Dragon LA [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Dragon LA [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Disciple of Darkness
07-16-05, 01:55 PM I've tried to puzzle together true dragons' LAs as they continue to grow older and older. For example, wyrmling red dragon's LA is +4, young red dragon's +5, and young red dragon's +6. Since it appears to rise by one for each age category, so far, is a juvenile red dragon's LA +7? How do you actually calculate this kind of things?
Willie the Duck
07-17-05, 12:16 AM You don't. If it is not listed in the books, you cannot calculate it based on a formula (such as +1 per age category). Certain abilities (such as the start of spellcasting, SR, frightful presence, or DR) will cause a significant LA jump. You basically have to playtest the creature at the age category you want it at to determine what effective character level it has. Subtract from that the monster's HD, and you have the LA. Playing a monster with ECLs (especially one not listed in the MM or such) is not supposed to be easy on the DM.
Gonbow
07-17-05, 12:32 PM Uhmm, you piece it together using the techniques outlined in Savage Species (great book, even if it is '3.25').

Basically speaking, every monster will have a ECL At least = to HD. The vast majority have an ECL = HD +2-5

Balancing generally comes down to looking at the monster, then at NPCs in the DMG and figuring out what level the NPC can do what the monster can do. I.E: Does the monster cast a fifth level spell? Okay, it's ECL has to be at least equal to a wizard who can cast a fifth level spell. Etc.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Disciple of Darkness 07-16-05, 01:55 PM	I've tried to puzzle together true dragons' LAs as they continue to grow older and older. For example, wyrmling red dragon's LA is +4, young red dragon's +5, and young red dragon's +6. Since it appears to rise by one for each age category, so far, is a juvenile red dragon's LA +7? How do you actually calculate this kind of things?
Willie the Duck 07-17-05, 12:16 AM	You don't. If it is not listed in the books, you cannot calculate it based on a formula (such as +1 per age category). Certain abilities (such as the start of spellcasting, SR, frightful presence, or DR) will cause a significant LA jump. You basically have to playtest the creature at the age category you want it at to determine what effective character level it has. Subtract from that the monster's HD, and you have the LA. Playing a monster with ECLs (especially one not listed in the MM or such) is not supposed to be easy on the DM.
Gonbow 07-17-05, 12:32 PM	Uhmm, you piece it together using the techniques outlined in Savage Species (great book, even if it is '3.25'). Basically speaking, every monster will have a ECL At least = to HD. The vast majority have an ECL = HD +2-5 Balancing generally comes down to looking at the monster, then at NPCs in the DMG and figuring out what level the NPC can do what the monster can do. I.E: Does the monster cast a fifth level spell? Okay, it's ECL has to be at least equal to a wizard who can cast a fifth level spell. Etc.