D&D (2024) Level adjustment from 3.5 and how to handle it in 5(.5)E?

[Kobold Stew]

The main issue with 3.5 level adjustment is that it left you a few hit dice behind - generally not a problem with a +1 level adjustment but anything higher would create issues where you have far too few hit points for your ECL.

But it was more than that -- because of the racial hit dice, you were also ALWAYS behind on your skills, etc.By "softening" the blow of absent hit dice with the monster levels, the system guaranteed that you were worse at your job than any PHB species with the same number of "levels" (even before LA was incorporated.

 

[Zardnaar]

Probably racial classes or something like a Prestige Class. You grow into your powers.

So start as normal aasimar for example and at various levels you gain celestial powers instead of your class features.

More powerful the racial feature more you have to give up. Aasimar paladin might not get it's aura for example if you want a kick ass level 6 ability.

If it's comparatively minor eg two cantrips you give up a less powerful ability. Eg level 7 champion fighter might give up weapon style for sacred flame and light or guiding bolt 1/day add it to your spells known.

New class aasimar ascendant essential a Prestige Class.

It's how I would do it anyway. And would get any player just loading up on stupidly powerful abilities. Sunbeam as a curated spell might be fine at 11 not level 5.

 

[Chaltab]

I voted for option 4 but I do like the idea of species-as-class levels for those who want more robust and varied progression.

 

[Horwath]

I voted for option 4 but I do like the idea of species-as-class levels for those who want more robust and varied progression.

yeah, Origin feat for species. Jut better than your average Aasimar.

 

[Horwath]

The main issue with 3.5 level adjustment is that it left you a few hit dice behind - generally not a problem with a +1 level adjustment but anything higher would create issues where you have far too few hit points for your ECL.

if you were playing a caster, anything more than +1 was awful, even that had to come with good synergy for casting class.

best was draconic creature for +1. The OG dragonborn. It was great for STR based martials

and half-dragon for +3 LA for STR based martials, but for this you would need to be atleast party level 6.
being 1st level while everyone is 4th is a death sentence.

 

[Zardnaar]

if you were playing a caster, anything more than +1 was awful, even that had to come with good synergy for casting class.

best was draconic creature for +1. The OG dragonborn. It was great for STR based martials

and half-dragon for +3 LA for STR based martials, but for this you would need to be atleast party level 6.
being 1st level while everyone is 4th is a death sentence.

Think they developed out of 2E powerful species needing double xp.

1 level behind for the most part.

I'll consider LA+1, +2 at a stretch but probably not.

 

[mellored]

I think feats fit 5e better. We already have elven accuracy. Adding in a Dragonborn Improved Breath feat would be easy.

Having 1-3 level prestige class could also work, but I wouldn't force it. Also i would spread it out, not have it all be the first few levels.

 

[Horwath]

I think feats fit 5e better. We already have elven accuracy. Adding in a Dragonborn Improved Breath feat would be easy.

probably

Having 1-3 level prestige class could also work, but I wouldn't force it. Also i would spread it out, not have it all be the first few levels.

maybe.
1st level at 2nd character level, then at 5th, 11th and 17th.
total of 4 levels, maybe 5 at 20th, you get racial capstone instead of class.

 

[mellored]

.
1st level at 2nd character level, then at 5th, 11th and 17th.

Depends on the race I guess, but that sounds reasonable.

But still seems easier to do feats with level prerequisites.

total of 4 levels, maybe 5 at 20th, you get racial capstone instead of class.

Or racial Epic Boon

 

[Tonguez]

Racial feats at various levels works for me