[RPG] Are size bonuses already incorporated into large races’ attribute modifiers

character-creationmonsterspathfinder-1e

I have a friend who is playing a Trox. In the listed description we have the bonuses for being that race.

All trox have the following racial traits. + 6 Strength, –2 Intelligence, –2 Wisdom, –2 Charisma: Trox are very strong, but they can be dim, unreceptive, and inhospitable.

Large: Trox are Large and take a –1 size penalty to AC, take a –4 size penalty on Stealth checks, and gain a +1 size bonus on combat maneuver checks and to combat maneuver defense.

I have stated that PC races have all statistics that define their ability scores and bonuses in the section showing how to create said PC with race.

He is arguing that, in addition to these listed bonuses, he also gains an additional a +2 size bonus to Strength, a –2 size penalty to Dexterity (to a minimum of 1), and a –1 penalty on attack rolls and AC due to its increased size. He is has shown sources showing that this is a how a creature changes its statistics through monster bonuses by size tables and the enlarge person spell.

Friend: As the Trox does not have a -2 to dexterity as shown to happen to any creature of larger size, the Trox therefore must not yet have applied any bonuses for being large.

I'm under the impression that at creation a PC has all listed statistic to make the character. I'm trying to put this under the bridge so I could use some help.

Are the size modifiers already included in the Trox's attribute modifiers, or do they also get applied on top of those?

Best Answer

The quoted rule about -2 dexterity is for a creature that changes sizes. A creature that is naturally a given size has all its racial ability modifiers already calculated into its race description.

Note: the Trox's RP-built monstrous race and the Bestiary character race option are consistent with each other; the one showing the RP expenditures has the last two points of Strength on a separate line.

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