I was wondering what people thought about applying this concept to Dragonlance races, and what sort of nifty idea you guys may have.
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
In Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed, he provides 3-level racial classes, which allow each race to develop further. Recently, Monte posted a PDF on his site which detailed how to do this with the PHB races.
I was wondering what people thought about applying this concept to Dragonlance races, and what sort of nifty idea you guys may have.
I don't like it. But that's because I never liked the idea of "monster" class levels as detailed in Savage Species . ;)
Personally, I'm not all that keen on the idea and think it's something of a hybrid of Savage Species equally unweildy "monster classes" and d20 Modern's base classes, but I'm sure some folks are really jonesing to take levels in Human so they can play a 3rd-level human human.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Cam Banks
I'm sure some folks are really jonesing to take levels in Human so they can play a 3rd-level human human.
"D&D: More Human than Human."
I mean, let's take an NPC Commoner class to multiclass with as a test case. How is it different from a Human 3/Commoner 5 to a Human 1/Commoner 5?
Minotaur Class
I may do some more, just for fun.
Originally posted by Ranger REG
As I do not own Savage Species nor Arcana Unearthed (yet), what is racial level and why do we need it (the purpose)?
Racial Level is the mechanic where a human, elf, whatnot can gain levels in the Human class, Elf class, etc. As far as the standard races are concerned you can take up to 3 levels in your own racial class, getting benefits that one would associate with that race.
e.g. If you're an elf and take one level in the "elf" class, you get a d8 HD, skill points of 2 + Int modifier, various class skills, spot and search racial bonuses increase to +4, racial saves against enchantment increase by 2.
Thus you become and elf's elf. There's actually a free download on Montecook.com that details all this.
Monster Class Levels are an option from Savage Species where a monster that is otherwise unplayable as a 1st level character in a 1st level party is made playable.
e.g. Minotaurs have an ECL of 8 (6 HD and +2 level adjustment). So if you had a 9th level party, you could come in as a Minotaur with 1 level of a class, like Barbarian. But with the option you have instead a "Minotaur" class that has 8 levels. A 1st level "Minotaur" has only some of the abilities of a standard minotaur. What happens is that the more levels of "Minotaur" he takes, the more abilities of the standard minotaur he gets. Eventually (by lvl 8 "Minotaur"), you're exactly like the minotaur in the Monster Manual. This way you can be a minotaur in a 1st level party without overbalancing things.
Wha...???
Sorry, bro. I still don't understand the difference between a 1st-level human and a 3rd-level human. I mean can I tell a difference when I see them in real life or at least from my PC's POV and not just mechanic- and stat-wise?
I mean is the 3rd-level human an advanced human? What does he do to spend his time earning XP when he does not even have a profession (i.e., class)?
For now, it's way past my bed time. I need my beauty rest!
Kender Class
I just realized what these racial class levels reminded me of - OD&D (aka basic D&D). Back in those days, sometimes you just played an elf (no class attached).
I might try to work up some more of these, if anyone is interested.
Wha...???
Sorry, bro. I still don't understand the difference between a 1st-level human and a 3rd-level human. I mean can I tell a difference when I see them in real life or at least from my PC's POV and not just mechanic- and stat-wise?
I mean is the 3rd-level human an advanced human? What does he do to spend his time earning XP when he does not even have a profession (i.e., class)?
It's the concept of a character's race advancing. So, instead of having your basic elf, you can have elves that choose to enhance their heritage, perhaps calling upon their faerie ancestry and making it more prevalent.
They might gain extra ability modifiers, or spell-like abilities (ie. faerie fire, charm person, etc.).
It's kind of a cool concept....
Banshee
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
In Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed, he provides 3-level racial classes, which allow each race to develop further. Recently, Monte posted a PDF on his site which detailed how to do this with the PHB races.
I was wondering what people thought about applying this concept to Dragonlance races, and what sort of nifty idea you guys may have.
I think that might be cool, depending on how it's done. I don't quite like the minotaur as an ECL +0 race...personally I figure they should have been an EL +X race....maybe a little toned down from the Monster Manual minotaurs. This would be one way to deal with it.
The Planescape conversion team did something similar with the Bariaur, using the new one from Manual of the Planes, which is an entirely different animal from the one in Planescape 2nd Ed.
I think a racial progression for Irda might be cool. Remember the old 2nd Ed. monstrous compendium for Dragonlance? The Irda used to have Changer Adepts and Changer Savants, who improved on thei shapechanging powers. I suppose this could be done with the Shifter prestige class though.....since they have the shapechange ability as a natural ability, I guess they can take that PrC pretty soon after starting...
Banshee
Originally posted by talinthas
just go here and read the pdf. it will explain it all.
I downloaded it a long time ago. Read it, and so far, I see no real purpose for them, other than game balance.
Even I find nothing useful for the racial levels of standard PC races, even for the purpose of game balance.
You guys still want to try to explain to me? Exactly what is appealing about them? Dragonhelm, since you're on this high-octane acid trip on making DL racial levels, what is so attractive about them?