ECL, LA, Class Level & Character Level [Archive] - Wizards Community

ECL, LA, Class Level & Character Level [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
hoffner5
08-30-07, 10:31 PM I'm a bit confused on how all of these work together.

With a +0 LA race (e.g. human), it's all quite understandable, but once the LA goes up, I find the books aren't 100% clear on things.

Take this example: 7th level Drow (+2 LA) Fighter
I understand that this character has an ECL of 9, composed of 7 class levels plus 2 for his LA. What is his character level? 7 or 9?

If it's 7, then for what is ECL used and for what is character level used (i.e. feats, XP, ability increases, Epic, etc.)?

If it's 9, then is it safe to say that if you have a LA and therefore use ECL, your character level is always your ECL? And then I must assume that a 1st level Svirfneblin (+3 LA) has an ECL of 4 and therefore starts with 2 feats (1st and 3rd lvl) and 1 ability score increase (4th lvl).

Thanks.
IdleAltruism
08-30-07, 11:35 PM Your character level=HD. Your HD determine bonus feats/stats. ECL is just there to show what level character someone with a LA and/or racial HD is compared to an average character of equivalent level.

With a LA you gain XP just like a character of your ECL. It takes the same XP to go up a level as them and you get the same amount of XP for the same things as them.

Epic is attained at 21 HD. If I remember correctly you only start using epic progressions for saves/BAB when you start taking class levels(that is if your a creature with alot of racial HD that would put you into epic level).
Shaggy_Shaggs
08-30-07, 11:36 PM For a drow fighter 7, the ECL is 9, and the character level is 7. The ECL is used to determine starting wealth, starting xp, xp earned from encounters by CR, and what level party it's appropriate for the character to be traveling with. The character level is used for everything else.

The drow fighter 7 starts with 36,000 gp worth of money and gear, and 36,000 xp. He has 7 feats (three general from levels 1, 3, and 6, and four bonus from fighter levels 1, 2, 4, and 6), 7 hitdice, and his maximum skill ranks cap is 10. He has increased an ability score once (at Fighter 4, ECL 6) and will do so again when he next gains a level. He will level up again when he reaches 45,000 xp. He should be traveling with a party of level 9 characters.
pres_man
08-31-07, 10:54 AM For a drow fighter 7, the ECL is 9, and the character level is 7. The ECL is used to determine starting wealth, starting xp, xp earned from encounters by CR, and what level party it's appropriate for the character to be traveling with. The character level is used for everything else.
ECL is also used for determining how much xp is needed to level next. But otherwise you got it.

It might be appropriate to use ECL for things like the leadership feat for example as well, but I'm not sure about that.
BugHunter
08-31-07, 12:22 PM I'm a bit confused on how all of these work together.

Take this example: 7th level Drow (+2 LA) Fighter
I understand that this character has an ECL of 9, composed of 7 class levels plus 2 for his LA. What is his character level? 7 or 9?

If it's 7, then for what is ECL used and for what is character level used (i.e. feats, XP, ability increases, Epic, etc.)?

If it's 9, then is it safe to say that if you have a LA and therefore use ECL, your character level is always your ECL? And then I must assume that a 1st level Svirfneblin (+3 LA) has an ECL of 4 and therefore starts with 2 feats (1st and 3rd lvl) and 1 ability score increase (4th lvl).

Thanks.

For your drow fighter example his character level is 9 this would be used for things like starting money, and xp.

Feats and ability score increases are based on the number of hit dice this has been answered in the FAQ.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
hoffner5 08-30-07, 10:31 PM	I'm a bit confused on how all of these work together. With a +0 LA race (e.g. human), it's all quite understandable, but once the LA goes up, I find the books aren't 100% clear on things. Take this example: 7th level Drow (+2 LA) Fighter I understand that this character has an ECL of 9, composed of 7 class levels plus 2 for his LA. What is his character level? 7 or 9? If it's 7, then for what is ECL used and for what is character level used (i.e. feats, XP, ability increases, Epic, etc.)? If it's 9, then is it safe to say that if you have a LA and therefore use ECL, your character level is always your ECL? And then I must assume that a 1st level Svirfneblin (+3 LA) has an ECL of 4 and therefore starts with 2 feats (1st and 3rd lvl) and 1 ability score increase (4th lvl). Thanks.
IdleAltruism 08-30-07, 11:35 PM	Your character level=HD. Your HD determine bonus feats/stats. ECL is just there to show what level character someone with a LA and/or racial HD is compared to an average character of equivalent level. With a LA you gain XP just like a character of your ECL. It takes the same XP to go up a level as them and you get the same amount of XP for the same things as them. Epic is attained at 21 HD. If I remember correctly you only start using epic progressions for saves/BAB when you start taking class levels(that is if your a creature with alot of racial HD that would put you into epic level).
Shaggy_Shaggs 08-30-07, 11:36 PM	For a drow fighter 7, the ECL is 9, and the character level is 7. The ECL is used to determine starting wealth, starting xp, xp earned from encounters by CR, and what level party it's appropriate for the character to be traveling with. The character level is used for everything else. The drow fighter 7 starts with 36,000 gp worth of money and gear, and 36,000 xp. He has 7 feats (three general from levels 1, 3, and 6, and four bonus from fighter levels 1, 2, 4, and 6), 7 hitdice, and his maximum skill ranks cap is 10. He has increased an ability score once (at Fighter 4, ECL 6) and will do so again when he next gains a level. He will level up again when he reaches 45,000 xp. He should be traveling with a party of level 9 characters.
pres_man 08-31-07, 10:54 AM	For a drow fighter 7, the ECL is 9, and the character level is 7. The ECL is used to determine starting wealth, starting xp, xp earned from encounters by CR, and what level party it's appropriate for the character to be traveling with. The character level is used for everything else. ECL is also used for determining how much xp is needed to level next. But otherwise you got it. It might be appropriate to use ECL for things like the leadership feat for example as well, but I'm not sure about that.
BugHunter 08-31-07, 12:22 PM	I'm a bit confused on how all of these work together. Take this example: 7th level Drow (+2 LA) Fighter I understand that this character has an ECL of 9, composed of 7 class levels plus 2 for his LA. What is his character level? 7 or 9? If it's 7, then for what is ECL used and for what is character level used (i.e. feats, XP, ability increases, Epic, etc.)? If it's 9, then is it safe to say that if you have a LA and therefore use ECL, your character level is always your ECL? And then I must assume that a 1st level Svirfneblin (+3 LA) has an ECL of 4 and therefore starts with 2 feats (1st and 3rd lvl) and 1 ability score increase (4th lvl). Thanks. For your drow fighter example his character level is 9 this would be used for things like starting money, and xp. Feats and ability score increases are based on the number of hit dice this has been answered in the FAQ.