Weretiger ECL 1 ?!?!?

[cthuluftaghn]

One of my players wants to introduce a weretiger into our group. (Average party level is 4). According to the MM and DMG, a weretiger is ECL 1. So, I was going to have her start at a class level of 3 + ECL 1 = a level 4 character. No big deal.

HOWEVER

I'm reading up on the weretiger, and can't believe it's only ECL 1!!! Pounce is just so wrong! No save? No opposed check? Just pounce....

STR is +12 in hybrid or animal form!!! Dex +4 and Con +6 (that's a lotta bonus HP!)

Damage reduction 15!!!

I'm looking for other DM/Player opinions. Should this be adjusted somehow before allowing the character into the campaign? I mean... at LEAST ECL 2, maybe even 3. Or, as an alternative, establish some kind of saving throw against the pounce, and reduce the damage reduction in hybrid form... something.... anything!

 

[Gromm]

Umm.... where exactly did you see that?
The only ones in the DMG are Werewolf and Werebear, +3 and +4 respectively (and both with minimum level requirements-2nd level for WW, and 6th for WB).

Also remember the DMG is very low on its ECL (as is the FRCS).
I don't have the Dragon Mag that has the revised ECLs, but hopefully someone who does will post the proper ECL for a WereTiger. I'm guessing it wont be less than +7 or +8.

 

[Thanee]

I guess you confused ECL with something else there. ECL +1 can't be true, never ever!

Bye
Thanee

 

[Xarlen]

Since a werewolf is a +3 ECL and the werewolf sucks compared to the Weretiger, I'd make it a +5 or +6.

 

[kreynolds]

I don't have the Dragon Mag that has the revised ECLs, but hopefully someone who does will post the proper ECL for a WereTiger. I'm guessing it wont be less than +7 or +8.

Were-creatuers are not covered in the Dragon ECL's. Didn't the FRCS errata have the correct numbers?

EDIT: Nope. The were-? ECLs aren't in FRCS either. Ah well.

 

[cthuluftaghn]

A weretiger has a HD of 6d8+18 . In my book, that should make it an ECL 6.

Wish I had my books here at work... the SRD online isn't telling me much. I'll try to give an exact page reference of where I got the screwball idea that it was an ECL 1 when I get home.

 

[Xarlen]

HD !=ECL

This has been a public service announcement.

 

[cthuluftaghn]

Ok... how can we work with this? Let's say a level 6 party goes up against a weretiger. Someone contracts lycanthropy, thus becoming a weretiger themself. Going by the presumeably correct assumption that a weretiger is ECL 6... then that character suddenly becomes a level 12 character. Something there just doesn't jive!

Has anyone else out there contracted the lycanthropic curse? How did you handle the issue of character level? Perhaps, she'll gain access to her abilities only a little at a time? She has to learn them? Not sure... I'd hate to tell her no, especially since she's a new player, and I already told her yes (MY stupid mistake... 20+ years as a DM... shame on me!)

 

[Xarlen]

That's because a character Can't Control their lycanthropy, if they're Infected.

If you're going to base everything off Hit Dice, then would you allow a Pixie as a ECL +0? They have 1 HD.

As to Drow. And the Deep Gnomes. But they have higher ECLs, because of their abilities.

 

[Artoomis]

Ok... how can we work with this? Let's say a level 6 party goes up against a weretiger. Someone contracts lycanthropy, thus becoming a weretiger themself. Going by the presumeably correct assumption that a weretiger is ECL 6... then that character suddenly becomes a level 12 character. Something there just doesn't jive!

Has anyone else out there contracted the lycanthropic curse? How did you handle the issue of character level? Perhaps, she'll gain access to her abilities only a little at a time? She has to learn them? Not sure... I'd hate to tell her no, especially since she's a new player, and I already told her yes (MY stupid mistake... 20+ years as a DM... shame on me!)

ECL does NOT-NOT-NOT apply to existing characters. In any way. Period.

Lycanthopy is a CURSE - the character should desperately want to be cured. It should be easy enough to make the character want to be cured - a few involuntary changes should do that nicely.