Is ECL a problem from levels 1 to 6?

[blargney the second]

I think a single feat and an extra +2 to one ability would make most PHB races closer to LA +1. (Half-elves probably need +2 to two stats.)

 

[molonel]

I think a single feat and an extra +2 to one ability would make most PHB races closer to LA +1. (Half-elves probably need +2 to two stats.)

Agreed.

2 feats is a little bit over-rich, in my opinion.

It would certainly tip the tables for me if I was trying to decide between the two.

 

[Goblyn]

The level range is not what causes ECL to be a problem. It's the inequality of the pieces that make up ECL.

LA, however, is a problem in that you'll suddenly and inadvertantly kill someone because they have 1 or more less hit dice than you thought. Not to mention the gimped spellcasting and delayed class abilities.

 

[Hussar]

Another option, if you use point buy is to reduce the point buy for LA +1 races. A standard point buy is 25 (for example) but a LA +1 race starts with 17. Both characters are treated as 1st level.

That pretty much balances things out.

 

[Ry]

What about point-buy 25 for ECL+1, 32 for ECL+0 ?

 

[nittanytbone]

You could apply a mandatory ECL+1 template to all ECL zero characters. That would effectively make all characters ECL2, with one class level.

Here's an example template, roughly based off of some of the LA +1 critters in the MM (Hobgoblins, Bugbears, etc).

MIGHTY HERO

Creating A Mighty Hero

"Mighty Hero" is an inherited template that can be added to any corporeal humanoid (hereafter referred to as the Base Creature).

Size and Type

The creature type is unchanged. Size is unchanged.

Special Attacks

A Mighty Hero retains all the special attacks of the base creature.

Special Qualities

A Mighty Hero retains all the special qualities of the base creature and also gains the following qualities:

- A +4 racial bonus to any one skill or a +2 bonus to a pair of skills.
- Select one of the following:
*Darkvision
*Weapon familiarity with one exotic weapon
*+1 racial bonus to all saves
*+2 racial bonus to one save
*Energy Resistance 5 (select one energy type)
*Scent
*+3 Natural Armor Bonus

Abilities

A Mighty Hero may add +2 to any two different ability scores of his choice, or +4 to one ability score.

Environment

Any adventuring locale.

Challenge Rating

As base creature.

Alignment

Any.

Level Adjustment

Same as the base creature +1.

 

[Ry]

That looks good too, but don't you think Human/Dwarf/Elf+Mighty Hero is a step better than Tiefling or Aasimar or Goliath, for instance?

 

[Hussar]

What about point-buy 25 for ECL+1, 32 for ECL+0 ?

That would work too. A 25 point buy character pretty much won't have any 18's in a starting stat. He might, but, if he does, he's taking some penalties somewhere. With the stat bonuses from the ECL+1 race, that would make his stats about par with the 32 PB character, probably a little worse overall. A 7-10 point spread for a +1 ECL should work in most cases.

 

[nittanytbone]

That looks good too, but don't you think Human/Dwarf/Elf+Mighty Hero is a step better than Tiefling or Aasimar or Goliath, for instance?

Slightly, but only to encourage a humanocentric world. And actually, in some cases, the template is potentially less potent than the +1 LA races: This is because players will seek to maximize their options, thus you should make the customizable option slightly less potent than the "stock" one.

Example - Cleric

Aasimar -
*+2 WIS, +2 CHA
*Outsider traits (proficient with martial weapons)
*Darkvision
*Daylight 1x/day
*Resistance 5/Cold, Electricity, Acid
*Bonus Language

Mighty Hero Template - Human Cleric
*+4 WIS
*+4 Knowledge (Religion)
*Energy Resistance 5/Fire
*Bonus Language: Celestial
*Human Bonus Feat
*Human Bonus Skills

In this case, I'd think the Aasimar is actually slightly more potent (Darkvision, MWP being the big bonuses), although you can certainly make a case for the additional +2 to WIS and human bonus feat being valuable as well.

 

[Mark Chance]

IMO, a LA +1 1st-level character is not more powerful than a LA +0 1st-level character to any significant degree. The LA +0 2nd-level character is certainly more powerful in most important areas when compared to the LA +1 1st-level character.

My suggestion: Just ignore the LA +1 and have everyone start at the same character level.