Brain can't wrap around LA+3 template

[Innocent Bystander]

Okay, stupid question time. If I were to take the half dragon template (LA+3) and applied it to create an ECL 6 character, would how many of what hit dice would he have, 3dX from class levels, or 3dX from LA and 3dX from class levels?

Thanks for helping me become a little less ignorant

 

[Aus_Snow]

Basically, you subtract the LA from the total (ECL) and that's your 'Hit Dice' (i.e., class levels, generally speaking.)

So, 3.

LA = 'virtual levels' (without hit points, save bonuses, BAB, etc. that you would normally get from levels.)

 

[Innocent Bystander]

Thank you so very much. I thought that was the case, but wasn't sure. I feel marginally less ignorant now.

 

[Shin Okada]

Hit Dice = Character Level

Those two are the same thing. For example, Human Fighter 3 has 3 HDs and is a 3rd-level character. A normal Oger in MM has 4 HDs and is a 4th-level character.

Hit Dice (or Character Level) + LA = ECL

ECL is only used for calculating total XPs needed to level up (and to find the starting wealth, when you making a new character).

For example, assuming you make a Half-Dragon/Human Fighter 3.

He has 3 HDs (3d10) and a 3rd-level character.

But his ECL = 3 (HDs/Character Level) +3 (LA) = 6

Usually, he starts with 15,000 XPs.

And he needs 21,000 XPs in total to level up.

At this point, he can take another level in some class (say, another level of fighter).

Now he has 4 HDs and is a 4th-level character. And his ECL is now 7.

 

[Innocent Bystander]

Thanks for the expanded explination Shin Okada. I'm not new to DnD, but I'm taking my first crack at templates/LA.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

@Shin_Okada: Very nice, concise explanation of LA! Really clarified things for me, as well. Thanks!

 

[irdeggman]

ECL is only used for calculating total XPs needed to level up (and to find the starting wealth, when you making a new character).

And CR (and determining xp awards)

 

[Voadam]

And CR (and determining xp awards)

Yes for determining ECL for xp gaining purposes as a PC but not for CR as a monster. Templates for monsters have separate CR and LA listings. For instance making a 10th level human fighter a vampire (CR +2, LA +8) turns his CR from 10 to 12 as a monster but his ECL as a player is 18.

 

[NewJeffCT]

Shin - great summary - I'd give you XP for it, but it says I must spread some around again before giving it to you.

 

[irdeggman]

Yes for determining ECL for xp gaining purposes as a PC but not for CR as a monster. Templates for monsters have separate CR and LA listings. For instance making a 10th level human fighter a vampire (CR +2, LA +8) turns his CR from 10 to 12 as a monster but his ECL as a player is 18.

Only for monsters - PCs are always considered to be their ECL.

Monsters have specific CR listed because, well they are different with a different set of parameters then are PCs.

So when determing an appropriate CR for a given party you use the ECLs of the PCs in the calculation.