Monstrous Physique — Big Daddy

Every once in a while, a game will have a character or enemy that is instantly iconic. One of these, I would say, is the Big Daddy from Bioshock. It’s a big, imposing, and terrifying looking enemy that just oozes with style. So, in honor of this underwater monstrosity, I decided to give it some Starfinder stats. Let’s take a look!

Big Daddy                               CR 8
XP 4,800
N Large monstrous humanoid
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +21
DEFENSE
HP 125
EAC 20; KAC 22
Fort +12, Ref +12, Will +7
DR 5/—
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft.
Melee drill +20 (3d6+14)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Offensive Abilities drill charge
STATISTICS
Str +6, Dex +2, Con +4, Int +0, Wis +1, Cha +0
Skills Perception +21
Languages Common (cannot speak)
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Drill Charge (Ex) When a Big Daddy charges, it does not take a penalty to its attack roll or AC. If it hits with the charge attack, the target becomes grappled as it’s impaled on the Big Daddy’s drill. If the attack misses, the Big Daddy must spend a standard action to recover from the charge before it can act again.

Big Daddies are a group of genetically augmented humans that have been physically grafted into an enormous diving suit. Originally designed as maintenance workers for a vast underwater community, these enormous beings were soon reworked to serve as bodyguards and defenders within the city. As guardians, the Big Daddies defended their wards—genetically enhanced young girls known as Little Sisters—with extreme aggression, responding violently against any threats to the Little Sisters. Whatever Big Daddies remain are extremely protective of their Little Sisters or have become rampaging monsters, constantly on the offensive due to a lack of ward. The true candidates for the program that led to the creation of Big Daddies is unknown, but most believe them to be criminals and political dissidents. The typical Big Daddy, known as the Bouncer, is not the only model of armored suit used in the program. Others include Rosie, a diving suit with an attached rivet gun, the Rumbler, a suit with deployable mini-turrets and shoulder mounted RPG, and the Lancer, a suit with a powerful laser.

Monstrous Origins

In the Bioshock games, Big Daddy and his variant cousins walk around, acting as a kind of miniboss of sorts. Their big frames and massive drills instantly scream “Danger!” to anyone that spots them. Unfortunately, there’s not much to go off of in regards to major abilities. It’s a big beater, mostly. There is one particular thing I wanted to make sure was possible, however. In the game, there is a pretty memorable scene where you first encounter the Big Daddy. The Big Daddy impales a poor fellow with its drill in order to defend its Little Sister. I wanted to replicate some of this terror by giving the Big Daddy the ability to “impale” a creature, in a sort of way. To make the ability better, I also wanted it to be able to reach you from across the battlefield, so I tacked this all on to the charge. It’s a good way to cause a sudden shock from the Big Daddy.

That’s it for this week! If you end up introducing the Big Daddy into your game or you have any request for a future Monstrous Physique, please drop me a line at KnowDirection@hotmail.com.

Luis Loza

Luis Loza is a developer at Paizo, working on the Pathfinder Lost Omens line and formerly on Campaign Setting and Player Companion lines. He's done freelance for Paizo Inc, Legendary Games, Rogue Genius Games, and more third-party publishers. His hobbies include gaming both tabletop and video, making jokes, obsessing over time travel, taking naps with Nova his cat, and walks with his wife. He is eternally plagued with a hunger for tacos. Consider checking his material on his Patreon at patreon.com/luisloza