Dose a Monstrous race need to be 20+ rp to be considered a Monstrous race?
example: I want to give my race a spell like ability at-will. Monstrous trait
But I've only spent 15 RP on the race including the spell like ability at-will
Do I have to spend that extra 5 RP to be considered monstrous or can i still take the spell like ablilty at-will and not have 20 rp
There are three power levels: standard, advanced, and monstrous. Standard races can only take standard racial traits, while advanced races can take both standard and advanced racial traits, and monstrous races can take standard, advanced, and monstrous racial traits. Table 4–1 summarizes the number of RP you can spend as well as the maximum number of traits per racial trait category you can take based on your power level.
Based on the above text, yes, you would have to be a monstrous race (i.e. have 20+ race points) in order to select monstrous racial traits.
Quite frankly, a race can be considered "monstrous" well before it hits the 20 point mark. Heck, certain combinations are monstrous with the 10 standard race points, it just goes to show you that balancing the race builder is theoretically impossible, as is the case with creating magic items.
There are three power levels: standard, advanced, and monstrous. Standard races can only take standard racial traits, while advanced races can take both standard and advanced racial traits, and monstrous races can take standard, advanced, and monstrous racial traits. Table 4–1 summarizes the number of RP you can spend as well as the maximum number of traits per racial trait category you can take based on your power level.Based on the above text, yes, you would have to be a monstrous race (i.e. have 20+ race points) in order to select monstrous racial traits.
actually based on how I read it. it says the amount of points you "CAN" spend however the table 4-1 shows 20+... thats what confuses me is the texted correct or the table?
if the table is correct should the text not read as "Table 4–1 summarizes the "minimum" of RP you can spend as well as the maximum number of traits per racial trait category you can take based on your power level
I trust the English Lit Dr at my table, a monstrous race does not need to spend one point. Neither does 'advanced'. She blames illiteracy on all our parts for not being able to read plain English. Something about backwards compatibility not being a given. The tirade devolved into Jung and Socrates (among others) and I went on a pizza run to miss the rest. If the writers had meant 'only' above x points, they should have said so.
All participants agreed with the above, but for differing reasons. I had some pizza.
I trust the English Lit Dr at my table, a monstrous race does not need to spend one point. Neither does 'advanced'. She blames illiteracy on all our parts for not being able to read plain English. Something about backwards compatibility not being a given. The tirade devolved into Jung and Socrates (among others) and I went on a pizza run to miss the rest. If the writers had meant 'only' above x points, they should have said so.
All participants agreed with the above, but for differing reasons. I had some pizza.
Who would have thought language doctors are a bunch of rambling elitist jerks...and people wonder why I despise doctors so much...
Sure, the table tells you what race points are expected in relation to the power levels listed, but it's not like creatures all-of-a-sudden gain those power levels as a "type." That's not really expanded upon in the rules,
Unfortunately, given the text, it's the only conclusion that makes sense, even though it requires making up rules that aren't actually there.
I take it you've never socialized with college faculty.
Most of the BS was between the MD and the Lawyer with the Lit diagramming sentence structures. Educational, but the pizza was less obtuse. I remember why I dodged Philosophy and Lit.
Not really. As demonstrated, the reason why should be quite clear.
Either way, all we can gather, is that there is no definitive manner of what constitutes a Standard, Advanced, or Monstrous Race, since the only means of doing so requires houseruling or the understanding and knowledge of some unwritten rule.
Before you buy racial qualities and traits, you must determine the power level of your race. The GM decides this based on the needs of her campaign. The power level of the race determines the number of RP you get to build the race, as well as the maximum number of racial traits you can choose from each racial trait category and what kinds of traits you can take from those categories.
It says can, not must, so no.
If you are the GM - make it so.
If you are not the GM, ask the GM.