ECL after chracter creation

[Hawkeye]

Do you apply ECL after a chracter is in play? If, for some reason, a character changes type through reincarnation, or lycanthropy (evil character decides to give into the beast), magically combined with an essence of dragon becoming 1/2 dragon etc..., do you then apply an ECL and they can't gain a level until that is met?

Hawkeye

Edit: Spelling

 

[LokiDR]

Hawkeye, in a general answer, no.

Reincarnation adds no ECL because it is a (supposedly) random chance that can end up a lot worse for the character. Lycathropy is a disease that alters character alignment. Becoming a half-dragon requires a 10 level PrC, dragon disciple.

However, if you give a PC power there should be a cost, like taking levels of a PrC. Infecting a LG character with werebear lycanthropy is only good for him. In this case, I would make him buy off a portion of the ECL, just to be fair to the other characters.

I hope that helps.

 

[Hawkeye]

I read the Dragon Disciple and I can see where you are coming from with that, but what if the DM uses another means of making one a 1/2 Dragon? (or celestial or fiend etc...)

Lycanthropy: Yes it is a diesease that can change a character's alignment, but what is the character is already evil and gives into the beast? Lots of bonuses for the character, but no downside in terms of alignment or a Paladin to a werebear or a True Neutral Drudi to a were tiger? Bonuses with little penalties.

Reincarnation: I can see your point there.

Hawkeye

 

[kreynolds]

Do you apply ECL after a chracter is in play?

How many levels would you charge me if you gave me 6 levels of fighter?

 

[hammymchamham]

Re: Re: ECL after chracter creation

How many levels would you charge me if you gave me 6 levels of fighter?

Normally 6, but for you 4.

If I had a player that added a template, I'd do this as an example:

Player is lvl 10 Fighter. Finds some artifact that will turn you into a half-celestial. Fighter goes through ritual or what not becomes Half-celestial. I believe ECL is 3 for Half-celestial, hes a level 10 fighter, with as much XP as a level 10 fighter, but to get his next level, (level 11 fighter) he'd need as much XP as a level 14 fighter (ecl 14) So it would be awhile before he leveled up.

Not sure how offical that is, but I would do

 

[Hawkeye]

Kreynolds: If you have a party and one chracter is struck with a version of lycanthropy that is consistent with their current alignment, and they gain control over it, do thier class levels then lag behind the rest of the party until their ECL is then met?

Hawkeye

 

[kreynolds]

Re: Re: Re: ECL after chracter creation

Normally 6, but for you 4.

LOL

 

[kreynolds]

Kreynolds: If you have a party and one chracter is struck with a version of lycanthropy that is consistent with their current alignment, and they gain control over it, do thier class levels then lag behind the rest of the party until their ECL is then met?

Do you mean like a Paladin Werebear? If so, then yes. You need to play catch-up (more xp to equal your ECL) in order to level again.

If you like, you can look at that time spent as you getting used to the template. Actually, that's what I always thought the adjustment period in reincarnation was about, but then they nerfed it.

EDIT: Actually, the adjustment period I was thinking about was from Polymorph Other, not reincarnate.

 

[dcollins]

Do you mean like a Paladin Werebear? If so, then yes. You need to play catch-up (more xp to equal your ECL) in order to level again.

Is there a rules quote for that? That sounds pretty house-rulesy.

 

[LokiDR]

I am pretty sure that playing catch up for an ECL modification is a house rule. The rules, as written, do not require any modification of ECL during game play. This makes sense most times. After all, how much more unbalancing is it to give a player an ECL modifier race than, say, a vorpal holy avenger?

A DM should consider character modifications very carefully, just as they should watch how much money and magic items the party has. Think of it like handing out a greater artifact. Of course it is fun, but not to be done lightly.