"Perfect" weight for your character

[Shadowdancer]

I've always been a little unhappy with randomly determining my character's weight by rolling on a table. I found a couple of formulas for calculating a person's "ideal" weight for their height. I use this as a base, then can adjust upwards or downwards depending on my idea of the character -- muscular, wiry, thin, heavy set, portly, whatever.

Males: Take height in inches. 115 lbs. for first 60 inches, 5 lbs. each inch after that. If less than 60 inches, subtract 5 lbs. for each inch less.

Females: Take height in inches. 100 lbs for first 60 inches, 5 lbs. each inch after that. If less than 60 inches, subtract 5 lbs. for each inch less.

OR

Take height in inches. Multiply by 3.5. Subtract 115.

The two methods for females will give different weights for the same height. Use whichever you want. I tend to use the first method for athletic females (not bodybuilders, but a military type who works out and trains regularly because she needs strength in her job) and the second method for non-athletic females.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Statistically, there is not a very good correlation between height and weight. The correlation between strength and weight is much better.

And, curiously, the average weight is about 60 Kg for women, 70 kg for men.

Obviously you need a random factor in this, no-one is going to be less than 40 kg and a high Endurance character is not going to be overweight. I always rolled 2d6, looked at the Srength and endurance and fudged.
So start 60 Kg fot Women, 70 Kg men.
STR <4 -10 Kg, 8+ +10 Kg, 10+ +10 Kg, 12+ +20 Kg, 14+ +30 Kg
END <4 +20 Kg, 5-6 +10 Kg, 10+ -10 Kg
Roll D6, 1-2 -10 kg, 5-6 +10 kg

 

[lord irial]

I still use the weight formula from the Rolemaster Companion (slightly modified, see below) to determine fairly realistic weights for characters.

ht x ht x ht x .0000107 x 49, where ht is the character's height in inches.

Then I modify by Strength and Race; in D&D, dwarves have a racial multiplier of 1.75, elves have a racial multiplier of .9. I use the character's Strength modifier [not the score, the modifier] as a decimal multiplier - i.e. a Strength of 14 has a +2, so I multiply the total by 1.2. If the modifier is a penalty, I decide if the character is overweight or scrawny, and then either use the modifier as a positive or negative multiplier [a Strength 6 character who is fat would have his total multiplied by 1.2; a thin Strength 6 character would multiply his total by .8].

It's not elegant, but it gives fairly realistic weights for humanoid creatures. Wouldn't know how to apply it to Hivers or Virushi, though.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Or, another system I have used:

Women base 60 kg (130 lb)
Men base 70 kg (150 lb)

Strength
<4, -20 Kg
4-5 -10 kg
10-11 +10 Kg
12-13 +20 Kg
14-15 +30 Kg

Roll D6:
1-2 Ectomorph
3-4 Mesomorph
5-6 Endomoroph

Endurance_____ Ecto _ Meso _ Endo
<4 ________-20 Kg _+10Kg_ +40Kg
4-5________-10 Kg __ 0Kg _ +30Kg
6-7________-10 Kg __ 0Kg _ +20Kg
8-9________-10 Kg __ 0Kg _ +10Kg
10+ _______-10 Kg _-10Kg ___ 0Kg

I reject the height/weight relationship. I once did a statistical study on a collection of olympic athletes and found no relationship between height and weight. I did a similar study on Playboy centerfolds. Less reliable data, but more fun. In the US Military careers depend on a height/weight chart and dedicated body builders have to fight every year for an exception. It has become a bad joke.

 

[Father Fletch]

"...Sure thing sergeant, we got waivers...BUT...I can only issue 20 for the battalion for the year, otherwise my ass is on the line, I know you understand..."

 

[Father Fletch]

You'd think the Military could factor in stuff like BMI when they have physicals and fitness reviews.

 

[PapaGolfWhiskey]

I thought it did.

One of the bane's of my Militia experience was that my BMI was continually over 30.... despite the fact that it was probably the most fit I'd ever been.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Not in the USA. They are perfectly happy using height/weight.

 

[PapaGolfWhiskey]

Well since my Militia days are ten years behind me maybe it's a different BMI...

Body Mass Index is a height/weight formula though.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Body mass index. I thought the Padre was talking about body fat percentage. Duh.