I've been considering making a Strix character recently, and I want to know what people think of them (if anything). Has anyone made one? Does flight break the game in anyone's opinion? (Remember, any wizard/alchemist/witch can fly by 5th level, at the same speed and with better maneuverability). How are they over (or under) powered? Are they adequate for player use?
A link to the Strix entry from the Pathfinder SRD:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/humanoids/strix
Edit: I realize that the Strix's backstory and the fact that they kill humans on sight might complicate things role playing wise. Ignore their lore in your responses if you can, because I'd love to reflavor them. I don't want any "It can't be done! They're mean!" kind of responses.
I like it.
I don't think that the flight is a game breaker but it is definitely a game bender and it could most definitely be a pain in the butt for your GM. You are right that at level 5 wizards can fly but it's only for short periods of time not continually.
That said I think that the race itself is really quite interesting. Your back story might be that you were found and raised by humans... In fact if you are worried about flight breaking the game you could say you were found with broken wings and that they never healed properly. Thus you are only capable of flying x amount of minutes a day before becoming fatigued.
As far as power goes... It's hard to say. If you are doing a dungeon crawl and flight is negated then you are actually worse off than say a Half-orc. However, in a forest or open environment you are going to have a real advantage.
I say talk to your Dm about it and see how he feels about the race. It could definitely be fun.
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Reading your post was the first that I had heard of them. Reading about them on the Pathfinder wiki doesn't throw up any red flags to me, even with their history.
Looking at their stats it looks like they're about on par with the aasimar so if your DM has an issue with them he might not want you to play a strix. As for flight, I don't think that it's the big game breaker that people make it out to be. Sure you can avoid many obstacles, but there's always the fact that you're gonna be the first thing people shoot at if your DM remember to have anyone look up and clear days sixty feet in the air leaves precious little to hide behind.
I'd ask you the same thing I would ask any of my players that wanted to bring a non-standard race to the table: "What about the Strix makes you want to play one?"
The only things I could say that might make some trouble would be in getting equipment. I'm pretty sure they weren't thinking wings when they said one size fits all so armor and clothing are going to need to be specially modified, though I suppose every day could be a toga party with that character. I've never really considered a character with wings before so I would imagine standard inn beds and chairs might also be problematic, but then you get into the discussion of expediency versus realism.
All in all though they look interesting and I might try to swing one past my DM when it is my turn to be a player.
Edit: I realize that the Strix's backstory and the fact that they kill humans on sight might complicate things role playing wise. Ignore their lore in your responses if you can, because I'd love to reflavor them. I don't want any "It can't be done! They're mean!" kind of responses.
I'm all for reflavoring to suit the needs of the gamers are the table, but trust me, you cannot avoid the posters who will attack you for "daring to question these sacred cows and attacking the status quo" like people did with those who didn't approve of non-evil orcs.
Either way, how about you go with making the flight abilities of the strix similar to those of the 3.5e race, the raptorans? They could only glide until level 5th, but even that was pretty helpful. As for their racial hatred, just make it so that some smaller communities of them are wary of humans but not openly hostile?
I've been considering making a Strix character recently, and I want to know what people think of them (if anything). Has anyone made one? Does flight break the game in anyone's opinion? (Remember, any wizard/alchemist/witch can fly by 5th level, at the same speed and with better maneuverability). How are they over (or under) powered? Are they adequate for player use?
At will flight doesn't "break the game." It does, however, make solving some (low-level) obstacles* and situations trivial.
Also, when outside/in large open areas, the three-dimensional mobility provides a large advantage. Especially when using archery/blasting spells against non-flying creatures without ranged attacks or sufficient reach.
*- cliffs/walls, chasms, etc.
I've always really wanted to build a Strix grappler brawler with bushwack.
Sneak up, grapple, pick up, and then drop!
But the rules get confusing so fast...
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Flight and Dodging Panache (Amateur Swashbuckler on anyone) is awesome. There's absolutely nothing that says you can't "dodge" 5 feet upwards...
Flight and Dodging Panache (Amateur Swashbuckler on anyone) is awesome. There's absolutely nothing that says you can't "dodge" 5 feet upwards...
Aside from the rules involving flight maneuverability and the fly DC you need to hit. Might be better off "jumping" 5ft up and trying to "hover" to pull that off.