Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Threefists 11-14-07, 09:00 AM	Now, I like the concept of the Sharakim. Strong but clumsy, smart but monstrous. Human sub-type, darkvision....basically it's a Smart Half-Orc, which suits me just fine. We have enough 'pretty' races as it is. Give us the ugly suckers. *cough*plzkaythnksbai!*cough* But it's even worse mechanically than the Half-Orc we all love! (or loathe, if the 4e boards are any indication!:weep: ) As far as I can see, it's a typo that's removed the "4 extra skill points and 1 extra skill point at each additional level...etc" portion from their Racial Traits section. Otherwise, I think that, while not up to the massive Dwarven Traits nor the fan-boy Elf Traits, suits the Sharakim's 'Fluff', as it were. Underfolk get it. Sea Kin get it. Why not the Sharakim? Why make a Orc-look-alike, Humand-Descended Wizard race if you are not going to give them the Human's only real saving grace: Skill points. Otherwise, for that +1 LA, just get a Draconic Half-Orc, and you've basically neutralised the Half-Orc's 'ugly' factor (Cha +0), bonuses against sleep and paralysis and a stepping-stone towards some of the coolest PrCs this game has created. So thus far we have the Sharakim Wizard, as it stands in the RoD manual, against a Human Wizard. Level 2 Human Wizard vs Level 1 Sharakim Wizard. For the sake of argument, they have used the Elite ability scores, putting the 16 to their Int scores and the 14 to their Con scores. Human Wizard level 2 has 10 hit-points, 4 0-level spells, 3 1-level spells, Fort Save of +2, Will save of +3. Sharakim Wizard level 1 (+1LA) has 6 hit-points, 3 0-level spells, 2 1-level spells, Fort save of +2 and Will save of +2. Differences are minor. Assuming both put the 15 from the Elite array into their Dex scores, they have the following AC: Human Wizard: AC of 12, Flat-footed 10, Touch 12. Sharakim Wizard: AC of 12, Flat-footed 11, Touch 11. Again, niggling differences. But let's take a look at the real crux of this post. Skill-points. Human Wizard vs Sharakim Wizard: Human Wizard: 16 int (+3): (3+2)x4= 20+4 =24 (1st level) + 5+1 (2nd level), total of 30 Skill Points. Sharakim Wizard: 18 int (+4): (4+2)x4 =24, total of 24 skill points. Again, little difference at lower leves, but for a race that is descended from Humans, and a scholarly race to boot, the lack of the Skill Point Trait baffles me. Let's look at them again at level 10. Both characters have put both ability increases into Intelligence as soon as possible. Human Wizard lvl 10 has 46 hit-points, 4 0-level spells, 5 1-level spells, 5 2-level spells, 4 3-level spells, 4 4-level spells and 2 5-level spells, Fort save of +5, Ref save of +5, Will save of +7, 88 skill points. Sharakim Wizard level 9 (+1LA) has 40 hit-points, 4 0-level spells, 6 1-level spells, 5 2-level spells, 4 3-levels spells, 3 4-level spells and 2 5-level spells, Fort save of +5, Ref save of +4, Will save of +7, 80 skill points. It might be argued that a Dwarf Wizard would suffer under the same problems, but the Dwarf has a higher Constitution, which ties in with Concentration, a vital skill for casters of all kinds, and the Dwarf's racial traits make for a great crafting Wizard. Stone/Iron Golemn production line, as it were! Not to mention the stability trait, the ability to move at the same speed regardless of encumbrance, which helps for the Wizard carting around the gear needed to create everything from Alchemist's Fire to a Crystal Ball. Maybe I'm not separating my feelings and the rules correctly, but it seems as if the Sharakim Race was made by awkwardly slapping the Half-Orc age/weight/height categories onto a mis-match of abilities. They have a racial bonus to hide, move silently, search and spot in darkness or shadowy illumination, yet they have -2 to Dex. Why not the following? Str +2 Dex -2 Int +2 Cha -2 Reword Shadow Affinity. It's little more than a non-associated bonus which does not tie in to their Favoured Class at all. Shadow Affinity should tie in to their Favoured Class somehow, perhaps a +2 Racial Bonus to Concentration, Knowledge (Any) and Spellcraft checks? After all, how easy is it to study or focus on something when you have a brilliantly blinding light shining in your eyes. I've been flashed in the eyes with a hand-held flash-light, the sort that the sea rescue chapters use, and that's what I assume Light Sensitivity to be equivilent to....constantly! Natural Armor Bonus. SCRAP IT! I get the NA +1 was to off-set the Dex penalty, but it just needlessly pushes the Sharakim to LA+1 without any actual benefit! If it were NA +2, or the Sharakim also gained +2 to their Con scores, then yes, I would say the NA +1 served a purpose, but as it is it seems to be just a slap-on fix. Again, I am assuming that the "4 extra skill points and 1 extra skill point at each additional level...etc" was simply not added as a typo. I don't mean to be cruel to the creators of this Race (please don't hate me!). I love the concept, but it just seems to be a mis-matched amalgamation of traits that only come together awkwardly at best, which is a true shame. ((Also, on a related question, would the Able Learner feat be applicable to any creature with the Human Subtype, or just Humans as a race? Given my reading of the rules, which can and often are flawed, that means any race with the Human Subtype can take that feat. Being Human means being a member of the Human race, and also having the Human Subtype. Am I correct?))
Ogrebear 11-14-07, 09:48 AM	I always thought the Sharakim where a good idea- intelligent Orcs made a great change from the mindless brutes that we normally get. We have discussed the Sharakim before now on the boards and the general opinion is that dropping them to LA +0 while leaving the stats as is does not break the game. Adding the "4 extra skill points and 1 extra skill point at each additional level...etc" I think would *probably* also be fine at LA +0 but I guess even with the light sensitivity they would then get played over the standard Half Orc............ then again is this a bad thing??? Hum.... wonder if anyone has replaced Standard Orcs with Sharakim...