New Race: Fire Elves

[tassander]

Hi everyone!

I've been playing around with a number of ideas to represent a unique kind of "fire elves". They are supposed to be strong (looking like red skinned elves on steroids), with, obviously, an affinity to fire. I don't really want them to be dexterous, thus the -2 on dexterity. Which also sets them nicely apart from more traditional Elves.
So, what do you think of these stats, how would you change them with the idea of bulky warrior elves in mind?
Or, if you don't like this version at all, how would YOU envision Fire Elves?


Alignment: usu. cn,
Religion: Elemental Lords of Fire
Language: Ignan
Racial Traits:
 +2Str, -2Dex
 Medium-size
 Base-speed 30ft.
 +2 saving throw against fire based attacks & spells
 Low-light vision
 Proficient with Greataxe or Greatsword
 Automatic language: Ignan. Bonus Language: Elven, Common, Goblin, Gnoll, Giant, Orc.
 Favored Class: Sorcerer or Barbarian
Spell-like abilities (1/day cast as a sorcerer of the fire elve's character level): resist elements(fire), burning hands, produce flame
Cold vulnerability: double damage from cold except on a succesful save.
ECL: +3

 

[trentonjoe]

Seem like strong elves to me.

Personally, I would drop the sorcerer option as a favored class.

I would also lower the ECL to +1. They are not that good.

I would like to suggest taking away burning hands and giving them FIREBALL as a spell-like ability. Fireball scales nicely at low levels.

If you give them Fireball I would make them an ECL of +2.

 

[Technik4]

Definitely not ECL +3. Thats way too high.

Youve got balanced stats, thats no advantage.

Youve got +2 vs fire effects, arguably a little better than most races bonuses to spells, but I wouldn't call this enough to warrant any ECL change.

Low-light vision and 30ft movement are standard, no change.

Proficiency with Great Axe or Greatsword. Decent advantage, although considering the strength bonus this isnt really more helpful than the regular elves 4 free proficiencies (arguably less helpful). I'd say its a wash or a minor advantage.

Favored Class: Barbarian or Sorceror. Its an interesting mechanic, but less powerful than half-elf or human's favored class. I'd say this is a minor advantage.

Spell-like Abilities are decent, but they are all 1/day? This shouldn't alter these guys very much. Its definitely a strong advantage, all level 1 or higher spells compared to gnome spells is clearly too good for ECL +0.

Cold Vulnerability is rough. Its not a huge disadvantage, but this race doesnt have all together too much rocking it anyway. I'd say this would easily pull down the spell-like ability advantage.

Overall I would say its a weak ECL +1, on par with the fire genasi. He has more useful spell-like abilities, but is otherwise the same or weaker (Genasi being outsiders confers many benefits).

I would say make them +2 Str, -2 Dex, +2 Con, -2 Int

[Ironically these are directly opposite from Living FR's guidelines for making Sun Elves when 3e came out.]

I would give them Fire Resistance 5 and take away Resist elements 1/day. Why make their fire hardiness dispellable? Keep produce flame and burning hands 1/day.

I would add all the racial elven abilities that havent been changed or replaced. So noticing secret doors, search, spot, and listen bonuses, +2 vs enchantments, and immunity to sleep.

Then they would be a medium to strong ECL +1.

Technik

 

[Bean 2.0]

of course since they are not the fire subtype maybe only 1 and 1/2 times as much damage from cold (its something i noticed in the 3.5 monsters from feind folio)

 

[tassander]

Taking into account some of your suggestions, how 'bout this version, then?
I took away "resist elements" and substituted it with Fire resistance and I added the Bloodline of Fire feat. I also changed their Cold vulnerability to 1.5 and the ECL to +2 - or do you think that with this combo they'd still be ECL+1? 'cause they're definitely stronger than for example the Fire Genasi, now.

Alignment: usu. cn,
Religion: Elemental Lords of Fire
Language: Ignan
Racial Traits:
 +2Str, -2Dex
 Medium-size
 Base-speed 30ft.
 Bloodline of fire: +4 bonus on saving throws against fire effects, +2 to the DC of saving throws for any sorcerer spells with the fire descriptor (stacks with spell focus)
 Low-light vision
 Proficient with Greataxe or Greatsword
 Automatic language: Ignan. Bonus Language: Elven, Common, Goblin, Gnoll, Giant, Orc.
 Favored Class: Sorcerer or Barbarian
Spell-like abilities (1/day cast as a sorcerer of the fire elve's character level): burning hands, produce flame
Fire resistance: 5
Cold vulnerability: 1 and 1/2 times damage from cold except on a succesful save.
ECL: +2

 

[Technik4]

I'd say that version is a weak +2. Compare them to drow and you'll see what I mean. Maybe since they are supposed to be good sorcerors give them +2 Cha in addition to their other ability mods? That might make the ECL +2 stck better.

Technik

 

[Bean 2.0]

also would bloodline of fire affect their spell-like abilities?

 

[tassander]

I'd actually say that bloodlines of fire would indeed affect their spell like abilites. It would only seem logical, as they cast them like sorcerers.

Comparing them to Drow, they seem a little weak, that's right... so, if I start messing 'round with their ability modifiers, how does +2Str., +2Con., +2Cha, -2Dex sound, then? That would make them stronger than Drow, ability-wise, but they don't have spell resistence, after all. Which, in my opinion, is the most powerful ability of the Drow.
On the other hand... +2Con is a massive advantage...
I like +2Cha, though. Definitely a good idea. they ARE elves, after all.

 

[Red_Spyral]

You could rename them something like Red Elves and make their favored class barbarians (you say their on steroids or whatever). Then you can add some unique abilities like the fire genesi's fire touch or something. Just thought I should help.

 

[Jedi wannbe]

Yo Tas can you tell me rules for a NPC fire Elve because i'm a first time DM so please be nice