pick your favorite race for...

[maggot]

Dwarves make excellent monks and druids as well. I think comparing dwarves to half-giants is apples-and-oranges because dwarves are LA+0 and half-giants are LA+1. At higher levels, half-giants might be a touch better (and I might still disagree because of that +2 save thing dwarves get), but at lower levels dwarves kick much booty because they aren't behind by a hit die.

 

[evilbob]

I disagree; a +1 LA for a melee-class is really quite doable, with very little drawback. The half-giant's benefits, even for a +1 LA, still seem to outshine a dwarf. In other words, I'd take a level x half-giant warrior class over a level x+1 dwarven warrior class any day. (As an aside, the conclusion one should probably be making here is that a half-giant is probably too good for a +1 LA. The goliath? Even worse.)

(Also, a dwarf's natural poison saves are wasted on a monk once you reach level 11, and on a druid once you hit level 9. The dwarf's Con bonus isn't as useful to a wildshaper, either.)

 

[wildstarsreach]

Drow for wizard or Sorcerer if you use the LA +0 and have the option to take levels to LA +2

Kalashtar for Psion. They make the best telepaths.

Human, best all around race for anything you might play.

 

[maggot]

I disagree; a +1 LA for a melee-class is really quite doable, with very little drawback. The half-giant's benefits, even for a +1 LA, still seem to outshine a dwarf. In other words, I'd take a level x half-giant warrior class over a level x+1 dwarven warrior class any day. (As an aside, the conclusion one should probably be making here is that a half-giant is probably too good for a +1 LA. The goliath? Even worse.)

I did state that at low levels dwarf is better. I'll take a 2nd level dwarf over a 1st level goliath any day.

(Also, a dwarf's natural poison saves are wasted on a monk once you reach level 11, and on a druid once you hit level 9. The dwarf's Con bonus isn't as useful to a wildshaper, either.)

Dwarf still gets +2 versus spells, which is by far the better save bonus. And the Con bonus adds to hit points which don't change when you wildshape.

 

[BASHMAN]

Warforged: Artificer, Duskblade, Wizard

Catfolk: Scout, Rogue, Ninja, Archery based Fighter

Gold Dwarf: Cleric, Paladin (no cha penalty! dex instead)

Human: Fighter, Warblade, Bard, Crusader, Favored Soul, Knight

Half-Orc: Monk, Barbarian, Sword Sage, Dragon Shaman

Halfling: Ranger, Druid, Beguiler

Hobgoblin: Warmage

Planetouched: Sorcerer, Warlock

Elf: Commoner (I hate elves)

Regular Dwarf: Expert,

 

[evilbob]

Don't forget to include where the race comes from and a little bit about why you think it's good!

 

[Eloi]

Half-Orc (Hexblade or Barbarian). just the thing when you want to Intimidate someone. And Curse them, if a Hexblade. And beat them with a stick that has nails in it.

Grey Elf Mage. Eventually, anything old and interesting ends up in an Elvish library. Be prepared.

Goliath Fighter. Yes, +1 L.A. hurts initially, but your Feats pile up nicely. And it's very good to be the obvious Fighter, everyone hides behind you like it was meant to be. Nab the 1st level Racial Substitution class of Barbarian if your GM is all right with it, your presence on the battlefield is substantially enhanced that one time a day you can become Large during Mountain Rage. Get yourself some Glamered armor to show the world your striations, and you're good to go.

Halfling Swordsage - Think "Yoda".

Dwarf (or Warforged) Crusader. Heavy Armor, Divine combat maneuvers, and tough as nails - fine stuff for a Crusader. And look, an entire line of maneuvers with "Stone" and "Mountain" in their titles.

Catfolk (Marshal or Dragon Shaman) - Dex and Charisma. Great gobs of goodness for second line fighting, ranged attacking, and Auras. (The "scales-under-the-fur" gets a little gross for the Shaman, but, eh..).

Human or Asimaar (Bard, or Paladin, or Sorcerer). Human's more flexible.. Asi is more focused.

Half-Elf Warblade. Easily mistaken for an eccentric Druid if you just look at the ears.. fatal miscalculation.

Gnome (or Human) Artificer. Gnome is a perfect match.. but Humans, as always, getting more versatility, that additional feat calls to you..

Human Thief. Humans are everywhere.. more skill points, another Feat, you blend into every slum and thieves' den.

Goliath (or Catfolk) Ranger. Two-Weapon fighting becomes very impressive when you can use weapons that big, if Goliath.. not as dextrous, though. Catfolk with bows, very very bad for the enemy.

Human Cleric. Clerics always need more feats. Easy choice. If you love Moradin, though, a Dwarf is quite good too.

Human (or Goliath) Druid. Judgement call.. is +1 L.A. worth it, to be a little worse at spellcasting and a lot meaner in hand-to-gigantic-claw combat? Up to you.


Special mention for Half-Ogre as a scary Frenzied Berserker.

 

[Stalker0]

Human for everything, you can never have too many feats. And the skills for rogues and monks.

 

[Mistwell]

We need more whisper gnomes like the need more cowbell.

 

[Klaus]

Dwarf Wizard.

Elf Cleric.

Halfling Rogue.

Gnome Sorcerer.