Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JadeSpider9643 04-01-05, 11:14 PM	FIX THE SEARCH FUNCTION!!! So can I get the quick list of exactly what ECL affects? My list: XP for next level Skill MAX Ranks Challenge level of encounters XP for encounters level of treasure found NOT on my list: Natural feat acquisition every 3rd level ability score increases every 4th level class features, BABs, and save progressions actual skill points Things I don't know if they belong: Starting gold Player level (with 2 PC levels and +3 LA, do you CALL yourself level 2 or level 5?)
Torack 04-02-05, 07:31 AM	The feat acquisition does belong on the ECL list. So does starting equipment. As for the Player level. A level 2 human rogue is the same as a level 2 Troll rogue. It's just that their ECL's different. Mind you I used the Savage Species for this and I'm not sure how up to date it still is...
Nom 04-02-05, 07:59 AM	So can I get the quick list of exactly what ECL affects?It's very simple. ECL / LA only affects metagame mechanics such as XP awards, character level, character wealth by level, and encounter balancing. It also comes into play with leadership and cohorts, but the rules there are a little messy. Anything that has to do with actual character modelling is based on HD. BAB, saves, skills, feats, hp, HD (the list goes on) is based on character level. A level 2 tiefling fighter is a level 2 fighter for any in-game mechanic. However, he is treated as a level 3 character for XP awards, levelling, and general game balance. Think of an LA as a metagame handicap to character level and you'll usually get it right. For explanation, I'll go through your list point by point and list whether it uses character level / HD (HD) or effective character level (ECL). XP for next level: ECL Skill MAX Ranks: HD Challenge level of encounters: ECL XP for encounters: ECL level of treasure found: function of encounter level, but character wealth by level is ECL. Natural feat acquisition every 3rd level, ability score increases every 4th level: HD class features, BABs, and save progressions, actual skill points: class level, which ultimately is gathered up into HD Starting gold: The PH rules are for brand new LA +0 characters. The "character wealth by level" guidelines in the DMG are ECL. Player level (with 2 PC levels and +3 LA, do you CALL yourself level 2 or level 5?): It depends on whether you're asking about CL or ECL. ;) In-game, a character would rarely describe him/herself in any of the above terms. Translated into the metagame, you should know whether you're asking for the character's level (HD) or effective character level. One you didn't ask about: if it says 'level' in the rulebooks, assume it means character level unless it explicitly says otherwise (either in the text or on DMG pg 172). Side point: A LA+0 character with 0 XP is level 1. A LA+1 (or more) character with 0 XP is technically illegal (or dead, as if level drained), but you might choose to allow it with the understanding that the character is currently level 1 / ECL 2 and will remain so until it acquires 3000 XP and can become level 2 / ECL 3.