Post/Author/DateTime	Post
michel andre 07-02-06, 12:14 PM	I'm sure this has been addressed before but I can not find where (or the forum search feature). I glanced at Savage Species and I liked the idea of Monster class levels. I was disappointed that Drow were not included. I am sure someone has done monster class levels for Drow. Where do I look? Thanks.
Morwen 07-02-06, 07:19 PM	Someone has. Wizards, actually, on the main website. Here's the direct link: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040213a
Elvesir 07-02-06, 09:41 PM	the forgotten realms setting also has a drow character you can use his ECL is +2
michel andre 07-03-06, 10:51 AM	Someone has. Wizards, actually, on the main website. Here's the direct link: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040213a I had found that; I did not think it was Monster class levels. Maybe I do not understand Monster class levels. Are Drow considered monsters? Was Savage Species considered a good book? Were Monster Class levels embraced or rejected by most? With Monster class levels, I thought monsters were on par with DnD characters with a 1st level monster equals a first level player.
Morwen 07-03-06, 11:06 AM	I had found that; I did not think it was Monster class levels. Maybe I do not understand Monster class levels. Are Drow considered monsters? Was Savage Species considered a good book? Were Monster Class levels embraced or rejected by most? With Monster class levels, I thought monsters were on par with DnD characters with a 1st level monster equals a first level player. "Monster" isn't really a defined term. Basically, everything you fight can be considered a monster (Drow is found in the Monster Manual, for instance). Monster class levels are designed to allow you to play a reduced version of the monster from starting level 1, and then progressing towards the full version of the monster with future level-ups, only beginning to take regular class levels once you're finished with the monster level progression. Since Drow has a Level Adjustment of +2, you can normally not play a Drow Character in parties starting at a lower level than 3, since even with only a single regular class level you'll be a 3rd level character. So, in order to start playing a Drow character from level 1, you must use the progression found in the link I posted. Unlike the progressions in Savage Species itself, Drow have no racial hit dice, so you must take a normal class level first (and gain the "Drow Base Racial Features"). Then, for your first two gained levels, you must take the two levels of the "Drow Racial Class". After you've done that, you're exactly equivalent to a regular Drow character (starting at level 3), but you've been able to function in a party from level 1. As for Savage Species, it's liked by some and disliked by others, just as for most things. Personally, I like it quite a lot, although there are some overpowered things in it (the Feral template, for instance).
michel andre 07-06-06, 06:51 PM	Thanks! :) Monster class levels are designed to allow you to play a reduced version of the monster from starting level 1, and then progressing towards the full version of the monster with future level-ups, only beginning to take regular class levels once you're finished with the monster level progression. Does everyone play it this way? Despite the official rules, I would want to take the moster class at first level and then alternate with a player or non-player class every other level. I would see this as giving the moster the same variety as the player's have.
Morwen 07-06-06, 06:57 PM	Does everyone play it this way? Despite the official rules, I would want to take the moster class at first level and then alternate with a player or non-player class every other level. I would see this as giving the moster the same variety as the player's have. You'd have to ask your DM, but if he trusts that you intend to take all of the Monster Class levels within some nonabusable period, it should be fine (The official rules are as they are because otherwise you could take, say, four levels of a 16-level Monster Class, and then fill up with 16 Fighter levels or something).
michel andre 07-06-06, 08:02 PM	You'd have to ask your DM, but if he trusts that you intend to take all of the Monster Class levels within some nonabusable period, it should be fine (The official rules are as they are because otherwise you could take, say, four levels of a 16-level Monster Class, and then fill up with 16 Fighter levels or something). What is so wrong with that?
cwslyclgh 07-06-06, 09:13 PM	because it provides a huge headache for the DM... if you can do it, then so can all the other "monsters" out there, and why wouldn't they since it would provide so much of an advantage.
michel andre 07-08-06, 06:36 PM	because it provides a huge headache for the DM... if you can do it, then so can all the other "monsters" out there, and why wouldn't they since it would provide so much of an advantage. I was thinking as a DM not a player. For example, I like Hags but I want them to have more magic; specifically, I think it is appropriate if they have levels in Witch. I might only take 5 levels of Sea Hag and alternate them with levels in Witch. I then may give her a prestige class. I feel this gives my monsters more variety. I do not think this is a bad thing. IMHO, the annis could easily lose some strength to gain more spells.
cwslyclgh 07-08-06, 06:42 PM	instead of doing all of that, why not just make up some new type of hag that is weaker physically but morepowerful magicaly. In cornish mythology Annis had no magical abilities at all, she just hid in trees and jumped out and stangled people with ehr iron like claws ;)