Why are elves inferior spellcasters./why gnomes are better.

[Derren]

Not to mention that wizard, a class which requires long, focused studying to learn, doesn't really fit with the chaotic alignment of elves.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Well, if you don't use the favored class rule, then I think that all races should have some kind of small benefit to compensate (and humans half-elves perhaps a larger one since the ability to have any favored class is a big part of their appeal).

I think the "substitution level" mechanic is all around a better way to show increased proficiency with a class for any particular race. It makes the class adapt to the race, rather than just saying "elves are good with magic, so they have favored class: wizard".

 

[Gez]

I think the "substitution level" mechanic is all around a better way to show increased proficiency with a class for any particular race. It makes the class adapt to the race, rather than just saying "elves are good with magic, so they have favored class: wizard".

Favored class is another pet peeve of mine. It's so seldom understood!

"Favored class" is a system to prevent you from losing XP for an uneven multiclassing.

What this means is that elves, through their fav. class of wizard, are more likely than other races to have unevenly multiclassed characters like fighter 5/wizard 3 or ranger 2/wizard 6. It doesn't mean "most elves tend to be single-classed wizards"; it means "elves have an easier time mixing wizardry with SOMETHING ELSE."

I think it should have been called "favored multiclass option" instead.

 

[Wolfspider]

I think the "substitution level" mechanic is all around a better way to show increased proficiency with a class for any particular race. It makes the class adapt to the race, rather than just saying "elves are good with magic, so they have favored class: wizard".

Ahh, yes. How could I forget Elven Wizard substitution levels? Thanks for reminding me about this mechanic.

 

[Wolfspider]

Not to mention that wizard, a class which requires long, focused studying to learn, doesn't really fit with the chaotic alignment of elves.

Being chaotic in alignment doesn't mean that the character in question has ADD or can't focus on a particular subject. Also, I would think that a race that lives for hundreds of years would be perfectly suited to "long" study.

 

[Set]

In order of what seems most appropriate for their society, culture and alignment, I think the Bard, Sorcerer, Ranger and Druid are the most 'Elven' class options (with classes like the Duskblade, Beguiler, Swashbuckler and Scout also fitting well, from later books).

Wizard? Not a chance. About as likely as Elven Monks, which is to say, they could certainly exist, but they surely wouldn't be the majority! With the removal of their 1st and 2nd ed magic resistance, *Dwarves* fit better into the Wizard class, thematically (and Gnomes, to a lesser extent).

The Bard really seems the idea Elven favored class, combining the D&D elven focus on lighter armors (elven chain), bowmanship and swordsmanship, artsy-fartsy stuff and innately magical bloodlines. It's like a built-in fighter / magic-user class, which is basically the role that the D&D Elf has always been cast in.

As for the Con penalty, I've never been too fond of giving any PC race a Con penalty. It's just too brutal at the lower levels. A race that is naturally sicklier, weaker and more prone to dying of opportunistic infection, or perishing during extremes of weather, drought or famine than everyone else (including every animal in the Monster Manual, even the Tiny ones their wizards use as Familiars!) probably should stay in their hermetically sealed bubbles and not go adventuring, let alone live in the woods.

 

[Plane Sailing]

The Bard really seems the idea Elven favored class, combining the D&D elven focus on lighter armors (elven chain), bowmanship and swordsmanship, artsy-fartsy stuff and innately magical bloodlines. It's like a built-in fighter / magic-user class, which is basically the role that the D&D Elf has always been cast in.

I'd set the Bard as the favoured class for elves in my last campaign. I like the fey side of it, the casting in armour and general enchantment focus. Plus, I could explain the bardic knowledge as a function of the elves long lifespan. That was what they were picking up in all those early years! bardic knowledge!

 

[Vocenoctum]

Favored class is another pet peeve of mine. It's so seldom understood!

"Favored class" is a system to prevent you from losing XP for an uneven multiclassing.

What this means is that elves, through their fav. class of wizard, are more likely than other races to have unevenly multiclassed characters like fighter 5/wizard 3 or ranger 2/wizard 6. It doesn't mean "most elves tend to be single-classed wizards"; it means "elves have an easier time mixing wizardry with SOMETHING ELSE."

I think it should have been called "favored multiclass option" instead.

They don't suffer a multiclass penalty, because that Favored Class is so intrinsic to their natures that they can more easily dabble in that class without facing a penalty for it. Sure it's not the "most often taken" class, but it does figure into the culture of the race in question. The most common class is probably Commoner, hence it's name!

 

[Sejs]

Wizard was a strange choice, though, unless elves are supposed to keep spellbooks in the hollow of a tree. Sorcerer would make more sense, and would represent an intuitive connection to magic. But, as was said, ranger would make even more sense.

Bard.

Seriously.

Intuitive magic. Smatterings of knowledge picked up over long lifespans. Even the singing and dancing thing fits.

 

[Psion]

What is with all the elf hating these days? This makes, what, some three or four threads now that equate to elves = sucks.

When one of those threads came up, this (elves make poor wizards, their supposed favored class) was my reason then.