New racial classes
by Antonio EleuteriOne of the reasons I like BECMI is because of the simplicity of the game system. The other reason is for racial classes. Beside being an easy option, I like that choosing a race/class has an impact on the game from day 1, whether the game just lasts a few sessions or it becomes a full campaign; quite different from what happens in AD&D for example, where the balance between races and classes is meaningful more on the long term.
Preamble aside, I also like having some more options to offer my players, but always in the basic BECMI framework (i.e. racial classes, balanced from the start). So, I set out to creating three additional racial classes; one for elves which mimics the Halfling and Dwarf "fighters" (which also appeared in the Hollow World boxed set, though it was limited to 10th level); and two for halflings and dwarfs to mimic the standard Elf "fighter/magic-user". For the latter two, I chose the Thief for halflings, and the Cleric for dwarfs (but mine is different from the one in GAZ6).
In all three cases I also calculated new XP and Saving Throw tables by reverse-engineering the existing classes.
I am still not sure about which names to give these classes. I am tempted to rename the standard Elf, and use the name "Elf" for the new fighter-type (and level names).
So I need new names for the new halflings and dwarfs, and the "old" Elf. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome!
Elf
Prime Requisite: Strength. Other Requirements: Intelligence 9 or better.
Experience Bonus: 5% for Strength 13-15, 10% for Strength 16-18.
Hit Dice: 1d6 per level up to 9th level. 10th level, + 2 hit points, and Constitution adjustment does not apply.
Maximum Level: 10.
Armor: All; shields permitted.
Weapons: Any.
Special Abilities: Fighter Maneuvers (Lance Attack, Set Spear vs. Charge; at
600,000 XP: Combat Options for Fighters, two attacks possible; three attacks at 2,000,000); half damage from dragon breath at 1,200,000 XP, or one-quarter damage if the saving throw is successful; infravision; extra languages (elf, gnoll, hobgoblin, orc); 1 in 3 chance to detect secret and hidden doors; immunity to ghoul paralysis.
| Table 1: | saving throws | |||
| Saves | 1-3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | 10+ |
| DR/P | 12 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| MW | 13 | 10 | 7 | 4 |
| P/TS | 14 | 11 | 8 | 5 |
| BW | 15 | 11 | 7 | 3 |
| R/S/S | 16 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| Level | XP |
| 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 2000 |
| 3 | 4000 |
| 4 | 8000 |
| 5 | 16000 |
| 6 | 32000 |
| 7 | 64000 |
| 8 | 120000 |
| 9 | 240000 |
| 10 | 360000 |
| D* | 600000 |
| E | 800000 |
| F | 1000000 |
| G** | 1200000 |
| H | 1400000 |
| I | 1600000 |
| J | 1800000 |
| K^ | 2000000 |
| L | 2200000 |
| M | 2400000 |
* Gain the Fighter Combat Options. Two attacks per round possible at this level.
** Automatically takes half damage from any breath weapon.
^ Three attacks per round possible at this level.
Halfling ? (Fighter-Thief)
Prime Requisites: Strength and Dexterity. Other Requirements: Constitution 9 or better, Dexterity 9 or better.
Experience Bonus: 5% for Strength 13-15 and Dexterity 13-15, 10% for Strength 13-18 and Dexterity 16-18.
Hit Dice: 1d6 per level up to 8th level.
Maximum Level: 8.
Armor: All; shields permitted.
Weapons: Any (size limitations).
Special Abilities: Fighter Maneuvers (Lance Attack, Set Spear vs. Charge; at
1,050,000 XP: Combat Options for Fighters, two attacks possible; three attacks at 3,500,000); half damage from any damage-causing spell or spell-like effect at 350,000 XP, or one-quarter damage if the saving throw is successful; half damage from dragon breath at 2,450,000 XP, or one-quarter damage if the saving throw is successful; Backstabbing (as Thief); Read Languages (as Thief, 75% chance); Combat bonuses (as Halfling); Woodland Abilities (as Halfling).
| Table 2: | saving throws | ||
| Saves | 1-3 | 4-6 | 7-8 |
| DR/P | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| MW | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| P/TS | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| BW | 13 | 9 | 5 |
| R/S/S | 11 | 7 | 3 |
| Level | XP |
| 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 2400 |
| 3 | 4800 |
| 4~ | 9600 |
| 5 | 20000 |
| 6 | 40000 |
| 7 | 80000 |
| 8 | 160000 |
| B* | 350000 |
| C | 700000 |
| D** | 1050000 |
| E | 1400000 |
| F | 1750000 |
| G | 2100000 |
| H^ | 2450000 |
| I | 2800000 |
| J | 3150000 |
| K^^ | 3500000 |
~ Read Languages (75% chance)
* Automatically takes half damage from any damage-causing spell or spell-like effect.
** Gain the Fighter Combat Options. Two attacks per round possible at this level.
^ Automatically takes half damage from any breath weapon.
^^ Three attacks per round possible at this level.
| Level | OL | FT | RT | CW | MS | PP | HN | HO | HI |
| 1 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 72 | 30 | 25 | 50 | 90 | 30 |
| 2 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 73 | 35 | 30 | 55 | 92 | 33 |
| 3 | 30 | 25 | 25 | 74 | 40 | 35 | 60 | 94 | 36 |
| 4 | 35 | 30 | 30 | 75 | 45 | 40 | 65 | 96 | 39 |
| 5 | 40 | 35 | 35 | 76 | 50 | 45 | 70 | 98 | 42 |
| 6 | 45 | 40 | 39 | 77 | 54 | 50 | 74 | 100 | 45 |
| 7 | 50 | 45 | 43 | 78 | 58 | 55 | 77 | 102 | 48 |
| 8 | 55 | 50 | 47 | 79 | 62 | 60 | 81 | 104 | 51 |