How does LA work?

[Halivar]

I use ECL to determine xp to level, but I use CR + class levels to determine how much experience recieved from an encounter. The idea is that, even though in the long run non-standard classes have an advantage, in a single given combat a PC minotaur Bar1 is not anymore powreful than an opposing NPC minotaur Bar1. They will really be evenly matched.

 

[Nail]

A good example of this is a troll's regeneration ability. When (adequately equipped) PCs fight a troll, they typically spend a few rounds doing nonlethal damage to the troll until it's unconcious, then they burn or pour acid on it to really kill it. The troll's regeneration probably gives it an extra round or two before it gets knocked out, allowing it to do a few extra points of damage. Thus, having regeneration makes a troll worth a slightly higher CR than a similar monster without regeneration.

But if one of the PCs is a troll too, then a few minutes after the combat is over, all of his wounds are healed, without the need to use up other resources such as healing spells. For someone who's likely to get into several combats between periods of rest, that's a huge advantage. Thus, a troll PCs ECL is greater than the CR of an equivalent troll NPC.

Excellent example, Ryan.

 

[Estlor]

Since they changed the ECL/LA rules for 3.5, I guess that also means the aasimar paladin in a party of humans gets his next feat one level behind the humans, since they hit 3 HD while the aasimar is only 2 HD/ECL 3.

Subtle change, broad implications.