Drawbacks for a Fighter/Mage Kit

[Remathilis]

Heya,

I'm trying to build a kit for 2nd edition Elven Fighter/Mages that mimic the old Elf class of Basic. Specifically, I want to allow them the ability to cast in armor, which is a huge benefit. I want to balance this with a suitable drawback, but I'm not sure what to do for it. What would be a good price to pay for the ability to cast in armor?

A few ideas...

1.) Limiting max spells known or maximum spell level castable.
2.) Additional XP cost to level.
3.) ???

Suggestions are welcome

 

[Libramarian]

Do you allow spellcasters their Dex adj to AC while casting? If so you could say these guys don't get it while casting in armor.

 

[Warbringer]

Why? .. Fighter/Mage is a pretty power mullti-class, even with the effective level lag...

 

[Stormonu]

Just give them access to gnomish leather and elvin chain (no plate). Moderate AC bonus, very expensive (at least x10).

 

[LostSoul]

If they wear armour, they don't get to add XP to their Mage class.

 

[Remathilis]

Still not anything I was looking for.

I'm trying to emulate the elf class from Basic. There, the tradeoff was limited spell level (@ 10th level casting) slow progression, and lower HD for armor and weapons. I'm trying to do the same in 2e.

 

[Libramarian]

Raise the ability score requirements?

 

[Stormonu]

Still not anything I was looking for.

I'm trying to emulate the elf class from Basic. There, the tradeoff was limited spell level (@ 10th level casting) slow progression, and lower HD for armor and weapons. I'm trying to do the same in 2e.

Well, why not just port the Basic elf directly into 2E as a class? Just give it a special class name and make it only available to elves (and maybe gnomes).

 

[GreyLord]

Well, you stated the beginning of it.

Max Level is 10. IF 19 INT.

Max Level is 9 if 18 INT

Max Level is 8 if 16-17 INT

Max Level is 7 if 14-15 INT

Max Level is 6 normally.

Max Spell level is 10.

I think that's probably good enough.

If you want to toss one more restriction into it, Must roll character using 3d6 in order, wish spells can only raise a stat by 1 at the cost of lowering another stat by 2, and can only be done once in a lifetime....

Also must have a min dex of 9, min str of 9 and a min INT of 9.

That should replicate the D&D elf accordingly...with enough restrictions to make up for being able to cast in armor.

 

[Remathilis]

This is what I did so far.

Ability Scores: 13 Str, 13 Con, 15 Int. Not difficult, but the 13 con (14 since you need to be an elf) is essentially dumping a stat.

No bonus XP for high ability scores
For purposes of spellcasting (learn spell, spells known, spell level) treat their intelligence as two less (so a 13 gives the bonuses of an 11).

Sounds fair?