Balancing Level Adjustment

[Yair]

I have been modfying some template powers, and in so doing run into the problems of balancing them. After thinking about it, I decided to treat level adjustment as if it was increasing a base class from level X. A template with a level adjustment of +Y would give powers roughly in line with those a character would gain as he ascends from level X to level X+Y.

Is this how it's supposed to be done? I have also considered:
Assuming treasure to be worth about 1/3 of CR, take the estimated treasure at ECL X+Y, divide by half to get a single item's power, and then multiply by three. This give the gp value of the abilties the template should confer, had it been a magic item.

Of course the problem with both methods is that the LA will be too high below level X, and too low above level X. I don't see any to get over THAT, however; it seems a basic syndrome of the level adjustment mechanic.

I guess what I wanted to ask is: how do you balance templates and level adjustment? Do you think my method is reasonable? (If not, suggest away!)

 

[The Souljourner]

I definitely don't think using magic items is the way to balance abilities. There is a big discussion of ECLs in Savage Species that you should look at. They give pretty detailed information about it... but in the end they effectively say that you really have to just compare the character with the power to one without the power but higher level. When you find a close match, then use that for the ECL.

-The Souljourner

 

[Yair]

Yeah, that's essentially how I do it, but the trick is: comparing which character?
Suppose my template allows the character to enjoy Righteous Might once per day. That's a fifth level spell (IIRC). (I actually have such a template, sort of, this isn't an idle excercise.)
Considering a 1st level character with this ability, I think a LA of +2 or +3 sounds about right - the ability to cast one fifth level spell is devestating, but ultimately the charcter has many weaknesses. (This also shows that putting high-powered abilities on weak charcters only goes so far towards increasing their power.)
Considering a 19 level character with and withough this ability, however, I think an LA of +0 sounds right. Casting a fifth-level spell once per day is neat and all, but just ask your local player playing a 19-level cleric which level benefits he would like to have - taking 20th cleric level or casting one more fifth level spell per day. I'm pretty sure he'll go with the cleric level.
I chose to compare a character level 5 + template (with the same character who just pumps his class level) for my own campaign, since that's about the range where I plan to play the campaign. But that's just my choice; there is nothing inherently balanced about it.
(I chose an LA of +2 for the example ability: increasing a wizard 5 by two levels, he would cast one fourth level spell plus many other perks, so casting one fifth level spell and no perks seem about equivalent in power. Had I set the base level at 8, it would have likely been a weak +1 LA. Had I set it at 12 or more, a +0 LA would start to make sense.)

All things considered, I think the LA system is at essence not balanced. The LA is set with a particular power level in mind; at lower levels the character will be stronger than ECL-equivalent standard characters, but at higher levels it will be weaker. That's because the powers of the template don't stack with character level the way class abilties do (through class level); well, barring a few templates.

As for magic items prices, I agree. Too many assumptions creep in.
(I do use magic item market prices to compare different abilities, but that's antoher matter.)

As for savage species - thanks, I'll try to take a peak.