Whats the ECL of a bugbear?

[RogueJK]

I don't think that's true for greater than 1 HD monsters. I think they get monster "levels" + character levels + ECL = starting level.

Of course, without the FRCS handy I amdit it's possible I'm wrong. Can anyone quote teh FRCS for this? I think they lay it out pretty well, IIRC.

No... the "monster levels" are included in the ECL.

 

[Artoomis]

No... the "monster levels" are included in the ECL.

Whoops - right you are.

You still get the monster HD, though, if more than 1.

 

[Gromm]

It doesn't get Alertness for free -- that's just its suggested starting feat.

At least, that's my take on the situation. Goblin PCs don't get "Alertness" for free, either. That is to say, a 1st level goblin fighter doesn't get Alertness, a starting feat, and a fighter 1st level feat.

Not sure why the same thing wouldn't apply to bugbears.

Actually bugbears DO get Alertness. They don't have any class at all as written in the DMG. Goblins on the other hand have 1 level of warrior, and have selected Alertness as thier 1st level feat.

Bugbears Alertness feat is part of being a bugbear, like Gnolls and Power Attack. Neither race has any class levels, the ability is part of the race.

Look in the DMG at the templates you add (under NPCs). Alertness is listed for Bugbears, but not for goblins, for the above stated reasons.

 

[Soldarin]

Actually, Bugbears get a feat for their monster levels, which may or may not be alertness (player's choice). This and a lot more info can be found by following the link below.