Savage Species: Creating Monstrous Heroes

[ashockney]

"Automatic Purchase"

This will be an "auto purchase" for me when I see it because it will open the door to playing fun and interesting new characters. I've been with the same gaming group for 15 years, so we've played out most of the archetype combinations, and really enjoy pushing the boundaries in our game. This will hopefully be a tool to do that.

I'm very concerned with the potential for balance issues with something that opens the door to changes of this magnitude. I hope they playtested the hell out of this one. But I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I'm certainly getting this book, as it includes something I always wanted to be able to use. In my opinion you can't go wrong with more options, which 3e is about. And monster advancement is a very convenient tool, as someone who wants to play a Lamia for example can start at a lower level instead of waiting for at least 12th level.

And one of the monster "classes" I'm looking forward to that might be in the book, is Yuan-Ti. I suspect it's very possible that all of them start out as Purebloods, and after becoming a full pureblood they could gain more levels to become a halfblood and then an abomination.

 

[I'm A Banana]

This is pretty much a must-buy, because I've been drooling over the prospect of monsters as PC races since first seeig the add on the back of a T-shirt add for 3e.

And being dissapointed when the DMG said "here's some advice, but it's all up to you"

GHAR! NOOOO!

This book better do it right, or they'll have one...jaded customer.

 

[ConcreteBuddha]

My last five characters have been a pixie, a lizardfolk, a troll, a hobgoblin, and an orc. I think I'm buying this book.

 

[mattcolville]

I'm hoping it will build more on the "levelling monster" concept. We know the book will talk about starting out as a monster with an ECL of 1, with the monster not having all its normal hit dice and powers, and then rising in "monster levels" until it gets them and is a perfect match for its MM stat block.

I swear to GOD there were rules for this in 2nd Ed. But try as I might, I could never locate them when I started running 3E. I even came here and asked for help!

I'm just hoping they remember to include the flip side of this idea...that you can keep gaining "monster levels" past whats listed in the MM, for higher hit dice and new/better powers.

We already have that, don't we? Monster Advancement?

 

[Voneth]

My last five characters have been a pixie, a lizardfolk, a troll, a hobgoblin, and an orc. I think I'm buying this book.

How I envy you.

I spent 16 levels as a Druidic Lizardman and except for the one time we fought snakemen who were supposed to be the ex-masters of the lizardmen in my GMs campaign, we spent no time delving into my race's culture or locals. Oh we visted elven lands and human lands a plenty for 16 levels.

And if I tried to be any of the other races you mention, it would have been no, no and no.

 

[Kesh]

I soooo want to play a gnoll! I've got a vast culture built up in my mind around them, and it'd be great to play one in a game.

 

[Alzrius]

We already have that, don't we? Monster Advancement?

Not for monsters as PCs we don't.

 

[ConcreteBuddha]

How I envy you.

I spent 16 levels as a Druidic Lizardman and except for the one time we fought snakemen who were supposed to be the ex-masters of the lizardmen in my GMs campaign, we spent no time delving into my race's culture or locals. Oh we visted elven lands and human lands a plenty for 16 levels.

And if I tried to be any of the other races you mention, it would have been no, no and no.

Three things let me get away with playing non-standard races:

1) The invention of ECL is a godsend. Having "balanced" rules that define a monster as a PC make power issues less of a hang-up for DMs.


2) I've been playing this game since I was twelve. All of us have had the opportunity to DM at one time or another. Whenever I DM, I always let players choose non-standard races. This means that future DMs get to see that monsters as PCs really aren't that difficult, nor do they disrupt gameplay or the campaign world. It's also a "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" type deal. If a future DM plays a centaur in my game, he can't really complain if I want to play an ogre in his.


3) I always make up an excellent background reason for why my character is a good adventurer. For example, my hobgoblin was a paladin of Heironeous who felt the call of the divine when he found the equipment of a long-dead paladin, and now quests to free his people from their self-serving LE nature. My troll egoist was experimented on by a mad telepath, who used psychic churgery to alter his alignment to NG while at the same time unlocking his psychic potential.

A good background can make all the difference. Two examples:

A)

Player 1: "Hey, DM! I'd like to play a Troll Egoist! I'd have Biofeedback and heal all of my subdual damage with Lesser Body Adjustment! Rend is just plain leet! Isn't that uber!?"

DM: "Um, no. Go play a human cleric..."


B)

Player 2: "Hey, DM! I'd like to play this character. I wrote a short story detailing his history and motivations. I'd really like to play a character who strives to fit in, but his bestial urges prevent him from ever being a part of human society."

DM: "Awesome! Let me read that...*scans two page background*...hey, this is a troll egoist. Well, I guess it's okay since the rest of the party is level 10, and you did let me play a half-celestial in your game. Also, I really like all of the plot-hooks you gave me. This should work out just fine."

 

[mattcolville]

Not for monsters as PCs we don't.

I'm confused. If I'm a monster PC, don't I advance as a PC?