Character Level vs. ECL? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character Level vs. ECL? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
CravesLove
12-08-05, 05:24 AM I'm trying to get straight on these two terms and am wondering if there is any difference, officialy, as written in the D&D rules.

I know ECL (Effective Character Level) = racial HD + class levels + LA

Is Character Level the same thing?
ieattrollsforbreakfast
12-08-05, 07:19 AM Character level is your total hit dice, so its you ECL minus your LA.
For example, a lizardfolk barbarian 2 (2 racial HD, 2 barbarian HD, +1 LA), has an ECL of 5 and a character level of 4.
Nom
12-08-05, 07:29 AM ieatrollsforbreakfast is correct.

Character level / HD is used in-game for all sorts of mechanics. Feats and ability increases are based on CL, as are several other mechanics.

ECL (CL + LA) is used only for XP calculations and one or two other game-balance issues. LA are "handicap levels" added to your CL to account for various non-standard abilities. You gain no direct benefit from LA; they simply penalise you with regards XP.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CravesLove 12-08-05, 05:24 AM	I'm trying to get straight on these two terms and am wondering if there is any difference, officialy, as written in the D&D rules. I know ECL (Effective Character Level) = racial HD + class levels + LA Is Character Level the same thing?
ieattrollsforbreakfast 12-08-05, 07:19 AM	Character level is your total hit dice, so its you ECL minus your LA. For example, a lizardfolk barbarian 2 (2 racial HD, 2 barbarian HD, +1 LA), has an ECL of 5 and a character level of 4.
Nom 12-08-05, 07:29 AM	ieatrollsforbreakfast is correct. Character level / HD is used in-game for all sorts of mechanics. Feats and ability increases are based on CL, as are several other mechanics. ECL (CL + LA) is used only for XP calculations and one or two other game-balance issues. LA are "handicap levels" added to your CL to account for various non-standard abilities. You gain no direct benefit from LA; they simply penalise you with regards XP.