Ok, so I am looking at OLD to see if it can serve to fit my homebrew campaign setting better than the current d20 system I use. I've read over the races and Designing Races sections but I'm a little vague still on the concepts.
I understand that you are a proponent of all races not being created equal, but just HOW far off do you feel is still acceptable? What constitutes imbalanced?
When it comes to assigning Attributes, how many Attribute points is too much and how does it really effect balance? Also, isn't the lizardman way below he curve at only 13 attributes?
For example:
Dwarf (21 attributes)
Grand Elf (22 attributes)
Human (19 attributes)
Lizardman (13 attribute)
Ogres (20 attributes)
Sylvan Elf (21 attributes)
Smallfolk (23 attributes)
Orc (18 attributes)
[Side Note 1 - In the Races section humans are listed as a 3 in each of the core 6 attributes, but in the Race Creation section you say they have 2's and that a 2 in each stat should be the gauge for attributes? Did attributes change after the race creation section was written?]
Also, how do you determine balance for Racial Bonuses? Some of the racial bonuses don't seem to measure up. For instance is a free piece of equipment for elves even close to being on-par with what other races get?
Dwarf (7 skills / +2 Defense, Speed 4; Darkvision; Max Magic 1; Stability)
Grand Elf (6 skills / 1 Free Equipment (musket or pistol))
Human (7 skills / +1 Attribute point)
Lizardman (4 skills / 1d6 Vulnerability to Cold; Poison Breath)
Ogre (4 skills / Defense -2; Soak 5)
Sylvan Elf (5 skills / 1 free Plant spell)
Smallfolk (5 Skills / +2 Defense, Darkvision)
Orc (4 skills / Berserk Rage)
[Side Note 2 - I think the Magic restriction rather harsh for a "Standard Fantasy" dwarf since it means they really can't have clerics. Maybe limit Max Magic = WIL?]
[Side Note 3 - I feel that only 3 skills may be a bit restrictive. What was the reasoning for such a short skill list based on racial heritage?
I understand that you are a proponent of all races not being created equal, but just HOW far off do you feel is still acceptable? What constitutes imbalanced?
When it comes to assigning Attributes, how many Attribute points is too much and how does it really effect balance? Also, isn't the lizardman way below he curve at only 13 attributes?
For example:
Dwarf (21 attributes)
Grand Elf (22 attributes)
Human (19 attributes)
Lizardman (13 attribute)
Ogres (20 attributes)
Sylvan Elf (21 attributes)
Smallfolk (23 attributes)
Orc (18 attributes)
[Side Note 1 - In the Races section humans are listed as a 3 in each of the core 6 attributes, but in the Race Creation section you say they have 2's and that a 2 in each stat should be the gauge for attributes? Did attributes change after the race creation section was written?]
Also, how do you determine balance for Racial Bonuses? Some of the racial bonuses don't seem to measure up. For instance is a free piece of equipment for elves even close to being on-par with what other races get?
Dwarf (7 skills / +2 Defense, Speed 4; Darkvision; Max Magic 1; Stability)
Grand Elf (6 skills / 1 Free Equipment (musket or pistol))
Human (7 skills / +1 Attribute point)
Lizardman (4 skills / 1d6 Vulnerability to Cold; Poison Breath)
Ogre (4 skills / Defense -2; Soak 5)
Sylvan Elf (5 skills / 1 free Plant spell)
Smallfolk (5 Skills / +2 Defense, Darkvision)
Orc (4 skills / Berserk Rage)
[Side Note 2 - I think the Magic restriction rather harsh for a "Standard Fantasy" dwarf since it means they really can't have clerics. Maybe limit Max Magic = WIL?]
[Side Note 3 - I feel that only 3 skills may be a bit restrictive. What was the reasoning for such a short skill list based on racial heritage?