Half-Ogre from Dragon #313

[Liquid Snake]

I think the Level Adjustment is waaaay too kind for what this template offers.

The only penalties it bestows are an INT -2 and a CHA -2. Then its STR +4, darkvision, natural armor, increased speed and -oh yeah, your size increases by one category, so if you were Medium, now you're Large with an extra STR +8, more natural armor and CON +4.

A mere LA: +1 can't be right.

Any suggestions for a LA that is fair?

 

[TroyXavier]

don't let a medium character take the template. That will fix it real quick.

 

[Limper]

I think its fine... even on a medium character.

 

[KarinsDad]

I think the Level Adjustment is waaaay too kind for what this template offers.

The only penalties it bestows are an INT -2 and a CHA -2. Then its STR +4, darkvision, natural armor, increased speed and -oh yeah, your size increases by one category, so if you were Medium, now you're Large with an extra STR +8, more natural armor and CON +4.

A mere LA: +1 can't be right.

Any suggestions for a LA that is fair?

I think LA is not the only thing that should be modified.

Humans have an average CON of 10. Ogres have an average CON of 15.

So, why does a human half-ogre have an average CON of 14 (i.e. +4)? It should be +3 at best and probably +2.

Ditto for Strength. Ogre 21. Human 10. It should be +6 (+4 for size maybe, +2 otherwise).

Finally, remember that size is also -1 to AC for a large creature.

And, you did not mention how much natural armor is gained, but it should be +3 maximum.

Finally, Ogres do not get Darkvision (at least in 3E, do not know about 3.5). So, why should a half-ogre?

With this arrangement (+6 Str, +2 Con, +3 natural, no darkvision), I would make it LA 2. With the original, I would make it LA 3 or 4.

 

[jasamcarl]

I think you are misreading the template. I haven't seen it, but i doubt size based ability mods are actually included in the template's size increase. This is born out by the SS half-ogre.

Ability increases with size only comes into play in monster advancement. If the template doesn't mention it, its not there....

 

[drnuncheon]

I think LA is not the only thing that should be modified.

Humans have an average CON of 10. Ogres have an average CON of 15.

So, why does a human half-ogre have an average CON of 14 (i.e. +4)? It should be +3 at best and probably +2.

Strange as it may seem, the child of two parents is not necessarily the average of their respective abilities.

J

 

[Derulbaskul]

Fortunately, the two-handed sword does 3d6 damage to Large critters so that sort of balances things out, doesn't it...?

 

[Carnifex]

I think the Level Adjustment is waaaay too kind for what this template offers.

The only penalties it bestows are an INT -2 and a CHA -2. Then its STR +4, darkvision, natural armor, increased speed and -oh yeah, your size increases by one category, so if you were Medium, now you're Large with an extra STR +8, more natural armor and CON +4.

A mere LA: +1 can't be right.

Any suggestions for a LA that is fair?

The size increase does not, I'm fairly sure, give the bonuses you've listed. It just does the whole size thing of -1AC, -1 to hit and able to use larger weapons.

 

[Limper]

I think you are misreading the template. I haven't seen it, but i doubt size based ability mods are actually included in the template's size increase. This is born out by the SS half-ogre.

Ability increases with size only comes into play in monster advancement. If the template doesn't mention it, its not there....

No it states that you gain the size increase bonuses in addition to the basic template ones.

I believe a -2 to Dex and a -1 to AC come with the package.

 

[Vocenoctum]

I think you are misreading the template. I haven't seen it, but i doubt size based ability mods are actually included in the template's size increase. This is born out by the SS half-ogre.

Ability increases with size only comes into play in monster advancement. If the template doesn't mention it, its not there....

"the base creatures Type doesn't change. If the creature if os Small or Medium size, it gains a size catagorey, becoming Medium or Large respectively. See Table 4-2: Changes to statistics by Size in the Monster Manual for changes to the base creature when it gains a size category. The changes in this template are in addition to the changes outlined there."

And yeah, Chart 4-2 is just about stats.
change from Small to Medium=+4 strength, -2 dex, +2 con, -1AC/attack
Medium to Large, +8 s, -2 dex, +4 con, +2 natural armor, -1 ac/attack.