Post/Author/DateTime	Post
claypigeons 12-04-06, 05:27 PM	A friend of mine wants to try his hand at DM'ing. He wants the PCs in his game to be a little stronger than normal, because he plans to throw a lot of strong enemies at us. His idea is to "ignore" part of LA. This means that an LA+1 creature is treated as LA+0. This isnt a problem until you factor in the idea that not everyone is going to want to play a race with an LA. So, I have come here on his behalf to ask this: What can you give a "normal" character to compensate for the increases power of the ignored LA?
DFoster 12-04-06, 05:48 PM	The easiest way would be a slightly higher point buy, say 4-8 points more then the LA+1 character. If your rolling you might give them a +2 to a random, or chosen (either by the player or the DM) stat.
Sphere 12-04-06, 05:48 PM	A free level perhaps? I know, it sounds backwards. But take a look at a level of Paragon (race) from Unearthed Arcana. It might be a bit too powerful for what you have in mind though.
Sildatorak 12-04-06, 08:33 PM	Generally a +1 LA isn't actually worth the level, IMO. There are some +1 LA races that take full advantage of it, but most are simply +1 LA because of imbalanced ability scores. To make a +0 LA race +1 LA, I say simply give them +2 to a stat other than strength or dexterity and access to one of the +2/+2 skill feats. If they want +2 str or dex, then they don't get the feat.
Neratos 12-04-06, 08:37 PM	Honestly, i don't see a way for some +0 races to keep up. Half-Elf even with an extra feat and +2 to a stat, still won't be worth it. This is a dangerous thing your friend is doing.
Thubby 12-04-06, 08:46 PM	have thesse la critters use the normal 4d6 roll (if your using rolls) and everyone else gets 5d6. i dont know the statisticas on it, but IME it yield much higher results
Sildatorak 12-04-06, 10:35 PM	Honestly, i don't see a way for some +0 races to keep up. Half-Elf even with an extra feat and +2 to a stat, still won't be worth it. This is a dangerous thing your friend is doing. That's because half elves are practically an LA -.5 race. Their racials are extremely blowful unless you're building a diplomat. A human with +2 dex, extra skill points per level, a bonus feat of choice, and +2 on two skills looks pretty favorable compared to an aasimar.
Neratos 12-04-06, 11:13 PM	You make a good point, but such house rule will only make some races better, and others worse. It will make the differences even greater.
CharlieRock 12-05-06, 01:18 AM	Increased actual levels on par with the LA (but, then thats not ignoring the LA,is it).
Mitchell 12-05-06, 01:46 AM	It's all the same, really. Every race is being given a -1 to their LA, which is the same as giving them a +1 to their level. Giving LA 0 races a free level is the easiest thing to do. Otherwise, Sildatorak's suggestion seems like the most reasonable way of giving an LA 0 race an edge while still maintaining the nature of the race. I don't know that I would limit them strictly to a +2/+2 feat, but I wouldn't necessarily open up the whole list to them, either. Of course, you could just take a LA+1 race and join in the fun. Save whatever concept you had for a normal race for another time.
IdleAltruism 12-05-06, 01:51 AM	Why not just start everyone one level higher? He can throw more monster and not need to adjust anything.
green_yawgmoth 12-05-06, 05:38 AM	I vote for a free weak/intermediate bloodline from UA. Pretty fun, and about on par with most LA +1 races' abilities. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/yawgmoth/kittyjig.gif
Newpaintbrush 12-05-06, 06:01 AM	Really, if you have to hit a kobold with a 15 to kill it with a sword, the dice rolls aren't any different from if you have to hit a drow with a 15 to kill it with a +5 magical lawful good weapon. The only real difference is that your DM somehow can't tell stories involving kobolds or other weak monsters. If your DM wants to throw strong monsters at you, he or she SHOULD just let you guys start at 3rd or 4th level. Maybe 5th or 6th. Level adjustment is there for a GOOD reason. Let us say that you have a Duergar (dwarf) character. It has -4 Charisma, but compensates with IMMUNITY to paralysis, phatasms, and poison; it gets enlarge person and invisibility as a wizard twice the duergar's class level. It also has light sensitivity, which is not great. But in your DM's world, clearly the duergar should have killed almost all the regular mountain-dwelling dwarves already. They advance JUST as fast in levels as any other dwarf, the difference is that they have enlarge person, invisibility, and immunities to boot. Similarly, hobgoblins should have overrun the surface world, with +2 Dex +2 Con giving them far superior physical characteristics. Hobgoblin militia would be able to beat down human militia, on the face of things. The key to WHY those races do not overrun the surface is the +1 Level Adjustment.
Sildatorak 12-05-06, 08:25 AM	The key to WHY those races do not overrun the surface is the +1 Level Adjustment. I'm going to have to disagree with you there. LA is there to maintain game balance, but has no significant impact on NPC demographics.
pita 12-05-06, 08:35 AM	I also find it very strange and unrealistic that a Mind Flayer is going to find it harder to become a wizard than a kobold. I also find it very strange because it's a mind flayer, and that's strange enough. Can't he just make you start at a higher level?
CharlieRock 12-05-06, 09:19 AM	I also find it very strange because it's a mind flayer, and that's strange enough. :heehee
Frugal 12-05-06, 11:02 AM	Loathe as I am to suggest it, why not play gestalt? Make a +1 LA count against 1 "half" of the gestalt combo so a +0 character gets his 2 classes with gestalt while a +1 LA character gets just 1 (at first level). After that they all advance normally. Although I'm more inclined to ask what's wrong with the current power level that prevents him from throwing strong enemies at the party?