Action Points for Level Adjustment? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Action Points for Level Adjustment? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
kilamanjaro
01-29-07, 12:30 PM I'm trying to work up a system to use AP to buy off LA.
I have two thoughts on how this might work with LA. Both use the Savage Species style level progressions. One would be a ‘buy off’ system. With this method when you spend your APs to gain your racial abilities.
For Example: An aasimar might start the game as an outsider with with a +2 CHR and acid resistance 5. Once he reaches 4th level he could spend his 2 APs for the level and gain his cold and electricity resistances, his +2 WIS, and daylight 1x day.
Is two APs enough? Using 2 APs keeps you from ‘activating’ your LA abilities until you reach 4th level. Would it be better to use a flat 2 APs for each LA removed or should the scale be more aggressive? Say 2 APs for the first LA, 4 for the second, 6 for the third.
My other thought is that instead of a one time buy off LA races could take a permanent hit to their AP pool. Use the same costs as above but the APs spent aren’t replaced when you level up.
In game the logic is that fate favors the standard PC races. It’s their time and destiny favors their heroes.
I’m also considering using an AP cost for some of the Weapons of Legacy, using them as an alternative cost to the attack penalties. I haven’t worked anything out yet but I like the idea that the character is tying their fate into that of the item.
Any thoughts, comments, or guidance is appreciated.
Thomar_of_Uointer
01-30-07, 04:15 PM Mmm... Actually sounds pretty good. Yes, you should make the loss of AP permanent, though 2 AP doesn't quite sound like too much to give up for this purpose...

I would say you can simply do without AP starting at level 5, reducing your Level Adjustment by 1 per 5 class levels. It should work because AP scale and become more important at higher levels. Still, remember that there's a feat in the ECS that gives you 3 extra AP per level, +1 LA is worth much more than a feat.
kilamanjaro
01-31-07, 09:55 AM That's true. What if it was that you gain no AP for racial HD and your first LA removed costs 4AP permanetly. Each additional LA removed costs what you just paid +1 AP. So to remove a LA of +2 would cost a total of 9 AP.
That will put some of the better racial abilities of creatures out of reach until the character reaches higher levels.
kadeity
01-31-07, 12:38 PM i dont really see it as a good idea.

AP are a temporary benifit, while LA is a permenant drawback.
It just doesnt work out.
kilamanjaro
01-31-07, 05:46 PM Except that permanently having fewer APs is a permanent drawback.
Thomar_of_Uointer
01-31-07, 05:59 PM i dont really see it as a good idea.

AP are a temporary benifit, while LA is a permenant drawback.
It just doesnt work out.

The whole point is that you reduce the number of AP you get per level forever, or pay the AP each time you gain a level after getting your AP. It's a permanent drawback.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
kilamanjaro 01-29-07, 12:30 PM	I'm trying to work up a system to use AP to buy off LA. I have two thoughts on how this might work with LA. Both use the Savage Species style level progressions. One would be a ‘buy off’ system. With this method when you spend your APs to gain your racial abilities. For Example: An aasimar might start the game as an outsider with with a +2 CHR and acid resistance 5. Once he reaches 4th level he could spend his 2 APs for the level and gain his cold and electricity resistances, his +2 WIS, and daylight 1x day. Is two APs enough? Using 2 APs keeps you from ‘activating’ your LA abilities until you reach 4th level. Would it be better to use a flat 2 APs for each LA removed or should the scale be more aggressive? Say 2 APs for the first LA, 4 for the second, 6 for the third. My other thought is that instead of a one time buy off LA races could take a permanent hit to their AP pool. Use the same costs as above but the APs spent aren’t replaced when you level up. In game the logic is that fate favors the standard PC races. It’s their time and destiny favors their heroes. I’m also considering using an AP cost for some of the Weapons of Legacy, using them as an alternative cost to the attack penalties. I haven’t worked anything out yet but I like the idea that the character is tying their fate into that of the item. Any thoughts, comments, or guidance is appreciated.
Thomar_of_Uointer 01-30-07, 04:15 PM	Mmm... Actually sounds pretty good. Yes, you should make the loss of AP permanent, though 2 AP doesn't quite sound like too much to give up for this purpose... I would say you can simply do without AP starting at level 5, reducing your Level Adjustment by 1 per 5 class levels. It should work because AP scale and become more important at higher levels. Still, remember that there's a feat in the ECS that gives you 3 extra AP per level, +1 LA is worth much more than a feat.
kilamanjaro 01-31-07, 09:55 AM	That's true. What if it was that you gain no AP for racial HD and your first LA removed costs 4AP permanetly. Each additional LA removed costs what you just paid +1 AP. So to remove a LA of +2 would cost a total of 9 AP. That will put some of the better racial abilities of creatures out of reach until the character reaches higher levels.
kadeity 01-31-07, 12:38 PM	i dont really see it as a good idea. AP are a temporary benifit, while LA is a permenant drawback. It just doesnt work out.
kilamanjaro 01-31-07, 05:46 PM	Except that permanently having fewer APs is a permanent drawback.
Thomar_of_Uointer 01-31-07, 05:59 PM	i dont really see it as a good idea. AP are a temporary benifit, while LA is a permenant drawback. It just doesnt work out. The whole point is that you reduce the number of AP you get per level forever, or pay the AP each time you gain a level after getting your AP. It's a permanent drawback.