LA and HD [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

LA and HD [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Nerdynick
03-09-08, 10:46 PM My DM/I seem to be confused about LA and HD. So far we've been playing so that LA actually starts you at a lower level (meaning no extra hit dice to make up for it). My DM thinks that for balance issues people with LA should get extra HD to make up for their low hp. While I agree with this, I was wondering what the books say, as my books are unavailable at this time. Also, from what I understand from reading this forum, the only time you get HD to make up for this is when the race/template says that you get racial Hit Die, but this also increases your ECL.

I'm pretty confused right now so I was hoping someone here could explain things for me

Also: Yay, first post!!! :D
BugHunter
03-09-08, 11:10 PM My DM/I seem to be confused about LA and HD. So far we've been playing so that LA actually starts you at a lower level (meaning no extra hit dice to make up for it). My DM thinks that for balance issues people with LA should get extra HD to make up for their low hp. While I agree with this, I was wondering what the books say, as my books are unavailable at this time. Also, from what I understand from reading this forum, the only time you get HD to make up for this is when the race/template says that you get racial Hit Die, but this also increases your ECL.

I'm pretty confused right now so I was hoping someone here could explain things for me

By RAW (Rules as Written) when you have a LA race or templete you do not gain any extra HD. Depending on the LA the giving of extra hps can make the race overpowered compared to the other party members.

You are correct if the race or templete gives racial hit die then the ECL does increase the math is easy to figure ECL= LA +RHD+ class levels.

I hope this helps.
Nerdynick
03-10-08, 07:29 AM Yes it does, thanks a lot. We were wondering because we have a half fiend, half celestial, and half-dragon in the party (don't even ask about how they stand each other in game), and on the first encounter everyone but me (I was flinging spells about) fell near-unconcius (dropping into the water in the case of the half fiend who reached 0 health above the ocean, and -9 hp for the half celestial who was on the ship acting as a healbot for the half dragon, who was beating down the hobgoblin pirates with his fullblade).
RobbyPants
03-10-08, 08:17 AM It almost seems that WotC (Wizards of the Coast) made the LA system so that people wouldn't play those races. They do get penalized pretty hard.

There is an alternate system in Unearthed Arcana for buying off the level adjustment (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/reducingLevelAdjustments.htm). It works great for LA+1 races, and okay for LA+2. Anything beyond that, and it doesn't do much good. Basically, it allows you to slowly get rid of the LA, which lets you catch up to the rest of the group by mid-high levels.
Nerdynick
03-10-08, 06:28 PM It almost seems that WotC (Wizards of the Coast) made the LA system so that people wouldn't play those races. They do get penalized pretty hard.

You do have a point, the good things is that this means that in a relatively short amount of time I will be the most powerful character in the group (which I will anyway because I'm the wizard) considering I have no level adjustment. :D

Thanks for clearing up this misunderstanding of the rules!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nerdynick 03-09-08, 10:46 PM	My DM/I seem to be confused about LA and HD. So far we've been playing so that LA actually starts you at a lower level (meaning no extra hit dice to make up for it). My DM thinks that for balance issues people with LA should get extra HD to make up for their low hp. While I agree with this, I was wondering what the books say, as my books are unavailable at this time. Also, from what I understand from reading this forum, the only time you get HD to make up for this is when the race/template says that you get racial Hit Die, but this also increases your ECL. I'm pretty confused right now so I was hoping someone here could explain things for me Also: Yay, first post!!! :D
BugHunter 03-09-08, 11:10 PM	My DM/I seem to be confused about LA and HD. So far we've been playing so that LA actually starts you at a lower level (meaning no extra hit dice to make up for it). My DM thinks that for balance issues people with LA should get extra HD to make up for their low hp. While I agree with this, I was wondering what the books say, as my books are unavailable at this time. Also, from what I understand from reading this forum, the only time you get HD to make up for this is when the race/template says that you get racial Hit Die, but this also increases your ECL. I'm pretty confused right now so I was hoping someone here could explain things for me By RAW (Rules as Written) when you have a LA race or templete you do not gain any extra HD. Depending on the LA the giving of extra hps can make the race overpowered compared to the other party members. You are correct if the race or templete gives racial hit die then the ECL does increase the math is easy to figure ECL= LA +RHD+ class levels. I hope this helps.
Nerdynick 03-10-08, 07:29 AM	Yes it does, thanks a lot. We were wondering because we have a half fiend, half celestial, and half-dragon in the party (don't even ask about how they stand each other in game), and on the first encounter everyone but me (I was flinging spells about) fell near-unconcius (dropping into the water in the case of the half fiend who reached 0 health above the ocean, and -9 hp for the half celestial who was on the ship acting as a healbot for the half dragon, who was beating down the hobgoblin pirates with his fullblade).
RobbyPants 03-10-08, 08:17 AM	It almost seems that WotC (Wizards of the Coast) made the LA system so that people wouldn't play those races. They do get penalized pretty hard. There is an alternate system in Unearthed Arcana for buying off the level adjustment (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/reducingLevelAdjustments.htm). It works great for LA+1 races, and okay for LA+2. Anything beyond that, and it doesn't do much good. Basically, it allows you to slowly get rid of the LA, which lets you catch up to the rest of the group by mid-high levels.
Nerdynick 03-10-08, 06:28 PM	It almost seems that WotC (Wizards of the Coast) made the LA system so that people wouldn't play those races. They do get penalized pretty hard. You do have a point, the good things is that this means that in a relatively short amount of time I will be the most powerful character in the group (which I will anyway because I'm the wizard) considering I have no level adjustment. :D Thanks for clearing up this misunderstanding of the rules!