Is this race still ECL +0

frankthedm

First Post
Just curious. It looks Like a small bipedal Ratman[Warhammer skaven to be exact]. The stats are similar to the Halfling [which they replace for this campaign] and i tried to have them close.


RATLING

• +2 Dexterity, –2 Strength.
• Small: As a Small creature, a ratling gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but he uses smaller weapons than humans use, and his lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.
• Ratling base land speed is 20 feet. If moving on all four limbs [nothing in hands], a ratling can move at a base of 30 and enjoys a +2 bonus to balance checks
• +2 racial bonus on Listen, Survival, and Move Silently checks. May use DEX rather than STR on climb checks…except when being pulled from a wall.
• +1 racial bonus on all saving throws.
• +2 racial bonus on saving throws against disease : This bonus stacks with the Ratling’s +1 bonus on saving throws in general.
Low light vision: May take “Nightclan Feat” to replace with 60’ Darkvision
Bite: 1d4: treat as any other weapon. [ if this is a deciding factor, see sa1]
• Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus Languages: Dwarven, Gnoll, Giant, “Desert kingdom language”, High speech, “Kingdom of magic language” and Orc.
• Favored Class: Rogue. A multiclass Ratling’s rogue class does not count when determining whether she takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing.

EDIT
+2 circumstance bonus on Charisma checks dealing with rat like creatures.





SA1:
For my campaign, sneak attacks apply to attacks used with the accuarcy of BAB progresion and trained "two weapon fighting".The bite can be used to sneak attack if used as the primary attack or part of two weapon fignting, not as the tacked on -5 natural attack after using a manufactored weapon. The players agreed to this after i discussed the implications of lizard Folk rogues to them. They agreed Sneak attacks on natural attack routines were just a bit abusive.. or they just did not want to have to deal with Claw, sneak, claw, sneak, bite, sneak
 
Last edited:

log in or register to remove this ad

It feels just a little strong for me, so I'd suggest a minor penalty such as -2 to an appropriate skill or two. Maybe -2 racial penalty to Disguise and Bluff. Perhaps "distinctive coloration makes it hard to disguise yourself" and "who's going to trust a rat, anyway"?

I think it's the little extras "move 30 with empty hands" and "dex when climbing" as well as the bite that push it a little over for me (yes, I did read SA1). As written I'd say it's still ECL +0, I just think it could use a penalty to balance it out a bit.
 

I'd say toss on a -2 to Disguise (hard for a skaven to appear human-ish except under the most cursory of examination, what with the tail, snout and fur) and you'd be good to go for ECL 0.
 

IMO it's very slightly too strong for a ECL +0 race, particularly because of the 30' move option. I'd say either remove that ability, or add a couple of small disadvantages to balance it out.

A simple -2 to Charisma would probably work. The hit to Bluff and Use Magic Device would affect rogue characters, but not in too painful a manner.
 



Looks fine for +0.

One flavor question: are ratmen trusted in your campaign? If not, you should consider a -2 to Cha checks when dealing with non-ratmen. Note: I don't think this is needed for balance - just if it fits the place this race has in your campaign.
 


Sir Whiskers said:
Looks fine for +0.

One flavor question: are ratmen trusted in your campaign?

Would you trust a race that favors sneak attack and always has a lethal weapon at the ready.



Thanks for the reminder on disguies, that was plannned more of a general curcumstance penalty .
 

Remove ads

Top