"Buy the numbers" ... for races?

[der_kluge]

The more I delve into the races of my CS, the more I'm convinced that I hate d20, and I want to expand on the definitions of each of the races. I like the idea of HARP where you can buy cultural packages, and you can tailor them with bloodlines, etc (I'm getting this from the review, I haven't actually purchased it yet), but if I have to get up to speed quickly, I figured I could go with a "buy the numbers" style system, but for races. I'll probably also get said product and apply it for classes, but right now I'm looking for options for racial modifers.

Something like what Skills and Powers had where you could customize your race how you wanted to, and spend points on various racial abilities. I could work up something myself, but I was curious if there was already anything on the topic that I could purchase, or procure?

 

[Crothian]

Hate d20?? I don't even know you anymore!!

It really depends on the power level of the additions you want to add. I've done this with templates that work like prestige classes for people to aquire in the campaign. They count as levels but don't give the HD, BAB, saves, skill points. They do give new racial abilites but I balance it out with requiring a level.

When Buy the Numbers first came out, I pointed out that ecl races and templates were not addressed and asked for something more on it but nothing has cvome of it.

 

[Psion]

Portals & Planes has a simple buy system to tweak races.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Upper Krust's CR system is what I use. It has most abilities listed as a CR (= lvl) modifier.

 

[DMH]

Shaping the Self by Genjitsu has racial levels (and levels for curses, templates, and other stuff). The advantage is that you can alter the racial features to fit within your campaign.

I am suprised that no one has reviewed that here.

 

[Piratecat]

As Psion said, I really like Planes & Portals' race tweaking system. I also like UK's CR system as refined in Grim Tales. Good stuff.

 

[JimAde]

I've used UK's system for monsters but never a PC race. However it's quite comprehensive and should work well. I think you'd have to pay more attention to the fine points, though. The system is for generating CRs, but I assume the baseline for all PC races would be a CR of 1 or 2. However that could cover a LA of, say, 0 - 3.

If I get some time today, I'll stuff a couple of PHB races through it and see what they come out as. Not sure when I'll get to it though.

 

[diaglo]

...I'm convinced that I hate d20

now you are talking.

my hat of d02 knows no limits.

and race buying is one of the reasons.

 

[der_kluge]

Upper Krust's CR system is what I use. It has most abilities listed as a CR (= lvl) modifier.

is there somewhere where I can find it?

 

[der_kluge]

now you are talking.

my hat of d02 knows no limits.

and race buying is one of the reasons.

Well, I'm not exactly a card carrying Diaglo fan club member quite yet. But, I just can't get over how utterly restrictive d20 can be. It seems like I'm trying to modify the magic system, the classes, the equipment, and now the races. So, I can't help but think I should probably try to move to another system.