Homebrew Race Idea - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Homebrew Race Idea

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
rahashe
Apr 27, 2009 0:26:24 I know it's been done to death, but my players have been clamoring for a race of felines. Could you guys let me know what you think, balance-wise, about what I've come up with? Also, I'd love if anyone had anything better than "Cat-people." Like "Pantherborn," or something? Anyways, here goes:

Pantherborn
(Nightstalker: 5’6” – 6’0”) (Grassrunner: 5’4” – 5’10”) (Pridemane: 5’8” – 6’4”)
120 – 240 lbs.

Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity, +2 one other, depending on tribe
Size: Medium
Speed: 7 squares
Vision: Low-light

Languages: Common, one other
Skill Bonuses: +2 Athletics, +2 one other, depending on tribe

Cat-like Reflexes: Gain a racial +2 to Reflex defense. Also, once per encounter, you can re-roll an Acrobatics check to land on your feet. These effects do not apply while wearing heavy armor.

Retractable Claws: Damage die of unarmed attacks increases by one, and can be used for abilities that require a light blade.

Tribe options:
Nightstalker: +2 Intelligence, +2 Stealth. Vision becomes Darkvision.
Grassrunner: +2 Constitution, +2 Endurance. Speed increases to 8.
Pridemane: +2 Strength, +2 Intimidate. Gain Primal Roar encounter power.

Primal Roar
You let loose a primal roar, deafening your target and rooting it in place.
(Encounter) (Standard) (Fear) (Psychic)
Range 10, one creature
Strength, Constitution, or Charisma vs. Will
Hit: The target is deafened and immobilized (save ends).
Save: 1d6 + Str, Con. or Cha. psychic damage. (Damage increases to 2d6 at level 11, and 4d6 at level 21.)
#2
rahashe
Apr 27, 2009 0:29:28 I also came up with these feats:

Pantherborn:

• Claw sink: When you grab a target, and on each turn you sustain the grab, deal 1d4 damage to the target of the grab. When you miss with a grab, deal 1d8 damage.
• Sharp claws: Increase the damage die size of your unarmed attacks using your Retractable Claws by one. You can take this feat up to three times (1d8 the first time, 1d10 the second, and 1d12 the third).
• Feline Fury: Gain the Feline Fury encounter power.

Feline Fury
(Encounter) (Standard)
Make a melee basic attack. Shift 3, then repeat the attack against the same target.

Pantherborn Nightstalker:

• Stealthy Climber: Gain climb speed equal to your speed. You can also remain hidden while climbing. Normal stealth movement rules apply.

Pantherborn Grassrunner:

• Dash: Gain the Dash encounter power.

Dash
(Encounter) (Move)
Move 12. After the move, you are slowed (save ends).
Save: Your speed becomes 5 for the rest of the encounter.

Pantherborn Pridemane:

• Heavy paw: Your Retractable Claws count as a heavy blade, instead of a light blade.

Any thoughts?
#3
silent_stone
Apr 27, 2009 1:02:50 I, too, understand the appeal of the concept of cat-people, and we have dragon-people, and devil-people, and lizard-people, and...whatever-a-Genasi-is-supposed-to-be-people, so why not?

As far as balance, I'm afraid these seem a overpowered compared to the official races to me...especially the Pridemanes. With +2 Dex, +2 Str, +2 Intimidate, +2 Reflex, low-light vision, speed 7, re-roll an Acrobatics check as an encounter, deal 1d6 instead of 1d4 with unarmed attacks which can be considered light weapons for the purpose of powers...that package right there seems about right balance-wise, but then you tack on two encounter powers (Feline Fury and Primal Roar...which takes only a minor action), and then the Pridemane goes from being an interesting option to being far and away better than anything official.

If everyone in your group wants to play these races, there won't be much of a balance issue: everyone will be on the same level, more or less. If some people want to play official races, then this might prove too much.

Recommendation: dial these concepts back a notch or two, and turn the abilities you trim away into race-specific feats they can pick up later.
#4
rahashe
Apr 27, 2009 6:28:53 Thanks for the feedback. I sort of figured they were overpowered. Made Feline Fury a feat, instead of an encounter power. I also changed the Cat-like Reflexes to only apply in light armor (or no armor).
#5
rikiji
Apr 27, 2009 14:10:28 Razorclaw shifters are a very workable felinoid race. They aren't billed as cat-people, but in terms of fluff and abilities that's pretty much what they are. If nothing else, you might review them as a base-line.
#6
poseph
Apr 27, 2009 19:15:51 Rikiji brings up a good point, but if you want to continue with the Pantherborn, if would make these changes.

- Give Nightstalkers +2 Wisdom instead of +2 intelligence. This fits the silent hunter feel you seem to be going for slightly better, (+2 perception and all), and gives each race a bonus to two NADs, bringing up my next point.
- Remove the +2 bonus to reflex defense on Cat-like reflexes, and make the once per encounter benefit simply a +5 (or so) bonus on all acrobatics checks made to land on your feet when falling. This will reduce rolling, if only by a little bit. Also, don't remove this benefit for choosing heavy armor--players should be rewarded for building correctly, not punished for wanting to go in a certain direction with their character.

Everything else looks good from a quick glance, including the feats and the powers that go along with them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 rahashe Apr 27, 2009 0:26:24	I know it's been done to death, but my players have been clamoring for a race of felines. Could you guys let me know what you think, balance-wise, about what I've come up with? Also, I'd love if anyone had anything better than "Cat-people." Like "Pantherborn," or something? Anyways, here goes: Pantherborn (Nightstalker: 5’6” – 6’0”) (Grassrunner: 5’4” – 5’10”) (Pridemane: 5’8” – 6’4”) 120 – 240 lbs. Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity, +2 one other, depending on tribe Size: Medium Speed: 7 squares Vision: Low-light Languages: Common, one other Skill Bonuses: +2 Athletics, +2 one other, depending on tribe Cat-like Reflexes: Gain a racial +2 to Reflex defense. Also, once per encounter, you can re-roll an Acrobatics check to land on your feet. These effects do not apply while wearing heavy armor. Retractable Claws: Damage die of unarmed attacks increases by one, and can be used for abilities that require a light blade. Tribe options: Nightstalker: +2 Intelligence, +2 Stealth. Vision becomes Darkvision. Grassrunner: +2 Constitution, +2 Endurance. Speed increases to 8. Pridemane: +2 Strength, +2 Intimidate. Gain Primal Roar encounter power. Primal Roar You let loose a primal roar, deafening your target and rooting it in place. (Encounter) (Standard) (Fear) (Psychic) Range 10, one creature Strength, Constitution, or Charisma vs. Will Hit: The target is deafened and immobilized (save ends). Save: 1d6 + Str, Con. or Cha. psychic damage. (Damage increases to 2d6 at level 11, and 4d6 at level 21.)
#2 rahashe Apr 27, 2009 0:29:28	I also came up with these feats: Pantherborn: • Claw sink: When you grab a target, and on each turn you sustain the grab, deal 1d4 damage to the target of the grab. When you miss with a grab, deal 1d8 damage. • Sharp claws: Increase the damage die size of your unarmed attacks using your Retractable Claws by one. You can take this feat up to three times (1d8 the first time, 1d10 the second, and 1d12 the third). • Feline Fury: Gain the Feline Fury encounter power. Feline Fury (Encounter) (Standard) Make a melee basic attack. Shift 3, then repeat the attack against the same target. Pantherborn Nightstalker: • Stealthy Climber: Gain climb speed equal to your speed. You can also remain hidden while climbing. Normal stealth movement rules apply. Pantherborn Grassrunner: • Dash: Gain the Dash encounter power. Dash (Encounter) (Move) Move 12. After the move, you are slowed (save ends). Save: Your speed becomes 5 for the rest of the encounter. Pantherborn Pridemane: • Heavy paw: Your Retractable Claws count as a heavy blade, instead of a light blade. Any thoughts?
#3 silent_stone Apr 27, 2009 1:02:50	I, too, understand the appeal of the concept of cat-people, and we have dragon-people, and devil-people, and lizard-people, and...whatever-a-Genasi-is-supposed-to-be-people, so why not? As far as balance, I'm afraid these seem a overpowered compared to the official races to me...especially the Pridemanes. With +2 Dex, +2 Str, +2 Intimidate, +2 Reflex, low-light vision, speed 7, re-roll an Acrobatics check as an encounter, deal 1d6 instead of 1d4 with unarmed attacks which can be considered light weapons for the purpose of powers...that package right there seems about right balance-wise, but then you tack on two encounter powers (Feline Fury and Primal Roar...which takes only a minor action), and then the Pridemane goes from being an interesting option to being far and away better than anything official. If everyone in your group wants to play these races, there won't be much of a balance issue: everyone will be on the same level, more or less. If some people want to play official races, then this might prove too much. Recommendation: dial these concepts back a notch or two, and turn the abilities you trim away into race-specific feats they can pick up later.
#4 rahashe Apr 27, 2009 6:28:53	Thanks for the feedback. I sort of figured they were overpowered. Made Feline Fury a feat, instead of an encounter power. I also changed the Cat-like Reflexes to only apply in light armor (or no armor).
#5 rikiji Apr 27, 2009 14:10:28	Razorclaw shifters are a very workable felinoid race. They aren't billed as cat-people, but in terms of fluff and abilities that's pretty much what they are. If nothing else, you might review them as a base-line.
#6 poseph Apr 27, 2009 19:15:51	Rikiji brings up a good point, but if you want to continue with the Pantherborn, if would make these changes. - Give Nightstalkers +2 Wisdom instead of +2 intelligence. This fits the silent hunter feel you seem to be going for slightly better, (+2 perception and all), and gives each race a bonus to two NADs, bringing up my next point. - Remove the +2 bonus to reflex defense on Cat-like reflexes, and make the once per encounter benefit simply a +5 (or so) bonus on all acrobatics checks made to land on your feet when falling. This will reduce rolling, if only by a little bit. Also, don't remove this benefit for choosing heavy armor--players should be rewarded for building correctly, not punished for wanting to go in a certain direction with their character. Everything else looks good from a quick glance, including the feats and the powers that go along with them.