Basic ECL Question

[Pielorinho]

A player of mine is making a tiefling character that should be ECL 11. The DMG says that to figure out the ECL, you add the base creature's HD to the level adjustment. A tiefling has 1 HD and +1 LA; she therefore created a 9th-level tiefling.

I'm thinking she's wrong: there's also a clause saying that a creature with 1 or ferwer HD must start with a class level. Tieflings normally start with 1 level of warrior; I'm thinking she could replace that with one level of (for example) wizard if she wanted, creating basically a tenth-level character. If she chooses not to do that, but to use the template in the MM as a base, she'll basiclaly have a level 9 wizard/level 1 warrior.

Am I right? Can anyone explain this in clear language? We were both confused in reading it last night.

Thanks!
Daniel

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

You are right.

To create a tielfing character of ECL 11, you need 10 class levels. In this case, 10 wizard levels.

Some humanoid races already have a LA (which is +1 for Tieflings). In the MM, they are indeed presented as 1st-level warriors, because you can't really have a Tiefling of level 0.

I don't know how to put it in clear words . For a race, ECL = Class Levels + Level adjustment. For MONSTER races, then it's different, but for "basic" races, you don't factor the HD since the HD comes from a level of warrior, like you pointed out.

AR

 

[Planesdragon]

Tieflings normally start with 1 level of warrior; I'm thinking she could replace that with one level of (for example) wizard if she wanted, creating basically a tenth-level character. If she chooses not to do that, but to use the template in the MM as a base, she'll basiclaly have a level 9 wizard/level 1 warrior.

Yes, exactly.

LA is simply "the number you add to the # of HD that a character has to determine ECL."


Of course, it gets confusing with NPC classes, which count as -1 ECL. Your player could have an 11th level warrior or adept if they wanted and still be ECL 11.