Turanil
First Post
I have been thinking about a numerical way to make sure that races are balanced against each other when it comes to their racial traits. I propose here some values, with explanations on why I gave them such values. I would like to have your comments, to help me refine this, and have a consensus on it:
Basically I use the principle that 1 skill-point bonus = 1 point cost.
+2 bonus to skill = 2 points (always) or 1 point (conditional).
4 skill-points bonus at 1st level + 1 skill-point bonus per level thereafter = 10 points. (Freedom of allocating these points where you want cancel the hindrance of allocating on non-class skills is at 1/2. At 1st level the benefit is only of 4 points, while at 20th level it is of 23 points. I arbitrarily decided that most campaigns are from 2nd to 12th level, and so the average PC is 7th level. 7th level = 10 skill points as a bonus.)
Bonus feat = 5 points (freely chosen) or 3 points (imposed). (My idea is that many feats, like Alertness, in fact give a total of 4 skill points bonus - +2 in two skills-. Now choosing a feat is a greater benefit than receiving a determined feat, thus accounting for 5 or 3.)
+1 bonus to one save category = 2 points (always) or 1 point (conditional). (My idea is that Iron Will and other feats give a +2 bonus to one save category; so +2 bonus to a save is equivalent to a bonus feat, I would say 4 to ease calculations. Conditional is for example Fort save against poison, rather than all Fort saves.)
Darkvision = 6 points. I think that Darkvision is a real good advantage, and much better than Blind-fight feat, so cost higher than a feat.
Low-light Vision = 3 points. (I think that Low-light vision is rarely used per se in adventures, and in fact much less powerful than Darkvision. Thus the half cost.
2 free weapon proficiencies = 3 points. (Rather arbitrary here. For some classes it's an interesting bonus but not a huge advantage, while for others it's useless.)
+1 bonus attack vs some race = 2 points. (Similar to what Weapon Focus provides, but with all weapons and only against one type of enemy. As such, maybe less than Weapon Focus, so 2 points instead of 3.)
+1 bonus to all ranged weapons = 4 points. (Similar to what Weapon Focus provides, but with several different weapons, so 4 points instead of 3.)
Immunity to sleep = 2 points. (Rather arbitrary here. All in all it's not a great advantage, and maybe should only be 1 point.)
Any class as favored class = 1 point. (Rather arbitrary here. I don't think it's worth more.)
-----------------------[EDIT]-----------------------------
Stats Adjustments: I believe there should preferably be a positive adjustment to cancel a negative adjustment, rather than use their numerical values in the total calculation of the racial traits.
+2 Strength = 10 points. (+2 Str gives a +1 to Att and Dmg. I valued Weapon Focus at 3 pts, which gives +1 to attack to only one weapon, but probably used almost all of the time. Weapon Specialization gives +2 dmg to only one weapon, but probably used almost all of the time, for fighters only. As such, 6 points if for one weapon only, but since it applies to all weapons and any class, I give 10 pts.)
+2 Dexterity = 10 points. (+2 Dex gives a +1 to AC, initiative, and Ref saves, plus Att if Weapon Finesse. Maybe also 10 pts, but it's more arbitrary.)
+2 Constitution = 10 points. (+2 Con gives a +1 hp, which is extremely valuable even to wizards, and +1 For saves. But no other obvious advntages. I agree that 10 points are rather arbitrary nonetheless.)
+2 Intelligence = 10 points. (+2 Int gives the same bonus to skill points as human gets, and that I valued at 10 pts. But it also helps wizards, so it's even better. But lets keep it at 10 pts, because not everyone is a wizard.)
+2 Wisdom = 6 points. (+2 Wis gives a +1 Will saves, and nothing else unless you are a divine spellcaster, of which are 4 classes of them. I agree that 6 points are rather arbitrary nonetheless.)
+2 Charisma = 4 points. (+2 Cha is useful in interactions, and for bards and sorcerers. However this isn't without a good reason many gamers consider it a dump stat. I agree that 4 points are rather arbitrary nonetheless.)
-----------------------[/EDIT]-----------------------------
Note that in using this system, it appears that D&D races are not balanced each one to the others. But I always thought that half-orcs and half-elves were disadvantaged.
Basically I use the principle that 1 skill-point bonus = 1 point cost.
+2 bonus to skill = 2 points (always) or 1 point (conditional).
4 skill-points bonus at 1st level + 1 skill-point bonus per level thereafter = 10 points. (Freedom of allocating these points where you want cancel the hindrance of allocating on non-class skills is at 1/2. At 1st level the benefit is only of 4 points, while at 20th level it is of 23 points. I arbitrarily decided that most campaigns are from 2nd to 12th level, and so the average PC is 7th level. 7th level = 10 skill points as a bonus.)
Bonus feat = 5 points (freely chosen) or 3 points (imposed). (My idea is that many feats, like Alertness, in fact give a total of 4 skill points bonus - +2 in two skills-. Now choosing a feat is a greater benefit than receiving a determined feat, thus accounting for 5 or 3.)
+1 bonus to one save category = 2 points (always) or 1 point (conditional). (My idea is that Iron Will and other feats give a +2 bonus to one save category; so +2 bonus to a save is equivalent to a bonus feat, I would say 4 to ease calculations. Conditional is for example Fort save against poison, rather than all Fort saves.)
Darkvision = 6 points. I think that Darkvision is a real good advantage, and much better than Blind-fight feat, so cost higher than a feat.
Low-light Vision = 3 points. (I think that Low-light vision is rarely used per se in adventures, and in fact much less powerful than Darkvision. Thus the half cost.
2 free weapon proficiencies = 3 points. (Rather arbitrary here. For some classes it's an interesting bonus but not a huge advantage, while for others it's useless.)
+1 bonus attack vs some race = 2 points. (Similar to what Weapon Focus provides, but with all weapons and only against one type of enemy. As such, maybe less than Weapon Focus, so 2 points instead of 3.)
+1 bonus to all ranged weapons = 4 points. (Similar to what Weapon Focus provides, but with several different weapons, so 4 points instead of 3.)
Immunity to sleep = 2 points. (Rather arbitrary here. All in all it's not a great advantage, and maybe should only be 1 point.)
Any class as favored class = 1 point. (Rather arbitrary here. I don't think it's worth more.)
-----------------------[EDIT]-----------------------------
Stats Adjustments: I believe there should preferably be a positive adjustment to cancel a negative adjustment, rather than use their numerical values in the total calculation of the racial traits.
+2 Strength = 10 points. (+2 Str gives a +1 to Att and Dmg. I valued Weapon Focus at 3 pts, which gives +1 to attack to only one weapon, but probably used almost all of the time. Weapon Specialization gives +2 dmg to only one weapon, but probably used almost all of the time, for fighters only. As such, 6 points if for one weapon only, but since it applies to all weapons and any class, I give 10 pts.)
+2 Dexterity = 10 points. (+2 Dex gives a +1 to AC, initiative, and Ref saves, plus Att if Weapon Finesse. Maybe also 10 pts, but it's more arbitrary.)
+2 Constitution = 10 points. (+2 Con gives a +1 hp, which is extremely valuable even to wizards, and +1 For saves. But no other obvious advntages. I agree that 10 points are rather arbitrary nonetheless.)
+2 Intelligence = 10 points. (+2 Int gives the same bonus to skill points as human gets, and that I valued at 10 pts. But it also helps wizards, so it's even better. But lets keep it at 10 pts, because not everyone is a wizard.)
+2 Wisdom = 6 points. (+2 Wis gives a +1 Will saves, and nothing else unless you are a divine spellcaster, of which are 4 classes of them. I agree that 6 points are rather arbitrary nonetheless.)
+2 Charisma = 4 points. (+2 Cha is useful in interactions, and for bards and sorcerers. However this isn't without a good reason many gamers consider it a dump stat. I agree that 4 points are rather arbitrary nonetheless.)
-----------------------[/EDIT]-----------------------------
Note that in using this system, it appears that D&D races are not balanced each one to the others. But I always thought that half-orcs and half-elves were disadvantaged.
Last edited:
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