Goblin strength

xraygord · Post by **xraygord** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:12 pm

It states that I need an 18 strength to use a composite longbow, goblins and kobolds have been using these against me. Are they that strong? As I remember from my D&D days they were just puny creatures.

Klorox · Post by **Klorox** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:56 pm

They probably shouldn't be using them. But look on the bright side: they rarely actually hit you, and those bows are one of the most valuable items to sell when you leave the initial dungeon!

Kipi · Post by **Kipi** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:37 am

Goblins shouldn't be able to use those, unless their stats has changed to 3.5 rules, as Goblins have strength of 11

VonDondu · Post by **VonDondu** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:18 am

Most creatures in the Baldur's Gate series have Strength 9, since they are made from a standard template and the default value for all of the stats is 9. If a particular stat makes a difference (for example, a golem's Strength), then it's changed to something else besides 9. Otherwise, all of the stats are 9. Chickens, trolls, goblins, merchants...do you really think they all should have Intelligence 9? Wisdom 9? Charisma 9? Or more to the point, do their non-essential stats make any difference? It's all about game mechanics. The game designers wanted goblins to inflict a certain amount of damage and drop a certain amount of treasure, and equipping goblin archers with composite long bows fit the bill. That's all there is to it. If you're going to take things too literally, then you might as well accept the "fact" that chickens are Mages, Jon Irenicus is Chaotic Good, and Drizzt wields his scimitars with his teeth. Let's either be consistent and start a campaign to fix all of the "errors" in the BG series, or else let's ignore the technical issues and enjoy the game.

But just the same, good question.