Can creature HD be traded for class levels? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can creature HD be traded for class levels? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Endarire
05-21-04, 11:59 AM I heard somewhere it can, but I request an official ruling.

-EE
Sarig the Genie
05-21-04, 12:42 PM If the creature in question only have one HD, then yes, you replace it. If more than one, you add class levels. That's the rules about it.
strenoth
05-21-04, 02:07 PM what sarig said.

God, if I were able to play a bug bear, then swap out racial HD for levels in fighter or barbarian...

no, not allowed. the total ECl of acreature SHOULD account for the fact that it has racial HD instead of the much superior class hit die.
Panchaso
05-22-04, 01:54 AM How's this? You can only swap the last HD for a class level. That way it still aplies to 1HD races, but it's easier to play a higher ECL race.
Sarig the Genie
05-22-04, 04:38 AM If it has more than one HD, you cannot swap. You have to add.
Braids
05-22-04, 11:39 AM Just look at what monster hit dice provide...mostly just skills/HP/BAB...

A class on the other hand provides abilities as well.

Just look at what happens if you play a bugbear and switch its hit dice for rogue level.

You keep the bugbear's stats, darkvision, natural armor.

And you get sneak attack, the same BAB, the same saves, better skill points.
obrysii
05-23-04, 11:30 AM I always have thought of racial HD as being how naturally "tough" a peticular creature is...how well it can innately, without even being taught, fight and handle situations where toughness and such are involved.
Sarig the Genie
05-23-04, 11:49 AM And you are correct.
fiskpaj
05-23-04, 12:26 PM Some creatures, should, IMO, get negative level adjustments, even though that is not possible according to the rules. Take awakended animals for example, their HD are clearly weaker than most classes.
Sarig the Genie
05-23-04, 01:07 PM Yeah, I've thought of that too.

But I've never incorporated it, as that would mean that in a campaign, such a creature could actually have higher levels than the standard races (in a balanced party that is) and I don't want that at all.

About the animals though, look at the stat (I haven't, so I'm not sure about it) if I'm not mistaken, a medium animal would have ability modifiers (as you would of course you the normal rolling system if you were to play such a creature) much higher than normal. I don't think they're too far off, if you take that into consideration.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Endarire 05-21-04, 11:59 AM	I heard somewhere it can, but I request an official ruling. -EE
Sarig the Genie 05-21-04, 12:42 PM	If the creature in question only have one HD, then yes, you replace it. If more than one, you add class levels. That's the rules about it.
strenoth 05-21-04, 02:07 PM	what sarig said. God, if I were able to play a bug bear, then swap out racial HD for levels in fighter or barbarian... no, not allowed. the total ECl of acreature SHOULD account for the fact that it has racial HD instead of the much superior class hit die.
Panchaso 05-22-04, 01:54 AM	How's this? You can only swap the last HD for a class level. That way it still aplies to 1HD races, but it's easier to play a higher ECL race.
Sarig the Genie 05-22-04, 04:38 AM	If it has more than one HD, you cannot swap. You have to add.
Braids 05-22-04, 11:39 AM	Just look at what monster hit dice provide...mostly just skills/HP/BAB... A class on the other hand provides abilities as well. Just look at what happens if you play a bugbear and switch its hit dice for rogue level. You keep the bugbear's stats, darkvision, natural armor. And you get sneak attack, the same BAB, the same saves, better skill points.
obrysii 05-23-04, 11:30 AM	I always have thought of racial HD as being how naturally "tough" a peticular creature is...how well it can innately, without even being taught, fight and handle situations where toughness and such are involved.
Sarig the Genie 05-23-04, 11:49 AM	And you are correct.
fiskpaj 05-23-04, 12:26 PM	Some creatures, should, IMO, get negative level adjustments, even though that is not possible according to the rules. Take awakended animals for example, their HD are clearly weaker than most classes.
Sarig the Genie 05-23-04, 01:07 PM	Yeah, I've thought of that too. But I've never incorporated it, as that would mean that in a campaign, such a creature could actually have higher levels than the standard races (in a balanced party that is) and I don't want that at all. About the animals though, look at the stat (I haven't, so I'm not sure about it) if I'm not mistaken, a medium animal would have ability modifiers (as you would of course you the normal rolling system if you were to play such a creature) much higher than normal. I don't think they're too far off, if you take that into consideration.