Weretiger ECL

[DonTadow]

I am unfortunately unable to view content at the Wizards site, as my workplace filter blocks it. If you can, could you post the progression chart here?

Sure can I appreciate the help
The following exerpt is from the Wizard's article : Savage Progressions. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20031212a
"
Lycanthrope template classes also follow special rules relating to the benefits such characters acquire from their animal natures. The template allows for a level adjustment of +3 (or +2 for afflicted lycanthropes), but that value does not include the Hit Dice from the lycanthrope's animal form. So while a 1st-level human natural weretiger warrior (as presented in the Monster Manual) has a level adjustment of +3, his ECL is actually 7 -- 1 from his warrior Hit Die, +3 from the template, +6 for his tiger Hit Dice.

Thus, in addition to the levels offered via the appropriate lycanthrope template class, each kind of lycanthrope also has a separate (optional) class progression for his animal abilities. Essentially, a character progressing as a lycanthrope multiclasses into the template class and can also multiclass into the appropriate animal class if desired.

The animal class is entirely optional. No would-be lycanthrope is required to take it, but doing so is an advantage, since a character without it is weaker than other lycanthropes of the same type. Taking levels in the appropriate animal template class gives the character the animal's Hit Dice and hit points (in all forms), saving throw bonuses (in all forms), skill points (in all forms), racial skill bonuses (in all forms), conditional skill modifiers (in animal form), ability score modifiers (in hybrid or animal form), natural armor bonus, and special attacks (such as the tiger's rake). Levels in the animal class may be taken at any point after the character takes one level in the lycanthrope template class. He is also free to take levels in other classes between levels of the template class and the animal class, as desired. The animal class, like the template class, does not count when determining whether a character takes an XP penalty for multiclassing.

An afflicted weretiger that is cured of lycanthropy (as described in the Monster Manual on page 178) immediately loses all weretiger template class levels and tiger class levels (if any). These levels cannot be restored with restoration or similar magic; they are simply gone. Most lycanthropes that do not wish to lose their lycanthropy in this way deliberately fail their saving throws against the spell in order to prevent this traumatic change.

Table SP-13: The Weretiger Template Class
Level CR Special
1st +1 Wis +2, natural armor +2, alternate form (tiger), low-light vision, shapechanger subtype, weretiger feat (Alertness)
2nd +1 Alternate form (hybrid), tiger empathy, damage reduction 5/silver, weretiger feats (Improved Natural Attack [bite], Improved Natural Attack [claw])
3rd +2 Curse of lycanthropy, damage reduction 10/silver

Table SP-14: The Tiger (Lycanthrope) Class

1st 1d8 +0 +2 +2 +0 2 + Int mod. Str +2, natural armor +2, tiger abilities, bite
2nd 2d8 +1 +3 +3 +0 2 + Int mod. Str +2, Dex +2, scent
3rd 3d8 +2 +3 +3 +1 2 + Int mod. Str +2, Con +2, natural armor +1, 2 claws
4th 4d8 +3 +4 +4 +1 2 + Int mod. Str +2, Con +2, improved grab, Large
5th 5d8 +3 +4 +4 +1 2 + Int mod. Str +2, Dex +2, natural armor +1, pounce
6th 6d8 +4 +5 +5 +2 2 + Int mod. Str +2, Con +2, rake"

 

[IcyCool]

This doesn't follow their normal LA + HD mechanic, in that the HD levels are optional, but I think I see how it will work.

Your Player wants a Natural Weretiger Scout 3, right? What level do you want to start at?

According to the Wizards site, your "3 levels of weretiger, 3 levels of tiger and 3 levels of scout for an ecl of 9th level" is correct. Your character would have an ECL of 9, and 6 HD (3 scout, 3 tiger).

They basically took the Savage Species progression and split it up into two classes, with one of them being optional.

 

[DonTadow]

Ok, thanks that's what I needed. Now that i know the math is right, I'll try to get her to decide on a Ranger or Scout, she's looking for wilderness class minus the spells.

 

[seans23]

This doesn't follow their normal LA + HD mechanic, in that the HD levels are optional, but I think I see how it will work.

Yes, that's the point of the savage progression template. When you finish the template, you have the LA + HD of a natural weretiger.

 

[DonTadow]

Yes, that's the point of the savage progression template. When you finish the template, you have the LA + HD of a natural weretiger.

I didn't know how powerful the weretigers and such are until this week. I'm still leery about some things. To balance out the high dr at such a low level, I, after talking with the player, made it so that it takesa full round to change into a tiger and the dr in hybrid is only 5/silver.

 

[seans23]

I didn't know how powerful the weretigers and such are until this week. I'm still leery about some things. To balance out the high dr at such a low level, I, after talking with the player, made it so that it takesa full round to change into a tiger and the dr in hybrid is only 5/silver.

They're powerful, but it comes at quite a price. +3 LA is pretty significant, especially at lower levels. This player will have 3HD less hit points than his teammates, making him more likely to die. Also, his BAB will be significantly lower.

If you only want him 5/silver, just have him take the first two "levels" of the lycanthrope template, and reserve the third for later. I wouldn't nerf him, though.

 

[IcyCool]

Yes, that's the point of the savage progression template. When you finish the template, you have the LA + HD of a natural weretiger.

Right, but this article specifically mentions that the HD levels are optional. Normally, you have to go completely through a Savage Species progression before you can even take your first class level.

 

[Klaus]

Because the Savage Species progressions are racial classes. The Savage Progression classes are templates, so you already had class levels before taking them.

As for the Ranger or Scout, perhaps your player would like to play a Spell-less Ranger, from Complete Warrior. When a Ranger would gain 1st-level spells, this variant gets +10ft. movement. When he'd gain 2nd-level spells, this variant has Nature's Blessing (once per day add +4 to either Str, Dex or Wis for 1 min/level). When he'd gain 3rd-level spells, the variant grants Neutralize Poison 1/day. And instead of 4th-level spells, the variant grants Freedom of Movement 1/day.

 

[DonTadow]

Because the Savage Species progressions are racial classes. The Savage Progression classes are templates, so you already had class levels before taking them.

As for the Ranger or Scout, perhaps your player would like to play a Spell-less Ranger, from Complete Warrior. When a Ranger would gain 1st-level spells, this variant gets +10ft. movement. When he'd gain 2nd-level spells, this variant has Nature's Blessing (once per day add +4 to either Str, Dex or Wis for 1 min/level). When he'd gain 3rd-level spells, the variant grants Neutralize Poison 1/day. And instead of 4th-level spells, the variant grants Freedom of Movement 1/day.

I'll have to pick up the complete warrior then.

 

[IcyCool]

Because the Savage Species progressions are racial classes. The Savage Progression classes are templates, so you already had class levels before taking them.

Bah! I was reading Savage Progression as Savage Species Progression and couldn't for the life of me understand why they were getting it wrong.