Hi, I hope I'm posting this in the right place!!
I'm currently working with PCGen helping update the Ultimate Combat data set to get it ready for release, and had a question about feat racial prerequisites in Ultimate Combat.
Specifically, I'm looking at a number of feats which state that the race must be gnome or dwarf, and then go on to require the "Defensive Training" racial trait.
My question is, does this include Svirfneblins, and possibly Duergars?
Svirfneblins are humanoid subtype gnome.
Duergar are humanoid subtype dwarf.
Do these subtypes meet the race prerequisites?
Now, Duergars do not have the "Defensive Training" racial trait, so that in and of itself will cause them to fail the prerequisite.
However, Svirfneblins do have it. But the issue is that the description isn't the same as the gnome. With "Defensive Training", gnomes and dwarfs specifically get a dodge bonus against giant subtype:
* Defensive Training: Dwarves get a +4 dodge bonus to AC against monsters of the giant subtype.
* Defensive Training: Gnomes get a +4 dodge bonus to AC against monsters of the giant type.
But, Svirfneblins does not specifically say giants:
* Defensive Training: Svirfneblin gain a +2 dodge bonus to Armor Class.
So, can they take these feats?
I'd say that svifgneblins are gnomes, and duergar are dwarves, for the purpose of race requirements for racial feats. Now, if the feat further requires a specific racial ability, then they must also have that ability (since it is possible to swap some racial abilities for alternative options).
As for the defensive training, I'd say Svirfneblins have it since it says that they do; it is just that their version is far more useful than the specific form that gnomes get. Of course, on the other hand, if the requirement is some kind of special 'anti-giant training', it wouldn't really fit that need.
@MurphysParadox,
> Of course, on the other hand, if the requirement is some kind of
> special 'anti-giant training', it wouldn't really fit that need.
The only thing that causes me to hesitate is feats like the Twin Thunders tree, which are all about dealing with giants. Though the Svirfneblins version would still apply, but just at a lower bonus.