how does La apply? [Archive] - Wizards Community

how does La apply? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Exooki
07-29-06, 01:48 PM ok i guess i dont get la because yesterday my dm told me i need to fix my pc because his level is off. we are a level 12 group right now. i am a vampire(+8 la) human who is a level 4 cleric. that is right isnt it? 8 la and 4 character levels = 12? he said sometihng like no once u hit 8 levels of exp then u have gotten rid of your la and now you start from 0 exp at level 1. i thought i was right. can someone please explain to me how la works exactly? it would be much appreciated.
kelvinaw273
07-29-06, 02:05 PM Vampire PCs may have some powers, but Ouch, the LA ... expecially as a spellcaster!

Yes, you are correct. LA (+8) plus class levels = ECL or Effective Character Level. SO you are a 4th level cleric with the Vampire template, giving you 4d12 hit dice (puny hit points), quite a few powers and limitations, good stats and a few spells.

Just between us, I think you are insane for taking this choice unless all other characters are similarly nerfed.
Kradlo
07-29-06, 02:42 PM Your Effective Character Level is equal to your racial hit dice (none) + your Level Adjustment (+8) + your character class levels (Cleric 4). You are correct, you're ECL 12. That means that you are treated as a 12th level character for purposes of gaining experience points, and for rising in level.

It's the tradeoff for gaining Str +6, Dex +4, Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +4, and a host of other abilities. As pointed out, you'll have 4d12 for hit dice, and will gain 1d12 hit points per level gained (you have no Con score). You're treated as a 4 HD creature for all spell effects and the like. You've got to be evil (MM pg 253), you'll rebuke undead rather than turn them, and you have access to two of the following domains: Chaos, Destruction, Evil, or Trickery.

This is an unusual choice for a PC to take. It's going to be interesting, that's for sure.

Are your fellow PCs similarly unusual?
pres_man
07-29-06, 03:01 PM Actually you'd have to be a vampire spawn and not a vampire.
If the vampire instead drains the victim’s Constitution to 0 or lower, the victim returns as a spawn if it had 4 or less HD and as a vampire if it had 5 or more HD.
1337Ninja
07-29-06, 05:20 PM Technically, nowhere does it say that you can't apply the vampire template to a creature with 4 or less HD. Maybe the character was born a vampire? (There has to be some way for vampires to have existed in the first place)
Anyway, I reccomend aiming for master vampire (librid mortis). Being so far behind in level means that you will have your ass handed to you by any threat whatsoever. However, if you create spawn to fight for you, you can contribute to the party. Master vampire lets you create more spawn and stronger spawn.
I echo the comments of others on your choice of class. Your spellcasting abilities won't do anything unless you're going to be a buffing maniac, and even then you'd be better off as, say, a transmuter with vow of peace (book of exalted deeds).
If you only have access to core material (which seems likely, as it sounds like your group is just starting), a transmuter or rogue would be best. Again, you're going to be hopelessly outmatched on the front line, but if you can ensure your allies will win for you, or don't get hit in the first place thanks to a ridiculous hide (and your awesome shapshifting ability, gaseous form FTW!), you're safe.
Overall, bravo for trying out a vampire PC. Hope it works out!
Exooki
07-29-06, 06:01 PM yes it is interesting. actually my pc faitrs very well in our campaign. i have 28 ac (highest in group) very high ability scores and fats healing 5 along wit Da 10/magic and silver helps me. it actually isnt my character but another one. one of the pcs in our group is a dragon. we are level 12 and i dont think he is doing la correctly with HIS character. i was jsut checking to amke sure my pc is correct befroe i tell him hes doing it wrong. as a young dragon he has +3 La, with 14 Hd which makes 17 we are only 12 ecl. so how exactly does exp work for him? am i correct in saying he needs 17 levels of exp before he can even become level 1?
1337Ninja
07-29-06, 06:30 PM You are correct. That character is ECL 17, which is 5 more levels than anyone else.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Exooki 07-29-06, 01:48 PM	ok i guess i dont get la because yesterday my dm told me i need to fix my pc because his level is off. we are a level 12 group right now. i am a vampire(+8 la) human who is a level 4 cleric. that is right isnt it? 8 la and 4 character levels = 12? he said sometihng like no once u hit 8 levels of exp then u have gotten rid of your la and now you start from 0 exp at level 1. i thought i was right. can someone please explain to me how la works exactly? it would be much appreciated.
kelvinaw273 07-29-06, 02:05 PM	Vampire PCs may have some powers, but Ouch, the LA ... expecially as a spellcaster! Yes, you are correct. LA (+8) plus class levels = ECL or Effective Character Level. SO you are a 4th level cleric with the Vampire template, giving you 4d12 hit dice (puny hit points), quite a few powers and limitations, good stats and a few spells. Just between us, I think you are insane for taking this choice unless all other characters are similarly nerfed.
Kradlo 07-29-06, 02:42 PM	Your Effective Character Level is equal to your racial hit dice (none) + your Level Adjustment (+8) + your character class levels (Cleric 4). You are correct, you're ECL 12. That means that you are treated as a 12th level character for purposes of gaining experience points, and for rising in level. It's the tradeoff for gaining Str +6, Dex +4, Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +4, and a host of other abilities. As pointed out, you'll have 4d12 for hit dice, and will gain 1d12 hit points per level gained (you have no Con score). You're treated as a 4 HD creature for all spell effects and the like. You've got to be evil (MM pg 253), you'll rebuke undead rather than turn them, and you have access to two of the following domains: Chaos, Destruction, Evil, or Trickery. This is an unusual choice for a PC to take. It's going to be interesting, that's for sure. Are your fellow PCs similarly unusual?
pres_man 07-29-06, 03:01 PM	Actually you'd have to be a vampire spawn and not a vampire. If the vampire instead drains the victim’s Constitution to 0 or lower, the victim returns as a spawn if it had 4 or less HD and as a vampire if it had 5 or more HD.
1337Ninja 07-29-06, 05:20 PM	Technically, nowhere does it say that you can't apply the vampire template to a creature with 4 or less HD. Maybe the character was born a vampire? (There has to be some way for vampires to have existed in the first place) Anyway, I reccomend aiming for master vampire (librid mortis). Being so far behind in level means that you will have your ass handed to you by any threat whatsoever. However, if you create spawn to fight for you, you can contribute to the party. Master vampire lets you create more spawn and stronger spawn. I echo the comments of others on your choice of class. Your spellcasting abilities won't do anything unless you're going to be a buffing maniac, and even then you'd be better off as, say, a transmuter with vow of peace (book of exalted deeds). If you only have access to core material (which seems likely, as it sounds like your group is just starting), a transmuter or rogue would be best. Again, you're going to be hopelessly outmatched on the front line, but if you can ensure your allies will win for you, or don't get hit in the first place thanks to a ridiculous hide (and your awesome shapshifting ability, gaseous form FTW!), you're safe. Overall, bravo for trying out a vampire PC. Hope it works out!
Exooki 07-29-06, 06:01 PM	yes it is interesting. actually my pc faitrs very well in our campaign. i have 28 ac (highest in group) very high ability scores and fats healing 5 along wit Da 10/magic and silver helps me. it actually isnt my character but another one. one of the pcs in our group is a dragon. we are level 12 and i dont think he is doing la correctly with HIS character. i was jsut checking to amke sure my pc is correct befroe i tell him hes doing it wrong. as a young dragon he has +3 La, with 14 Hd which makes 17 we are only 12 ecl. so how exactly does exp work for him? am i correct in saying he needs 17 levels of exp before he can even become level 1?
1337Ninja 07-29-06, 06:30 PM	You are correct. That character is ECL 17, which is 5 more levels than anyone else.