player controled monsters
- Thread starter pulptric
- Start date
IronWolf
blank
I am not a fan of it. Maybe for a one-shot or mini-campaign arc for a few sessions, but not for a long running campaign. It just doesn't "feel" right to me. I know that is pretty subjective...
Dandu
First Post
If he wants to shoot himself in the foot, who am I to say no?
Dross
Explorer
1ed (and maybe 2nd ed which I only played a couple of sessions) does not really scale that well for monster PC, unless as mentioned it is a short run or all PCs are in a similar position.
There is Savage Species for using monsters as PC, even if it is 3.0. I'd consider the centaur based on several things (fits with the theme/"logically" fits in under a back story, was on a par with the other PCs). But a monster, even "pet/prisoner" of another PC would face a lot of problems in many environments (civilized, humanoid lands, PC horses, natural predators/prey).
Reactions of others may be what Dandu means by shooting themselves in the foot.
There is Savage Species for using monsters as PC, even if it is 3.0. I'd consider the centaur based on several things (fits with the theme/"logically" fits in under a back story, was on a par with the other PCs). But a monster, even "pet/prisoner" of another PC would face a lot of problems in many environments (civilized, humanoid lands, PC horses, natural predators/prey).
Reactions of others may be what Dandu means by shooting themselves in the foot.
Monster races are always problematic. Centaurs come with an extra set of problems, since they're helpless in the face of mundane tasks, like climbing a wall.
I only ever allow a subset of races in my campaigns. Every campaign comes with a player's guide that details what is allowed and what isn't. E.g. in my current campaign, elves and gnomes aren't allowed (since they're Fey creatures in my campaign).
However, I do allow a number of lycanthropic races.
It's a DM's call, but I'd guess the majority of DMs will prefer pcs with 'standard' races.
3.5 has rules for using monster races as PCs - they are generally incluced in the MM entry.
As pointed out Savage Species has rules also.
So does a series of article in the old WotC site called "Savage Progressions" which detailed how to handle Level Adjusted races and templates.
In general I have not found any 3.5 DMs that have problems with using non-standard races as long as the ECLs were handled properly and the player was ready to deal with the role-playing aspects/problems associated with it. Now there are some settings where certain races just don't fit, but that is a different issue.
We did some playing of monster races as PCs in 2nd ed too - a tad more difficult because monsters weren't blanced as well with PC as they are in 3.5 (well at least there is more of a deliberate attempt to handle this issue in 3.5).
As pointed out Savage Species has rules also.
So does a series of article in the old WotC site called "Savage Progressions" which detailed how to handle Level Adjusted races and templates.
In general I have not found any 3.5 DMs that have problems with using non-standard races as long as the ECLs were handled properly and the player was ready to deal with the role-playing aspects/problems associated with it. Now there are some settings where certain races just don't fit, but that is a different issue.
We did some playing of monster races as PCs in 2nd ed too - a tad more difficult because monsters weren't blanced as well with PC as they are in 3.5 (well at least there is more of a deliberate attempt to handle this issue in 3.5).
FEADIN
My love is on Asgard
Centaur
Hit Dice:4d8+8 (26 hp)
Advancement:By character classLevel Adjustment:+2
Weak, you start as a 1st level something in a 7th level adventure....
As said above if everybody is like you it's fine but if you're the only one
Starbuck_II
Explorer
Three ways:
Use MM version
Savage Species
Use Balanced versions (using CR with reduced benefits but having enough to fit theme): [3.5]Improved monster classes: adapting creatures for player use-taking requests! - Giant in the Playground Forums
Centuar is here Giant in the Playground Forums - View Single Post - [3.5]Improved monster classes: adapting creatures for player use-taking requests!
Use MM version
Savage Species
Use Balanced versions (using CR with reduced benefits but having enough to fit theme): [3.5]Improved monster classes: adapting creatures for player use-taking requests! - Giant in the Playground Forums
Centuar is here Giant in the Playground Forums - View Single Post - [3.5]Improved monster classes: adapting creatures for player use-taking requests!
Similar Threads
