Stonechild over/under powered? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Stonechild over/under powered? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gadren
07-22-07, 12:49 AM One of my players wants to create a Stonechild character (Races of Stone). I've had bad experiences with PCs with high stat adjustments before, though str and con aren't casting stats, so maybe it won't be as bad? The race looks pretty balanced, but I wanted to get some input from you guys. Has anyone had problems with Stonechild PCs?

The campaign will start at 5, and will end around 15-20. The PC wants to use the Stonechild "Monster Class"
Jaxgaret
07-22-07, 02:25 AM I've had bad experiences with PCs with high stat adjustments before, though str and con aren't casting stats, so maybe it won't be as bad?

What problems have you had, exactly? High-ECL races are typically underpowered when compared to low-ECL races, particularly for spellcaster characters.

That being said, Stonechildren are not overpowered at all. They have the +8 Str/Con and +4 NA, but only Medium size. At ECL6 they won't overshadow any ECL0 race PC.

Also, their lack of mental ability penalties means they won't be stereotyped into a "me smash" personality, which can be nice for the DM.
obrysii
07-22-07, 09:12 AM Yeah, they seem closer to a bit underpowered, all things considered, compared to a normal race--if only due to how fragile they end up being at their starting level. 2 HD and 4 LA = dead in one or two hits.
Tytalus
07-22-07, 10:33 AM Much on the underpowered side of things; and at ECL 5 he wouldn't even have finished the monstrous progression.
Jaxgaret
07-23-07, 12:56 AM If the PC is determined to play a Stonechild, I would suggest they look at the Warblade for class selection.

The d12 HD, along with its array of options besides simply charging headlong into battle, will help its survivability.
AZNsupermarket
07-23-07, 01:35 AM Why is he determined to play a stonechild flavor or mechanical reasons?

If it's for flavor reasons, why not take an LA +0, make it look like a stonechild, give it the flavor of a stonechild, call it a stonechild, change some abilities to fit the flavor of stonechild, and rebalance the raced where needed. That would seem reasonable, no?
zeratulcraft
07-23-07, 02:03 AM Or go Goliath, for +1 LA.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gadren 07-22-07, 12:49 AM	One of my players wants to create a Stonechild character (Races of Stone). I've had bad experiences with PCs with high stat adjustments before, though str and con aren't casting stats, so maybe it won't be as bad? The race looks pretty balanced, but I wanted to get some input from you guys. Has anyone had problems with Stonechild PCs? The campaign will start at 5, and will end around 15-20. The PC wants to use the Stonechild "Monster Class"
Jaxgaret 07-22-07, 02:25 AM	I've had bad experiences with PCs with high stat adjustments before, though str and con aren't casting stats, so maybe it won't be as bad? What problems have you had, exactly? High-ECL races are typically underpowered when compared to low-ECL races, particularly for spellcaster characters. That being said, Stonechildren are not overpowered at all. They have the +8 Str/Con and +4 NA, but only Medium size. At ECL6 they won't overshadow any ECL0 race PC. Also, their lack of mental ability penalties means they won't be stereotyped into a "me smash" personality, which can be nice for the DM.
obrysii 07-22-07, 09:12 AM	Yeah, they seem closer to a bit underpowered, all things considered, compared to a normal race--if only due to how fragile they end up being at their starting level. 2 HD and 4 LA = dead in one or two hits.
Tytalus 07-22-07, 10:33 AM	Much on the underpowered side of things; and at ECL 5 he wouldn't even have finished the monstrous progression.
Jaxgaret 07-23-07, 12:56 AM	If the PC is determined to play a Stonechild, I would suggest they look at the Warblade for class selection. The d12 HD, along with its array of options besides simply charging headlong into battle, will help its survivability.
AZNsupermarket 07-23-07, 01:35 AM	Why is he determined to play a stonechild flavor or mechanical reasons? If it's for flavor reasons, why not take an LA +0, make it look like a stonechild, give it the flavor of a stonechild, call it a stonechild, change some abilities to fit the flavor of stonechild, and rebalance the raced where needed. That would seem reasonable, no?
zeratulcraft 07-23-07, 02:03 AM	Or go Goliath, for +1 LA.