An Open Letter to Planewalker Regarding so-called Prestige Races

[Kobold Avenger]

Another thing is that the Fiend Folio introduced Grafts (even if FFG had Spellware before that) which seem to be similar enough in my opinion.

 

[Zjelani]

If characters can get a potentially unlimited number of abilities which are not reflected in their level, then the entire CR system goes out the window.

For a GM, this is a bad thing.

I have to disagree. The CR system is a guideline designed towards what works for a party of 4 iconic (as in Mialee, Regar, etc.) characters with a set level of equipment. Every party varies and every GM needs to account for how it varies from that "standard".

If you have a party of 6 characters the CR system still works. If your characters have more magic items than normal, CRs aren't useless. If you don't have a cleric to heal and turn undead, or the PCs don't have weapons that can bypass a creature's DR, you take it into account. Even if most of the heavy-hitting fighter-types are all ranged or all melee, it has an impact on how appropriate some CRs are.

The GM needs to take those factors into account and realize on a case by case basis how the party differs from that norm. Prestige races do the same thing.

Yes, it does add in extra work for the GM, and s/he might not be interested and want to keep the party as standard as possible, and that's fine by me. But I don't really see this invalidating the entire CR system anymore than other variations from the standard party.