questions about creating a race

[Fieari]

I'd disagree with that sentiment. Humans beat all because you can choose the feat you want. Flexibility is a HUGE advantage...

 

[Zimbel16]

Zimbel's suggestions are pretty well on track. The best way to decide if a new race is balanced or not is to compare a sample character of that race with a Core Rules character who has similar adjustments.

Good point; I oversimplified my technique.

Avoid the Animal type likewise.

I don't know- for some Players, the Animal type could be lots of fun.

-2 Str = 3-1/2 feats of drawback or balancing +2 Dex, -4 Str = 7 feats of drawback or balancing +4 Dex, -2 Dex = 3-1/2 feats of drawback or balancing +2 Str, -4 Dex = 7 feats of drawback or balancing +4 Str, -2 Con = 3 to 3-1/2 feats of drawback or balancing +2 Int, -4 Con = 7 to 7-1/2 feats of drawback or balancing +4 Int, -2 Int = 2-1/2 feats of drawback or balancing +2 Con, -4 Int = 5 feats of drawback or balancing +4 Con, -2 Wis = 2-1/2 feats of drawback or balancing +2 Cha, -4 Wis = 5-1/2 feats of drawback or balancing +4 Cha, -2 Cha = 1-1/2 feats of drawback or balancing +2 Wis, -4 Cha = 3 feats pf drawback or balancing +4 Wis,

I'd tend to decrease the value of - Str beyond what you have here - I'd put it more in the range on what you have for -Int, since for a major spellcaster, Str is pretty easy to work around -more so than any other stat other than Cha. (Note, however, that I pretty much agree with you on +Str).

 

[Arkhandus]

Well, by no means should an Int, Wis, or Cha bonus be balanced out merely by a Str penalty.

Half-orcs don't have just an Int/Cha penalty in the core rules, in exchange for their high Str; they also have a complete lack of other benefits besides 60' darkvision. They're widely and wisely regarded as a weak race by most folks, because they pay a steep price for their muscle and suck at anything beyond direct fighting. Dwarves, of course, suffer from the 'derfs R sooo mega-ninja-cool-roxxors awsum!!111! Let's make them as l33t as before and get rid of their old restrictions 2!!1!' mentality of odd R&D people.

A Str penalty should be used to balance out another physical or combat advantage, of course. A penalty that has no relevance to the character is no penalty at all.