Real World Equivalent

[TeslaJr]

What would be the closest real world equivalent to 20 Str?

[Sir Chuckles]

An Ape (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/ape.htm) has 21 Strength, as does a Lion (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lion.htm).
A Crocodile (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/crocodile.htm) has 19.

[Crake]

19 str is roughly as strong as someone could naturally get (assuming olympic athletes are level 4-6 max as per this (thealexandrian.net/wordpress/587/roleplaying-games/dd-calibrating-your-expectations-2)). Add in chemically induced strength, via steroids and whatnot, and essentially you're looking at 20 or so str. So yeah, imagine a roidrager bodybuilder and that's what 20 str looks like in humans

[prufock]

Anyone who can do a 400# overhead press and an 800# dead lift has 20 strength or more. We're talking powerlifters like Ronnie Coleman. It's not quite peak human performance, as there are records higher than that from those World's Strongest Man chaps and Olympic lifters, but you're looking at some pretty big dudes.

[Spiryt]

Ronnie Coleman is not really powerfliter, he's a bodybuilder.

Though obviously, many of his lifting numbers are very impressive 'by the way'.

Generally, concept of Strength in 3.5 is obviously extremely simplified, and if going by lifting numbers, real individuals will generally score around 19-25, depending on particular exercise.

Most of those hulkish individuals wont be that much of swimmers or climbers of course, while Strenght covers that too completely directly.

[prufock]

Ronnie Coleman is not really powerfliter, he's a bodybuilder.
True; I guess once you're picking up 500# or more I see it as powerlifting regardless of your goal. Probably just because I can't do it yet!


Generally, concept of Strength in 3.5 is obviously extremely simplified, and if going by lifting numbers, real individuals will generally score around 19-25, depending on particular exercise.
Truth. As a personal example, my 1RM on deadlift is 370, which would put my STR score at 14. However, I have a weak upper back thanks to stiff scapulae, so my OH press 1RM is only around 120-130, which would be STR of 11-12.

The D&D carrying capacity rules are not the best real-world model anyway. Most people could squat more than double their press, I would think.