I'll add the fluff if you guys (and gals) like it, but for now just want to see initial reactions
My friends concept, I just took his initial creatiion and tried to hammer it so it's a legit race.
Basic fluff, they're a mutant off breed of humans. They are now a true race and so can therefor breed true.
+2 Constitution, +2 Charisma, –2 Wisdom: Monsters are tough and quick to make friends, but tend to make poor decision that get them into trouble.
Medium: Monsters are Medium creatures and receive no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Normal Speed: Monsters have a base speed of 30 feet.
Low-light Vision: Monsters can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.
Monstrous: Monsters are Humanoids with the subtype of (Monstrous). This type may now be found on the Ranger's favored enemy list.
Change Shape (Su): A monster can assume the appearance of a specific single human form of the same sex. The monster always takes this specific form when she uses this ability. A monster in human form cannot benefit from her superior species, but gains a +10 racial bonus on Disguise checks made to appear human. Changing shape is a standard action. This ability otherwise functions as alter self, except that the monster does not adjust her ability scores.
Superior Species: Monsters receive 2 evolution points as a racial bonus. These point must be spent at character creation and cannot be changed later on. All of these point must be spent individually from the 1 pt evolution options found in the summoner eidolon section, and cannot be pooled to buy 2 or 3 pt options. Lastly, you may only choose the skilled option once, and when done so it instead provides a +4 racial bonus to the skill chosen (not +8).
RP point breakdown:
[0 rp] Standard ability scores
[0 rp] Medium sized
[0 rp] Normal Speed
[0 rp] Type
[1 rp] Low-light Vision
[3 rp] Change Shape, Lesser
[6 rp] Superior Species
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Total of 10 rp
Argument for Superior Species value:
Worst case scenario is Scent (4 rp) and modified Skilled (5 rp) which would equal 9 rp. However most combinations of chosen abilities equal around 5-6 rp.
My friend initially wanted 3 evolution points and to have skilled function normally with no limit to the times yo can take it. I Argued taking skilled 3 times would equal about 30 rp alone.
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opinions!!! [ ps. linky link for evolution ]
bump for advice
IMHO +2 Charisma to someone who calls himself a monster... is weird.. otherwise, looks ok.
I like it. Interesting concept and would make a fun villain race for a campaign. Definitely gets the brain moving with the concept. Nice :)
You could always say that scent and skilled cannot be bought together this way. It would make sense to make them be exceptions since they're so high value. You might want to leave skilled off entirely or you might want to adjust the version this race can use to something more in line with the points.
I agree with Keydan, though, this race needs a better name than monster unless you're simply using that as a place-holder.
Sadly the name is not mine to give or take. I'll have to run that by the original writer. I just edited it to be the 'balanced' form you see posted.
But I know that the name Monster isn't one that they named themselves. It was given to them. In time, they eventually grew to 'embrace' it. Obviously it doesn't make them happy, but it also no longer hurts them. Think Gypsy; not exactly a compliment, but you are what you are and you'll be damned if you let some fool use that as ammunition against you or your people.
As for the +2 Charisma (I'll stick with the same reference for simplicity, but this race is NOT based on the gypsy concept at all), the Monsters don't really have a place they call home. There is no Monster nation where they can live, love and throw a great big Monster Mash. Like the Gypsies, they are always traveling from one local to the next. Luckily for them they have the ability to magically disguise themselves in a human form. They use this guise to avoid ridicule, and they use their honed charisma to make many acquaintances wherever they find themselves.
Sadly, from time to time their disguise is pierced, and they must take to running and hiding.
So next thing, racial feats. He wanted to make 2 facial feats (to start). One would give you 2 evolution points (at first level only), and one would change the lesser change self ability into greater change self.
Both seem way over powered to me. But with the right feat tree and/or prerequisites... anyone got an idea how to do this balanced.
(and yes, I'm aware there is already a feat to increase your Eidolon's evolution points by 1. He insisted on a 1st level feat that gives 2. If that doesn't seem feasible in a balanced way... then maybe a higher level version that does? Level 7 perhaps???