Idea: Metagame Feats!

[Randolpho]

Many times the benefits which warrant a +1 or +2 LA at low level are worth far less at higher levels. The OP's idea makes sense for these situations. A good example is a race with wings - flight is typically considered a +1 LA, and is very valuable at low levels. By the time a character is nearing 10th level, however, that one ability is worth nowhere near as much as an entire level.

I'd probably allow something like this on a case-by-case basis, depending on how well the benefits scale. It would allow a player to select a race that would otherwise become a sub-optimal choice later on.

I guess I fail to see the point. At higher levels *any* level adjustment doesn't matter nearly as much. It's just a drop in the bucket. Why is it necessary to remove it, when it doesn't affect your overall power level all that much?

 

[Knightfall]

I guess I fail to see the point. At higher levels *any* level adjustment doesn't matter nearly as much. It's just a drop in the bucket. Why is it necessary to remove it, when it doesn't affect your overall power level all that much?

A couple of my players feel like Level Adjustment is an unjust penalty applied to races and creatures, especially when it comes to getting followers and cohorts. And they wouldn't even consider alternate races with level adjustments when making their PCs.

Personally, I don't agree, but I'm trying to see it from their point of view, in hopes they will come to see it from my point of view too. I hate the idea of being a tyrant about rules, especially since I change so many things for my game, anyway.

Still, there isn't any way I'm going to remove level adjustment and ECL from the game just so they can have "even" more powerful cohorts and followers. That's why I designed the feats. I feel that a character must give up something to mitigate level adjustment.

Having to allocate a feat is a good choice since they're really hesitant to choose alternative options with their characters' feats. Plus, they really dislike giving up XP for anything, even spellcasting. Trying to get them to cast spells that have an XP cost is like pulling teeth.

If they want their cohorts and followers to have lower level adjustments then their going to have to spend the XP, even if I allow them to cast miracle or wish to lower another character's level adjustment.

 

[Nifft]

I wouldn't give in to the pressure. The "oo, cool, a half-celestial!" factor decreases when you find out you have to actually pay for it.

If the special race is really important, they'll pay the LA for it. If it's only important because it looks mechanically strong, they will just use a Dwarf or Human instead of paying LA.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Andre]

Still, there isn't any way I'm going to remove level adjustment and ECL from the game just so they can have "even" more powerful cohorts and followers. That's why I designed the feats. I feel that a character must give up something to mitigate level adjustment.

One option for PC's is to run a game where every character has a set LA - +1, +2, whatever - for free. This lets the players try out some of those "cool" races and templates without having to worry about balancing against non-LA characters.