Level Adj. & Feats

[Horrendos]

Hiho,

i am creating my first Drow but i am not sure when the regular Feats (lvl3, 6, 9.. ) are gonna be assigned.

The Drow has LADj. +2 that mean that my lvl 1 Ranger is a lvl 3 Charakter.
Does he now get the LVL3 Feat or if he is lvl3 Ranger?

thx
Horrendos

 

[Starglim]

Level Adjustment doesn't give you levels or any benefits from them. He gets only one feat as a 1st level character.

 

[Scion]

you will get the feats and stat bonuses as your hd increase in multiples of three and four, respectively.

So, at level 3 ranger you will get your feat (effective level 5 for you).

 

[Horrendos]

And i also get only 1w8HD for the Ranger +CON-Bonus? Hmm this would be hard vs. a lvl3 Half-orc with ~30 Life ....

 

[Lamoni]

And i also get only 1w8HD for the Ranger +CON-Bonus? Hmm this would be hard vs. a lvl3 Half-orc with ~30 Life ....

You are correct. On both counts. Having level adjustment is very hard at low levels because of the reduced HP. On the other hand, having the extra abilities are most beneficial at lower levels when no one else can afford items to replicate them (or counter them). Overall it is fairly balanced, but usually leans to being better for the standard races with no LA.

 

[Pax]

The Drow has LADj. +2 that mean that my lvl 1 Ranger is a lvl 3 Charakter.
Does he now get the LVL3 Feat or if he is lvl3 Ranger?

No. Level-based Feats are gained oslely with HIT DICE. And your Drow is only a first-level character for ALL purposes except starting gold, expected / appropriate wealth, and XP needed to advance to a new level[/b].

A first-level Drow character has the XP and wealth of a 3d level character, but is still only a first level character. He has 1HD, one level of class abilities, and one level-based feat.

A third-level Drow character has the XP and wealth of a 5th level character, but is still only a third level character. He has 3HD, three levels of class abilities, and two level-based feats (for levels 1 and 3).

A fifth-level Drow character has the XP and wealth of a 7th level character, but is still only a fifth level character. He has 5HD, five levels of class abilities, two level-based feats (for levels 1 and 3), and one attribute increase (for level 4).

... and so on.

 

[Li Shenron]

And i also get only 1w8HD for the Ranger +CON-Bonus? Hmm this would be hard vs. a lvl3 Half-orc with ~30 Life ....

Yes, you will have only one HD (8hp+Con). On the plus side, you'll have a net +4 on abilities (which is especially worth if characters creation uses point-buy) and something close to 50% chance to avoid many spells.

 

[Horrendos]

Yep vs. Spellcaster a Drow in the lower lvls is very hard but in the other side it would be very hard for me to beat a barb or a fighter. But i think its balanced. Thx @all.

 

[Pax]

And i also get only 1w8HD for the Ranger +CON-Bonus? Hmm this would be hard vs. a lvl3 Half-orc with ~30 Life ....

Which is why I do not recommend anyone play any character with HD lowewr than HALF of their total, net ECL. So, IMC, I wouldn't allow in a Drow as less than an ECL4 character - two class levels (and concomitant HD), and a +2 level adjustment. Otherwise, the "Fragility gulf" will be too much to reasonably bear.

I learned this after I let my girlfriend bring a Half-dragon fighter into only a 3d level game (she started "in the hole" for XP). She was SO fragile, she was more loathe to enter ocmbat than the *wizard* (who had as many HP and generally-superior saves due to having two extra HD).