Alternatives to LA modifiers

[Exen Trik]

Since races with level adjustments generally become weaker at higher levels, especially as caster classes, I thought of using different balancing methods depending on the abilities of the race:


Flat exp penalty: For benefits that have little effect past a few levels, such as casting a low level spell a few times per day, increase the exp requirements for each level by a certain amount of exp. A character with a racial 500 exp penalty advances to 2nd level at 1500 exp, 3rd at 3500 exp, and 4th at 6500 exp.

Porportionate exp penalty: For things that provide a more or less constant benefit through all levels, such as stat bonuses, the requirements for each level are each multiplied by a certain amount. A 20% penalty would give 2nd level at 1200 exp, 3rd at 3600, 4th at 7200, etc.

Level adjustments: The standard level adjustments would still be used, but only for benefits that duplicate and stack with class features or spellcaster levels. For a race that casts as a 4th level cleric, it's simply a +4 LA.


Thoughts?

 

[Jack Simth]

Since races with level adjustments generally become weaker at higher levels, especially as caster classes, I thought of using different balancing methods depending on the abilities of the race:


Flat exp penalty: For benefits that have little effect past a few levels, such as casting a low level spell a few times per day, increase the exp requirements for each level by a certain amount of exp. A character with a racial 500 exp penalty advances to 2nd level at 1500 exp, 3rd at 3500 exp, and 4th at 6500 exp.

Porportionate exp penalty: For things that provide a more or less constant benefit through all levels, such as stat bonuses, the requirements for each level are each multiplied by a certain amount. A 20% penalty would give 2nd level at 1200 exp, 3rd at 3600, 4th at 7200, etc.

Level adjustments: The standard level adjustments would still be used, but only for benefits that duplicate and stack with class features or spellcaster levels. For a race that casts as a 4th level cleric, it's simply a +4 LA.


Thoughts?

A 10% xp penalty equals a +1 LA at class level 21. Before then, the LA costs more, after, less.
A 20% xp penalty equals a +2 LA at about class level 21.5. Before then, the LA costs more, after, less.

Do bear in mind, though, that ECL determines how much xp you get. With an XP penalty... well, the XP penalty will keep them behind, a little, but the lack of an adjustment on how much XP they get means that the rewards will speed up, mostly negating the penalty at about one or two levels behind, pretty much regardless of how much the penalty is.