What balances the Warforged?

[smootrk]

The warforged have some characteristics that are unique, and just like any additional race, the DM must take these traits into consideration when designing an encounter, especially since most encounters (both pre and post Eberron) have never had to make the assumptions of having such Construct types in the party. It is easy enough to balance most encounters on the fly, but it seems that some/most would prefer not to have to do this additional thinking (hence the bias against them).

I think they are a strong +0 LA race, but hardly unbalancable. I like them and have even worked to include some varieties in my Forgotten Realms campaign (see signature). No big balance issues yet.

 

[Nifft]

I think they are a strong +0 LA race, but hardly unbalancable.

Yup, IMHO they're up there with Dwarves. Strong.

But IMHO that contrast weakens them a bit -- see, there's already a strong Fighter choice (the Dwarf). So having another strong Fighter choice isn't really changing the game all that much. It's not like they're a better Wizard than a Halfling, Gnome or Dwarf. They're as good as a Dwarf at being a Fighter, but so what? Dwarves already did that.

Cheers, -- N

 

[stonegod]

In my opinion, the best sign an option is broken is when everyone wants to use it. I've seen no sign that 'forged fit the bill here.

Quoted for truthy truth. Even in my Age of Worms game, absolutely no one (including my resident power gamer) choose a warforged as their PC or any of their replacements.

 

[0-hr]

I just noticed that Warforged have "Bonus Languages: None".

Does that mean that a Warforged PC with a 16 INT starts out knowing only Common. The bonus languages that other races get for high INT are just lost?

 

[kk14]

I think it actually means the opposite. If they had an INT bonus of +3 then they could choose ANY 3 Languages beyond the simple Common. Check up the PHB though, 'cause i'm only 90% sure.

 

[shilsen]

I just noticed that Warforged have "Bonus Languages: None".

Does that mean that a Warforged PC with a 16 INT starts out knowing only Common. The bonus languages that other races get for high INT are just lost?

Correct. IIRC, it's been clarified by Keith Baker that that's the intent. Warforged are created knowing only Common, irrespective of Int bonus.

 

[Slaved]

Correct. IIRC, it's been clarified by Keith Baker that that's the intent. Warforged are created knowing only Common, irrespective of Int bonus.

Wow. I find that incredibly stupid in so many ways I do not even know where to start and it shall be ignored immediately assuming that it is accurate.

 

[stonegod]

They need to understand their superiors, and that's it. Thus the language note.

Note a huge deal, but does match with the setting.

 

[Slaved]

I would say that knowing common plus as many languages of your enemies and allies as possible would make more sense. If you can understand the enemies orders then you are better able to deal with what happens after all.

 

[frankthedm]

It may have say, slightly thicker arms, but that in no way proves strength. As its hard to compare wood constructs to muscle in terms of how big they are determining thier strength.

Wood, cable or fibrous material all look stronger than human muscle tissue to some folks. I look at a 'forged and start think of the STR a semi modern machine of comparable size could put out, far beyond human muscle tissue.