Bloodlines?

[Eldritch_Lord]

You are saying it should be initiator level 11(warblade +3) + 4(half swordsage level plus 3) + 8(mo9 level plus 3) = initiator level 23 at 17th level?. That is clearly not balanced. Not does it appear to be the intent of the bloodline mechanism or the intended way they meant for initiator levels to accrue.

Not the intent of IL, probably, but then, this is WotC we're talking about. It is, however, the intent of bloodlines:

Similarly, the stunning attacks of a 3rd-level monk with one bloodline level have a save DC equal to 12 (10 + one-half class level) plus her Wisdom modifier, since the bloodline level is treated as if it were a monk class level when calculating the save DC. A 3rd-level monk/3rd-level sorcerer with two bloodline levels would be treated as a 5th-level spellcaster and a 5th-level monk for determining level-based abilities.

They affect every class, not just one class. Every class contributes its class levels to IL, and it's a level-dependent value, so every class adds ½(class+bloodline) to IL.

As to the balance--no, of course it's not balanced. That's why all the "powergamers" and "rules lawyers" over at CharOp and that I know IRL (myself included) say not to use bloodlines with ToB classes or at least rule that it only affects one class, as you have done. Under those circumstances, it's just fine, but by default binders and ToB get wonky when bloodlines are involved.

As far as why anyone would take 3 bloodline levels? No reason at all, except for the bonus feats, skill bonuses, spell-like abilities, and stat bonuses that come with all the major bloodlines.

Only some bloodlines are worth it, and only for some classes. Three +1s to set ability scores, a handful of weak bonus feats, and a few skill bonuses don't always make up for three full levels of stuff. The storm giant one might be worth it for a barbarian, for instance, as it provides Power Attack (which you were going to pick anyway, so you get another bonus feat), bonuses to Str and Con (yay more rage!), water breathing, and freedom of movement (screw you, spellcasters). A rogue, however, usually gets more skill points in those three levels than the skill bonuses grant, which he can put where he wants, and he can't really afford the lowered HP and probably doesn't like the reduced saves.

 

[the_insomniac]

they most certainly DO count towards ecl. when they say they dont increase character level normally, BUT here are some benefits, its just a poorly worded "here's something bad, BUT here's something good"....what is meant is this: when u increase in character level, u go through a process of "leveling up" (described in the player's handbook on page 58) but when u take a level of bloodline, its different. no hd, no saves, no class features, etc. what happens is this: (before i explain, people should know that when u level up, your xp doesnt "reset" to 0. as u gain xp, u hit "checkpoints" so to speak. when u hit these "checkpoints", u "level up".) now, when a 2nd level character with a "bloodline" has gained enough xp to level up to a 3rd level character, they have to take a level of bloodline (assuming they havnt yet). IF the level of bloodline DIDNT count towards ecl, then you would have a rogue2/bloodline1 (or whatever2/bloodline1) with an ecl 2 but enough xp to level up. so, the whatever2/bloodline1 would then take the 3rd level of rogue (or whatever), and go through the process of leveling up (marking increases to hp, saves, bab, skills, etc). now, what this would look like is this: dm: "u need to take a level of bloodline now", and the player would say "ok" and then just take the 3rd level of rogue (or whatever), and mark down the benefit granted by the bloodline at character level 3. "taking a level of bloodline" would then be a process entirely composed of NOTHING! now, on page 19 of unearthed arcana, it explains what the penalties are for NOT taking a level of bloodline by the deadline given. there IS a downside to NOT taking the level on time, so, that means it's POSSIBLE to NOT take the level on time. so why wouldnt someone meet the deadline for taking the bloodline level? maybe their character REALLY needs another HD in order to keep surviving, who knows, but the point is this: bloodlines are NOT just "free benefits". they come at a cost. that cost is outlined in the first paragraph under the heading "bloodline levels" on page 19 of unearthed arcana. a static la ISNT ENOUGH. that's what it says. and these bloodline levels ARE worse, as they cant be reduced through la buyoff (natually, since they are levels, not level adjustments).

some people just cant accept the way things are. for example, all these people who think they can cast higher level spells with an illumian extra spell slot trick or whatever. theres this cool little sentence on page 8 of the player's handbook "....Intelligence score of 15, so she’s smart enough to get one bonus 1st level spell and one bonus 2nd-level spell. (She will not actually get the 2nd-level spell until she is 3rd level wizard, since that’s the minimum level a wizard must be to cast 2nd-level spells.)" now, heighten spell is in THAT book. so if u have a bonus 2nd level spell slot from a 15 int, and the feat heighten spell, can u heighten magic missile to 2nd level and cast it? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! END. OF. DISCUSSION. there is NO argument to that, and there is NO argument to the fact that bloodlines are NOT as cheap as level adjustments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!