Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sunchilde 05-02-07, 03:17 AM	My one player would like to have a character that is playing a race with a -1 level adjustment. This would constitute her being, for example, an 11th level monk with an ECL of 10. How would one make this balanced? I was considering making it a 'backwards' level adjust +1 race. However I considered that a +0 level adjust race (human) gets bonuses (one feat and +1 skillpoint + flexible class levels) so they would be more like a -0 level adjust race in terms of flaws. So I was thinking - how about something along the lines of -2 Intelligence -2 charisma along with a bunch of racial +2 to this -2 to that for flavour without affecting the end power. However - I am not sure if this is overly penalizing the player or benefitting them overly much? Comments and ideas please? Bare in mind - this is not an intensely balanced party, so no replies of - "OMFG THIS IS DUMBTARDEDNESS!!!!!1ONE11" and strive for the MOST balanced way of doing this - there might not be a perfectly balanced way =p The race is a race that is somewhat feral, hence the -2 int and cha, and somewhat undeveloped. However -they because of them recently discovering the world of the other races, they strive harder to be their equal - hence bonus class levels. (beyond the usual - they learn faster because the challenges are more challenging etc) so to summarize - show me your -1 level adjust race ideas!!
adgramaine 05-02-07, 04:04 AM	Please direct your attention to page 120 and 121 of a copy of Savage Species. Within these pages, you'll find the Incarnate Construct template... complete with a -2... yes, that's a negative two, Level Adjustment! *ahem* But more to what I think is your point... A -1 LA, IMO could be no starting Feat for 1st level, and a -2 penalty to any two skills. If I were to create a race around this concept, I think it would best be reflected in cultures that perpetuate a single concept... like a race of spell casters who study magic to the exclusion of all else, or the barbarian xenophobes of the desert. Obviously, the skills penalized would be those like Diplomacy and Sense Motive. Heck, I might even increase the skill penalty to a -4. I mean, it is an extra level... and an extra level in the wrong player's hands can throw a game quick....
Sunchilde 05-02-07, 04:36 AM	Hmmm well I see that idea failing in one way. Human. Bonus feat - and extra skill points. Even at minus 4 - at level 8 the entire thing is negated and you have spent a feat buying an entire extra level . . . But I am busy looking up the template you said . . . Warforged . . . .hmmmm
Sunchilde 05-02-07, 04:40 AM	Hmmm sounds a tad broken if you apply it to a warforged. They effectively get 2 levels for . . . losing their slam attacks? I don't really see any other penalty . . . losing access to the warforged feats? Nothing crazy . . .but basically sounds like doom to me. Am I interpreting it wrong? (it is 3.40 AM =p )
trapspringer 05-02-07, 11:45 AM	And the source material is 3.40. The reason for the negative level adjustment is that the template in question must be applied to a construct (which will have a fairly stellar level adjustment). Your actually going to wind up trading away construct traits, a bunch of neat abilities, and so forth. Anyway, OP, you've already spotted that a +0 LA race gets a bunch of neat gizmos and gadgets (hell, look at elves; freebie martial proficiencies, stat boost of your choice, immunity to the first Save VS. Death spell, skill bonuses, and secret door sniffing). Obviously a negative level adjustment should be a significant decrease from this because you are in essence trading these things for a level. The potential for broken is there. I would advise against any positive ability modifiers becuase that will make the thing good at something (and if that something is casting, you've found your new default caster race). Kobolds are a good guideline for a -1 LA race, if maybe a touch to powerful for that.
Sunchilde 05-02-07, 06:49 PM	Well Kobolds are a 0 level adjust . . . probably would be as significant an adjustment as any of the other races (well maybe not - but kobolds are just kinda weird methinks) So this is mostly for bump purposes because I still kinda feel that the template doesn't work and the Kobold suggestion was constructive - but not complete. Any more ideas?
Sunchilde 05-04-07, 03:47 PM	So I have been thinking about the distance from a +0 level adjust to a +1 and came up with the following stats for my -1 level adjust race, critique and fixes for balance please? medium 30 ft -2 charisma -2 spot, listen & survival Favoured class: monk Remember - this is based off human - except that instead of +1 feat and +1 skill points, flexible favoured class and the prestige of being human - they get these negatives and an extra class level. Bare in mind - this does not allow casters to reach a caster level above the ECL. Also - for the purpose of entering prestige classes - treat the character as having a BAB of one lower. I think it works - critique please
Drachasor 05-04-07, 06:34 PM	Well Kobolds are a 0 level adjust . . . probably would be as significant an adjustment as any of the other races (well maybe not - but kobolds are just kinda weird methinks) So this is mostly for bump purposes because I still kinda feel that the template doesn't work and the Kobold suggestion was constructive - but not complete. Any more ideas? Going by the web enhancement for Kobolds (from Races of the Dragon), I say you do the following. Race: Just like a human, but no bonus skill points. Favored Class: Monk If you have ToB, then I say make it favored class Swordsage (with the monk-like change listed under Adaptions), we'll call it a Fistsage Grant them a ritual that lets them treat their monk/Fistsage level as one higher for purposes of class abilities (but not BAB, saving throws, skill points, or hit points). If you go with a Fistsage, you might want to make them a bit weaker. Consider a -2 penalty to intelligence. -Drachasor