Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Skindrill422 08-12-07, 02:16 PM	Anyone know how to dumb it down for someone who doesnt read so well because im trying to help someone use a race with a +3 level adjustment:confused:
Tempest Stormwind 08-12-07, 02:31 PM	*sigh* Yes. When calculating anything involving XP or starting wealth, including what level you are when you start, add your level adjustment to your hit dice (which for most races is equivalent to their level). For all other purposes, ignore level adjustment. For example, a drow (LA+2) rogue 1 is a 3rd level character for purposes regarding XP (so he starts at 3000 XP) and starting wealth (he starts with 3rd level character wealth). He needs to reach 6000 XP to become a level 2 rogue. He cannot be played without DM permission in any game below level 3. For all other purposes, though, he's a 1st level rogue, just adventuring alongside level 3 characters. His racial abilties, in theory, make up for the difference in level. There, is that simple enough?
Nifft 08-12-07, 02:33 PM	Simple answer: DON'T. Letting a player choose a level adjusted race is something that experienced DMs may allow, but it's not necessary and it's not part of the main rules (as found in the PHB). If it is confusing, just don't do it. If you get it wrong, and later you have to take something away from the PC, the player may feel cheated. If you get it wrong and don't take something away from the PC, the other players may feel cheated. Cheers, -- N
AZNsupermarket 08-12-07, 08:07 PM	I don't allow races with level adjustment above +1 for two reasons: 1) In the long run, any race with level adjustment will be less powerful than races without level adjustment (without some sort of house rule). 2) There are SO many race with LA +0 out there: http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=697653
Thomar_of_Uointer 08-12-07, 09:14 PM	Anyone know how to dumb it down for someone who doesnt read so well because im trying to help someone use a race with a +3 level adjustment:confused: It's pretty simple, really. For all intents and purposes (except where it would be beneficial to him), the character in question is treated as being three levels higher. This means that he's three class levels in the hole, with none of the benefits (besides his racial traits, which should compensate for it). No skill points for those three levels, no hit points, no bonus feats, no ability score increases, no nothing. This is important because of the 3.5 D&D experience rules. He gains experience as though he's three levels higher (which means he gets less), and the experience he needs to gain a level is also as a character three levels higher (which means he needs more). It sounds wonky, but it's really an (arguably) elegant and simple solution to playing a more powerful character. Although his base abilities are more powerful, he basically treats his race/template as class levels, effectively multiclassing out of his race/template (as the multiclassing rules are elegant and simple). As an addendum to that, keep in mind that racial Hit Dice also count as levels (yes, this is important). Also, the character should be in a party with characters of his effective level (a level 1 drow should be in a level 3 party, due to his +2 LA), and have equipment similar to those characters (a level 1 drow shouldn't have PHB starting equipment, he should have around 2,700 gp worth of it like a level 3 character). As Tempest has said, I think that if you can't understand the ECL rules, you shouldn't allow players to play anything besides the core races. It leaves you wide open for all sorts of abuses from players trying to take advantage of you. For the same reason, I recommend you keep away from non-core rulebooks, you should stick to the Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, and Dungeon Master's Guide until you're more familiar with the D&D rules.
Skindrill422 08-12-07, 09:25 PM	I understand this wouldnt be a good idea considering i don't understand but thanks thomar you made it alot more understandable but i wouldnt be comfertable using anything like that besides i was reading about the race which turned out to be illithid and yeah
Thomar_of_Uointer 08-12-07, 09:33 PM	I understand this wouldnt be a good idea considering i don't understand but thanks thomar you made it alot more understandable but i wouldnt be comfertable using anything like that besides i was reading about the race which turned out to be illithid and yeah Hehe. Yeah, it definitely sounds like the player was trying to pull one on the DM. Illithids get sorcerer spellcasting, so if played improperly they can be hugely powerful compared to equivalent characters. They're also very high-level, and most (new) DMs will start (new) players at level 1.
Tempest Stormwind 08-13-07, 01:32 AM	Illithids also have racial hit dice, which means that if this player is trying to play one at level 4, he's flat-out cheating. Add the creature's level adjustment to its hit dice; that's what level he has to be before you can consider playing one.