In an upcoming game we will be starting at level 2 and the DM has said that he is allowing (pardon the term) ECL +1* races.
The setting is a post apocalyptic Golarion. Many of the monsterous races have taken over. So for that reason the more monserous type races are right out. So try to stray away from non-bipedal and most non-humanoid shaped things. Having a tail or a set of wings isn't bad though. Goblinoids of any type are out as are classic evil mooks like orcs, lizardfolk, gnolls, etc. It also has to obviously be intelligent (ie. >2 Int)Beyond that I think it is pretty much fair game.
A Vegapygmy or Awakened Compsognathus druid? Tell me about it!
An Awakened Baboon Monk? Rafiki it up in here!
Brownie or Pixie Sorcerer? I want to hear about this!
Grimlock Oracle? Sounds effective! (pun intended)
Sasquatch Barbarian? Haven't I seen this somewhere before?
Velociraptor Monk? Primal Roar it up, baby!
Whats your concepts?
Mongrelman are decent as long as you don't want a charisma focused class. I think they make good barbarians.
Can't play a mongrelman cause he is too oogly! ;P Nah, just kidding. What was your concept? Take the feat that gives you Str to intimidate and build around that?
I'm pretty sure shadows are out. In fact that is probably anything incorporeal and likely all undead. Otherwise, awesome idea. Could get an army of shadows quick at that rate. ;) ...also, not sure a shadow can be "young". I guess they could be pre-shadow, but post-shadow I'm not sure the stats should matter. *shrug* RAW it works though.
Some questions first:
Do you take the ability scores of the monster?
Do you get all feats/special abilities?
Do you change the save dc of abilities like poisons to (10 + HD/2 + Con )?
Leprechaun/Rogue (invisibility at will, DR 5/cold iron, +1/+1 double weapon that deals damage as if 2 size categories lager, taking two weapon fighting route)
Breiti
Do you take the ability scores of the monster?
Ability modifier is monster's score -10 if it is even, -11 if it is odd. This includes negative ability modifiers.
Do you get all feats/special abilities?
Yes. These abilities are considered part of the CR (or ECL in 3.x).
Do you change the save dc of abilities like poisons to (10 + HD/2 + Con )?
Yeah, it works just like that. The abilities of monsters shows what score it is based off. I'm not sure on the starting equipment coming from the monster block text though. I think their statblock assumes a normal club with the constant shillelagh. I could be wrong as I do not own the actual book and am looking at the PRD. Otherwise, awesome suggestion! So much flavor I could pump outta that too!
For post-apocalypse maybe a ghoul? Just channel Fallout.
If you want to go straight to gonzoville, be a sentient spider swarm. Not sure about the number junk but that just screams Psion to me. Use lots of telepathy and sneaking. I guess you'd have to find a way to "awaken" the swarm as one entity but just get the DM drunk before you ask.
If you go up to CR 2, a skin stealer might work as a thief or spy type.
A Dire Corby is CR 1 or 2 according to the srd, you could model one after the various cliff cultures from Mesoamerica (I think there were some in the states too).
I would love to play a Soulbound Doll, possibly rogue or ninja. Think A.I. with a murderous twist.
Really, bbt? I did not think you would be the one suggesting playing a Kappa. ;)
Choker is interesting but we had a bad experience with a player playing a Choker. I do not think it would be well recieved.
I think I would garner some favor from one of our players if I did the ratling ninja, though. I could even steal some art from some M:TG cards for character art.
No quadrapeds. Worg is out.
Soulbound Doll could be interesting. Never thought of that. It would probably make healing tough, though.
Spriggan titan mauler
For flavor:
A Guardian Phantom Armor Cleric of Gorum.
For cheese:
A Dweomercat Cub Rogue (Scout Archetype)
Scout Archetype let's you sneak attack after a charge at lvl 4. A Dweomercat Cub has pounce and 5 primary natural attacks. That's pretty awesome. But that's not all. If the Dweomercat is targeted by a spell or spell like ability, he can, as an immediate action, teleport adjacent to the caster and make a free full attack as if pouncing (ie 5 more attacks with SA).
That's 10 potential sneak attacks in a single round, before taking AoO into account.
DR, SR, Scent, and some SLAs are just icing.
Spriggan Titan Mauler?... isn't that like an oxymoron? Oh, I get it. He is a titan that mauls, right? ;) Actually a surprisingly effective concept too.
Skin Stealer Vivisectionist Alchemist: I saw a movie with this guy in it, right? "First she puts the lotion on or then she gets the hose again."
Juju Zombie Pistolero Gunslinger: That was a comic book turned movie, right?
Dweomercat Cub Scout: Wow, that IS awesome. I'll be looking into this more. I don't wanna make my poor DM cry though.
Skin Stealer Vivisectionist Alchemist.
Skin stealer is perfect for an alchemist!
Infuse extract + Skinsend -> sneak it into the targets drink -> his skin leaves is body -> when he, in skin form, moves away from his body, you dismiss the spell => Target lies helpless, and the skin is already removed and ready to pick up :)
Skeleton Bard FTW.
Skull JOOOOOOOKE!
Morlock fighter
oooh, you could be a Crystal Dragon Wyrmling! :D!
Or perhaps an Imp Cleric of Asmodeus