Feytouched as PC race, balanced? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Feytouched as PC race, balanced? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rondulin
03-15-08, 08:04 PM I wanted to use a half-fey/feytouched race as PC race, but I wonder if it is balanced.

Edit (Clarifications and additions):
• -2 Constituion, +2 Charisma
• Medium size.
• Base land speed is 30 feet.
• Low-Light Vision
• Immunity to charm person and +4 bonus enchantment spells and effects.
• Damage Reduction: At 4 HD a feytouched gains DR 1/cold iron (+1 for every 4 HD thereafter, max. DR 5/cold iron at 20 HD)
• Wild Empathy: as 1st level druid.
• Charm Person (Sp): Once per day, a feytouched can use charm person as the spell. Caster Level 1st, save DC 11 + Cha modifier.
• Charming Personality: Once per day you may reroll a diplomacy or charisma check. You can use the better result.
• Automatic Languages: Common and Sylvan. Bonus Languages: Elven, Gnome, Goblin, and Orc.
• Favored Class: Druid.

I find it quite hard to rate the damage reduction. What do you think?
Scion of Coldshard
03-15-08, 09:52 PM Is this a race unto itself? Or does it modify an existing race?

Medium sized? What creature type/subtype? Speed?

Is the wild empathy based on character level?

If the damage reduction was 1/cold iron or magic it would be better most likely. It will still matter at lower levels but not so much later on. I would suggest having feats that would improve it and grant other abilities.

Instead of a spell-like ability why not something like this:
Charming personality - once per day you may roll two dice instead of one on a diplomacy check or charisma check and choose either result to use.

I could even be tempted to add on this:
If you choose the lower of the two values (or if they are tied) the use of this ability this time doesnt count against your daily limit.

Looks fine otherwise to me. Cha tends to be a much weaker stat than con so you might not have to worry about changing the damage reduction as I suggested above.
ragoftag
03-15-08, 11:28 PM Rondulin-2 Constitution, +2 CharismaVery Fey, I like it.Low-Light VisionsameImmunity to enchantment spells and effects.Sean Reynolds had a nice thought piece on replacing absolutes, but this is no more powerful than the Elf boon.Damage Reduction: 1/cold iron.Try scaling the base like the raptorian flight was done. I actually went the other way, vulnerability to cold iron. To each his own.Wild EmpathyIt is nice to have it explained, even briefly. Old farts like me get cranky having to reference the books on the top shelves! heheCharm Person (Sp): Once per day, a feytouched can use charm person as the spell. Caster Level 1st, save DC 11 + Cha modifier.Another solid 'Fey' bit. Nice! Might allow it to grade up with level. Slowly...And I love Scion of Coldshard's add-on:I could even be tempted to add on this: If you choose the lower of the two values (or if they are tied) the use of this ability this time doesn't count against your daily limit.
Kadasbrass
03-15-08, 11:55 PM Immunity to Enchantments is the only thing that is unbalanced. Its one thing to give a bonus on saving throws, immunity to a few select spells. But an entire school of magic is a big no-no.
M-bark
03-16-08, 07:49 AM Wouldn't immunity to enchantment also grant immunity to the enchantment spells that are beneficial, though? And how often do NPCs actually use enchantment spells? PCs use them more often, and in combat, it's nigh useless.
ragoftag
03-16-08, 11:08 AM Kadasbrass wrote:Immunity to Enchantments is the only thing that is unbalanced. Its one thing to give a bonus on saving throws, immunity to a few select spells. But an entire school of magic is a big no-no.
I stand corrected. and the Hd20 says Elves get only a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells or effects, not immunity, mea culpa.:weep:
Rondulin
03-16-08, 01:35 PM Thanks for your replies. I already made some changes.

Try scaling the base like the raptorian flight was done.

I already thought about this. It is very tempting to increase the DR by 1 for every 5 HD/Levels, but peronally I dislike the idea of scaling races. None of the core races do scale with level, as opposed to classes.

I actually went the other way, vulnerability to cold iron.
Well, DR 1/cold iron is actually a vulnerability to cold iron.;)
PurinaDragonChow
03-17-08, 04:08 PM None of the core races do scale with level, as opposed to classes.

I like the idea, personally. The energy resistane that planetouched characters get, for example... it should scale, IMO.
ragoftag
03-18-08, 12:48 AM Rondulin
I actually went the other way, vulnerability to cold iron.
Well, DR 1/cold iron is actually a vulnerability to cold iron.Yes, Its the DR I was at odds with, but I can see a reason for your take.
Rondulin
03-19-08, 06:40 AM I like the idea, personally. The energy resistane that planetouched characters get, for example... it should scale, IMO.

To which planetouched characters are you refering? As far as I know the energy resistance does not scale.
M-bark
03-19-08, 07:36 AM To which planetouched characters are you refering? As far as I know the energy resistance does not scale.

That's why he's saying that, in his opinion, it should.
Rondulin
03-19-08, 12:48 PM Ok, now I get it. Thanks.
ragoftag
03-19-08, 07:37 PM It would make many things work better.
Rondulin
03-20-08, 07:51 AM Changed DR so that it scales. You guys have convinced me;) .
ciaran
03-20-08, 08:22 AM Does Wild Empathy stay at 1st level forever? Does it improve? The "as 1st level druid" suggests it does not. "Wild Empathy (Ex): as druid" would suggest it improves.
Rondulin
03-20-08, 09:59 AM Does Wild Empathy stay at 1st level forever? Does it improve? The "as 1st level druid" suggests it does not. "Wild Empathy (Ex): as druid" would suggest it improves.

Actually, I am a little bit undecided on this one. So far I meant the ability no to improve.

As I stated earlier I am a bit hesitant when it comes to racial abilities that scale with levels, as this isn't the way the core races are designed. Then on the other hand it wouldn't make a change in regards to balance, as wild empathy isn't that gamebreaking.

I think it would work both ways. If you just wanted the ability to be effective it had to scale. For now it's just for the flavor.
AtsuiShoto
05-10-08, 03:59 PM I wonder... could this race be paired with the Warlock and the Fey Heritage feats to get some pretty decent DR? It could work out to be 1 or more DR per level up to 12th level, then a lower rate of increase afterward.
Daroneasa
05-10-08, 04:12 PM I wonder... could this race be paired with the Warlock and the Fey Heritage feats to get some pretty decent DR? It could work out to be 1 or more DR per level up to 12th level, then a lower rate of increase afterward.

That seems like a kickin' combo right there.
AtsuiShoto
05-12-08, 06:41 PM Just don't fight anybody who's using cold iron against you!
teshen
05-12-08, 08:08 PM Does Wild Empathy stay at 1st level forever? Does it improve? The "as 1st level druid" suggests it does not. "Wild Empathy (Ex): as druid" would suggest it improves.

Actually, I am a little bit undecided on this one. So far I meant the ability no to improve.

As I stated earlier I am a bit hesitant when it comes to racial abilities that scale with levels, as this isn't the way the core races are designed. Then on the other hand it wouldn't make a change in regards to balance, as wild empathy isn't that gamebreaking.

I think it would work both ways. If you just wanted the ability to be effective it had to scale. For now it's just for the flavor.You could split the difference... make it equal to a druid of half his hit die/level. That way it scales and it's not any better than the classes that have it...
Empirate
05-21-08, 11:13 AM Have you checked out the Fiend Folio? There's a Feytouched PC race in there, much like the Planetouched races but very fey-y. LA+1, and quite similar to what you have put together.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rondulin 03-15-08, 08:04 PM	I wanted to use a half-fey/feytouched race as PC race, but I wonder if it is balanced. Edit (Clarifications and additions): • -2 Constituion, +2 Charisma • Medium size. • Base land speed is 30 feet. • Low-Light Vision • Immunity to charm person and +4 bonus enchantment spells and effects. • Damage Reduction: At 4 HD a feytouched gains DR 1/cold iron (+1 for every 4 HD thereafter, max. DR 5/cold iron at 20 HD) • Wild Empathy: as 1st level druid. • Charm Person (Sp): Once per day, a feytouched can use charm person as the spell. Caster Level 1st, save DC 11 + Cha modifier. • Charming Personality: Once per day you may reroll a diplomacy or charisma check. You can use the better result. • Automatic Languages: Common and Sylvan. Bonus Languages: Elven, Gnome, Goblin, and Orc. • Favored Class: Druid. I find it quite hard to rate the damage reduction. What do you think?
Scion of Coldshard 03-15-08, 09:52 PM	Is this a race unto itself? Or does it modify an existing race? Medium sized? What creature type/subtype? Speed? Is the wild empathy based on character level? If the damage reduction was 1/cold iron or magic it would be better most likely. It will still matter at lower levels but not so much later on. I would suggest having feats that would improve it and grant other abilities. Instead of a spell-like ability why not something like this: Charming personality - once per day you may roll two dice instead of one on a diplomacy check or charisma check and choose either result to use. I could even be tempted to add on this: If you choose the lower of the two values (or if they are tied) the use of this ability this time doesnt count against your daily limit. Looks fine otherwise to me. Cha tends to be a much weaker stat than con so you might not have to worry about changing the damage reduction as I suggested above.
ragoftag 03-15-08, 11:28 PM	Rondulin-2 Constitution, +2 CharismaVery Fey, I like it.Low-Light VisionsameImmunity to enchantment spells and effects.Sean Reynolds had a nice thought piece on replacing absolutes, but this is no more powerful than the Elf boon.Damage Reduction: 1/cold iron.Try scaling the base like the raptorian flight was done. I actually went the other way, vulnerability to cold iron. To each his own.Wild EmpathyIt is nice to have it explained, even briefly. Old farts like me get cranky having to reference the books on the top shelves! heheCharm Person (Sp): Once per day, a feytouched can use charm person as the spell. Caster Level 1st, save DC 11 + Cha modifier.Another solid 'Fey' bit. Nice! Might allow it to grade up with level. Slowly...And I love Scion of Coldshard's add-on:I could even be tempted to add on this: If you choose the lower of the two values (or if they are tied) the use of this ability this time doesn't count against your daily limit.
Kadasbrass 03-15-08, 11:55 PM	Immunity to Enchantments is the only thing that is unbalanced. Its one thing to give a bonus on saving throws, immunity to a few select spells. But an entire school of magic is a big no-no.
M-bark 03-16-08, 07:49 AM	Wouldn't immunity to enchantment also grant immunity to the enchantment spells that are beneficial, though? And how often do NPCs actually use enchantment spells? PCs use them more often, and in combat, it's nigh useless.
ragoftag 03-16-08, 11:08 AM	Kadasbrass wrote:Immunity to Enchantments is the only thing that is unbalanced. Its one thing to give a bonus on saving throws, immunity to a few select spells. But an entire school of magic is a big no-no. I stand corrected. and the Hd20 says Elves get only a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells or effects, not immunity, mea culpa.:weep:
Rondulin 03-16-08, 01:35 PM	Thanks for your replies. I already made some changes. Try scaling the base like the raptorian flight was done. I already thought about this. It is very tempting to increase the DR by 1 for every 5 HD/Levels, but peronally I dislike the idea of scaling races. None of the core races do scale with level, as opposed to classes. I actually went the other way, vulnerability to cold iron. Well, DR 1/cold iron is actually a vulnerability to cold iron.;)
PurinaDragonChow 03-17-08, 04:08 PM	None of the core races do scale with level, as opposed to classes. I like the idea, personally. The energy resistane that planetouched characters get, for example... it should scale, IMO.
ragoftag 03-18-08, 12:48 AM	Rondulin I actually went the other way, vulnerability to cold iron. Well, DR 1/cold iron is actually a vulnerability to cold iron.Yes, Its the DR I was at odds with, but I can see a reason for your take.
Rondulin 03-19-08, 06:40 AM	I like the idea, personally. The energy resistane that planetouched characters get, for example... it should scale, IMO. To which planetouched characters are you refering? As far as I know the energy resistance does not scale.
M-bark 03-19-08, 07:36 AM	To which planetouched characters are you refering? As far as I know the energy resistance does not scale. That's why he's saying that, in his opinion, it should.
Rondulin 03-19-08, 12:48 PM	Ok, now I get it. Thanks.
ragoftag 03-19-08, 07:37 PM	It would make many things work better.
Rondulin 03-20-08, 07:51 AM	Changed DR so that it scales. You guys have convinced me;) .
ciaran 03-20-08, 08:22 AM	Does Wild Empathy stay at 1st level forever? Does it improve? The "as 1st level druid" suggests it does not. "Wild Empathy (Ex): as druid" would suggest it improves.
Rondulin 03-20-08, 09:59 AM	Does Wild Empathy stay at 1st level forever? Does it improve? The "as 1st level druid" suggests it does not. "Wild Empathy (Ex): as druid" would suggest it improves. Actually, I am a little bit undecided on this one. So far I meant the ability no to improve. As I stated earlier I am a bit hesitant when it comes to racial abilities that scale with levels, as this isn't the way the core races are designed. Then on the other hand it wouldn't make a change in regards to balance, as wild empathy isn't that gamebreaking. I think it would work both ways. If you just wanted the ability to be effective it had to scale. For now it's just for the flavor.
AtsuiShoto 05-10-08, 03:59 PM	I wonder... could this race be paired with the Warlock and the Fey Heritage feats to get some pretty decent DR? It could work out to be 1 or more DR per level up to 12th level, then a lower rate of increase afterward.
Daroneasa 05-10-08, 04:12 PM	I wonder... could this race be paired with the Warlock and the Fey Heritage feats to get some pretty decent DR? It could work out to be 1 or more DR per level up to 12th level, then a lower rate of increase afterward. That seems like a kickin' combo right there.
AtsuiShoto 05-12-08, 06:41 PM	Just don't fight anybody who's using cold iron against you!
teshen 05-12-08, 08:08 PM	Does Wild Empathy stay at 1st level forever? Does it improve? The "as 1st level druid" suggests it does not. "Wild Empathy (Ex): as druid" would suggest it improves. Actually, I am a little bit undecided on this one. So far I meant the ability no to improve. As I stated earlier I am a bit hesitant when it comes to racial abilities that scale with levels, as this isn't the way the core races are designed. Then on the other hand it wouldn't make a change in regards to balance, as wild empathy isn't that gamebreaking. I think it would work both ways. If you just wanted the ability to be effective it had to scale. For now it's just for the flavor.You could split the difference... make it equal to a druid of half his hit die/level. That way it scales and it's not any better than the classes that have it...
Empirate 05-21-08, 11:13 AM	Have you checked out the Fiend Folio? There's a Feytouched PC race in there, much like the Planetouched races but very fey-y. LA+1, and quite similar to what you have put together.