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new race [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dragonboy131313
05-16-07, 09:17 AM i want to know how to make a homebrew race sme thing with +6 STR and +6 DEX so can someone help me?
RobbyPants
05-16-07, 09:49 AM I guess I need a little more specifics...

Is that all you want the race to do, or are there other abilities you want too? What's the background on it? What type is it? Is it a giant? Some type of animal race?

Any way you slice it, +6 Str and +6 Dex is pretty potent, so it will need a LA (Level Adjustment), and possibly some RHD (Racial Hit Dice). With just an LA, I'd say with the stat bonuses, you'll be somewhere between LA+1 and LA+2. Perhaps if you add in two RHD and LA+1, it will work out...

I'll need more info before I can help more...
Naderion
05-16-07, 09:57 AM With these specifications, it can become really a bit complicated. +6 Strength kind of requires a couple of racial HD and probably some LA. Gargoyles have +4 Str and Dex and 4 HD and LA +5 (but they can fly, have natural armor and damage reduction).
Ettercap comes quite close with +4 Str and +6 Dex. It has 5 HD and LA +4. Much lower you probably won't get and still have it balanced.

I would say, as a start, it should have 4 HD as humanoid, monstrous humanoid and giant, and as you said +6 Str and Dex. This could allready be a finished race, but it's also very boring. Some background info would be required.
dragonboy131313
05-16-07, 10:18 AM +6 str and dex
-4 cha and con
some sort of small race
like a cat person
maybe some natural armor
ability to fly
bite and claw attack
Naderion
05-16-07, 10:25 AM I don't think this can be realistically done. A walking meter that is out of breath when he reaches the top of the stairs, but is able to bend iron bars? This never would seem belivable.

I would say just take the gargoyle, it fits most of the creteria.
dragonboy131313
05-16-07, 10:27 AM yea thas true but i wanted a cat person
YabaTheWhat
05-16-07, 11:05 AM Is this based on something out of a book? If so, what book? Maybe someone will recognize the reference, and can help you build something more true to the concept.
dragonboy131313
05-16-07, 11:28 AM no i just thought of it
RobbyPants
05-16-07, 11:38 AM +6 str and dex
-4 cha and con
some sort of small race
like a cat person
maybe some natural armor
ability to fly
bite and claw attack
Well, the -4 Cha isn't a good balancing point (at least not for +6 Str and Dex), as people will just dump it. The -4 Con pretty much kills all the benifit gained from the Str and Dex bonuses. This race is pretty much relegated to the role of using strong, composite bows, and staying away from melee.

That large of a Str bonus is a bit unrealistic for a small race (but not impossible). Flight is potent. Claw and bite attacks for a small race will be fairly weak (1d4 and 1d3 damage respectively, most likely).

All of these things, I'd say probably 2 RHD, and LA+3 or so...
tui
05-16-07, 12:55 PM You could use the Anthropomorphic Tiger from Savage Species. That almost has all the stat bonuses you want (plus some you don't), some natural armor, 2HD +1 LA. You lose the natural attacks and are medium sized. And don't have Fly, but I'm not sure how you justify that for a "cat person" anyway.

Edit: If you really want to fly, you could add the Winged template, also from Savage Species, for a +2 LA. And if you really want the claw attacks, you could add the Feral template (also get some other significant abilities) for another +1 LA.
dragonboy131313
05-16-07, 01:34 PM Another Question what is a template???!?!?!
RobbyPants
05-16-07, 01:39 PM Another Question what is a template???!?!?!
Read the Monster Manual on this one. Basically, it's something that you add to an already existing race. Some templates, the monster is born with, and some are acquired.

For example, half-dragon, is an innate template. It gives some abilities to a base creature (say human or dwarf). The character is assumed to have one human (or dwarf) parent and one dragon parent, so they're born that way.

Lycanthope (werewolf, werebear, etc...) can be either. Some are born that way. Some become lycanthropes after infection.

Just remember that most templates will carry a level adjustment (LA). The LA of a half dragon is +3. So basically, a level 5 human half dragon barbarian counts as a level 8 character.
dragonboy131313
05-16-07, 01:41 PM so a template is like being half goliath?
RobbyPants
05-16-07, 01:57 PM so a template is like being half goliath?
Kind of. I guess if there were a half goliath template, then it could be combined to another race. There are all kinds of templates out there. Just to name a few:

Vampire - Makes the creature undead and gives some other abilities. The vampire still retains all of the creature's class abilities.
Lich - A special template added to an evil caster of at least 11th level.
Half Fiend - Added to a creature to give fiendish powers. One of the character's parents is a fiend (demon, devil, and the like).
Skeleton - Turn into a skeleton and lose all class features.

These are all from the Monster Manual. It's just to give you an idea that there are lots of templates out there, that all have their own flavor and mechanics.

Edit:
As Tui was posting earlier (to give another template example), start with catfolk as your base race. Add the winged template (this gives wings and a Dex bonus to your catfolk). Add the feral template to the winged catfolk (to add natural attacks, and other things). Once this is done, you will have a cat-like flying creature very similar to what you requested. Now, you need access to Savage Spiecies to use all of these... ;)
AMGriffin
05-16-07, 02:35 PM ...Is there any specific reason you want +6 strength and dexterity?

Typically one creates the concept behind a race and then gives them their stats.
dragonboy131313
05-16-07, 04:56 PM yea thers the problem i only have the base books

and because i need good stats for ninja
fiendish_platypus
05-16-07, 08:35 PM Roll high.
AMGriffin
05-16-07, 08:44 PM Yeah...I'm not really gonna help you make a race that's only reason for being created is "you need a good ninja".
Captain_Kobold
05-17-07, 06:19 AM Dragonboy, you should also bear in mind that the Ninja class is quite reliant on skills, feats, and their class abilities.

Your current wish list of racial abilities seems to be valued at around RHD+LA of 5.
This means thatat, say level 10, the others in your group will be playing level 10 wizards, clerics, ninjas etc.
You will be playing a level 5 Ninja.
You will have many less skill points, feats, and your class abilities will be of lower power in comparison to the others in your group.
If you simply had an interesting concept for a race, and were willing to accept the drop in power for the chance to play it, then fair enough.

However, what you seem to be after is just a way to play a powerful character. You would be best off taking a race with little or no LA for this. Look at Human, Halfling, Catfolk or Whisper gnome. (I personally cannot stand the idea that whisper gnome is considered an LA 0 race, but honour requires me to mention them since they would make very effective Ninjas.)
ElberethSilverleaf
05-17-07, 06:29 AM Check the manga type junk. I'm sure you'll find something to fit your requirements, fuzzy romantic relationships and all.

But seriously you're not going to get a character like that, that is feasible under 3.5 rules unless it takes a big LA type hit.

You're talking about something more powerful than a noble-born Drow matron mother.....in her youth...

Maybe you should take a half dragon template (less LA hit) and actually role play your way into a kick ass assassin/ninja you earned and can be proud of??

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dragonboy131313 05-16-07, 09:17 AM	i want to know how to make a homebrew race sme thing with +6 STR and +6 DEX so can someone help me?
RobbyPants 05-16-07, 09:49 AM	I guess I need a little more specifics... Is that all you want the race to do, or are there other abilities you want too? What's the background on it? What type is it? Is it a giant? Some type of animal race? Any way you slice it, +6 Str and +6 Dex is pretty potent, so it will need a LA (Level Adjustment), and possibly some RHD (Racial Hit Dice). With just an LA, I'd say with the stat bonuses, you'll be somewhere between LA+1 and LA+2. Perhaps if you add in two RHD and LA+1, it will work out... I'll need more info before I can help more...
Naderion 05-16-07, 09:57 AM	With these specifications, it can become really a bit complicated. +6 Strength kind of requires a couple of racial HD and probably some LA. Gargoyles have +4 Str and Dex and 4 HD and LA +5 (but they can fly, have natural armor and damage reduction). Ettercap comes quite close with +4 Str and +6 Dex. It has 5 HD and LA +4. Much lower you probably won't get and still have it balanced. I would say, as a start, it should have 4 HD as humanoid, monstrous humanoid and giant, and as you said +6 Str and Dex. This could allready be a finished race, but it's also very boring. Some background info would be required.
dragonboy131313 05-16-07, 10:18 AM	+6 str and dex -4 cha and con some sort of small race like a cat person maybe some natural armor ability to fly bite and claw attack
Naderion 05-16-07, 10:25 AM	I don't think this can be realistically done. A walking meter that is out of breath when he reaches the top of the stairs, but is able to bend iron bars? This never would seem belivable. I would say just take the gargoyle, it fits most of the creteria.
dragonboy131313 05-16-07, 10:27 AM	yea thas true but i wanted a cat person
YabaTheWhat 05-16-07, 11:05 AM	Is this based on something out of a book? If so, what book? Maybe someone will recognize the reference, and can help you build something more true to the concept.
dragonboy131313 05-16-07, 11:28 AM	no i just thought of it
RobbyPants 05-16-07, 11:38 AM	+6 str and dex -4 cha and con some sort of small race like a cat person maybe some natural armor ability to fly bite and claw attack Well, the -4 Cha isn't a good balancing point (at least not for +6 Str and Dex), as people will just dump it. The -4 Con pretty much kills all the benifit gained from the Str and Dex bonuses. This race is pretty much relegated to the role of using strong, composite bows, and staying away from melee. That large of a Str bonus is a bit unrealistic for a small race (but not impossible). Flight is potent. Claw and bite attacks for a small race will be fairly weak (1d4 and 1d3 damage respectively, most likely). All of these things, I'd say probably 2 RHD, and LA+3 or so...
tui 05-16-07, 12:55 PM	You could use the Anthropomorphic Tiger from Savage Species. That almost has all the stat bonuses you want (plus some you don't), some natural armor, 2HD +1 LA. You lose the natural attacks and are medium sized. And don't have Fly, but I'm not sure how you justify that for a "cat person" anyway. Edit: If you really want to fly, you could add the Winged template, also from Savage Species, for a +2 LA. And if you really want the claw attacks, you could add the Feral template (also get some other significant abilities) for another +1 LA.
dragonboy131313 05-16-07, 01:34 PM	Another Question what is a template???!?!?!
RobbyPants 05-16-07, 01:39 PM	Another Question what is a template???!?!?! Read the Monster Manual on this one. Basically, it's something that you add to an already existing race. Some templates, the monster is born with, and some are acquired. For example, half-dragon, is an innate template. It gives some abilities to a base creature (say human or dwarf). The character is assumed to have one human (or dwarf) parent and one dragon parent, so they're born that way. Lycanthope (werewolf, werebear, etc...) can be either. Some are born that way. Some become lycanthropes after infection. Just remember that most templates will carry a level adjustment (LA). The LA of a half dragon is +3. So basically, a level 5 human half dragon barbarian counts as a level 8 character.
dragonboy131313 05-16-07, 01:41 PM	so a template is like being half goliath?
RobbyPants 05-16-07, 01:57 PM	so a template is like being half goliath? Kind of. I guess if there were a half goliath template, then it could be combined to another race. There are all kinds of templates out there. Just to name a few: Vampire - Makes the creature undead and gives some other abilities. The vampire still retains all of the creature's class abilities. Lich - A special template added to an evil caster of at least 11th level. Half Fiend - Added to a creature to give fiendish powers. One of the character's parents is a fiend (demon, devil, and the like). Skeleton - Turn into a skeleton and lose all class features. These are all from the Monster Manual. It's just to give you an idea that there are lots of templates out there, that all have their own flavor and mechanics. Edit: As Tui was posting earlier (to give another template example), start with catfolk as your base race. Add the winged template (this gives wings and a Dex bonus to your catfolk). Add the feral template to the winged catfolk (to add natural attacks, and other things). Once this is done, you will have a cat-like flying creature very similar to what you requested. Now, you need access to Savage Spiecies to use all of these... ;)
AMGriffin 05-16-07, 02:35 PM	...Is there any specific reason you want +6 strength and dexterity? Typically one creates the concept behind a race and then gives them their stats.
dragonboy131313 05-16-07, 04:56 PM	yea thers the problem i only have the base books and because i need good stats for ninja
fiendish_platypus 05-16-07, 08:35 PM	Roll high.
AMGriffin 05-16-07, 08:44 PM	Yeah...I'm not really gonna help you make a race that's only reason for being created is "you need a good ninja".
Captain_Kobold 05-17-07, 06:19 AM	Dragonboy, you should also bear in mind that the Ninja class is quite reliant on skills, feats, and their class abilities. Your current wish list of racial abilities seems to be valued at around RHD+LA of 5. This means thatat, say level 10, the others in your group will be playing level 10 wizards, clerics, ninjas etc. You will be playing a level 5 Ninja. You will have many less skill points, feats, and your class abilities will be of lower power in comparison to the others in your group. If you simply had an interesting concept for a race, and were willing to accept the drop in power for the chance to play it, then fair enough. However, what you seem to be after is just a way to play a powerful character. You would be best off taking a race with little or no LA for this. Look at Human, Halfling, Catfolk or Whisper gnome. (I personally cannot stand the idea that whisper gnome is considered an LA 0 race, but honour requires me to mention them since they would make very effective Ninjas.)
ElberethSilverleaf 05-17-07, 06:29 AM	Check the manga type junk. I'm sure you'll find something to fit your requirements, fuzzy romantic relationships and all. But seriously you're not going to get a character like that, that is feasible under 3.5 rules unless it takes a big LA type hit. You're talking about something more powerful than a noble-born Drow matron mother.....in her youth... Maybe you should take a half dragon template (less LA hit) and actually role play your way into a kick ass assassin/ninja you earned and can be proud of??