I hate LA!

[kilamanjaro]

I think I'm going to try a variant of papastebu's suggestion, I'm going to power down any odd ball races to be equivalent to standard race, whip up some Unearthed Arcana type paragon classes for some abilities and make other abilities become available at higher level but with an experience point cost to 'activate' them.
Thanks for the help!

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

One dm that I played under told us that we could be any race up to +4 LA without actually being penalized in XP. Me and a buddy decided to be core races anyway, so the dm gave us kool items and boosts during the adventure to make up for it.

 

[Baron Opal]

For "weak" LA+1 races (assimar, gensai) I have considered charging one feat for taking the race. So, lose the first level feat, and you are good to go. For stronger races, making a three level PrC like Arcana Evolved has been the best option for me.

 

[Herobizkit]

One dm that I played under told us that we could be any race up to +4 LA without actually being penalized in XP. Me and a buddy decided to be core races anyway, so the dm gave us kool items and boosts during the adventure to make up for it.

Quoted For Truth; I think every DM should think like this.

I've completely ignored the concept of "level adjustment" in all of my D&D games. I find it both unnecessary and a pain in the arse. If your PC's are stronger than standard, throw stronger enemies at them. Not a big deal.

 

[Bront]

For "weak" LA+1 races (assimar, gensai) I have considered charging one feat for taking the race. So, lose the first level feat, and you are good to go. For stronger races, making a three level PrC like Arcana Evolved has been the best option for me.

Assimar are perfectly fine at LA +1. Weak LA +1 races include the Hobgoblin and the Dwarf (Wait, that's not LA +1)

 

[Brother Richard]

Idea

If your players have an exotic race that is fairly close to LA+1 (2 0r 3 maybe) make them take a class that does not optimise their abilities as much similar to how in the DMG CR can be less if the ogre takes a level in wizard, then if it took it in barbarian.

 

[dante58701]

I just ignore level adjustments. I despise them. Just another overcomplication of a simple game.