There seem to be a number of ambiguities with the Favored Class mechanic. What the rules do say is all characters start with a Favored Class at 1st level, the class does not have to be the first taken but it cannot be a prestige class. I have a number of questions for which I cannot find answers in the book so I'm posting here to see if anyone can provide clarity :-)
• When it says all characters does that include NPC's or is this meant to be a player character mechanic only?
• Can NPC classes such as Expert and Adept be chosen as a Favored Class?
• Do monsters also get a Favored Class?
• If monster do get this option can they choose their racial hit dice as their Favored Class?
• If monsters cannot choose racial hit dice as Favored Class does this mean they only get the option if they add character class levels or do they get the choice even if they have no class levels to apply it to?
If anyone could point to any official errata on the subject that would be appreciated. Thanks.
There seem to be a number of ambiguities with the Favored Class mechanic. What the rules do say is all characters start with a Favored Class at 1st level, the class does not have to be the first taken but it cannot be a prestige class. I have a number of questions for which I cannot find answers in the book so I'm posting here to see if anyone can provide clarity :-)
Good questions, here's my at-bat on them.
• When it says all characters does that include NPC's or is this meant to be a player character mechanic only?
I would say any NPC's also get them. There's no wording to say they don't, and NPCs are still characters (that's what the C in NPC is for). :)
• Can NPC classes such as Expert and Adept be chosen as a Favored Class?
They are classes, so they seem valid as a class to be favored.
• Do monsters also get a Favored Class?
I'd say only monsters with a 3 or higher in Int do. You have to be sentient. Other than that, no reason why a Goblin or Orc or Drow wouldn't have a favored class.
• If monster do get this option can they choose their racial hit dice as their Favored Class?
Really good question. A racial level acts just like a class (Class Skills, Int per level, hit die) so I'd say that yes, it is a valid option for favored class.
• If monsters cannot choose racial hit dice as Favored Class does this mean they only get the option if they add character class levels or do they get the choice even if they have no class levels to apply it to?
See above...
If anyone could point to any official errata on the subject that would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hope it was helpful.