Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Pentar 05-27-07, 11:24 PM	Heyhey, We re-started a new campaign with level 1 characters and an issue came up resolving how a monstrous humanoid race with a +1 character level adjustment would work. We were reading through the rules at the back of the MM for how to handle it, but I have to admit, it seemed pretty confusing to me. The character in question was creating a Goliath which has no starting monster HD (that we could find) but was a character adjustment +1 race. There were several ways we thought about doing it: a) The character starts with standard Monstrous Humanoid stats at "race level 1", that is 1d8hp, +2 Reflex/Will saves, and the indicated skill points, etc. for the starting race. He has no class levels to start until he gets enough experience for level 2 at which point he can pick his first class level. He gets no starting feats and only gets his first Feat when he selects his first class level. b) The character starts as a "level 1 Fighter" in terms of hit dice, BAB, saves, skill points and class skills, but does not get access to his feats, or any of the weapon/armour proficiencies until he reaches level 1 Fighter (that is when he gets enough XP to reach level 2). c) The character starts as a Level 1 Fighter with all the benefits of the race and class, but does not attain level 2 Fighter until he gets enough experience to reach level 3. I was an advocate of method a), but the DM insisted on method b). It doesn't much matter anymore since we already dinged to level 2 in the first session, but I would like to know how it should work for posterity. Any help?
Peregrine_Wolf 05-27-07, 11:27 PM	door number 3...answer choice c...at least that's correct from my knowledge of LA...
DinwathSereglin 05-27-07, 11:32 PM	Starts at 1st level, doesn't hit 2nd until 3000 xp.
darkdragonk 05-28-07, 12:00 AM	In the long run it don't hurt just ignore it. Let him progress regulary.
Pentar 05-28-07, 12:35 PM	Hmm, really - option C, eh? that seems to be the most "powerful" of the 3 options. I mean, Goliaths are pretty strong right off the bat... makes him really head and shoulders above other PCs at level 1. I think according to the new Drow of the Underdark splat book, there is a progression for advancement for non-standard races and we were half-going by that (since we hadn't the time to actually go over all that material yet). Still, good to know for future reference. Thanks!
ODDin 05-28-07, 01:10 PM	Technically, you can't have a creature with a +1 LA start at level 1. That 1st level fighter of yours would have an ECL of 2, hence he would hit level 2 only when he's got enough XP to get to level 3. Worse yet, a creature who has, for instance, 4 racial HD and a LA of +2 begins game - even without levels at all - at an ECL of 6. You basically can't start playing at 1st level with such a creature. The Savage Species accessory helps somewhat by providing a progression for creatures from the 1st level up until the point when the creature is at its full strength, as if the creature itself is a class. I'm not really an expert about Savage Species, though
Dragos 05-28-07, 01:19 PM	option three is right..just start the goliath as a level 1 fighter...and all other zero ecl races (races without a + anything and no racial HD) at level 2 of their preferred classes.. thats really the only way to have a blanced "level 1" game and have a goliath or any other greater than 0 ecl race
Johnny_Angel 05-28-07, 03:36 PM	Option C is the most correct by RAW, but option A doesn't sound too bad.
Thomar_of_Uointer 05-28-07, 05:28 PM	One quick fix I would use is to impose a virtual level adjustment on the character. Just give him all of the penalties of 1 negative level (-5 hp, -1 to attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, saving throws, 1 less highest-level spell slot) until he gets enough experience to be a level 2 character. Another fix is to not give him all of the goliath abilities until he gets to level 2. Cutting out powerful build and natural armor (not sure on this, I don't have RoSt) should be sufficient.