ettercap pc? [Archive] - Wizards Community

ettercap pc? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
jediranger
05-12-04, 04:40 PM hello all

i was flipping though my monster manual and saw the ettercap, the monster with spider like abilites, or is a spider

i would like to know if that could be played as a pc or a possible npc in a game

ps.i know of the savage species book, but im low on the money and havent had the chance to look though it at the store

thank you all

jedi ranger
clarkcd
05-12-04, 05:06 PM The way to figure this out is like this:

ETTERCAP
Medium Aberration
Hit Dice: 5d8+5 (27 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: <SNIP>
Armor Class: <SNIP>
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+5
Attack: <SNIP>
Attack: <SNIP>
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison, web
Special Qualities: Low-light vision
Saves: <SNIP>
Abilities: <SNIP>
Skills: <SNIP>
Feats: <SNIP>
Environment: Warm forests
Organization: <SNIP>
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually neutral evil
Advancement: <SNIP>
Level Adjustment: +4

Above is an edited (for space) stat block from the 3.5 MM and the SRD. You use the bolded lines to calculate what is known as the ECL (effective class level). You take the 5 HD (hit die) and add them to the 4 LA (level adjustment) to find the total ECL of 9. This means a base ettercap is equal to a 9th level PC. Since all PC's start with at least one CL (class level) the earliest you could play an ettercap would be 10th (5HD+4LA+1CL)

If your MM doesn't have these values you've got a 3.0 MM. To get the values to play any monster you'll need to pick up Savage Species or the 3.5 MM or use the SRD which can be found >HERE< (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35).
jediranger
05-12-04, 07:03 PM thank you clarkcd
Khaibit_Ema_Neteru
05-12-04, 07:56 PM Actually, all players start with one HD, not class level. An ettercap is playable at level 9, its ECL, whereas a Half Dragon, which has no HD, is playable at level 4, its ECL plus a class level.
clarkcd
05-12-04, 10:44 PM Technically you can start with no class levels but I wouldn't recommend it because class levels are what differentiate a PC monster from a standard monster.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
jediranger 05-12-04, 04:40 PM	hello all i was flipping though my monster manual and saw the ettercap, the monster with spider like abilites, or is a spider i would like to know if that could be played as a pc or a possible npc in a game ps.i know of the savage species book, but im low on the money and havent had the chance to look though it at the store thank you all jedi ranger
clarkcd 05-12-04, 05:06 PM	The way to figure this out is like this: ETTERCAP Medium Aberration Hit Dice: 5d8+5 (27 hp) Initiative: +3 Speed: <SNIP> Armor Class: <SNIP> Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+5 Attack: <SNIP> Attack: <SNIP> Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Poison, web Special Qualities: Low-light vision Saves: <SNIP> Abilities: <SNIP> Skills: <SNIP> Feats: <SNIP> Environment: Warm forests Organization: <SNIP> Challenge Rating: 3 Treasure: Standard Alignment: Usually neutral evil Advancement: <SNIP> Level Adjustment: +4 Above is an edited (for space) stat block from the 3.5 MM and the SRD. You use the bolded lines to calculate what is known as the ECL (effective class level). You take the 5 HD (hit die) and add them to the 4 LA (level adjustment) to find the total ECL of 9. This means a base ettercap is equal to a 9th level PC. Since all PC's start with at least one CL (class level) the earliest you could play an ettercap would be 10th (5HD+4LA+1CL) If your MM doesn't have these values you've got a 3.0 MM. To get the values to play any monster you'll need to pick up Savage Species or the 3.5 MM or use the SRD which can be found >HERE< (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35).
jediranger 05-12-04, 07:03 PM	thank you clarkcd
Khaibit_Ema_Neteru 05-12-04, 07:56 PM	Actually, all players start with one HD, not class level. An ettercap is playable at level 9, its ECL, whereas a Half Dragon, which has no HD, is playable at level 4, its ECL plus a class level.
clarkcd 05-12-04, 10:44 PM	Technically you can start with no class levels but I wouldn't recommend it because class levels are what differentiate a PC monster from a standard monster.