RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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When you add subtypes to a custom humanoid race, do you automatically get the benefits of the subtype?
For example, if you select Orc do you automatically get Darkvision and/or Light Sensitivity?
If so, do you have to pay for those abilities?
Based on the sample races in the back of the book I could see that both are true. You must take those abilities and you must pay for them.
All Orc subtypes have Darkvision and Light Sensitivity (unless it's a Half-Orc).
The Water subtype would get Swim as a class skill.
I could see that you could choose any of those abilities but still have to pay. But I don't believe you would get them for free.
I don't think the idea is that subtypes would gain any abilities for free, because then the argument would be that any creature with the human subtype should have a free 1st-level feat, etc. That's not the case. The only free abilities are from the Type, not the Subtype, and really you end up paying for those too since the types with abilities have higher RP costs based on those abilities.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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The bonus feat and skill rank are not listed in the subtype description as abilities granted by the subtype, so taking the human subtype wouldn't grant those. But some subtypes grant class skills (Goblin grants Stealth) and racial abilities (Dwarf grants darkvision 60) specified in their description text.
The subtype descriptions from the Core Rulebook, you mean? If that's the case, then yes you should include those and they should be "paid for" by using race points. I'm actually surprised they didn't include subtype definitions in the ARG also.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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Is there any way I could get an "Official" answer from one of the book authors or maybe an entry in the paizo FAQ?
Is it possible? sure. Is it likely? not so much. The authors/editors have a ton of other things they need to chime in on or add to the FAQ right now, and I doubt this one would be a significant enough question to warrant it. I'll hit the FAQ button, though, to give you a chance. :-D
For our groups we will work with the following rules:
If you want your character to be considered a specific subtype, then you must take and pay for all the abilities associated with the subtype. For humanoids, this is usually limited to low-light vision or darkvision.
If the abilities are not available through the race builder, then you cannot be of that subtype.
You do not have to take the weaknesses of the subtype unless you choose to do so (like the half-orc).
Given that, these are really the only current viable subtypes:
Subtype: Abilities granted
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Catfolk: none
Dark Folk: none
Dwarf: darkvision 60', 2 pts
Elf: low-light vision, 1 pt
Giant low-light vision, 1 pt; Skill Trainig - Intimidate and Perception, 1 pt
Gnome: low-light vision, 1 pt
Goblin: Skill Trainig - Stealth, 1 pt, Goblin racial language
Halfling: none
Human: none
Orc: darkvision 60', 2 pts; Light sensitivy, -1 pt
Ratfolk: none
Reptilian: none
Sasquatch: none
Venara: none
Vishkanya: none
Cold: Elemental Immunity (4 pts, outsider, monstrous), Elemental Vulnerability (-2 outsider, advanced)
Fire: Elemental Immunity (4 pts, outsider, monstrous), Elemental Vulnerability (-2 outsider, advanced)
Air: Flight (4 pts, advanced), Skill Training (Fly, 1 pt)
Aquatic/Water: Swim (2 pts), Skill Training (Swim, 1 pt)
Earth: none
The Outsider subtypes (Aeon, Agathion, Angel, Archon, Asura, Azata, Daemon, Demodand, Demon, Devil, Div, etc.) grant abilities that are not part of the race builder.
The alignment subtypes (lawful, chaotic, good, evil) cannot truly be built in the race builder since you can't add a way to bypass DR (unless I missed it).
The Behemoth, Clockwork, Leshy, Nightshade, Rakshasa, Shapechanger, Swarm, and Incorporeal subtypes likewise grant abilities not part of the race builder.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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For our groups we will work with the following rules:
If you want your character to be considered a specific subtype, then you must take and pay for all the abilities associated with the subtype. For humanoids, this is usually limited to low-light vision or darkvision.
If the abilities are not available through the race builder, then you cannot be of that subtype.
You do not have to take the weaknesses of the subtype unless you choose to do so (like the half-orc).
Given that, these are really the only current viable subtypes:
Subtype: Abilities granted
---------------------------
Catfolk: none
Dark Folk: none
Dwarf: darkvision 60', 2 pts
Elf: low-light vision, 1 pt
Giant low-light vision, 1 pt; Skill Trainig - Intimidate and Perception, 1 pt
Gnome: low-light vision, 1 pt
Goblin: Skill Trainig - Stealth, 1 pt, Goblin racial language
Halfling: none
Human: none
Orc: darkvision 60', 2 pts; Light sensitivy, -1 pt
Ratfolk: none
Reptilian: none
Sasquatch: none
Venara: none
Vishkanya: noneCold: Elemental Immunity (4 pts, outsider, monstrous), Elemental Vulnerability (-2 outsider, advanced)
Fire: Elemental Immunity (4 pts, outsider, monstrous), Elemental Vulnerability (-2 outsider, advanced)
Air: Flight (4 pts, advanced), Skill Training (Fly, 1 pt)
Aquatic/Water: Swim (2 pts), Skill Training (Swim, 1 pt)
Earth: noneThe Outsider subtypes (Aeon, Agathion, Angel, Archon, Asura, Azata, Daemon, Demodand, Demon, Devil, Div, etc.) grant abilities that are not part of the race builder.
The alignment subtypes (lawful, chaotic, good, evil) cannot truly be built in the race builder since you can't add a way to bypass DR (unless I missed it).
The Behemoth, Clockwork, Leshy, Nightshade, Rakshasa, Shapechanger, Swarm, and Incorporeal subtypes likewise grant abilities not part of the race builder.
"Cold: Elemental Immunity (4 pts, outsider, monstrous), Elemental Vulnerability (-2 outsider, advanced)
Fire: Elemental Immunity (4 pts, outsider, monstrous), Elemental Vulnerability (-2 outsider, advanced) "These two seem unfair to your players, since Ifrits are native outsiders with the fire subtype but don't have fire immunity, so why should they have to pay for it? Same thing with elemental vulnerablity.
"Cold: Elemental Immunity (4 pts, outsider, monstrous), Elemental Vulnerability (-2 outsider, advanced)
Fire: Elemental Immunity (4 pts, outsider, monstrous), Elemental Vulnerability (-2 outsider, advanced) "These two seem unfair to your players, since Ifrits are native outsiders with the fire subtype but don't have fire immunity, so why should they have to pay for it? Same thing with elemental vulnerablity.
Ifrits do no have the fire subtype, they are only outsider (native) creatures with elemental resistance and elemental affinity.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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Ifrits do no have the fire subtype, they are only outsider (native) creatures with elemental resistance and elemental affinity.
"Cold: Elemental Immunity (4 pts, outsider, monstrous), Elemental Vulnerability (-2 outsider, advanced)
Fire: Elemental Immunity (4 pts, outsider, monstrous), Elemental Vulnerability (-2 outsider, advanced) "These two seem unfair to your players, since Ifrits are native outsiders with the fire subtype but don't have fire immunity, so why should they have to pay for it? Same thing with elemental vulnerablity.
Ah, fair point.