What do you think about Monte's new PHB Racial Levels?

[Voadam]

I like them.

The one thing I wish we had more of in d20/D&D were more 3 level "classes" like this. Instead of blowing up everything into a full PrC its nice to have just a few specializations to inidcate the character is growing closer to his roots or whatever (and getting cool powers to boot!)

These aren't the first 3 level racial classes.

Malladins Gate in their abjuration pdf St. John's Academy had 3 level racial classes for most PC races. If you want more I suggest you pick that up.

 

[DonAdam]

I would just like to point out that Monte did not write these:

The concept of racial levels in Monte Cook’s Arcana Unearthed has proven popular. My friends Jesse Decker, Andy Collins, and Charles Ryan came up with some similar ideas, but for the races as presented in the Player’s Handbook. I liked them so much, I asked if we could publish them here.—Monte

 

[der_kluge]

I think the concept is a neat one, but I'm not sure what they were thinking with the +1 caster level for humans. Doesn't make any sense to me.

I'm certain I would have done them all differently.

 

[TalonComics]

Whoops... I just need to pay attention more.

Nevermind!

 

[Macbeth]

This is great, It provieds a nice way to distinguish between your average elf and a really elfy elf, or your run of the mill halfling and a really halfling-ish halfling. Works great to show that your character is really in tune with his race.

 

[Jai Kel]

Quite right. However, www.montecook.com is sprinkled througout the document and the Credits and Legal page to proclaim his involvement as well as Sue's.

I really do like this piece, it's just that I wish they had taken an extra day to proof it and think about it before tossing the thing out there for distribution. And that's what I think about the majority of offerings from montecook.com, free or retail.

I would just like to point out that Monte did not write these:

 

[buzz]

Totally rocks. I want it made official in UA or D&D4e, or whatever. Best idea since d20M's basic classes.

 

[d4]

i thought the best change from OD&D to AD&D was getting rid of racial classes. i still don't think they're all that great an idea.

these seem to be much, much better than just about any ECL +1 or +2 race out there. you get special abilities, but you also get BAB, saves, hit points, skills, etc.

against other classes they seem fairly balanced, but against other races, they seem a bit out of whack.

IMO, if you want to become more of an exemplar of your race, one should just use racial feats.

 

[rowport]

"I think the concept is a neat one, but I'm not sure what they were thinking with the +1 caster level for humans. Doesn't make any sense to me.

I'm certain I would have done them all differently."

Die_Kluge must be able to read minds telepathically. Or, at least, my mind. I would agree with every word! LOL

 

[buzz]

against other classes they seem fairly balanced, but against other races, they seem a bit out of whack.

Balancing them against other classes is really all that matters. All races in D&D have taken levels in some class, or else are sufficiently advanced in their own "racial class", and thus have gained BAB, saves, feats, skills, and HP.

I also don't think this concept is similar enough to the old race classes of OD&D and Basic to base criticisms on that. Those classes were really more variations and combinations of the core classes than advancement in "being elflike" or whatever.

I dunno. I love this idea. I want WotC to adopt it ASAP.