Shooting for LA+1...

[sirwmholder]

Without boring you with flavor text here are some of the things I'm considering for +1 LA races...

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Cat Race

Medium
+2 Dexterity
Superior Low-light vision (x3)
+1 Dodge Bonus
+2 to Move Silently, Hide and Jump
PHB2 - Leap of the Heavens
Base speed 40ft
Favored Class: Ranger

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Wolf race

Medium
+2 Wisdom
Low-light vision (x2)
+2 to Handle Animal, Knowledge (Nature), Survival, Wild Empathy
Pack Hunters: Additional +2 when Flanking an opponent
Limited Scent: A wolf can detect opponents within 5 feet by sense of smell. If the opponent is upwind, the range increases to 10 feet; if downwind, it drops to 0 feet. Otherwise this scent ability is exactly like that which is presented in the DMG. Tracking by scent ignores the effects of surface conditions and poor visibility.
Favored Class: Druid

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Dwarf

Small
+2 Constitution
Darkvision (60 ft.)
Powerful Build
Stabilization: +4 to Bull Rush & Trip
Armor Specialization: No movement penalty while in Medium or Heavy Armor. Armor check penalty still applies to skills and ability checks.
+2 Craft (Architecture and Engineering)
Favored Class: Fighter

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[Flynn]

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Dwarf

Small
+2 Constitution
Darkvision (60 ft.)
Powerful Build
Stabilization: +4 to Bull Rush & Trip
Heavy Armor Specialization: No movement penalty while in Heavy Armor. Armor check penalty still applies to skills and ability checks.
+2 Craft (Architecture and Engineering)
Favored Class: Fighter

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What about medium armor? I thought there was a movement penalty there, as well?

Very concise, but interesting.

I'll try to give this more thought and give you better feedback later,
Flynn

 

[Spatzimaus]

Without boring you with flavor text here are some of the things I'm considering for +1 LA races...

Most of these are just weak for +1 LA, IMO. You've removed the usual -2 stat penalties, and given some nice little bonuses, but not enough to really justify a full LA increase (although they're clearly too good for LA+0). They do compare well with the Aasimar and Tiefling, but I've always felt those races were underpowered for LA+1 as well.

The Dwarf you use is a separate discussion. The Powerful Build ability, and the Bull Rush/Trip bonuses, only serve to counteract the loss when you dropped from Medium to Small size. So really, it's more like saying "the PHB Dwarf, but with +1 AC and +1 attack from size".

Also, as a nitpick, low-light vision is expressed as a multiplier (x2, x3, x4), not a set distance.

 

[sirwmholder]

Thanks for taking the time.

What about medium armor? I thought there was a movement penalty there, as well?...

You are correct... thanks for catching that... I'll revise it to include Medium Armor as well.

Most of these are just weak for +1 LA, IMO. You've removed the usual -2 stat penalties, and given some nice little bonuses, but not enough to really justify a full LA increase (although they're clearly too good for LA+0). They do compare well with the Aasimar and Tiefling, but I've always felt those races were underpowered for LA+1 as well.

Low side of LA +1 isn't as much a problem... my primary goal is to balance these against each other.... if they are all LA +1 then my goal should be complete.

The Dwarf you use is a separate discussion. The Powerful Build ability, and the Bull Rush/Trip bonuses, only serve to counteract the loss when you dropped from Medium to Small size. So really, it's more like saying "the PHB Dwarf, but with +1 AC and +1 attack from size".

True. I dropped the racial bonuses to goblins, orcs and giants in favor of a general size bonus. Still they rate up there as a weak LA +1.

Also, as a nitpick, low-light vision is expressed as a multiplier (x2, x3, x4), not a set distance.

You know I always forget Darkvision and Low-light vision are handled a little differently. Thanks for bringing this up I'll be sure to correct it.

Thanks for the feedback, please keep it coming,
William Holder

 

[sirwmholder]

Any other comments would be greatly appreciated... Are these three more or less balanced against each other?

Thank you for your time,
William Holder