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Since there are plenty large characters, I think writing a guide on how to make or not to make stats by size might be a good idea. For that I want to debate the options we have.
Don'ts 1: Speed by size alone
One calc practice I see used, which I don't agree with, is to get speed by scaling it with the characters size.
A typical example would be: A normal human running speed is 12.5 m/s. The character is 10x larger than a normal human and hence takes steps that are 10x longer. Assuming the character makes step in the same timeframe as a normal human, it is hence 10x faster. So the character is 125 m/s fast.
I don't even see these calcs made just for running characters, but even for flying ones, where something like a step length doesn't really exist.
So, why do I disagree with this method? Because there is no guarantee that a giant will need the same timeframe for an action as a small person.
In fact, many giants in animation look somewhat sluggish, because they move slowly relative to their body size. E.g.:
Rise of The Titans - Hercules 1997 Scene
Of course, if one can get a timeframe of some action one can simply use that, but if no timeframe is given I disagree that a giant can necessarily perform actions in the same timeframe its small counterpart would.
This has another consequence:
Don'ts 2: KE by size alone
I've seen that used as well. Since I would argue that we shouldn't calculate speed by size alone, as a consequence KE can't be calculated by size alone either.
Dos: AP by GPE
The one quantification method by size alone that I agree with would be doing it via gravitational potential energy.
An example of that would be this ancient calc of mine.
A giant character (with some rare exceptions) can at least drop on someone with their body weight and stand back up. That are potential AP/Strength feats. One has to consider where the center of mass is of course.
This is IMO the only way to reliably get a stat only from size (aside from range of course).
Opinions? Further ideas for methods one can use?
Don'ts 1: Speed by size alone
One calc practice I see used, which I don't agree with, is to get speed by scaling it with the characters size.
A typical example would be: A normal human running speed is 12.5 m/s. The character is 10x larger than a normal human and hence takes steps that are 10x longer. Assuming the character makes step in the same timeframe as a normal human, it is hence 10x faster. So the character is 125 m/s fast.
I don't even see these calcs made just for running characters, but even for flying ones, where something like a step length doesn't really exist.
So, why do I disagree with this method? Because there is no guarantee that a giant will need the same timeframe for an action as a small person.
In fact, many giants in animation look somewhat sluggish, because they move slowly relative to their body size. E.g.:
Rise of The Titans - Hercules 1997 Scene
Of course, if one can get a timeframe of some action one can simply use that, but if no timeframe is given I disagree that a giant can necessarily perform actions in the same timeframe its small counterpart would.
This has another consequence:
Don'ts 2: KE by size alone
I've seen that used as well. Since I would argue that we shouldn't calculate speed by size alone, as a consequence KE can't be calculated by size alone either.
Dos: AP by GPE
The one quantification method by size alone that I agree with would be doing it via gravitational potential energy.
An example of that would be this ancient calc of mine.
A giant character (with some rare exceptions) can at least drop on someone with their body weight and stand back up. That are potential AP/Strength feats. One has to consider where the center of mass is of course.
This is IMO the only way to reliably get a stat only from size (aside from range of course).
Opinions? Further ideas for methods one can use?
