Post/Author/DateTime	Post
allenchan 05-18-04, 06:18 PM	Now, many things state the CR and then the LA, sometimes, there's a dash by the LA, obviously meaning it CANNOT be used as a PC. However, what about races (or, specificly, templates) that dont have an LA section at all? Is there a good formula to figure out the LA based on the CR? I tried searching, stupid server isnt working :mad: My question is specificly in regards to the Monster of Legend template from MM2, as it only specifies a CR, but if Im playing a minotaur pc... edit: maybe i should move this to the savage species board. will repost there
Zolgar 05-22-04, 02:03 AM	Okay here's the formula.. There is none. You cannot figure CR/LA it just doesn't compute. 2 things can have the same HD and the same CR but different level adjustments. (example, look at the Kyton and the Umber Hulk in SS, same HD, same total ECL, different CRs. Or compare the Mummy to any other ECL 13) The first thing you do when calculating something ECL is take it's HD, How many does it have? Now, we'll go with stats next: Does it have balanced ability scores? (see DMG on that) if not, it's atleasta +1, more if they're obscenely off balance (like a +10 con is not a +1 LA, unless it's balanced by some nasty nasty penalties) Size: How big is it? -1 LA if it's small, the reach determines the +LA for larger creatures. Natural Armor: +1 LA/5 points (Not very balancing IMHO) Speed: If it has alternate speed types: Swim: +0/+1(if in a very aquatic campaign) Fly: +1 if lower than good manuverability, +2 if better Climb: +1 Burrow: +1 Attacks: If it cane make more attacks per round than a fighter opf equal HD +1 If it can do more damage per hit than a fighter of equal weapon weilding a simple or martial weapon +1 (atleast I assume those two will stack) Reach: If it has more than 5' reach, +1 LA for every 5 feat (beyond 5) (I.E. 10=+1, 15=+2, etc) Skills/feats: If you recieve a racial bonus on 3 or more skills, +1 LA If you get 2 or more bonus feats due to race +1 LA Special attacks/special qualities: Look at Savage Species pages 12 and 13, I'm not typing even an abriviated version. All of that was taken from SS on pages 11-13, read up :) Now, however to consider something.. They use an example for testing an ECL with a 1st level character, if you're playing a higher level game.. Those stat boosts mean alot more than a few extra abilities for some classes. A Nixie, for example, is a +3 ECL. (biggest thing is it's +8 cha) so playing a 1st level bard or sorcerer.. you're going to be severly outshone by the 4th level one.. But now, take that character and give them 10 slevels of sorcerer, so it's 10 vs. 13, you'll be one level of spells lower than they are, but you'll be casting alot more spells per day, and your DCs are 4 higher. At a 5th level campaign, I'd clerely rather play the pure sorc, at a 15th, I'd clerely rather play the Nixie I advise testing it with 1, 5 and maybe 10 class levels (compare it to the "average" version of them in the DMG (except usually assume an 18 in their primary stat.) Well, that'sa my info, and noone else seems eager to help ya. (but this does belong on the SS forums I think)