Why are Genasi level adjusted? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Why are Genasi level adjusted? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
quakemist
08-06-07, 05:02 PM Other than like, Levitate for an Air Genasi....what else do they have? They get no pluses to stats that I can find or anything... Can anyone help me find more if there is?
Crimson_Concerto
08-06-07, 05:11 PM Last I remember, unbalanced ability scores were the culprit, though I don't remember everything Gensai get... Oh, and they're Outsiders.

Wait... are you asking for the Gensai stats?
I don't know if they're OGL, but I do remember a race compendium somewhere online with the info if that's what you're asking for...
quakemist
08-06-07, 05:33 PM What is OGL? And yes, I have the Races of Faerun and whatnot, and all it tells me is that Genasi have (Looking at air for my self) Levitate and Elemental Bloodline. (Now if I play one, it will NOT be a forgotten realms setting, so those will be changed) I am mostly looking for a GENERALIZED template for them, not a Campaign specific one.
Crimson_Concerto
08-06-07, 05:38 PM Open Game License, I believe. It's supposed to be what we are and are not allowed to legally post mechanics about from the books. I don't think Gensai are on that list.

And their stats aren't in Races of Faerun. They're in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting.

Oh, and I have no idea what you're talking about with this "generalized template" or "campaign specific" whatever. What are you talking about?
quakemist
08-06-07, 05:41 PM Well, I mean, a lot of the rules of things like the feats and whatnot in the Faerun books are not in the other books, they are specific to Forgotten Realms. I just want to see their stats, speed, vision, stuff like that, because their abilities may be different since I'm not playing Forgotten Realms.
Crimson_Concerto
08-06-07, 05:43 PM Gensai, just like all other races, are pretty much exactly the same in all campaign settings, so... what? :confused:
quakemist
08-06-07, 05:52 PM Ahhh i see... Increased Int and Dex and Lowered Wisdom and Charisma... I dont really know what I could make with that...except maybe a wizard...and I'm more of a Sorcerer type person.
Elemental_Elf
08-06-07, 06:00 PM Each of the 4 Genasi races have Stat Bonuses and Minuses as well as some cool abilities.

If memory serves, the Air Genasi doesn't need to breathe, has the ability to Levitate, has good Stat Modifiers and is a Native Outsider. Its worthy of the +1 LA.

The Fire Genasi, on the other had, has so-so stat modiers, a lame Fire manipulation that, though cool, is not any where near the power of the Air Genasi. It is not worthy of the +1 LA (at least when compared to the Air Genasi).

There are +0LA Genasis in the Player's Handbook to Faerun (called Lesser Genasis), though I forget what changes between the +1 and +0 LA versions.
TiwazTyrsfist
08-06-07, 06:16 PM So, a brief explination of why they have a level adjustment.

All the genesai ('cept fire) have bonuses to physical attributes, and minuses to mental ones. WotC has said in several books that for balance reasons, a -2 to a physical att is good for a +2 to a mental att, but a -4 to a mental att (or 2 -2's) is neccessary to balance a +2 to a physical att.
So, basicly the air, earth, and water Genasi are getting a Free +2 to one of thier stats.

Secondly, the spell like abilities. Look at gnomes, or most other races with a spell like ability. LA +0 races with spell like abilities have an effective caster level of 1 for those abilities. The genasi have a CL 5 for casting theirs'.

Finally, the spell save bonuses, that increase with level, and cover a nice swath of spells.

These three things push them up into LA +1 territory.
quakemist
08-06-07, 06:24 PM While not needing to breathe, and levitate are awesome, the hit to Charisma kind of bugs me. Also, what Air type spells are there? Is Lightning Bolt considered "air" or electricity?

Before posting, I did not know they were in the Forgotten Realms Campaign setting, so I had not seen their +2 DEX/INT -2 CHA/WIS.

I still question what the best class for them would be. Rogue would be Eh ... since they lose cha, Wizard would be fine, Fighter would be fine although it doesn't exactly make them better fighters.
ToastedAmphibian
08-06-07, 06:35 PM While not needing to breathe, and levitate are awesome, the hit to Charisma kind of bugs me. Also, what Air type spells are there? Is Lightning Bolt considered "air" or electricity?

Before posting, I did not know they were in the Forgotten Realms Campaign setting, so I had not seen their +2 DEX/INT -2 CHA/WIS.

I still question what the best class for them would be. Rogue would be Eh ... since they lose cha, Wizard would be fine, Fighter would be fine although it doesn't exactly make them better fighters.

Mabey a ranger? Any kind of ranged weapon user, or even a reach weapon, might be able to make good use of flying/levitating.
runestar
08-06-07, 10:13 PM They are considered too strong to be allowed at LA+0. Unfortunately, they are also too weak to be LA+1, but what to do?:(
StruckingFuggle
08-06-07, 10:27 PM What is OGL? And yes, I have the Races of Faerun and whatnot, and all it tells me is that Genasi have (Looking at air for my self) Levitate and Elemental Bloodline. (Now if I play one, it will NOT be a forgotten realms setting, so those will be changed)

...If you want to get rid of Levitate and Elemental Bloodline, fine, but how does (as you seemingly imply) removing them from the Forgotten Realms setting mean that they would lose them? :confused:
quakemist
08-06-07, 11:13 PM No, No, I don't want to lose Levitate and stuff. I just play with strict DMs who have to nit pick about the dumbest things in the universe. If I even GET to play a Genasi, I'll be amazed =\
castlemike
08-06-07, 11:25 PM Make a minor adjustment like the +0LA Planetouched for the Aaismar and Tieflings.
StruckingFuggle
08-06-07, 11:33 PM No, No, I don't want to lose Levitate and stuff. I just play with strict DMs who have to nit pick about the dumbest things in the universe. If I even GET to play a Genasi, I'll be amazed =\

Aha! I see.

What nits are your DMs picking?
1 ton ghost
08-07-07, 12:54 AM the lesser planetouched in Player's Guide to Faerun have no statistical changes save for type-they are considered both humanoid and outsider, so they get both barrels when magic is concerned. still, not a bad trade.

tiefling rogue and mage(s) are nice.
air genasi make good swashbuckler, light/fast attackers
assimar of course, clerics, paladins, etc.

in Mon Man. 2 they have planetouched races representing dynamic Chaos and Law. not bad, don't know how moded it is for 3.5, but worth a look
baronvonboxy
08-07-07, 01:28 PM While not needing to breathe, and levitate are awesome, the hit to Charisma kind of bugs me. Also, what Air type spells are there? Is Lightning Bolt considered "air" or electricity?

Before posting, I did not know they were in the Forgotten Realms Campaign setting, so I had not seen their +2 DEX/INT -2 CHA/WIS.

I still question what the best class for them would be. Rogue would be Eh ... since they lose cha, Wizard would be fine, Fighter would be fine although it doesn't exactly make them better fighters.

Swashbuckler is pretty nice.
tenguroEd
08-07-07, 01:36 PM What is OGL? And yes, I have the Races of Faerun and whatnot, and all it tells me is that Genasi have (Looking at air for my self) Levitate and Elemental Bloodline. (Now if I play one, it will NOT be a forgotten realms setting, so those will be changed) I am mostly looking for a GENERALIZED template for them, not a Campaign specific one.

look in Forgotten realms campaign setting, The gensai stuff s in there.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
quakemist 08-06-07, 05:02 PM	Other than like, Levitate for an Air Genasi....what else do they have? They get no pluses to stats that I can find or anything... Can anyone help me find more if there is?
Crimson_Concerto 08-06-07, 05:11 PM	Last I remember, unbalanced ability scores were the culprit, though I don't remember everything Gensai get... Oh, and they're Outsiders. Wait... are you asking for the Gensai stats? I don't know if they're OGL, but I do remember a race compendium somewhere online with the info if that's what you're asking for...
quakemist 08-06-07, 05:33 PM	What is OGL? And yes, I have the Races of Faerun and whatnot, and all it tells me is that Genasi have (Looking at air for my self) Levitate and Elemental Bloodline. (Now if I play one, it will NOT be a forgotten realms setting, so those will be changed) I am mostly looking for a GENERALIZED template for them, not a Campaign specific one.
Crimson_Concerto 08-06-07, 05:38 PM	Open Game License, I believe. It's supposed to be what we are and are not allowed to legally post mechanics about from the books. I don't think Gensai are on that list. And their stats aren't in Races of Faerun. They're in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. Oh, and I have no idea what you're talking about with this "generalized template" or "campaign specific" whatever. What are you talking about?
quakemist 08-06-07, 05:41 PM	Well, I mean, a lot of the rules of things like the feats and whatnot in the Faerun books are not in the other books, they are specific to Forgotten Realms. I just want to see their stats, speed, vision, stuff like that, because their abilities may be different since I'm not playing Forgotten Realms.
Crimson_Concerto 08-06-07, 05:43 PM	Gensai, just like all other races, are pretty much exactly the same in all campaign settings, so... what? :confused:
quakemist 08-06-07, 05:52 PM	Ahhh i see... Increased Int and Dex and Lowered Wisdom and Charisma... I dont really know what I could make with that...except maybe a wizard...and I'm more of a Sorcerer type person.
Elemental_Elf 08-06-07, 06:00 PM	Each of the 4 Genasi races have Stat Bonuses and Minuses as well as some cool abilities. If memory serves, the Air Genasi doesn't need to breathe, has the ability to Levitate, has good Stat Modifiers and is a Native Outsider. Its worthy of the +1 LA. The Fire Genasi, on the other had, has so-so stat modiers, a lame Fire manipulation that, though cool, is not any where near the power of the Air Genasi. It is not worthy of the +1 LA (at least when compared to the Air Genasi). There are +0LA Genasis in the Player's Handbook to Faerun (called Lesser Genasis), though I forget what changes between the +1 and +0 LA versions.
TiwazTyrsfist 08-06-07, 06:16 PM	So, a brief explination of why they have a level adjustment. All the genesai ('cept fire) have bonuses to physical attributes, and minuses to mental ones. WotC has said in several books that for balance reasons, a -2 to a physical att is good for a +2 to a mental att, but a -4 to a mental att (or 2 -2's) is neccessary to balance a +2 to a physical att. So, basicly the air, earth, and water Genasi are getting a Free +2 to one of thier stats. Secondly, the spell like abilities. Look at gnomes, or most other races with a spell like ability. LA +0 races with spell like abilities have an effective caster level of 1 for those abilities. The genasi have a CL 5 for casting theirs'. Finally, the spell save bonuses, that increase with level, and cover a nice swath of spells. These three things push them up into LA +1 territory.
quakemist 08-06-07, 06:24 PM	While not needing to breathe, and levitate are awesome, the hit to Charisma kind of bugs me. Also, what Air type spells are there? Is Lightning Bolt considered "air" or electricity? Before posting, I did not know they were in the Forgotten Realms Campaign setting, so I had not seen their +2 DEX/INT -2 CHA/WIS. I still question what the best class for them would be. Rogue would be Eh ... since they lose cha, Wizard would be fine, Fighter would be fine although it doesn't exactly make them better fighters.
ToastedAmphibian 08-06-07, 06:35 PM	While not needing to breathe, and levitate are awesome, the hit to Charisma kind of bugs me. Also, what Air type spells are there? Is Lightning Bolt considered "air" or electricity? Before posting, I did not know they were in the Forgotten Realms Campaign setting, so I had not seen their +2 DEX/INT -2 CHA/WIS. I still question what the best class for them would be. Rogue would be Eh ... since they lose cha, Wizard would be fine, Fighter would be fine although it doesn't exactly make them better fighters. Mabey a ranger? Any kind of ranged weapon user, or even a reach weapon, might be able to make good use of flying/levitating.
runestar 08-06-07, 10:13 PM	They are considered too strong to be allowed at LA+0. Unfortunately, they are also too weak to be LA+1, but what to do?:(
StruckingFuggle 08-06-07, 10:27 PM	What is OGL? And yes, I have the Races of Faerun and whatnot, and all it tells me is that Genasi have (Looking at air for my self) Levitate and Elemental Bloodline. (Now if I play one, it will NOT be a forgotten realms setting, so those will be changed) ...If you want to get rid of Levitate and Elemental Bloodline, fine, but how does (as you seemingly imply) removing them from the Forgotten Realms setting mean that they would lose them? :confused:
quakemist 08-06-07, 11:13 PM	No, No, I don't want to lose Levitate and stuff. I just play with strict DMs who have to nit pick about the dumbest things in the universe. If I even GET to play a Genasi, I'll be amazed =\
castlemike 08-06-07, 11:25 PM	Make a minor adjustment like the +0LA Planetouched for the Aaismar and Tieflings.
StruckingFuggle 08-06-07, 11:33 PM	No, No, I don't want to lose Levitate and stuff. I just play with strict DMs who have to nit pick about the dumbest things in the universe. If I even GET to play a Genasi, I'll be amazed =\ Aha! I see. What nits are your DMs picking?
1 ton ghost 08-07-07, 12:54 AM	the lesser planetouched in Player's Guide to Faerun have no statistical changes save for type-they are considered both humanoid and outsider, so they get both barrels when magic is concerned. still, not a bad trade. tiefling rogue and mage(s) are nice. air genasi make good swashbuckler, light/fast attackers assimar of course, clerics, paladins, etc. in Mon Man. 2 they have planetouched races representing dynamic Chaos and Law. not bad, don't know how moded it is for 3.5, but worth a look
baronvonboxy 08-07-07, 01:28 PM	While not needing to breathe, and levitate are awesome, the hit to Charisma kind of bugs me. Also, what Air type spells are there? Is Lightning Bolt considered "air" or electricity? Before posting, I did not know they were in the Forgotten Realms Campaign setting, so I had not seen their +2 DEX/INT -2 CHA/WIS. I still question what the best class for them would be. Rogue would be Eh ... since they lose cha, Wizard would be fine, Fighter would be fine although it doesn't exactly make them better fighters. Swashbuckler is pretty nice.
tenguroEd 08-07-07, 01:36 PM	What is OGL? And yes, I have the Races of Faerun and whatnot, and all it tells me is that Genasi have (Looking at air for my self) Levitate and Elemental Bloodline. (Now if I play one, it will NOT be a forgotten realms setting, so those will be changed) I am mostly looking for a GENERALIZED template for them, not a Campaign specific one. look in Forgotten realms campaign setting, The gensai stuff s in there.