New to dark Sun and ECL system...HELP! - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

New to dark Sun and ECL system...HELP!

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Jun 04, 2004 12:40:13 I just started a Dark Sun campaign using the new rules in the recent magazines, and have some problems that hopefully someone can help me with...

All races have a level adjustment of 1 or more, and then thrikreen have 2HD. So, a starting Maenad lvl 1 Monk with 0 experience is has to earn enough XPs to reach 3rd level to become a 2nd lvl monk (lvl 2 class level + 1 LA = 3rd level). Correct? So how does that effect the rest of the experince point table, which also has feats and skill point limits, etc. I was thinking that you use class level for those items, but total character level for the experience. Is that correct?

Next, a starting thrikreen lvl 1 psi-warrior with 0 experience points has level adjust of +2 and 2 HD, for a total of 4, making him a ECL of 5. So it seems strange to me that before he gains anything for experience, he would need to get enough Xps to get to 6th level, if my assumptions are correct. Which sucks for him as the other characters pass him by as they advance.

Next question, does ECL effect CR? If they fight a 2nd level rouge elf, shouldn't it be a CR 3 rather than 2 because the level adjustment? The adventure in the Dungeon magazine does not adjust the CR for these encounters due to the race of the enemy. I guess the associated question is do you use the characters total level (ECL), or just class level for determining experience when looking at the total party level?

The main reason I bring these things up, other than it is confusing and not quite balanced, is that one of my players is really bent that his halfling counts as a 2nd level character, when he really gets hardly anything for it. Missive as a power, and a few stat bonuses. Compared to what some of the other races have, it doesn't really seem right to me either. Can anyone help me justify this to him, other than "deal with it or play a different race?" Is there something we are missing?

Thanks!
#2
dawnstealer
Jun 04, 2004 12:50:35 Easy solution would be to switch to the (much more balanced/realistic) Athas.org version. If you must go with the mags, though, good luck, dude!
#3
Sysane
Jun 04, 2004 13:08:18 I'd just use the Xph thri-kreen but drop the psionic like abilities which would/should adjust them down to a +3ecl.

Thats pretty balanced.

--Sysane, The Terror of Urik
#4
flip
Jun 04, 2004 13:45:18 Check the DMG; it describes what LA is applied to and what it is not.

Basically, there are two important values: Character Level (CL) and Effective Character Level (ECL)

ECL == CL + LA
CL == HD + class levels

You use ECL to determine experience required, determining experience earned, and starting equipment values. A couple of other things as well, which I can't recall off the top of my head, mostly relating to experience.

Everything else, you use CL for.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Jun 04, 2004 12:40:13	I just started a Dark Sun campaign using the new rules in the recent magazines, and have some problems that hopefully someone can help me with... All races have a level adjustment of 1 or more, and then thrikreen have 2HD. So, a starting Maenad lvl 1 Monk with 0 experience is has to earn enough XPs to reach 3rd level to become a 2nd lvl monk (lvl 2 class level + 1 LA = 3rd level). Correct? So how does that effect the rest of the experince point table, which also has feats and skill point limits, etc. I was thinking that you use class level for those items, but total character level for the experience. Is that correct? Next, a starting thrikreen lvl 1 psi-warrior with 0 experience points has level adjust of +2 and 2 HD, for a total of 4, making him a ECL of 5. So it seems strange to me that before he gains anything for experience, he would need to get enough Xps to get to 6th level, if my assumptions are correct. Which sucks for him as the other characters pass him by as they advance. Next question, does ECL effect CR? If they fight a 2nd level rouge elf, shouldn't it be a CR 3 rather than 2 because the level adjustment? The adventure in the Dungeon magazine does not adjust the CR for these encounters due to the race of the enemy. I guess the associated question is do you use the characters total level (ECL), or just class level for determining experience when looking at the total party level? The main reason I bring these things up, other than it is confusing and not quite balanced, is that one of my players is really bent that his halfling counts as a 2nd level character, when he really gets hardly anything for it. Missive as a power, and a few stat bonuses. Compared to what some of the other races have, it doesn't really seem right to me either. Can anyone help me justify this to him, other than "deal with it or play a different race?" Is there something we are missing? Thanks!
#2 dawnstealer Jun 04, 2004 12:50:35	Easy solution would be to switch to the (much more balanced/realistic) Athas.org version. If you must go with the mags, though, good luck, dude!
#3 Sysane Jun 04, 2004 13:08:18	I'd just use the Xph thri-kreen but drop the psionic like abilities which would/should adjust them down to a +3ecl. Thats pretty balanced. --Sysane, The Terror of Urik
#4 flip Jun 04, 2004 13:45:18	Check the DMG; it describes what LA is applied to and what it is not. Basically, there are two important values: Character Level (CL) and Effective Character Level (ECL) ECL == CL + LA CL == HD + class levels You use ECL to determine experience required, determining experience earned, and starting equipment values. A couple of other things as well, which I can't recall off the top of my head, mostly relating to experience. Everything else, you use CL for.