Homebrew Races Favored Classes - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Homebrew Races Favored Classes

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
MechaPilot
Feb 06, 2010 23:35:53
I was looking through the PHB and noticed that the favored classes for the existing races don't always correspond to classes where both of the race's attribute bonuses are in key abilities for that class. I found this confusing and was wondering if I could get some clarification from more experienced homebrewers about what makes a class a favored class for a given race in 4e.
#2
pluisjen
Feb 08, 2010 10:03:43 Fluff, mostly.
#3
ekio
Feb 08, 2010 10:13:43 Yeah. Occasionally, there's some correlation between racial stat bonuses and class primaries and secondaries. But I think its coincidence more often than not.
#4
MechaPilot
Feb 08, 2010 21:59:45 Really?  I thought that it would be something more substantial than that. I know that most of the races have at least 2 of their favored classes as classes whose key attributes include both of the attributes a race gets their bonuses in. It certainly makes sense that they would be better at a class if they get a +2 to two of the class' key attributes. Some of the favored classes include just one of the racially enhanced attributes as key attributes, so I thought there might be another factor that I was overlooking. Skill bonuses, racial powers, etc.; but it wasn't obvious enough that it just smacked me in the face.

If anyone can clue us in about other factors, I know I'd be eager to hear the answer.
#5
Qube
Feb 09, 2010 3:38:45 not having my PHB here, could you give an example?

top of my head: for fighters:
- dragonborn gets only 1 attribute but gets dragonbreath (which becomes area-marking).
- dwarves make superb fighters (wis is primairy, con is secondairy, second wind as minor, etc)
#6
MechaPilot
Feb 09, 2010 22:03:46
not having my PHB here, could you give an example?

top of my head: for fighters:
- dragonborn gets only 1 attribute but gets dragonbreath (which becomes area-marking).
- dwarves make superb fighters (wis is primairy, con is secondairy, second wind as minor, etc)

Here's the fullest list I can compile, using only the PHB 1&2.

  Dwarves (+2 Con & Wis) list Paladin (Str, Cha, Wis) as a favored class.
  Eladrin (+2 Dex & Int) list Rogue (Str, Dex, Cha) & Warlord (Str, Int, Cha) as favored classes.
  Elves (+2 Dex & Wis) list Cleric (Str, Wis, Cha) & Rogue (Str, Dex, Cha) as favored classes.
Half-Elves (+2 Con & Cha) list Warlord (Str, Int, Cha) & Paladin (Str, Cha, Wis) as favored classes.
  Halflings (+2 Dex & Cha) list Ranger (Str, Dex, Wis) and Warlock (Con, Int, Cha) as favored classes.
Tieflings (+2 Int & Cha) list Rogue (Str, Dex, Cha) as a favored class.
  Devas (+2 Int & Wis) list Cleric (Str, Wis, Cha) as a favored class.
Gnomes (+2 Int & Cha) list Sorcerer (Str, Dex, Cha) & Wizard (Dex, Int, Wis) as favored classes.
  Half-orcs (+2 Str & Dex) list Barbarian (Str, Con, Cha) as a favored class.
#7
Janx_14
Feb 09, 2010 22:28:00 There is actually a Strength & Dex barbarian type now, so the half-orc is covered.

Still, having 1 atribute in common with a class is still better than none. Also note that most races list 3 or so classes they are good at, its hard to have classes that all make thematic sense be perfectly matched up.

I think the dwarf is a good example. I believe they favour the Fighter (two secondaries), Paladin (the secondary), and Cleric (attack stat of 2 builds, and arguably secondary of the other).

If they made dwarves Strength/Con, they would lose alot of support as clerics and be only good at the arguably weaker paladin build.

Sure, they could make dwarves Strength/Wis, but the defining feature of dwarves is their endurance, not having a bonus to Con would be silly.
#8
MechaPilot
Feb 09, 2010 23:05:35
There is actually a Strength & Dex barbarian type now, so the half-orc is covered.

Still, having 1 atribute in common with a class is still better than none. Also note that most races list 3 or so classes they are good at, its hard to have classes that all make thematic sense be perfectly matched up.

I agree with you there. I was just wondering if there was a separate cirtera for what makes a class a race's favored class when that race doesn't have both of its attribute bonuses in that class' key abilities.
#9
pluisjen
Feb 10, 2010 4:33:27 They usually start with the Fluff to determine the favored class, and then add some racial feats to make those characters better for those classes if the racial bonusses aren't good enough.
#10
MechaPilot
Feb 10, 2010 14:38:40
They usually start with the Fluff to determine the favored class, and then add some racial feats to make those characters better for those classes if the racial bonusses aren't good enough.

I had completely forgotten about racial feats. I'll have to peruse those and compare them to the favored classes again. TY for the input.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 MechaPilot Feb 06, 2010 23:35:53	I was looking through the PHB and noticed that the favored classes for the existing races don't always correspond to classes where both of the race's attribute bonuses are in key abilities for that class. I found this confusing and was wondering if I could get some clarification from more experienced homebrewers about what makes a class a favored class for a given race in 4e.
#2 pluisjen Feb 08, 2010 10:03:43	Fluff, mostly.
#3 ekio Feb 08, 2010 10:13:43	Yeah. Occasionally, there's some correlation between racial stat bonuses and class primaries and secondaries. But I think its coincidence more often than not.
#4 MechaPilot Feb 08, 2010 21:59:45	Really? I thought that it would be something more substantial than that. I know that most of the races have at least 2 of their favored classes as classes whose key attributes include both of the attributes a race gets their bonuses in. It certainly makes sense that they would be better at a class if they get a +2 to two of the class' key attributes. Some of the favored classes include just one of the racially enhanced attributes as key attributes, so I thought there might be another factor that I was overlooking. Skill bonuses, racial powers, etc.; but it wasn't obvious enough that it just smacked me in the face. If anyone can clue us in about other factors, I know I'd be eager to hear the answer.
#5 Qube Feb 09, 2010 3:38:45	not having my PHB here, could you give an example? top of my head: for fighters: - dragonborn gets only 1 attribute but gets dragonbreath (which becomes area-marking). - dwarves make superb fighters (wis is primairy, con is secondairy, second wind as minor, etc)
#6 MechaPilot Feb 09, 2010 22:03:46	not having my PHB here, could you give an example? top of my head: for fighters: - dragonborn gets only 1 attribute but gets dragonbreath (which becomes area-marking). - dwarves make superb fighters (wis is primairy, con is secondairy, second wind as minor, etc) Here's the fullest list I can compile, using only the PHB 1&2. Dwarves (+2 Con & Wis) list Paladin (Str, Cha, Wis) as a favored class. Eladrin (+2 Dex & Int) list Rogue (Str, Dex, Cha) & Warlord (Str, Int, Cha) as favored classes. Elves (+2 Dex & Wis) list Cleric (Str, Wis, Cha) & Rogue (Str, Dex, Cha) as favored classes. Half-Elves (+2 Con & Cha) list Warlord (Str, Int, Cha) & Paladin (Str, Cha, Wis) as favored classes. Halflings (+2 Dex & Cha) list Ranger (Str, Dex, Wis) and Warlock (Con, Int, Cha) as favored classes. Tieflings (+2 Int & Cha) list Rogue (Str, Dex, Cha) as a favored class. Devas (+2 Int & Wis) list Cleric (Str, Wis, Cha) as a favored class. Gnomes (+2 Int & Cha) list Sorcerer (Str, Dex, Cha) & Wizard (Dex, Int, Wis) as favored classes. Half-orcs (+2 Str & Dex) list Barbarian (Str, Con, Cha) as a favored class.
#7 Janx_14 Feb 09, 2010 22:28:00	There is actually a Strength & Dex barbarian type now, so the half-orc is covered. Still, having 1 atribute in common with a class is still better than none. Also note that most races list 3 or so classes they are good at, its hard to have classes that all make thematic sense be perfectly matched up. I think the dwarf is a good example. I believe they favour the Fighter (two secondaries), Paladin (the secondary), and Cleric (attack stat of 2 builds, and arguably secondary of the other). If they made dwarves Strength/Con, they would lose alot of support as clerics and be only good at the arguably weaker paladin build. Sure, they could make dwarves Strength/Wis, but the defining feature of dwarves is their endurance, not having a bonus to Con would be silly.
#8 MechaPilot Feb 09, 2010 23:05:35	There is actually a Strength & Dex barbarian type now, so the half-orc is covered. Still, having 1 atribute in common with a class is still better than none. Also note that most races list 3 or so classes they are good at, its hard to have classes that all make thematic sense be perfectly matched up. I agree with you there. I was just wondering if there was a separate cirtera for what makes a class a race's favored class when that race doesn't have both of its attribute bonuses in that class' key abilities.
#9 pluisjen Feb 10, 2010 4:33:27	They usually start with the Fluff to determine the favored class, and then add some racial feats to make those characters better for those classes if the racial bonusses aren't good enough.
#10 MechaPilot Feb 10, 2010 14:38:40	They usually start with the Fluff to determine the favored class, and then add some racial feats to make those characters better for those classes if the racial bonusses aren't good enough. I had completely forgotten about racial feats. I'll have to peruse those and compare them to the favored classes again. TY for the input.