don't know. I just want to beat them on their own home turf.
Or should I just forget this plan and roll up a wizard or a bard?
Current party: 1 melee tank/striker, 1 striker, 1 cleric and 1 celestial warlock.
The options are "build something that can wrestle giants" or "forget the plan and roll up a Wizard?" Ironically enough, a Wizard isn't a terrible choice for wrestling giants, thanks to some of the spells at their disposal.
Another thing to consider would be using the Enlarge/Reduce spell (or a potion) to increase the size and strength of a more stereotypical grappler.
It's a difficult bridge to gap... but here is one idea: Create an 8th-level Wizard with polymorph--transform into a giant ape. Now you're working with a +9 to Athletics. Then, make sure to have an ally use the "help" action in some way to give you advantage on your rolls. This could come close to matching the giant.
Don't forget you can just have your Familiar use Help on you.
Roll up a Way of the Open Hand Monk. Their Open Hand Technique is one of the only ways to knock prone creatures that are size Huge or greater, and it's based on a Dexterity saving throw (+5 for Stone Giants, but lower for other kinds of giant). It's not Athletics based, and it doesn't involve Grappling, but I think this might achieve your desired effect.
My question: Is it possible to create a build that could actually challenge the giants in athletics check?
Human, take Prodigy Feat (expertise in Athletics), go Barbarian so you get advantage during grapple checks during Rage. Assuming strength 18 and level 9, that's +12 with advantage on a grapple check, easily a match for a giant's +14. Have someone Hex the giant, cast Guidance or Bardic Inspiration for more advantages.
A level 14 lore bard casting Enlarge on themselves can do better on their own, but the grapple bard is a very niche build, I find, and made of fragilium, so I don't recommend it.
It's a difficult bridge to gap... but here is one idea: Create an 8th-level Wizard with polymorph--transform into a giant ape. Now you're working with a +9 to Athletics. Then, make sure to have an ally use the "help" action in some way to give you advantage on your rolls. This could come close to matching the giant.
Would it work together with expertise in athletics?
The polymorph spell does not specifically say--but if compared to a Druid's Wild Shape feature, indeed you can retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other sources and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so.
In the end, it might be your DM's call. If I was your DM, I'd allow it.
My question: Is it possible to create a build that could actually challenge the giants in athletics check?
Human, take Prodigy Feat (expertise in Athletics), go Barbarian so you get advantage during grapple checks during Rage. Assuming strength 18 and level 9, that's +12 with advantage on a grapple check, easily a match for a giant's +14. Have someone Hex the giant, cast Guidance or Bardic Inspiration for more advantages.
Enlarge would be necessary for this Barbarian. The grapple rules state that you can only grapple a creature that is no more than one size larger than you. A Storm Giant is size Huge, two sizes larger than a size Medium Barbarian.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
At level 8 a fighters gets three ASI and feats....so I would take that with prodigy as one to get expertise. You will still need someone to cast enlarge on you if you wanna grapple him or knock him around.
I know this is very late but I was intrigued by this. I created a level 10 character that I recon could quite easily do this. You could also drop 2 levels and it still be feasible.
The build is: variant human - lucky feat, 1 level rogue to gain expertise in athletics, 5 levels fighter (battle master) for the grappling strike ability. This allows you to add superiority dice to grapple rolls when you have already hit the creature that turn. You also get extra attack. 4 levels sorcerer to get quickened spell and enlarge/ reduce. This allows you to as a bonus action enlarge yourself to be able to grapple in addition to the advantage gained. It is possible, without magic items if you use all available opportunities to increase strength to get a +13 to athletics. Add superiority dice, advantage and other spells given to you by sorcerer such as bane you should be able to easily out grapple a giant
As the title tells, i am dead. I mean, super dead. Like a bug. Crushed and dominated by the giant's strength and athletics checks. As an archery rogue this was not going to happen, but a bad stealth check and ... shit happens if you're stupid and greedy. I need to roll a new character starting at level 8 and this got me thinking of poetic justice ...
My question: Is it possible to create a build that could actually challenge the giants in athletics check? Make them cry? At least be challenging for them? Perhaps striking them down prone for advantage on melee attacks? I don't know. I just want to beat them on their own home turf.
Or should I just forget this plan and roll up a wizard or a bard?
Current party: 1 melee tank/striker, 1 striker, 1 cleric and 1 celestial warlock.
Player type: Primary I am a Storyteller, Actor, and Explorer.
http://dustin.*******.com/player-types
When your enemy is the mountain, you must be like the sea. When your enemy is the sea, you must be like the mountain. You must train hard to understand this.
OK, it's been a few years since I read the book of five rings (it seemed so vague as to be useless in actual single combat and life in general) but that is one of the 'principles' espoused.
I think it means don't ask your girlfriend about their last lover, don't try to out-drink a rugby player, and don't arm-wrestle with giants.
Poetic justice? Just cut off the beasty's head and make up whatever stories and rhymes you want afterwards.
And was the profanity required in the poll?
Roleplaying since Runequest.
Storm giants have a +14 in athletics. You could do it but you'd be optimizing for athletics to the point where you'd have a one trick pony who would be weak to worthless for almost everything else.
The way that party looks, you can roll up anything and fit in, so I'd just go with something that's fun for you.
Professional computer geek
Player type: Primary I am a Storyteller, Actor, and Explorer.
http://dustin.*******.com/player-types
It's a difficult bridge to gap... but here is one idea: Create an 8th-level Wizard with polymorph--transform into a giant ape. Now you're working with a +9 to Athletics. Then, make sure to have an ally use the "help" action in some way to give you advantage on your rolls. This could come close to matching the giant.
You only lose if you die. Any time else, there's opportunity for a come back.
I'd go with the Lucky feat. That gives you advantage 3 times a day after you see the die rolls!
Professional computer geek
Roleplaying since Runequest.
You only lose if you die. Any time else, there's opportunity for a come back.
Goliath Totem of the bear Barb, get fancy and toss in a few levels of rogue for expertise in athletics
Player type: Primary I am a Storyteller, Actor, and Explorer.
http://dustin.*******.com/player-types
Ludic: adjective (formal). showing spontaneous and undirected playfulness.
Roll up a Way of the Open Hand Monk. Their Open Hand Technique is one of the only ways to knock prone creatures that are size Huge or greater, and it's based on a Dexterity saving throw (+5 for Stone Giants, but lower for other kinds of giant). It's not Athletics based, and it doesn't involve Grappling, but I think this might achieve your desired effect.
Nevermind, wrong advice is wrong.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Ask your DM if stone giant is a playable race.
Roleplaying since Runequest.
At level 8 a fighters gets three ASI and feats....so I would take that with prodigy as one to get expertise. You will still need someone to cast enlarge on you if you wanna grapple him or knock him around.
I know this is very late but I was intrigued by this. I created a level 10 character that I recon could quite easily do this. You could also drop 2 levels and it still be feasible.
The build is: variant human - lucky feat, 1 level rogue to gain expertise in athletics, 5 levels fighter (battle master) for the grappling strike ability. This allows you to add superiority dice to grapple rolls when you have already hit the creature that turn. You also get extra attack. 4 levels sorcerer to get quickened spell and enlarge/ reduce. This allows you to as a bonus action enlarge yourself to be able to grapple in addition to the advantage gained. It is possible, without magic items if you use all available opportunities to increase strength to get a +13 to athletics. Add superiority dice, advantage and other spells given to you by sorcerer such as bane you should be able to easily out grapple a giant
Since its necro'd already....
How did it turn out OP?