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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Beholder Bob" data-source="post: 1440686" data-attributes="member: 12866">..It is not a spell-like ability in the mechanical sense.But it still allows the ability to act as if under the spell.  In my book, it is the same thing for power level evaluation....Accept that it isnt. One facet out of 3 is.Again, let us not debate AC source bonuses.  All I am saying is that the 2 points of dex is (IN MY OPINION) equal to +2 natural armor.  Natural armor is aweful good and will stack with worn armor.  You may not think it equal, but for arguments sake, I assume you do think it is valuable.  Per the savage species book, natural armor makes this a +1 ecl race to begin with!  I do not agree with the book - but do share its opinion that natural armor sure is neat!...According to the guidlines a bonus to Wis is balanced by a penalty to Dex.   No PC race in the core has a mental modifier in the core book.  At the very least, consider it as valuable as a bonus to str for evaluating it.  A race with a bonus to a spell casting stat would need to oppose it by double, +2 wis, -2 dex & cha, for example....point is, they dont actualy have the spell...they are able to communicate with them.I understand your point, but they still gain an impressive ability.  I do not argue the logic for giving it to them - but remember that it is THE EQUIVELENT of a 3rd/4th lv spell.  Do not call it a spell ability - fine, but they still produce the same results (except better - they can not have it foiled by anti-magic, not that this will matter)...what about them makes you think they'd have any negative effects at +0?This race gets: +2 wis/-2 dex, Low Light Vision, +2, +1 caster level with a small number of spells, the ability to communicate with plants, and a bonus to 3 skills.The stat mod is not balanced, natural armor sure is nice, the ability to speak with plants at will w/no limit is great - any one of these could be worked into a race and be balanced - but you give them far to much....And lets compare more fully to some other races for a moment.Lets not - I'm fully aware of what the races get....Does my race really seem that much more powerful than those 3?Yes.  Its my opinion - and you would get the same results if you plugged this fellow into savage species.  Now, I do not think this race is as powerful as that system would suggest, and I think you could cut it back to make it a +0 ecl....Why play a Fighter as anything but a half-orc?as per my example - 1/2 orc great w/str, but human gets the bonus feat and can thus fill into feat chain quickly, but dwarf is just plain tough and great for bull rush, saves, & HP, but elf is great with ranged combat.  Each race offers the fighter a good niche in one of the many ways a fighter can focus....Why play a Bard as anything but a Gnome?Because the human is a great skill monkey, but the 1/2 elf is great in social skills, but an elf is good dex (these guys need ac help), yada yada...There is a very easy answer to all of thease questions though. People will play the class and race they WANT to play.Ah, this I agree with....Thats why in Arcana Unearthed Monte Cook abandoned that crap...Actually, they still use a balanced method for the races.  The spell casting stat is treated as rather valuable - equal to str for balancing the race.I like your race and the logic in its development.I do think the race is over-powered.I did respond to your question about evaluating it.You do not have to agree with me - many do not.I think the goal of +0 ecl races is a worthy goal.Now - if my feedback is not helpful and you do not want to hear more of the same, I'll stop responding to this thread.  This is your thread - let me know what you want.B<img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":]" title="Devious    :]" data-shortname=":]" />B</blockquote>

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