Animal LA's

[Tonguez]

Okay I'm completely hopeless at calculating LA's and so I've come to you guys

If I wanted to play with Animal characters what kind of LA's would you apply to

A Dolphin, A Seal, A Wolf, A Bear, A Hawk, An Ape etc etc

 

[BOZ]

i suck at LA's, so i'll pass on this one. just to make sure you're clear on what you're asking, you want to use animals as PC's, not as cohort NPCs?

 

[Shade]

Technically, creatures with less than 3 Intelligence are "unplayable". However, if you were to improve the Int score (say through an awaken spell), they should work.

Basically, the LA for animals would be as follows:
+1 for a fly speed (+2 for good or perfect maneuverability)
+1 for climb or burrow speed
+1 for swim speed (if in an aquatic-based campaign only)
+1 for scent
+1 for natural armor
+1 for every 5 ft. of reach over 5 ft.
-1 LA if Small

Most animals would have an LA of +1 or +2.

 

[DonaldRumsfeldsTofu]

I never understood that "creatures with animal intelligence/severe public ostracism/bizarre anatomy/any other large handicap can't be playable characters" mentality. If my Sanctified Vampire, Boarder Collie, and Awakened Gelatinous Ooze players can’t pick up a sword or make an intelligence check with a DC of 5 or go anywhere without zealous villagers trying to stab them with wooden stakes that’s a thorn in their feet, not mine. I don’t mind torturing my players, in fact I jump at the opportunity.

 

[Shade]

I think I've encountered that party...

 

[BOZ]

i killed them with my bare hands.

 

[Shade]

And you say I'm evil.