Variant Pixie [Archive] - Wizards Community

Variant Pixie [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Amnarii
06-03-07, 01:18 AM First, yes I have searched and found a couple variant pixies on the forums (yay search-fu is back!) . . . I just want something more tailored to my DM's tastes. So, that includes dropping a few of the spell like abilities, and altering the others a tad.

Diminutive Pixie Variant

-8 STR, +12 DEX, +6 INT, +4WIS, +6 CHA
Size: Diminutive
Speed: 5, Fly 40(G)
Lowlight Vision
Skills: +2 bonus on Listen, Search, Spot
Racial Feats: Dodge, The Gift
+1 Natural Armor bonus
Proficient with all simple weapons, short sword, and longbow
Spell-like Abilities: (Caster Level = ECL, must be of character level high enough to 'cast' the spell; Charisma based DC) 1/day each;

Dancing Lights
Permanent Image (visual & auditory elements only)
Polymorph (self only)

Damage Reduction 10/Cold Iron
Greater Invisibility (Su): an always-on, suppressible at-will (free action) effect.
Spell Resistance 10 (plus ECL)
Languages: Common, Sylvan
Favored Class: Sorcerer
Level Adjustment: +3

Changes:
Size (small to diminutive)

-4 STR, +4 DEX
Speed -15', Fly -20'

Spell Like Abilities

caster level = ECL, not 8
must meet normal min caster level
Converted SLA 'Detect Thoughts' into The Gift feat
Dropped Lesser Confusion
Dropped Detect (alignments)
Dropped Dispel Magic
Dropped Entangle

SR dropped to 10+ECL, not 15+class
dropped LA to +3

balanced? suggestions?

Thanks!

[edit] to clarify a houserule; The Gift is a feat in his campaign which grants pseudo psionics, including telepathy. I felt it a better replacement for detect thoughts.
Rerecros
06-03-07, 01:39 AM change it's size will earn an additional +1 LA.
-8 str is just ridiculous, and has no balancing value.
fiddling with the spell like abilities has no real effect, as you kept the more powerful ones.

LA+5 should do.
Amnarii
06-03-07, 11:45 PM why would the size reduction increase its LA? From what I have seen, size increases, not size reduction, increase LA (though I don't think the reduction should reduce the LA either; it is done to fit the DM and my concept of a pixie).

The SLAs I kept could be more powerful, or not - depending on how the character is played. I don't see how dropping 7 SLAs would have 'no real effect'. And the -8 STR is in no way ridiculous; it is purely based on the size change (as if the character had been reduced twice) - balanced out precisely by the increase in DEX.

Speed (both land and flight) have been reduced. The SLA's left are available based purely on ECL; meaning you can't use them unless an equivalent ECL sorcerer could cast them. Spell Resistance has been dropped slightly.

In no way at all is this more powerful than the MM pixie. How the hell would you say it is worth +5? Does anyone else who actually understand some of this stuff have any feedback?

Thanks.
Rerecros
06-04-07, 01:36 AM why would the size reduction increase its LA? From what I have seen, size increases, not size reduction

Then you would be wrong. It's min maxing, extra AC and attack enchange for being even more abyssmal in combat and reduced speed, this alone is why the LA needs to be raised.

And the -8 STR is in no way ridiculous; it is purely based on the size change (as if the character had been reduced twice)

it is way so ridiculous, ever rolled a 3 on a stat?
3 - 8 = 1 in ability scores.
okaynowa
06-04-07, 09:55 AM Smaller is usually better for spellcasters. Since the Diminutive size is this variant pixie's main selling point, let's see what that would net him before factoring in ability modifiers and so forth:

+4 AC, +4 to attack rolls, -12 grapple checks, +12 Hide checks, 0 reach.

That 0 reach there is a big deal-- the diminutive pixie will have to enter his target's square in order to make melee attacks, and doing so will provoke attacks of opportunity. So, this will not be a melee character. Conversely, this will be a great archer or ranged-touch spellcaster, since he'll be very stealthy and very accurate.

Diminutive creatures are also limited to using Diminutive-scale weapons, and most of those weapons will deal damage in the 1d3 and 1d2 range. Not so bad for a rogue with Sneak Attack dice to boost it, or a spellcaster with special effects to apply.

So far, the diminutive pixie is shaping up to be a rogue/spellcaster sort of chap. If a race seems tailor made for certain classes (or combination thereof), the best way to reduce LA is not to provide too many qualities that synergize with those classes. No "gilding the lily," so to speak. For example, if the pixie already has a +4 size bonus to AC, he doesn't need another +6 to AC from a +12 Dex bonus. Even a mere +2 Dex bonus will give the average Diminutive pixie a total AC 15, which is as good as a human in chainmail. Better, even, since the pixie retains that bonus against touch attacks.

Similarly, if the pixie character is already geared towards a rogue/spellcaster career, it doesn't need the big boosts to its Intelligence (spell DC and skill points), Wisdom (spell DC and sense skills), and Charisma (spell DC and social skills). He's already got two significant advantages over other spellcasters: he's harder to hit, and has an easier time hitting things. Since the pixie can also fly, he can ignore a host of other obstacles (like terrain, walls... opponents).

My recommendation would be:

Change the movement to Speed 10, Fly 30 (Good). That'll more than keep up with the rest of the party.
No ability adjustments. His size provides all the AC and attack bonuses he needs, and also nerfs his damage and carrying capacity. No need to boost or penalize him further.
Remove the natural armor-- it's superfluous.
Remove the weapon proficiencies-- at his size, they don't really matter. Class-based proficiencies are enough.
Keep dancing lights, because it fits the fey theme.
Remove permanent image-- if a PC wants that spell, he'll be better off getting it the usual way from wizard or sorceror levels.
Remove polymorph-- same reason. A neat alternative, though, would be to give the pixie a Change Shape (Su) ability, letting him assume the shape of any Diminutive animal, like sparrows, hedgehogs, and fish. That would be unique, very thematically appropriate, and hard to abuse.
Remove the damage reduction. With a low (or no) LA, he'll have level-appropriate hit points and a better than average AC. If he's getting hit often enough to need DR, he's doing something wrong.
Remove the greater invisibility-- no need to make him completely invulnerable. If he wants to be unseen, let him use that +12 to Hide checks, fly out of view, or use spells like the rest of the party.
Remove the Spell Resistance, and give him a flat +2 on saving throws versus spells and spell-like abilities. Remember that since it's of the Fey type, the pixie is already immune to the whole array of humanoid-targeting spells that appear early in the game.

For my campaign, I'd peg something like that at a +1 LA. But then, I believe that the less a character starts off with, the more they can gain later.

In any event, a Diminutive pixie sounds like it would be fun to play. Best of luck, hope you get the one you want!
Amnarii
06-04-07, 01:21 PM Smaller is usually better for spellcasters. Since the Diminutive size is this variant pixie's main selling point, let's see what that would net him before factoring in ability modifiers and so forth:

+4 AC, +4 to attack rolls, -12 grapple checks, +12 Hide checks, 0 reach.

That 0 reach there is a big deal-- the diminutive pixie will have to enter his target's square in order to make melee attacks, and doing so will provoke attacks of opportunity. So, this will not be a melee character. Conversely, this will be a great archer or ranged-touch spellcaster, since he'll be very stealthy and very accurate.

Diminutive creatures are also limited to using Diminutive-scale weapons, and most of those weapons will deal damage in the 1d3 and 1d2 range. Not so bad for a rogue with Sneak Attack dice to boost it, or a spellcaster with special effects to apply.

So far, the diminutive pixie is shaping up to be a rogue/spellcaster sort of chap. If a race seems tailor made for certain classes (or combination thereof), the best way to reduce LA is not to provide too many qualities that synergize with those classes. No "gilding the lily," so to speak. For example, if the pixie already has a +4 size bonus to AC, he doesn't need another +6 to AC from a +12 Dex bonus. Even a mere +2 Dex bonus will give the average Diminutive pixie a total AC 15, which is as good as a human in chainmail. Better, even, since the pixie retains that bonus against touch attacks.

Similarly, if the pixie character is already geared towards a rogue/spellcaster career, it doesn't need the big boosts to its Intelligence (spell DC and skill points), Wisdom (spell DC and sense skills), and Charisma (spell DC and social skills). He's already got two significant advantages over other spellcasters: he's harder to hit, and has an easier time hitting things. Since the pixie can also fly, he can ignore a host of other obstacles (like terrain, walls... opponents). Makes sense. I was modeling all of those abilities after the base pixie in MM1 (listed under Sprite with Grig and Nixie). We wanted to make the pixie tiny or diminutive; if we bump it up to tiny instead, the move rate goes up to 10/50, the str penalty and dex bonus are lessened by 2 each (-6/+10), and the space/reach does up to 5/5 I think. That halves most of those bonuses you mentioned as well. That puts the pixie more in line with what you've suggested, right?

My recommendation would be:
[LIST]
Change the movement to Speed 10, Fly 30 (Good). That'll more than keep up with the rest of the party.The tiny size change would change themove speed; but it makes it faster (10/50, not 10/30).
No ability adjustments. His size provides all the AC and attack bonuses he needs, and also nerfs his damage and carrying capacity. No need to boost or penalize him further.The ability adjustments are left the same as the core pixie for the mental scores; for the physical (STE and DEX) they are only modified from the core pixie for the size change.
Remove the natural armor-- it's superfluous. This is another 'relic' from the core pixie; I don't mind removing it...
Remove the weapon proficiencies-- at his size, they don't really matter. Class-based proficiencies are enough. This is simply something every Fey gets; it is like low-light vision...all Fey creatures get it (from the MM description of the 'Fey' type).
Keep dancing lights, because it fits the fey theme.
Remove permanent image-- if a PC wants that spell, he'll be better off getting it the usual way from wizard or sorceror levels.
Remove polymorph-- same reason. A neat alternative, though, would be to give the pixie a Change Shape (Su) ability, letting him assume the shape of any Diminutive animal, like sparrows, hedgehogs, and fish. That would be unique, very thematically appropriate, and hard to abuse.I saw nothing wrong with the Spell Like Abilities; they have been reduced severely from the base pixie. However I do like the idea of removing polymorph (self only) and adding a change shape Su ability. I don't see Permanent Image being something abused by most players in our group; as a preventative measure, I may change it to one of the lower level illusions.
Remove the damage reduction. With a low (or no) LA, he'll have level-appropriate hit points and a better than average AC. If he's getting hit often enough to need DR, he's doing something wrong. Again, part of the Fey type if I recall correctly...
Remove the greater invisibility-- no need to make him completely invulnerable. If he wants to be unseen, let him use that +12 to Hide checks, fly out of view, or use spells like the rest of the party.This is one of the abilities I considered weakening, but which is such a core part of pixies that it seems sacrilegious to remove.
Remove the Spell Resistance, and give him a flat +2 on saving throws versus spells and spell-like abilities. Remember that since it's of the Fey type, the pixie is already immune to the whole array of humanoid-targeting spells that appear early in the game.That seems like a perfectly fine change
For my campaign, I'd peg something like that at a +1 LA. But then, I believe that the less a character starts off with, the more they can gain later.

In any event, a Diminutive pixie sounds like it would be fun to play. Best of luck, hope you get the one you want!

Thanks for your input. I wouldn't mind losing the extra 2 LA - but since I am not willing to give up some of the things you've mentioned; I am going to propose the modified version at +2 LA. It may still be worth a +3, but I'll see what others here, and more importantly, the DM, have to say!
acstrife
06-04-07, 01:31 PM I would agree with Okaynowa's suggestions very reasonable and without all the fluff. I personally like races where you can get more class levels.

As for Rerecros hes pretty close to what you suggested,

+1 LA for Spell Resistance (of any kind)
+1 LA for unbalanced ability scores
+1 LA for the spelllike abilities and the natural Armor (both are too small to really count 1 LA a piece)
+1 LA for Damage Reduction (of any kind)
+1 LA for the really tiny size for defense purposes (wonderful for a spellcaster)

However the size depends on what you want to do, pixies are normally the spellcasters and or supportive magic so high mental scores, and a high dexterity is very nice, combined with a lowered strength is really not too much a penalty considering what the race is really designed for.

But anyway, i think Okaynowa's advice will really help you out.
okaynowa
06-04-07, 02:01 PM I should probably explain that my advice is based on the very personal opinion that the stats presented in the Monster Manual make great NPCs and terrible PCs, and that a player's character shouldn't get a given quality just because the monster (or its type) does. Player characters are meant to start off with a few perks and gain more over time; monsters are designed to appear on scene with a suite of abilities that can challenge the players. With that in mind, I usually edit the heck out of a creature until it's more or less in line with the PHB races, relegating the LA-inducing perks to racial feats and prestige classes.
I wouldn't mind losing the extra 2 LA - but since I am not willing to give up some of the things you've mentioned; I am going to propose the modified version at +2 LA. Would you give them up in the short-term for a chance to get it all back plus full caster levels, or level-appropriate max skill ranks? Spending a feat to get a better flight speed or taking a PrC level to get damage reduction may prove a better value than an empty Level Adjustment. That's just my opinion... although, I suspect your DM will prove more generous with the special qualities if he thinks you're willing to wait/work for them.

Best of luck!
Amnarii
06-04-07, 07:59 PM Thanks for the clarifications. The party is 6th, very near 7th (the pixie character will come in at 6th - several thousand XP below the party), and is most likely either a non casting rogue, or a monk...lol (seems a very laughable character to me, pixie monk)...

However, once this character is allowed, the same pixie race would be available for any other players to pick for any class; as well as NPCs...so we need to make it somewhat balanced.

+1 LA for Spell Resistance (of any kind)
+1 LA for unbalanced ability scores
+1 LA for the spelllike abilities and the natural Armor (both are too small to really count 1 LA a piece)
+1 LA for Damage Reduction (of any kind)
+1 LA for the really tiny size for defense purposes (wonderful for a spellcaster)
So by changing spell resistance to a save bonus, moving up from diminutive to tiny, and dropping the natural armor bonus should together drop at least a +1 from that list.

I'll post a modified version below...
Amnarii
06-04-07, 08:21 PM This comes with some alterations from the DM of this game... I believe he is accepting it as is below; just thought I would post it for the benefit of your input!

Tiny Pixie Variant

-6 STR, -2 CON, +10 DEX, +6 INT, +4WIS, +6 CHA
Size: Tiny
Speed: 10, Fly 50(G)
Lowlight Vision
Skills: +2 bonus on Listen, Search, Spot
Racial Feats: Dodge, The Gift
Proficiencies: proficient with all simple weapons, short sword, and longbow
Spell-like Abilities (Sp): (Cast as a sorcerer of the character's ECL - Charisma based DCs);
Dancing Lights 3/day
Ghost Sound 3/day
Mage Hand 3/day
Silent Image 2/day
Minor Image 1/day

Change Shape (Su): can assume the form of any diminutive or tiny animal or vermin 3/day.
Damage Reduction (Ex): 10/Cold Iron
Greater Invisibility (Su): an always-on, suppressible at-will (free action) effect.
Magic Resistance (Su): receives a +2 to all saving throws versus spells and magic effects.
Languages: Common, Sylvan
Favored Class: Sorcerer
Level Adjustment: +3
tui
06-05-07, 10:27 AM Polymorph (self only)

FYI, The errata (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20040125a) for MMI removed Polymorph from the Pixie spell-like ability list... as such, don't include that in your calculations as you change the LA for your variant.

I do think your revised Change Shape ability is very well worded...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Amnarii 06-03-07, 01:18 AM	First, yes I have searched and found a couple variant pixies on the forums (yay search-fu is back!) . . . I just want something more tailored to my DM's tastes. So, that includes dropping a few of the spell like abilities, and altering the others a tad. Diminutive Pixie Variant -8 STR, +12 DEX, +6 INT, +4WIS, +6 CHA Size: Diminutive Speed: 5, Fly 40(G) Lowlight Vision Skills: +2 bonus on Listen, Search, Spot Racial Feats: Dodge, The Gift +1 Natural Armor bonus Proficient with all simple weapons, short sword, and longbow Spell-like Abilities: (Caster Level = ECL, must be of character level high enough to 'cast' the spell; Charisma based DC) 1/day each; Dancing Lights Permanent Image (visual & auditory elements only) Polymorph (self only) Damage Reduction 10/Cold Iron Greater Invisibility (Su): an always-on, suppressible at-will (free action) effect. Spell Resistance 10 (plus ECL) Languages: Common, Sylvan Favored Class: Sorcerer Level Adjustment: +3 Changes: Size (small to diminutive) -4 STR, +4 DEX Speed -15', Fly -20' Spell Like Abilities caster level = ECL, not 8 must meet normal min caster level Converted SLA 'Detect Thoughts' into The Gift feat Dropped Lesser Confusion Dropped Detect (alignments) Dropped Dispel Magic Dropped Entangle SR dropped to 10+ECL, not 15+class dropped LA to +3 balanced? suggestions? Thanks! [edit] to clarify a houserule; The Gift is a feat in his campaign which grants pseudo psionics, including telepathy. I felt it a better replacement for detect thoughts.
Rerecros 06-03-07, 01:39 AM	change it's size will earn an additional +1 LA. -8 str is just ridiculous, and has no balancing value. fiddling with the spell like abilities has no real effect, as you kept the more powerful ones. LA+5 should do.
Amnarii 06-03-07, 11:45 PM	why would the size reduction increase its LA? From what I have seen, size increases, not size reduction, increase LA (though I don't think the reduction should reduce the LA either; it is done to fit the DM and my concept of a pixie). The SLAs I kept could be more powerful, or not - depending on how the character is played. I don't see how dropping 7 SLAs would have 'no real effect'. And the -8 STR is in no way ridiculous; it is purely based on the size change (as if the character had been reduced twice) - balanced out precisely by the increase in DEX. Speed (both land and flight) have been reduced. The SLA's left are available based purely on ECL; meaning you can't use them unless an equivalent ECL sorcerer could cast them. Spell Resistance has been dropped slightly. In no way at all is this more powerful than the MM pixie. How the hell would you say it is worth +5? Does anyone else who actually understand some of this stuff have any feedback? Thanks.
Rerecros 06-04-07, 01:36 AM	why would the size reduction increase its LA? From what I have seen, size increases, not size reduction Then you would be wrong. It's min maxing, extra AC and attack enchange for being even more abyssmal in combat and reduced speed, this alone is why the LA needs to be raised. And the -8 STR is in no way ridiculous; it is purely based on the size change (as if the character had been reduced twice) it is way so ridiculous, ever rolled a 3 on a stat? 3 - 8 = 1 in ability scores.
okaynowa 06-04-07, 09:55 AM	Smaller is usually better for spellcasters. Since the Diminutive size is this variant pixie's main selling point, let's see what that would net him before factoring in ability modifiers and so forth: +4 AC, +4 to attack rolls, -12 grapple checks, +12 Hide checks, 0 reach. That 0 reach there is a big deal-- the diminutive pixie will have to enter his target's square in order to make melee attacks, and doing so will provoke attacks of opportunity. So, this will not be a melee character. Conversely, this will be a great archer or ranged-touch spellcaster, since he'll be very stealthy and very accurate. Diminutive creatures are also limited to using Diminutive-scale weapons, and most of those weapons will deal damage in the 1d3 and 1d2 range. Not so bad for a rogue with Sneak Attack dice to boost it, or a spellcaster with special effects to apply. So far, the diminutive pixie is shaping up to be a rogue/spellcaster sort of chap. If a race seems tailor made for certain classes (or combination thereof), the best way to reduce LA is not to provide too many qualities that synergize with those classes. No "gilding the lily," so to speak. For example, if the pixie already has a +4 size bonus to AC, he doesn't need another +6 to AC from a +12 Dex bonus. Even a mere +2 Dex bonus will give the average Diminutive pixie a total AC 15, which is as good as a human in chainmail. Better, even, since the pixie retains that bonus against touch attacks. Similarly, if the pixie character is already geared towards a rogue/spellcaster career, it doesn't need the big boosts to its Intelligence (spell DC and skill points), Wisdom (spell DC and sense skills), and Charisma (spell DC and social skills). He's already got two significant advantages over other spellcasters: he's harder to hit, and has an easier time hitting things. Since the pixie can also fly, he can ignore a host of other obstacles (like terrain, walls... opponents). My recommendation would be: Change the movement to Speed 10, Fly 30 (Good). That'll more than keep up with the rest of the party. No ability adjustments. His size provides all the AC and attack bonuses he needs, and also nerfs his damage and carrying capacity. No need to boost or penalize him further. Remove the natural armor-- it's superfluous. Remove the weapon proficiencies-- at his size, they don't really matter. Class-based proficiencies are enough. Keep dancing lights, because it fits the fey theme. Remove permanent image-- if a PC wants that spell, he'll be better off getting it the usual way from wizard or sorceror levels. Remove polymorph-- same reason. A neat alternative, though, would be to give the pixie a Change Shape (Su) ability, letting him assume the shape of any Diminutive animal, like sparrows, hedgehogs, and fish. That would be unique, very thematically appropriate, and hard to abuse. Remove the damage reduction. With a low (or no) LA, he'll have level-appropriate hit points and a better than average AC. If he's getting hit often enough to need DR, he's doing something wrong. Remove the greater invisibility-- no need to make him completely invulnerable. If he wants to be unseen, let him use that +12 to Hide checks, fly out of view, or use spells like the rest of the party. Remove the Spell Resistance, and give him a flat +2 on saving throws versus spells and spell-like abilities. Remember that since it's of the Fey type, the pixie is already immune to the whole array of humanoid-targeting spells that appear early in the game. For my campaign, I'd peg something like that at a +1 LA. But then, I believe that the less a character starts off with, the more they can gain later. In any event, a Diminutive pixie sounds like it would be fun to play. Best of luck, hope you get the one you want!
Amnarii 06-04-07, 01:21 PM	Smaller is usually better for spellcasters. Since the Diminutive size is this variant pixie's main selling point, let's see what that would net him before factoring in ability modifiers and so forth: +4 AC, +4 to attack rolls, -12 grapple checks, +12 Hide checks, 0 reach. That 0 reach there is a big deal-- the diminutive pixie will have to enter his target's square in order to make melee attacks, and doing so will provoke attacks of opportunity. So, this will not be a melee character. Conversely, this will be a great archer or ranged-touch spellcaster, since he'll be very stealthy and very accurate. Diminutive creatures are also limited to using Diminutive-scale weapons, and most of those weapons will deal damage in the 1d3 and 1d2 range. Not so bad for a rogue with Sneak Attack dice to boost it, or a spellcaster with special effects to apply. So far, the diminutive pixie is shaping up to be a rogue/spellcaster sort of chap. If a race seems tailor made for certain classes (or combination thereof), the best way to reduce LA is not to provide too many qualities that synergize with those classes. No "gilding the lily," so to speak. For example, if the pixie already has a +4 size bonus to AC, he doesn't need another +6 to AC from a +12 Dex bonus. Even a mere +2 Dex bonus will give the average Diminutive pixie a total AC 15, which is as good as a human in chainmail. Better, even, since the pixie retains that bonus against touch attacks. Similarly, if the pixie character is already geared towards a rogue/spellcaster career, it doesn't need the big boosts to its Intelligence (spell DC and skill points), Wisdom (spell DC and sense skills), and Charisma (spell DC and social skills). He's already got two significant advantages over other spellcasters: he's harder to hit, and has an easier time hitting things. Since the pixie can also fly, he can ignore a host of other obstacles (like terrain, walls... opponents). Makes sense. I was modeling all of those abilities after the base pixie in MM1 (listed under Sprite with Grig and Nixie). We wanted to make the pixie tiny or diminutive; if we bump it up to tiny instead, the move rate goes up to 10/50, the str penalty and dex bonus are lessened by 2 each (-6/+10), and the space/reach does up to 5/5 I think. That halves most of those bonuses you mentioned as well. That puts the pixie more in line with what you've suggested, right? My recommendation would be: [LIST] Change the movement to Speed 10, Fly 30 (Good). That'll more than keep up with the rest of the party.The tiny size change would change themove speed; but it makes it faster (10/50, not 10/30). No ability adjustments. His size provides all the AC and attack bonuses he needs, and also nerfs his damage and carrying capacity. No need to boost or penalize him further.The ability adjustments are left the same as the core pixie for the mental scores; for the physical (STE and DEX) they are only modified from the core pixie for the size change. Remove the natural armor-- it's superfluous. This is another 'relic' from the core pixie; I don't mind removing it... Remove the weapon proficiencies-- at his size, they don't really matter. Class-based proficiencies are enough. This is simply something every Fey gets; it is like low-light vision...all Fey creatures get it (from the MM description of the 'Fey' type). Keep dancing lights, because it fits the fey theme. Remove permanent image-- if a PC wants that spell, he'll be better off getting it the usual way from wizard or sorceror levels. Remove polymorph-- same reason. A neat alternative, though, would be to give the pixie a Change Shape (Su) ability, letting him assume the shape of any Diminutive animal, like sparrows, hedgehogs, and fish. That would be unique, very thematically appropriate, and hard to abuse.I saw nothing wrong with the Spell Like Abilities; they have been reduced severely from the base pixie. However I do like the idea of removing polymorph (self only) and adding a change shape Su ability. I don't see Permanent Image being something abused by most players in our group; as a preventative measure, I may change it to one of the lower level illusions. Remove the damage reduction. With a low (or no) LA, he'll have level-appropriate hit points and a better than average AC. If he's getting hit often enough to need DR, he's doing something wrong. Again, part of the Fey type if I recall correctly... Remove the greater invisibility-- no need to make him completely invulnerable. If he wants to be unseen, let him use that +12 to Hide checks, fly out of view, or use spells like the rest of the party.This is one of the abilities I considered weakening, but which is such a core part of pixies that it seems sacrilegious to remove. Remove the Spell Resistance, and give him a flat +2 on saving throws versus spells and spell-like abilities. Remember that since it's of the Fey type, the pixie is already immune to the whole array of humanoid-targeting spells that appear early in the game.That seems like a perfectly fine change For my campaign, I'd peg something like that at a +1 LA. But then, I believe that the less a character starts off with, the more they can gain later. In any event, a Diminutive pixie sounds like it would be fun to play. Best of luck, hope you get the one you want! Thanks for your input. I wouldn't mind losing the extra 2 LA - but since I am not willing to give up some of the things you've mentioned; I am going to propose the modified version at +2 LA. It may still be worth a +3, but I'll see what others here, and more importantly, the DM, have to say!
acstrife 06-04-07, 01:31 PM	I would agree with Okaynowa's suggestions very reasonable and without all the fluff. I personally like races where you can get more class levels. As for Rerecros hes pretty close to what you suggested, +1 LA for Spell Resistance (of any kind) +1 LA for unbalanced ability scores +1 LA for the spelllike abilities and the natural Armor (both are too small to really count 1 LA a piece) +1 LA for Damage Reduction (of any kind) +1 LA for the really tiny size for defense purposes (wonderful for a spellcaster) However the size depends on what you want to do, pixies are normally the spellcasters and or supportive magic so high mental scores, and a high dexterity is very nice, combined with a lowered strength is really not too much a penalty considering what the race is really designed for. But anyway, i think Okaynowa's advice will really help you out.
okaynowa 06-04-07, 02:01 PM	I should probably explain that my advice is based on the very personal opinion that the stats presented in the Monster Manual make great NPCs and terrible PCs, and that a player's character shouldn't get a given quality just because the monster (or its type) does. Player characters are meant to start off with a few perks and gain more over time; monsters are designed to appear on scene with a suite of abilities that can challenge the players. With that in mind, I usually edit the heck out of a creature until it's more or less in line with the PHB races, relegating the LA-inducing perks to racial feats and prestige classes. I wouldn't mind losing the extra 2 LA - but since I am not willing to give up some of the things you've mentioned; I am going to propose the modified version at +2 LA. Would you give them up in the short-term for a chance to get it all back plus full caster levels, or level-appropriate max skill ranks? Spending a feat to get a better flight speed or taking a PrC level to get damage reduction may prove a better value than an empty Level Adjustment. That's just my opinion... although, I suspect your DM will prove more generous with the special qualities if he thinks you're willing to wait/work for them. Best of luck!
Amnarii 06-04-07, 07:59 PM	Thanks for the clarifications. The party is 6th, very near 7th (the pixie character will come in at 6th - several thousand XP below the party), and is most likely either a non casting rogue, or a monk...lol (seems a very laughable character to me, pixie monk)... However, once this character is allowed, the same pixie race would be available for any other players to pick for any class; as well as NPCs...so we need to make it somewhat balanced. +1 LA for Spell Resistance (of any kind) +1 LA for unbalanced ability scores +1 LA for the spelllike abilities and the natural Armor (both are too small to really count 1 LA a piece) +1 LA for Damage Reduction (of any kind) +1 LA for the really tiny size for defense purposes (wonderful for a spellcaster) So by changing spell resistance to a save bonus, moving up from diminutive to tiny, and dropping the natural armor bonus should together drop at least a +1 from that list. I'll post a modified version below...
Amnarii 06-04-07, 08:21 PM	This comes with some alterations from the DM of this game... I believe he is accepting it as is below; just thought I would post it for the benefit of your input! Tiny Pixie Variant -6 STR, -2 CON, +10 DEX, +6 INT, +4WIS, +6 CHA Size: Tiny Speed: 10, Fly 50(G) Lowlight Vision Skills: +2 bonus on Listen, Search, Spot Racial Feats: Dodge, The Gift Proficiencies: proficient with all simple weapons, short sword, and longbow Spell-like Abilities (Sp): (Cast as a sorcerer of the character's ECL - Charisma based DCs); Dancing Lights 3/day Ghost Sound 3/day Mage Hand 3/day Silent Image 2/day Minor Image 1/day Change Shape (Su): can assume the form of any diminutive or tiny animal or vermin 3/day. Damage Reduction (Ex): 10/Cold Iron Greater Invisibility (Su): an always-on, suppressible at-will (free action) effect. Magic Resistance (Su): receives a +2 to all saving throws versus spells and magic effects. Languages: Common, Sylvan Favored Class: Sorcerer Level Adjustment: +3
tui 06-05-07, 10:27 AM	Polymorph (self only) FYI, The errata (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20040125a) for MMI removed Polymorph from the Pixie spell-like ability list... as such, don't include that in your calculations as you change the LA for your variant. I do think your revised Change Shape ability is very well worded...