Level Adjustment for Genasi

[Celtavian]

re

Doesn't the Half-Ogre receive a Natural Armor bonus as well? We raised the Half-ogre to ECL +2 because we thought it would make a pretty tough fighter-type compared to other races. The advantage of Reach is huge often allowing them an extra attack per round because of the AOO they will provoke against creatures with 5 foot reach. A +6 strength bonus is worth a +1 ECL alone.

I think Hobgoblins are a borderline ECL+1. They receive no ability penalties to balance out their bonuses.

The Wood Elf is borderline as well. They receive a -2 to intel and con which means lower skill points and hit points. That balances out their +2 to strength and dex IMO. Otherwise they are just like all elves.

 

[Dthamilaye]

Remember that all outsiders (including native ones) are automatically proficient with all simple and martial weapons.

That helps nicely in some builds. For example outsider druid can use all simple and martial weapons and if you plan on going to Eldritch Knight, you can skip the melee class level by taking an outsider template or race.

 

[Urbannen]

It makes no sense for genasi to be automatically proficient in all weapons. They didn't grow up in any outsider culture after all. They grew up among humans. If they do indeed get full weapon proficiency for being outsiders (which I question - the FRCS doesn't mention it at all), then it sounds like they shouldn't have the outsider type. If being an outsider means they get all weapons, then they should be Humanoids (human) (Air, Fire, Water, or Earth).

 

[Dthamilaye]

Read the part about 'Outsider' and 'Outsider, Native' from the 3.5 Monster manual. It says quite clearly that all outsiders, including native, get simple and martial weapon proficiency (as well as darkvision 60').

The abilities are divided in two areas, Traits and ... something other. One of those are used only if the outsider has HD. The other is the abilities that all outsiders get. I'm at work now, so I can't get clear word-by-word explanations. Sorry .

 

[Cyraneth]

Well, what would you rather play? A 3rd-level dwarven fighter or a 2nd-level hobgoblin fighter? Or what about a class-less gnoll?

I know who'd win that fight any day... IMO, Level Adjustments are generally too high. Either lower them or grant races with LA some appropriate abilities. Something that matches the class abilities of player classes.

I'd better add, though, that IMO some races have a very fitting LA. Like the aasimar and tiefling, but the genasi could use a slight improvement and the hobgoblin quite a big one. The half-ogre on the other hand...

- Cyraneth