Half Celestials [2002 thread]

[Moleculo]

This has probably come up before, but i have a question about the experience points of monster-races characters. Ok, in the dmg it says that they start with experience points equal to the amount they would need to have thier hit dice right? (the example was an ogre has enough xp for level 4 since it has 4 hitdice) Would a Halfcelestial character (level 1) start with 0 xp or with enough xp to be level 4 since the ecl adjustment is +3? If there is any eratta could you point me in the direction?

jake

 

[Orco42]

He would start with enough xp for level 4 (6000xp) since his ECL is +3.

So he is a (for xp purposes) 4th level character but has only 1 class level.

 

[Moleculo]

Well the reason i was asking because a level 1 character half celestial only has 1 hit dice, and the rules say in the dmg that he should start as if he is alevel 1 character, only the other characters should be level 4. Does that make any sense? Like it seems that the ECL doesnt actually effect level, just tell you what the surrounding pc's should be like to balance out? If i am dead wrong just say so This was brought to my attention by a player, since i had been telling him that tehy count as if they were 3 hds, but it appears not. and i am rambling because i am dead tired

Jake

 

[Iku Rex]

According to the DMG (and thus the official D&D rules), a 1st level Half-Celestial starts with 0 XP and advances as a 1st level character. This was not fixed in the errata.

In the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting they have different rules, where you start with the XP and equipment of a 4th level character. I think most DMs do it this way.

 

[Rashak Mani]

Careful there... ok the idea is of course that a half Celestial should have PCs with 3 more levels around... but remember that the XPs are the same as those 3 lvls higher.

If the XP was for a character 3 lvls lower the half celestial would quickly catch up to the other PCs since the XP difference to pass a level wouldnt be as big as the other PCs.

All you do is consider the half celestials XP number necessary as his level +3 ...

1st lvl 1/2 celestial has the same XP as a 4th lvl PC
2nd 5th lvl and so on.


I had a 7th lvl Celestial in a 10th lvl campaign for example... and needed same amount XP as the others to pass a level... yet I had only 7HD and the powers of a 7th lvl character only + half celestial bonuses (which are very very very good).

In general half celestials arent worthwhile in low level campaigns... and in fact should even appear until a 4th lvl group exists (they would be 1st lvl.... with 1st lvl hps = certain death ). In higher level campaigns the extra CON can make up for the lesser number of lvls.

 

[graydoom]

Rashak Mani and Orco42 have it right.
Because of the low HP, Half-Celestial characters will be weak at low levels, but later on the ability increases and other benefits will balance out the lost HD. Of course, that time when the Half-Celestial only has 1 HD and is going up against CR 4 monsters will be tough to survive through.

 

[Rashak Mani]

Tough !! More likely Deadly !!

If you think about it ... the 1HD celestial can survive a Colossal White Dragon´s Breath due to immunity to cold... but will collapse with a simple Magic Missile.

Half Celestials can severly unbalance a mid to high level campaign if well setup... if everyone is powerful no problem...

 

[Kesh]

Are you sure about that? I was under the impression that races with ECL still gain their natural Hit Dice, then add class HD as they increase in levels? That would let your half-celestial live long enough to gain a second level.

 

[Victim]

Yes, and what HD does a 1/2 celestial template add? Nothing. They have no natural HD so 1st level 1/2 celestial have one HD.

 

[Kesh]

Oh, duh.

I forgot it was a template. Silly me.