Draconic Racil Class...Is this right? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Draconic Racil Class...Is this right? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Necron99
03-09-07, 11:15 AM Ok, I'm trying to dig through books to find an explanation of how racial classes work. I *think* I get it, but I thought I'd consult the wisdom of the community to make sure. Heck, I probably don’t have the right book anyway – But I DO have RotD, and in it I find the muddy explanation of the Draconic Racial Class.

So, there is a human fighter with draconic heritage…

At first level, he takes his fighter level. He gets the first draconic level for free (spot, intimidate checks) simply because he is Human (Dragonblood). At this point he is still LA+0.

Question: As he takes Draconic levels, does he roll HP, and gain skill points? Does the ECL count towards level-based abilities such as level feats and attribute gains?

I know how ECL works, so I tend to think the answer to everything above is no - but the text in RotD seems to imply that the character is getting racial hit dice in addition to level adjustment. I can’t decide whether the book is talking about dragonblood monsters with racial levels, or player characters with class levels.

Am I right?
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
03-09-07, 12:02 PM I don't have RotD, but I do have another book with racial classes (CPsi). Savage Species introduced the racial class. Here's basically how it works:
Racial level (1st column) is your effective character level. It tells you how much XP you need to get there, etc.
Class level (2nd column) is your level in any actual base classes.
Special (3rd column) is any benefits you gain from the racial level (in addition to class benefits)

The way I find easiest to view it, a racial class level gives a few benefits, one of which is sometimes gaining a level in another class. It's only at levels that he gains levels in another class that he gains HD, skills, etc. He gains feats and ability score increases at the indicated levels rather than the normal levels.

As another way of seeing it, the racial levels slow down the benefits, so at lower levels you don't have the full LA.

Is it cleared up?
Necron99
03-09-07, 01:28 PM I guess - So I had it figured correctly?
Marcus Majarra
03-09-07, 03:07 PM No, you don't get any extra hit dice or any other HD-derived benefits. Note, however, that if you take the draconic racial class, your second level must be devoted towards the draconic racial class. Later on, if you take the next level in the racial class, you subsequently must finish the racial class before taking any other class levels.
Necron99
03-09-07, 03:10 PM Excellent, all cleared up.

Thanks guys

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Necron99 03-09-07, 11:15 AM	Ok, I'm trying to dig through books to find an explanation of how racial classes work. I think I get it, but I thought I'd consult the wisdom of the community to make sure. Heck, I probably don’t have the right book anyway – But I DO have RotD, and in it I find the muddy explanation of the Draconic Racial Class. So, there is a human fighter with draconic heritage… At first level, he takes his fighter level. He gets the first draconic level for free (spot, intimidate checks) simply because he is Human (Dragonblood). At this point he is still LA+0. Question: As he takes Draconic levels, does he roll HP, and gain skill points? Does the ECL count towards level-based abilities such as level feats and attribute gains? I know how ECL works, so I tend to think the answer to everything above is no - but the text in RotD seems to imply that the character is getting racial hit dice in addition to level adjustment. I can’t decide whether the book is talking about dragonblood monsters with racial levels, or player characters with class levels. Am I right?
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 03-09-07, 12:02 PM	I don't have RotD, but I do have another book with racial classes (CPsi). Savage Species introduced the racial class. Here's basically how it works: Racial level (1st column) is your effective character level. It tells you how much XP you need to get there, etc. Class level (2nd column) is your level in any actual base classes. Special (3rd column) is any benefits you gain from the racial level (in addition to class benefits) The way I find easiest to view it, a racial class level gives a few benefits, one of which is sometimes gaining a level in another class. It's only at levels that he gains levels in another class that he gains HD, skills, etc. He gains feats and ability score increases at the indicated levels rather than the normal levels. As another way of seeing it, the racial levels slow down the benefits, so at lower levels you don't have the full LA. Is it cleared up?
Necron99 03-09-07, 01:28 PM	I guess - So I had it figured correctly?
Marcus Majarra 03-09-07, 03:07 PM	No, you don't get any extra hit dice or any other HD-derived benefits. Note, however, that if you take the draconic racial class, your second level must be devoted towards the draconic racial class. Later on, if you take the next level in the racial class, you subsequently must finish the racial class before taking any other class levels.
Necron99 03-09-07, 03:10 PM	Excellent, all cleared up. Thanks guys