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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BSF" data-source="post: 1620537" data-attributes="member: 13098">Whew - I ended up just skimming some of the posts.  I figure anything I repeat is just reiteration.Key points- Player is new- Player wants to play a Samurai- Player likes dragons, wants to play half-dragon- PC is getting pounded in combat- Player has problems with Code of BushidoPossibly Relevant Points- Player wants to play a "tank" - Player plays CRPG'sIn the key points, we have a new player.  This is great!  It is always fun to bring a new player into the fold.  However, the player is also a CRPG player and may have pre-existing assumptions based on that environment.  So, this isn't like having a completely new player.  You need to keep this in mind and try to help the player discard these assumptions.The half-dragon template is cool and I can see some appeal to it for a player.  However, we are dealing with a new player and the LA is a tough hit when you have encounters scaled to a number of non-LA PC's.  While the character concept is still viable, it does require a bit more careful thought when playing as oppossed to a commensurate level fighter or barbarian.  The Player has to know when to stand back and use the breath weapon rather than charging to the fore, etc.  The bottom line is the template adds more options at a cost and the player has to be able to use those options effectively.The player wants to play a Samurai, but does not like the Code of Bushido.  *Bing*  This is a big problem since the two issues are directly in contrast to each other.  If the Player wants to play a Samurai, the Code of Bushido is the defining characteristic.  For any character that has a stringent code, I very highly suggest that you and the player write it out ahead of time.  One of my players, Macbeth, plays a Psychic Samurai,  Dang fun character.  He has his Code written out for reference, if he needs it.  I'll see if he would be kind enough to pop in here and post it.  Maybe your Player can use it?  But, if he doesn't like the Code, then tell him he cannot be a Samurai.  The Samurai is a concept, not a kit, or even a class.  Though, there are Samurai classes in Sword & Fist, Oriental Adventures, and the Complete Warrior.  As I see it, a lot of communication is going to have to happen here to meet all the player's goals.  OK, he likes dragons.  That's cool.  If you have the Dragonomicon, consider the Draconic template as oppossed to the Half-Dragon.  Draconic creatures get a little boost, but not the same as the Half-dragon.  Consider it to be similar to planetouched creatures, somewhere in the PC's lineage, there was dragon blood introduced.  It is a +1 LA, if I recall correctly.  This gives the Player a bit of the draconic influence he might want, without the huge LA penalty.  It also reduces the templated options such as a breath weapon.  If the player is really jazzed up about a half-dragon, there is going to be a period of time where the player has to realize that LA is there to create "balance" against the other PC's.  Being a half-dragon has good RP potential and you need to play that up to differentiate yourself from other PC's.  You cannot rely on stats/abilities alone.  This period might be annoying to the group.The Samurai thing is something that the Player really needs to figure out.  You either do the Code of Bushido and you are a Samurai, or you don't and you aren't.  If the player likes the concept of the Samurai, but cannot play under the Code, then consider having the PC be a former Samurai.  He can have that as part of his background, but he has fallen from his Code and is dishonored.  Turn his self-preservationism into a character background element.  This gives you the benefit of story hooks.  Maybe there are a few true Samurai out there that are looking to clear the besmirchment to their Code and want to eliminate the PC.  If the Player is big on the self-preservation, and is willing to give up the Samurai concept, perhaps a ranged weapon combatant would work.  It would be possible to have a 20+ strength with a templated 8th level character, so handwave the +4 max strength bonus for a Mighty Composite Longbow.  Let it be up to a +5 bonus, or make a magic weapon that the PC has that allows a higher bonus.  This allows the lower HP to be less of an issue and the PC can stand at the back of combat while dealing out big damage.  The key is to try to have something fun for the player without negatively impacting the fun for everyone else around the table, including yours.  Remind the Player that you run the game to have fun and you aren't having as much fun watching him play out of character and getting his butt whupped.  Something needs to improve so everyone is having fun.  His character concept is nifty, but it doesn't sound like he _really_ wants to play a half-dragon samurai.</blockquote>

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