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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DrSpunj" data-source="post: 1365435" data-attributes="member: 994">Being one of those "ENWorld reading" players, and since you chimed in on <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=76452" target="_blank">my thread</a> in the Rules forum on this very subject... With +2 Dex, +2 Int, 30' mv, Darkvision 90', +3 Natural Armor, +2 Search, +2 Listen this Kobold makes a better Rogue than the Halfling, IMO. The drawbacks vs a Halfling are:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">an additional -2 Strength -- easily overcome since you have +4 ability points from Int & Cha to spare for a respectable Strength score, even with the standard 25 point buy</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Light Sensitivity -- can be significant depending on the campaign, but can be overcome with a magic item or a feat</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lack of Saving Throw bonuses -- gets +3 NA instead, an even trade, IMO</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Poorer Rogueish Skill Set [Search vs Climb/Jump/Move Silently] -- the +2 Int gives +23 skill points over the PC's lifetime; even using 4-6 to balance these Halfling bonuses (and another 2 for Language: Common) there's still a plethora to go around for other things</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You're a Kobold Rogue! Not an upstanding member of society like, uh, well, a Halfling Rogue! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /> -- seriously, this a roleplaying limitation; YMMV, but I'm firmly in the camp of those who believe that game mechanics should not be balanced with roleplaying factors</li> </ul>The advantages over and above those I mentioned above are:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">+10' base speed -- one of the biggest drawbacks of being Small is no longer a problem, and as a Rogue or Sorcerer, they'll likely be in Light Armor to take advantage of it</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Darkvision 90' -- a HUGE benefit where adventurers often find themselves - underground and out at night - by helping to keep them from being surprised and flat-footed; and 90' is equal to or greater than most anything else outlined in the game; it also allows them to Sneak Attack in the dark (something that Halflings can't do with Normal Vision) and be stealthier than a Halfling (since they can actually see in the dark); true, the Halfling can use a magic item here, but IIRC the one for the Kobold is cheaper; furthermore, IME, most DMs are freer with Magic Items that remove penalties rather than Magic Items that power-up a PC, YMMV</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Spell-like Abilities [Mending, Message] -- useful for scouting Rogues to let the party know what's going on, useful for Sorcerers as two extra spells known (even if they are Cantrips and available only 1/day); this one isn't as big as the other two, but it's still something else</li> </ul>So other than roleplaying reasons, can you explain why you believe someone would choose a Halfling Rogue over the Kobold Rogue you've described above? Mechanically speaking? Many claim Half-Orcs are okay because they are balanced against their Favored Class: Barbarian. If we look at the Kobold, and try to balance it against its Favored Class: Sorcerer, your version comes out VERY strong, IMO, probably enough that I'd give a LA of +1 now. Thanks. DrSpunj</blockquote>

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