Question about Class & Race creation

[Wolfx]

I'm sorry if this has been brought up before, but I don't have the time to look through all the previous posts.

I was wondering if any publishers could give me a good defintion on creating new Classes & Races? How do you decide what is too powerful or what is just right?

I read on various threads about classes/races being too powerful.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[MEG Hal]

I'm sorry if this has been brought up before, but I don't have the time to look through all the previous posts.

I was wondering if any publishers could give me a good defintion on creating new Classes & Races? How do you decide what is too powerful or what is just right?

I read on various threads about classes/races being too powerful.

Any help would be appreciated.

Write it up....
playtest it
have rule lawyers look at it
have powergamers try and break it
and have anal-retentive gamers re-review it
You still will not please everyone but that is a start!

 

[cthuluftaghn]

That's good advise from THG Hal. But, if you want something reasonable to start with before your playtesters get into trying to break it...

Start with one of the existing core races or classes, and change it bit by bit into what you want your new race/class to be. For every strength you give it, remember to take something equal away from it.

And, remember that some things are inherently more powerful than others... in other words, adding +2 to STR cannot be adequately counterbalanced by a -2 CHA. So, consider your give and take carefully.

 

[Wolfx]

Thanks for the information. That was just what I was looking for, a good rule of thumb that I could use. It was also a way to confirm in my mind what needed to be done.

Thanks