Couple of questions...

[Dead on Arrival]

My first question is about the Spell Power ability of the Shadow Adept prestige class. Do the effects stack with one another, or does each level supercede the one before it? My second question is about the Shade template. I was under the impression that it would be the equivalent of two character levels, but my friend who usually DMs is saying that it is much higher. He screwed up my idea I had when we were starting with 3rd level equivalent characters, so I am curious which of us was right.

Thanks for any help...

 

[kreynolds]

My second question is about the Shade template. I was under the impression that it would be the equivalent of two character levels, but my friend who usually DMs is saying that it is much higher. He screwed up my idea I had when we were starting with 3rd level equivalent characters, so I am curious which of us was right.

A shade is ECL +5, and you must be at least 5th level to take it, as per the FRCS errata.

 

[Dead on Arrival]

A shade is ECL +5, and you must be at least 5th level to take it, as per the FRCS errata.

Ouch, +5? Damn errata...

PS: Thanks for the reply...

 

[Artoomis]

Re: Re: Couple of questions...

A shade is ECL +5, and you must be at least 5th level to take it, as per the FRCS errata.

6th level, right? One class level plus 5 ECLs from being a Shade?

 

[kreynolds]

Re: Re: Re: Couple of questions...

6th level, right? One class level plus 5 ECLs from being a Shade?

Nope. The errata states that the shade ECL is +5, and that you must also be 5th level. 5 + 5 = 10. Monsters like this have that funky character level requirement.

 

[Caliber]

Exactly what is with the character level requirement? I don't see why a 1st level Werewolf is not allowed but a 6th level (I think) one is.

 

[Xarlen]

Think of it like the Vampire template. Any character 4 or under is a Spawn. Anything 5 and up is a vampire.

 

[Caliber]

While I didn't know that rule applied to vampires, at least in that case I could rationalize it in my mind. (The whole older vampires are stronger thing ...)

But why does a Werewolf or a Shade need to be a certain level? Are Shades born as 5th level characters? Or am I missing something very obvious (as usual)

 

[Xarlen]

It's the same reason monsters have HD, and you add the HD to their class.

Afflicted werewolves don't have to be a certain level.

Shades are not Born. It's a ritual that takes place, that they 'accept the shadow' or whatever. Basicly, they merge with the shadows, or infuse Shadow into their forms. So they need to be so experienced or so strong, or so -whatever-.

 

[Caliber]

Hmm. Okay. I guess I was mis-remembering what Shades were. And I guess I can see having to be a certain level if its a ritual of some sort (otherwise it would be too taxing on your limited life energies or whatever.)

But True Lycanthropes having to be a certain level still seems weird. Why don't Trolls need to be 6th level characters when Werewolves do? (and no I don't know what level Werewolves need to be, that was just an example.)

Thanks for the clarification on Shades though. That does help clear up the non-born, required class leveled monster races.