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I'm probably going to institute this as a house rule regardless, but it'd be nice to see some official statement on it.
In Pathfinder, with the PC races all getting a boost, is it safe to assume that the Planetouched (or heck even Gnolls and some other creatures) that were LA +1 are now LA 0? I always thought it was silly for them to be LA +1 they aren't that powerful.
Player's Guide to Faerun has a +0LA Planetouched variant.
I was really borderline about them being +1 to begin with - they're not that great. Given the boost, I'd definitely see the Plain-Tushed downgraded to +0.
;-p [URL=smurf][/URL]
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16
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Planetouched aren't really worth an LA IMO. They're immune to a whopping 7 spells (charm/dominate/hold person, daze, enlarge/reduce person, anti-life shell). Of those two are utility buff spells, especially enlarge.
Obviously with a rewrite of the polymorph subschool coming the problem of using Alter Self to become various Outsiders will probably be fixed.
I do think the energy resistances help out a little, but mainly only against the flaming/frost/corrosive/shocking weapons and low level energy spells like burning hands, firetrap, acid arrow.
Considering the boost that the Pathfinder races have gotten with uneven stats and new abilities, and the fact that LA never worked properly, and that none of the Bad-touched races were ever very good, using them without an LA seems fair.
I have to agree... The +1 Lvl planetouched should be downgraded to +0.
Another option would be to make them templates, then they would be back to their +1 status. Perhaps even allow their resistance to scale with level (i.e. 5 +1/level) up to a predetermined maximum.
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Another option would be to make them templates, then they would be back to their +1 status. Perhaps even allow their resistance to scale with level (i.e. 5 +1/level) up to a predetermined maximum.
I would absolutely love planetouched templates. I've never quite figured out why all aasimar and tieflings are human variants - don't the angels and fiends think elves are hot on occasion?
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16
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They're human variants because Humans are the most populous race to breed with. Technically even though the Planetouched are generations downstream from their Outsider bloodline they're a race unto themselves. They're not human anymore, or elf, or dwarf, or halfling for that matter. I'd rather they not be templates.
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I have to agree... The +1 Lvl planetouched should be downgraded to +0.
Another option would be to make them templates, then they would be back to their +1 status. Perhaps even allow their resistance to scale with level (i.e. 5 +1/level) up to a predetermined maximum.
I really like this idea! I've already decided that Elan (XPH) and Changlings (Eberron) are templates can be applied to certain races so this will fit in nicely.
They're human variants because Humans are the most populous race to breed with. Technically even though the Planetouched are generations downstream from their Outsider bloodline they're a race unto themselves. They're not human anymore, or elf, or dwarf, or halfling for that matter. I'd rather they not be templates.
This view also has merit but I see them more as a "WHAT THE !?!" moment in the delivery room.
Generations ago someone in the family tree had some weird fetishes and bizarre tastes in SO's and that planetouched taint just pops up every generation or so.
I suppose you could have an entire village, city or even empire whose ancestors did naughty things with angels or what not and the taint of their dalliances has spread through out the population by inbreeding. Rather than have yet another variant race I'd just give the commoners cosmetic differences to accentuate their 'otherworldliness' and give anyone important the template.
Definitely food for thought.
SM
edit - 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth' anyone?
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They're human variants because Humans are the most populous race to breed with. Technically even though the Planetouched are generations downstream from their Outsider bloodline they're a race unto themselves. They're not human anymore, or elf, or dwarf, or halfling for that matter. I'd rather they not be templates.
The problem I have with this conceptually is that there just don't seem to be enough of them to justify the idea that they are so distinct and separate. The SRD description - "Planetouched is a general word to describe someone who can trace his or her bloodline back to an outsider, usually a fiend or celestial" - doesn't really make it sound like a separate race; it's more like a heritage, something that is transmitted across generations within a species.
The SRD does specify that aasimar are humans with celestial bloodlines, but even that doesn't really answer the question of, say, what happens when an aasimar mates with an elf...
They're human variants because Humans are the most populous race to breed with. Technically even though the Planetouched are generations downstream from their Outsider bloodline they're a race unto themselves. They're not human anymore, or elf, or dwarf, or halfling for that matter. I'd rather they not be templates.The problem I have with this conceptually is that there just don't seem to be enough of them to justify the idea that they are so distinct and separate. The SRD description - "Planetouched is a general word to describe someone who can trace his or her bloodline back to an outsider, usually a fiend or celestial" - doesn't really make it sound like a separate race; it's more like a heritage, something that is transmitted across generations within a species.
The SRD does specify that aasimar are humans with celestial bloodlines, but even that doesn't really answer the question of, say, what happens when an aasimar mates with an elf...
I kind of think that rather than being a halfbreed, they are more like creatures that are the weakest demons and angels who happen to breed true from mortals. So, rather than having the combo of racial skills and demon skills, they are all demon.
They're human variants because Humans are the most populous race to breed with. Technically even though the Planetouched are generations downstream from their Outsider bloodline they're a race unto themselves. They're not human anymore, or elf, or dwarf, or halfling for that matter. I'd rather they not be templates.The problem I have with this conceptually is that there just don't seem to be enough of them to justify the idea that they are so distinct and separate. The SRD description - "Planetouched is a general word to describe someone who can trace his or her bloodline back to an outsider, usually a fiend or celestial" - doesn't really make it sound like a separate race; it's more like a heritage, something that is transmitted across generations within a species.
The SRD does specify that aasimar are humans with celestial bloodlines, but even that doesn't really answer the question of, say, what happens when an aasimar mates with an elf...
Or even a Half Celestial/Elf. What comes out of the "wash" a few generations down the road? A different kind of plane touched? Or wouldn't it just be simpler to use what is already available as a template? in this case, Aasimar.
That has been my greatest motivating factors in using plane touched as templates. Planetouched as it sits now it that wild "mutant" gene that pops its head up here and there. Now if it a race that breeds true with itself, such as the Feyri, then great, make it a full fledged race.
There just needs to be a distinction between the two, just like lycanthropes. You nave natural and infected/cursed varieties.
I'm for the drop in LA, the planetouched and the hobgoblin have really pushed underscaled +1 LA. I've never ever thought hobgoblins were worth +1 LA.
[url=smurf][/url]
Another option would be to make them templates
I second this! There should be dwarven planetouched (though what plane would touch a dwarf??? ;-)) or halfling planetouched or elf planetouched. I'm sure some outsiders will prefer non-human lovers.
But other than that, I agree: The Alpha core races are as strong as a +1 race now, so I'd say that LAs can be reduced by one.
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I second this! There should be dwarven planetouched (though what plane would touch a dwarf??? ;-))
Another option would be to make them templates
Sven the Dwarf shows up in the City of Brass for his forbidden rendezvous with the Sultana of Smoldering Smoke. Handing over a belt-sized 'necklace' of intricately shaped obsidian shards veined with golden traceries spelling out ancient koans in Ignan calligraphy, he winks suggestively at his twelve foot 'girlfriend.'
And that's where the Azer came from. Really.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16
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They're human variants because Humans are the most populous race to breed with. Technically even though the Planetouched are generations downstream from their Outsider bloodline they're a race unto themselves. They're not human anymore, or elf, or dwarf, or halfling for that matter. I'd rather they not be templates.The problem I have with this conceptually is that there just don't seem to be enough of them to justify the idea that they are so distinct and separate. The SRD description - "Planetouched is a general word to describe someone who can trace his or her bloodline back to an outsider, usually a fiend or celestial" - doesn't really make it sound like a separate race; it's more like a heritage, something that is transmitted across generations within a species.
The SRD does specify that aasimar are humans with celestial bloodlines, but even that doesn't really answer the question of, say, what happens when an aasimar mates with an elf...
Well back in 2nd edition aasimar typically could breed true with each other but most chose to mate with other mortal races and their bloodline would disappear... for a while.
Dwarves would be more likely to birth Earth Genasi than Aasimar or Tieflings.