Post/Author/DateTime	Post
bossloki 09-12-05, 03:21 PM	LIVING VAMPIRE As a result of near death and then exposure to a rare and powerful virus the being becomes a powerful hunter in the darkness. Template Traits“Living Vampire” is an acquired template that can be added to any corporeal living humanoid or monstrous humanoid that is susceptible to disease (referred to hereafter as the base creature). The creature gains the aberration type. It uses all of the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here. Speed: Same as the base creature. Special Qualities Lowlight Vision: The Living Vampire can see three times as far as a normal human in lowlight conditions. Immunities: The Living Vampire is immune to disease. Blood Drain: When the Living Vampire succeeds on a grapple check it may cause 1d4 Constitution damage per round that the grapple is maintained. The Living Vampire gains five hit points for each point of constitution so drained. These hit point last until depleted by normal damage or by the living vampire’s daily hit point loss. Longevity: The Living Vampire Becomes seemingly immortal as its lifespan is increased tenfold (multiply maximum age and age modifier categories by ten). Weaknesses Hit point loss: The Living Vampire loses ten hit points per day. This loss may not be stopped or offset by any means. Healing: The Living Vampire may not be healed magically and loses any fast healing or regeneration it possessed before being infected. Sunlight Vulnerability: The Living Vampire Is extremely vulnerable to sunlight (true sunlight) and takes 1d4 damage per round of exposure. Ability score adjustments: The Living Vampire gains +2 Str, +2 Dex, -2 Int, +2 Wis, -4 Cha Skills: The Living Vampire gains a +4 racial bonus on hide and move silently checks. Feats: The Living Vampire gains endurance as a bonus feat. Challenge Rating: +1 Level Adjustment: +3 This is the result of collaberation with one of my players that wants to play a vampire. Besides the fact that I don't really like the MM version I feel that it is much too strong for a PC. So tell me. Is it balanced? Too much? Too little?
VampiricBloodlustNemesis 09-12-05, 05:55 PM	seems ok, could use a lil tuning up
kinem 09-12-05, 07:27 PM	It is very much overpowered. The PC could buy thousands of small animals and drain them all of Con for effectively unlimited hp.
bossloki 09-12-05, 09:37 PM	seems ok, could use a lil tuning up Anything specific? It is very much overpowered. The PC could buy thousands of small animals and drain them all of Con for effectively unlimited hp. Well yes if you ignore the role playing or long term aspects of it. Whats going to happen to this guy if he keeps buying up animals? Sure he might be able to keep it up by rotating animals (assuming they don't die from fright or fall victim to a disease from the reduced health). Even if he just killed all the animals; how long could he keep it up? The upkeep and cost would be staggering. And actually catching and holding (grappling) even a small animal is a lot more difficult than you would think (assuming you find them to start with). And the no healing thing can be a real drag in the middle of a battle. Besides one combat with a giant/dragon/hydra/whatever can easily whittle away a thousand or so points, and not many groups will be willing to hold something down while this guy feeds. not to mention it is still quite vulnerable to death and trasformitive effects. Granted class choice can make a huge difference, but that is always true.
kinem 09-12-05, 10:17 PM	Well yes if you ignore the role playing or long term aspects of it. Not at all. Those aspects of it don't hamper him in the least. In fact they make him more powerful with all the followers he will get. Whats going to happen to this guy if he keeps buying up animals? He is going to become known as a valued customer by the local livestock industry. Even if he just killed all the animals; how long could he keep it up? The upkeep and cost would be staggering. Hardly. According to the SRD, 1 chicken costs 2 cp. Thus if he bought 1,000 chickens, he could gain 50,000 hp (assuming each bird has 10 Con, like bats do) for a mere 20 gp. Such a purchase would not be much of a drain on the poultry industry needed to serve a large town (10,000 people, they must eat at least that many every day). And actually catching and holding (grappling) even a small animal is a lot more difficult than you would think (assuming you find them to start with). Farmers manage it. I doubt a PC would have a problem. If he does there is always the old "sleep spell + rope" trick. Besides one combat with a giant/dragon/hydra/whatever can easily whittle away a thousand or so points Then how will the other PCs survive? Unless they are all epic, in which case I don't think grappling chickens would really be a challenge. not many groups will be willing to hold something down while this guy feeds. Why not? They would be crazy to refuse to help him, if it meant the difference between him saving their butts in combat or not. Would you rather take a bullet, or hold down a chicken so your friend becomes immune to bullets and let him take it? If the guy is a priest or paladin, other of his faith would surely aid the champion if it came to that. not to mention it is still quite vulnerable to death and trasformitive effects. Only as much as any other human PC.
Zathress 09-13-05, 01:15 AM	As far as I can tell his hit points can't go over maximum from blood drain. Thier is no mention of gaining temporary hit points. He can only heal by draining blood. So your entire argument it moot as the blood drain discription doesn't mention it can take it over is normal maxium.