Half-Elves in 3.5

[Ridley's Cohort]

While the logic of that makes sense (that the half-elven abilities are worth more than a feat, probably more like 2-3 feats) the lost skill points (4 at first level, +1 per level afterward) overcompensate IMHO. 4 skill points is probably worth around about a feat in itself; better than Skill Focus in most circumstances. At least 2-3 Feats worth over the life of the character.

Hmm...good points.

4 skill points and +1 per level is comparable to the Cosmopolitan feat, not quite as good if you have a weak skill list (because you can't hit high ranks on an attractive cross class skill on points alone) and slightly better if you have a good skill list already.

So the humans effectively get two feats, one is "Extra skill points" and the other is "Any".

The half-elves get three slightly weak feats and elven blood for flavor.

That seems quite closely balanced to me. I had initially thought that half-elves really needed some help, but I think perhaps a very small tweak in their favor is all that is necessary.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

OSI Layers...

Last week when I had to learn for Cisco, they annoyed me like hell

 

[Stalker0]

I say just give the half-elf +1 skill per level and your set. With low-light vision and the other bonuses with the +1 skill, they are on par with humans and elves.

 

[Merlion]

You mean one maxed out skill as per the human? That is a good option.

 

[Gilwen]

Consider that stolen. I have seen/made maybe a 100 characters since 3E came out and I don't think I have even heard some one suggest a 1/2 elf. This might help with my group. I like it.

Ack, I've been stolen!

 

[Darklone]

Another fix that I saw somewhere... Halfelves get Spot, Listen and Search as class skills extra.

That's a HUGE advantage. I wouldn't use it.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Another fix that I saw somewhere... Halfelves get Spot, Listen and Search as class skills extra.

That's a HUGE advantage. I wouldn't use it.

Me neither. No free class skills depending on race.

 

[shurai]

I don't really think half-elves need reinforcement; I think they're balanced but less interesting than the other classes. They're usually compared to elves and humans but they don't get cool ability score tweaks, and they don't humanlike 'free stuff'.

I think they look weaker than they are because the get a bunch of minor bonuses instead of two major ones. Let's look at the differences:

HUMANS
* 1 extra feat at 1st level.
* 4 extra skill points at 1st level and 1 extra skill point at each additional level.

HALF-ELVES
* Immunity to sleep spells and similar magical effects.
* +2 racial saving throw bonus against Enchantment spells or effects.
* Low-light Vision.
* +1 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks.
* Elven Blood.
* Extra Language: Elven.

So we have two abilities vs. six. Unless the human abilities are significantly more valuable than the half-elven abilities, then half-elven weakness ought to be imaginary.

Admittedly, the two human abilities are very strong as character abilities go. "Any one feat" is very powerful, indeed, as are the extra skill points. But I think people often count the small benefits half-elves for nothing at all, which is a mistake. Race selection shouldn't have such a huge power influence over the character in the first place, in the light of character class and other choices.

-S