I'm currently planning a new game which is going to start out somewhere between level 12 to 14 and whith the release of the pathfinder bestiary, I'm sure that my player will want to play as some of the new "Monsters" (meaning that I only let people play creatures that are humanoid in appearance). My question is this; for people who have the bestiary, would you allow your player to play outsiders if their CR is low enough for the current party level at the beginning of the game?
My current dilemma is this; if, I for example let one of my players participate in the game as a Rakshasa, would it be too powerful in comparance to a humanoid with CR 10, or would you think it okay to let the player use the Rakshasa.
Normally I would let anyone play any humanoid looking creature from the books as long as they fullfil the requirements (the creature being of an applicable CR for the current game) along with bringing me a background story that justifies his choice of race.
It should be said that depending on the mood of my players, we either play in good/neutral parties or in evil parties, just saying since people might be confused about me mentioning the Rakshasa in question.
To any replies that might answer my question, I thank you in advance.
Owner - D20 Hobbies
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one of my players participate in the game as a Rakshasa
Even low CR monster like Hound Archon are massively powerful. Rakshasa is similar and would likely be way too powerful for a PC using the p313 rules. Look at the Cohort levels for some of the monsters. It can give you a hint as to the power of those monsters.
I think it depends on your campaign. If its like Planescape, where it takes place across several planes, then yes. Or if its like Forgotten Realms, where extra-planar vistors are common, I would also say yes.
However, if the planes are supposed to be distant, hard to reach, and mysterious, then I would say no.
One thing you might do is making them use the very ability scores the monster has:
Example: A rakshasa has Str 16, Dex 20, Con 22, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 17.
In 3e, you'd say that this translates into Str +6, Dex +10, Con +12, Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +6, but I would say the character gets exactly those stats: Str 16, Dex 20, Con 22, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 17.
That would probably even out things a bit.
I'd also probably require the "monster class level" to be equal to the critter's hit dice, unless the CR is higher.
And even then I'd check the relative power level against other characters to see if its fair or if I should balance things out further.
It's not an easy decision, and neither can you make blanket statements about class balance here.