i let the PC collaberate with me on the creation of the race and generally Disregard RP within reason. i usually homebrew stripped down versions of the abilities and try to avoid racial bonuses beyond +2 and usually seek an excuse to avoid +4s. i also try to avoid giving conversions racial spellcasting or advancements to highly specific class features unless the features themselves aren't quite class defining features.Then you just take the ARG and build yourself one appropriate to PC levels.
That is very true. However, the strength of the LA system (or rather, an updated and improved version of it) is serving groups that want to allow the play of, say a Minotaur as a PC. Or an Ogre, or even a Troll. Not to mention more exotic fare.
I find you can push some racial stuff to feats if required. Not the world's most elegant solution, especially for several feat-intensive builds, but an idea.
I find you can push some racial stuff to feats if required. Not the world's most elegant solution, especially for several feat-intensive builds, but an idea.i let the PC collaberate with me on the creation of the race and generally Disregard RP within reason. i usually homebrew stripped down versions of the abilities and try to avoid racial bonuses beyond +2 and usually seek an excuse to avoid +4s. i also try to avoid giving conversions racial spellcasting or advancements to highly specific class features unless the features themselves aren't quite class defining features.Then you just take the ARG and build yourself one appropriate to PC levels.
That is very true. However, the strength of the LA system (or rather, an updated and improved version of it) is serving groups that want to allow the play of, say a Minotaur as a PC. Or an Ogre, or even a Troll. Not to mention more exotic fare.
true
but most of the powers i would worry about as a DM, are found on some of my favorite Fey Races and usually tend to be effects that either provide massive permanent defensive boons based off one's highest attribute, effects that eliminate a foe on a failed save, or spell effects that favor highly specific classes
i tend to base stripped down versions a given monster on the abilities the race builder and other PC races provide
with leeway in other ways
some stripped down effects make nice feats
but there is no way i am giving a sorcerer the option for a single feat to add her charisma bonus as a racial bonus to her armor class and a racial bonus to all of her saving throws. it might be doable piecemeal
no way i am giving a PC a petryifing or stunning gaze useable at will, maybe an at will ranged touch attack that staggers a target for 1d6 rounds, at best.
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thanks to the group, i'm stealing ideas
Races are Abandoned entirely
Everyone Gets instead of Race
+2 to 2 Attributes of your Choice
+2 to 3 skills of your choice
a Choice of Small, Medium or Large Size with no effect on ability scores
a Sensory Ability chosen from Darkvision 60, Low Light Vision, Scent, or Blindsight 30
a Bonus Feat
a 30 foot base land speed
all classes are considered favored
and 3 Abilities chosen from the following list
*powerful build
*slight build
*flight (60 feet, good manueverability)
*swim speed (30 feet) (comes with amphibious built in)
*hardy+Steel Soul
*skilled (+2 skill points per level)
*fast speed (increase land speed to 40)
*burrow speed (30 feet)
*+2 to an extra attribute
* proficiency in all simple and martial weapons
*gaze that targets touch AC and staggers for 1d6 rounds on a hit
*at will ranged touch attack that deals 1d6+level damage of a specified energy type
*immunity to one specified energy type
* tough (+2 Hit Points per level)
* spell of 2nd level or lower usable at will at caster level equal to character level
* an extra feat
* 3 free skill focus feats at 1st level
* Familiar or Animal Companion at Character level
* 6 Extra Class Skills for all classes. the same skills for each class
thanks to the group, i'm stealing ideas
Races are Abandoned entirely
Everyone Gets instead of Race
+2 to 2 Attributes of your Choice
+2 to 3 skills of your choice
a Choice of Small, Medium or Large Size with no effect on ability scores
a Sensory Ability chosen from Darkvision 60, Low Light Vision, Scent, or Blindsight 30
a Bonus Feat
a 30 foot base land speed
all classes are considered favored
and 3 Abilities chosen from the following list
*powerful build
*slight build
*flight (60 feet, good manueverability)
*swim speed (30 feet) (comes with amphibious built in)
*hardy+Steel Soul
*skilled (+2 skill points per level)
*fast speed (increase land speed to 40)
*burrow speed (30 feet)
*+2 to an extra attribute
* proficiency in all simple and martial weapons
*gaze that targets touch AC and staggers for 1d6 rounds on a hit
*at will ranged touch attack that deals 1d6+level damage of a specified energy type
*immunity to one specified energy type
* tough (+2 Hit Points per level)
* spell of 2nd level or lower usable at will at caster level equal to character level
* an extra feat
* 3 free skill focus feats at 1st level
* Familiar or Animal Companion at Character level
* 6 Extra Class Skills for all classes. the same skills for each class
that list is kind of powerful... just saying. Being able to get +2 to 3 ability scores, Skill Focus at level 1 (hello eldritch heritage), AND an at-will invisibility seems pretty strong...
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that list is kind of powerful... just saying. Being able to get +2 to 3 ability scores, Skill Focus at level 1 (hello eldritch heritage), AND an at-will invisibility seems pretty strong.
it is a strong list because it replaces race for PC and NPC alike
players have more freedom of choice in their character and also are less screwed by their choices.
yes, the abilities were intended to be strong, it makes the choices matter more, if i were given random +2s. it would have been a lot less relevant.
it has no intent of working alongside races
Sounds fun but are you going to have a getting based reason behind this?that list is kind of powerful... just saying. Being able to get +2 to 3 ability scores, Skill Focus at level 1 (hello eldritch heritage), AND an at-will invisibility seems pretty strong.
it is a strong list because it replaces race for PC and NPC alike
players have more freedom of choice in their character and also are less screwed by their choices.
yes, the abilities were intended to be strong, it makes the choices matter more, if i were given random +2s. it would have been a lot less relevant.
it has no intent of working alongside races
people pick highly specific races for highly specific sets of abilities and racial modifiers
instead of offering the race
i'd rather let players pick the powerful options they desire and conceptualize a species or mutation based on the traits chosen
it saves lots of books wasted on rejected races
and allows more flexibility than the current race system