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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Remathilis" data-source="post: 742940" data-attributes="member: 7635">This is my take...In the dark days of D&D, there were level limits. And they were bad. However, each race had a class it could gain the most levels in. In 2e (the one I know by heart), a races "favored" class was the one it could gain either 15th or Unlimited levels in. In 1e/2e, it was as such.Dwarf: FighterElf: MageHalfling: ThiefGnome: IllusionistHalf-elf: BardHalf-orc: Assassin (later, fighter)Human: Any class (their "special benefit")Also, if you looked at the Multi-class combinations, you'd note that these classes were the ones most commonly listed in multi-class combos. Of course, exceptions abounded. Half-elf couldn't mix bard with anything (until the Complete Bard's Handbook), but could mix almost all thier other classes together. Gnomes too, could mix any two of thier classes together. However, this coupled with the level limit debacle, ment you saw alot more dwarf fighters, elf mages (or fighter/mages), and halfling thieves than other combonations. Flash foward to 3e. The favored class mechanic comes from this "racial preference" concept originally enforced with multi-classing combos and level limits. Since neither are going to exist, the designers, rathers than leave preference to the slaughter, enforced them in the form of favored classes. dwarves, elves, halflings and gnomes all got their traditional classes (since 1e), humans got any, to represent the dual-classing rules, half-elves also got any, to represent the sheer number of multi-class combos they once had, and half-orcs got barbarian a.) because assassin was a PrC and fighter was already used b.) to highlight this new class and c.) further the archetype of the raging savage orc. I personally see no problem with them. They keep PC's from wantonly picking out "kewl" levels, and I wave them when it is story appropriate (like the elf fighter 7 who became devout and began taking levels of paladin). It also seems to be one of the few things half-elves get over thier parent elves. It also enforces the traditional archetypes and racial norms without arbitarilty restricting them. Lastly, I've yet to hear anyone in my games complain about them (there is already enough whinning about item creation and PrCs, I don't think I could TAKE any on FC). As a last thought, many "optional" races (like sub-races and monsters) have other classes as FC. Aasimar have paladin, wood-elves favor ranger, drow favor cleric, merfolk favor bard, etc. Their is even a race in If Thoughts Could Kill that has Psion as a FC. If its a giant hassle, rule-0 it, but I personally don't mind them.</blockquote>

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