Feats and LA +1 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Feats and LA +1 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tectorman
03-20-07, 03:14 PM In the last campaign I played in, I was a catfolk Rogue. At 2nd level of Rogue (her third character level), I took my 2nd feat. Also, I maxed out my Sleight of Hand skill with 6 ranks (the maximum number available to a third level character).

But she only had 2 HD. Was what we did legal, or did we just make up a houserule?

Please note: monstrous humanoids and other such races with racial HD specifically say that they gain feats according to their HD. The Player's Handbook (written with all LA +0 races {which may or may not be LA +0 balanced, but I'm not going to go into that}) makes it sound as though max skill ranks, feats, and ability score increases are dependant on character level.
Nat_20
03-20-07, 03:20 PM Level Adjustment does not count like that, its like killing one of your levels for racial abilities, so our 2nd level catfolk rouge would only get the extra stuff of a 2nd level character, just think of it like your down one level... your ECL may be 3rd lvl, but your only gain benefits as a 2nd level character
Neutronium_Dragon
03-20-07, 03:26 PM Essentially, only actual hit dice count for this purpose, whether they're derived from class or race. The "virtual" levels of LA don't. They only count towards XP requirements to gain levels and to determine your character's wealth by level.
Tectorman
03-22-07, 11:17 AM Alright, next question. Exactly how unbalanced is that houserule? Or would we be better off using the XP level adjustment buyoff system in the Unearthed Arcana book?
Neutronium_Dragon
03-22-07, 11:35 AM Strictly speaking, her character level is 2 when she gains her second rogue level.

Character Level = class levels + racial hit dice
Equivalent Character Level = character level + level adjustment

ECL is only used for determining XP needed and the character's wealth per the chart on P135 of the DMG. For every other purpose, character level is what counts.
RobbyPants
03-22-07, 11:49 AM Alright, next question. Exactly how unbalanced is that houserule? Or would we be better off using the XP level adjustment buyoff system in the Unearthed Arcana book?
The level adjustment buyoff rule is nice, and I'm planning on using it my next campaign (the first one I'll run in a while where the PCs start a higher than level 1). It's a nice way to offset level adjustments over time.

As for your game's rule, the higher the LA, the more unbalanced it is. I wouldn't think that it would break the game, and many people think that the LA system is not all that good to begin with. The long and the short of it: if the group is happy with the system, and everyone's having fun, than it's a good house-rule :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tectorman 03-20-07, 03:14 PM	In the last campaign I played in, I was a catfolk Rogue. At 2nd level of Rogue (her third character level), I took my 2nd feat. Also, I maxed out my Sleight of Hand skill with 6 ranks (the maximum number available to a third level character). But she only had 2 HD. Was what we did legal, or did we just make up a houserule? Please note: monstrous humanoids and other such races with racial HD specifically say that they gain feats according to their HD. The Player's Handbook (written with all LA +0 races {which may or may not be LA +0 balanced, but I'm not going to go into that}) makes it sound as though max skill ranks, feats, and ability score increases are dependant on character level.
Nat_20 03-20-07, 03:20 PM	Level Adjustment does not count like that, its like killing one of your levels for racial abilities, so our 2nd level catfolk rouge would only get the extra stuff of a 2nd level character, just think of it like your down one level... your ECL may be 3rd lvl, but your only gain benefits as a 2nd level character
Neutronium_Dragon 03-20-07, 03:26 PM	Essentially, only actual hit dice count for this purpose, whether they're derived from class or race. The "virtual" levels of LA don't. They only count towards XP requirements to gain levels and to determine your character's wealth by level.
Tectorman 03-22-07, 11:17 AM	Alright, next question. Exactly how unbalanced is that houserule? Or would we be better off using the XP level adjustment buyoff system in the Unearthed Arcana book?
Neutronium_Dragon 03-22-07, 11:35 AM	Strictly speaking, her character level is 2 when she gains her second rogue level. Character Level = class levels + racial hit dice Equivalent Character Level = character level + level adjustment ECL is only used for determining XP needed and the character's wealth per the chart on P135 of the DMG. For every other purpose, character level is what counts.
RobbyPants 03-22-07, 11:49 AM	Alright, next question. Exactly how unbalanced is that houserule? Or would we be better off using the XP level adjustment buyoff system in the Unearthed Arcana book? The level adjustment buyoff rule is nice, and I'm planning on using it my next campaign (the first one I'll run in a while where the PCs start a higher than level 1). It's a nice way to offset level adjustments over time. As for your game's rule, the higher the LA, the more unbalanced it is. I wouldn't think that it would break the game, and many people think that the LA system is not all that good to begin with. The long and the short of it: if the group is happy with the system, and everyone's having fun, than it's a good house-rule :D