Kobolds ECL for character creation

[Darklone]

As others have stated, the half-hit die disappears and is replaced by a full hit die when they take a class. See MM p. 14, under "Creatures With Character classes".

It would have been better if they'd given kobolds (et al) a Constitution penalty: www.superdan.net/dndmisc/fractional_hit_dice.html

Just compare the silly size change table in the MM with the stat differences between halfling and human and you know why they didn't

 

[redkobold]

Thanks for all of the thought and input. I am working on an outline for an article about Kobolds that I will submit for the EN World Players Journal and wanted some comments on the hit die issue.

If you are a Kobold fan and want to help review the article for me send me a private email and I will give you the rundown of what I am doing. Put "Kobolds" as the subject.

kevin@lyonstudio.com

 

[Christian]

The base kobold listed in the MM has, by the rules, a BAB of +0, base saves of Fort +0 Ref +0 Will +2, 1d4 (effectively) hit points, proficiency in only a simple weapon (or two, depending how you read it), and 6 (??) skill points. Except for the +2 Will save and being short two skill points, this is basically a commoner. My personal theory is that commoner is the default race for kobolds, as opposed to warrior for most other humanoids. My 2 c.p., and worth exactly what you're paying for it.

 

[Wolf72]

more kobold talk

Kobold Commoner [homebrews]

 

[Dr_Rictus]

My personal theory is that commoner is the default race for kobolds, as opposed to warrior for most other humanoids.

Nice theory, aside from clearly not being true.

My personal theory is that they certainly should have just made the default kobold a commoner and saved all the fuss, that that's what they should be doing in 3.5e, and that the odds of their having noticed, cared, and acted are small.

 

[Christian]

Nice theory, aside from clearly not being true.

IMO, it's more important for a theory to be simple and beautiful than for it to be correct.

My personal theory is that they certainly should have just made the default kobold a commoner and saved all the fuss, that that's what they should be doing in 3.5e, and that the odds of their having noticed, cared, and acted are small.

Good point. Who really cares about kobolds, anyway? (Paging Meepo the Mighty, Meepo the Mighty, please report to the rules forum, thread 51628 ...)

 

[Knight Otu]

Good point. Who really cares about kobolds, anyway?

You DON'T?

As for the topic at hand, think about it this way - if kobolds would get 1/2 class hit dice per level, ogres would get 4 class hit dice per level.