Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BuddyL33 01-30-06, 04:27 PM	Do you think that any of the races, should have different favored classes in Eberron than they do in vanilla D&D? If so what changes would you make? More specifically, what about the sub-cultures. Sure there is only one race of elf, but three very distinct cultures. Should these three cultures have different favored classes even though they are the same race? If so what? Taking it a step further should there be a cross chart with race and country written in? Same goes for the halflings, etc. Post your ideas.
Gonf 01-30-06, 04:49 PM	I think that gnomes should have either the Artifacer or the Bard as a favored class (chosen during character creation) Zilargo's history of elemental binding, as well as other magical creation practices, should be enough to warrent this change.
Splendide 01-30-06, 05:04 PM	I think the good thing about Eberron is that its written to make Favoured Classes work. The only one I'd query would be Wizards for the Valenar. I don't agree on Artificer instead of Bard for gnomes. As adventurer's, its easy to get distracted by the whizz-bang of elemental binding, but fact is that the majority of gnomes are more likely to be diplomats, scribes and administrators than to be high-end craftsmen.
Rowan_Whispercloak 01-30-06, 05:18 PM	Some where I saw an adaptation of the bladesinger prestige class that allows it's abilities to function while using the scimitar or double scimitar (using weapon focus with longsword, rapier, scimitar or double scimitar as a prereq) so that could give a possible example of a Valenar Wizard/Fighter multiclass.
garner_adam 01-30-06, 06:41 PM	One of my players always tries to make that argument for Valenar elves but there's a fallacy in thinking that favored classes are based on the culture rather than latent talent within the racial pool. If you assume that the favored class is a product of culture then that would mean that humans born in a dwarf society should have favored class fighter. Or rather that the culture rather than the race should determine the predispositions of the character. While one could most certaintly decide to make their game that way I'll assure you that you'll be spending hours creating favored classes for cultures and it'll open up a can of worms when people want to call in their sub cultures. Where as if you adhere to the idea that it's a latent racial talent then you could easily assume that the culture surrounding that class is actually a by product of a biological tendancy. (Naturally explaining why human nations are so diverse) Most importantly it points out that certain cultures which have largely rejected their favored class are probably divergent or even aberrant considering the main stream. (Such as the Valenar) So in conclusion only do it if you want that extra work and flavor.
Edymnion 01-30-06, 07:04 PM	I think that gnomes should have either the Artifacer or the Bard as a favored class (chosen during character creation) Zilargo's history of elemental binding, as well as other magical creation practices, should be enough to warrent this change.But you see, the Gnomes have elemental binding and their other creation techniques not because they are innate tinkerers as a race (which is what FC: Artificer would make them), they are good at it because they are information brokers of all kind, including crafting secrets. Bard is perfect for them, not because of the illusion magic, but because of the Bardic Knowledge ability and all those Knowledge skills, on top of Speak Language being a class skill (its hard to gather information when you can't speak every major language). No, don't change any of them. I like the way that Keith explained it as being more of a genetic leaning towards those ways of life, not just what the race is good at. Talenta Halflings are Barbarians by default, but when they do multiclass, as a race they are more likely to add sneaky techniques to their ways, not just more brain bashing. Valenar are fierce warriors, but they're more likely to back their battle prowess up with arcane might. Remember, Favored Class means nothing if you don't multiclass, and then it only means that it is easier to multiclass INTO that class, not that it should be your primary class.
Mortimer Gobbit 01-30-06, 08:19 PM	In my group, we don't bother with multiclassing penalties, along with some other minor rules. We just crank up the challenge rating a notch to compensate. Really, multiclassing doesn't make a character that much more powerful per say, just more versatile. A fighter 5/rogue 5 is a crappy fighter and a crappy rogue. Sure he has more abilities, but they arent as powerful as a fullblood of either class, and he usually wont get to use them at the same time. And, should he go back to his original class, hell always have a weaker progression. Damage reduction 1/- means less at 12th level than it would have at 7th, and those handful of 2nd level spells you traded for start fading into obscurity with the enemies' ever-increasing saves. And from a purely roleplaying perspective, diffusing a character's background lends a lot towards his personality. Bodger Gogol, dwarven fighter 4/ranger 3/Bard 3, just seems to have more depth than Regdar, human fighter 10. They have a wider assortment of less-practiced skills, and aren't simply a one-trick pony. He won't just be tagging along until you need an orc ruffed up. Hm. I ranted a bit, didnt I.
ryanroyce 01-30-06, 10:28 PM	Actually, given the well-established rarity of NPCs with PC-class levels, I disregard the Favored Class mechanic entirely for my Eberron games (humans and khorovar both get an extra skill point per level to compensate). Excessive multiclassing tends to have its own consequences, IMO. After all, the Favored Class of gnomes should be expert, not bard. ;) Furthermore, with the onset of so many new base classes from the Complete series and beyond, the FC mechanic is becoming more and more of an unnecessary limitation, IMO. Ryan