So... is this math with LA buyoff and XP costs right?

[Gavinfoxx]

So, I was trying to do some math, and figure out if I managed to figure out the level adjustment / xp costs, and the math thing correctly.

Lets assume that someone wants to play a Drow Fighter (eww...) to ECL 10, and buy-off the level adjustment as early as possible.

Is this math right?

ECL 3: 0 XP, 1 HD (Drow Fighter 1, for example)
ECL 4: 3000 XP (+3000 xp), 2 HD
ECL 5: 7000 (+4000 xp), 3 HD
ECL 6: 12000 (+5000 xp), 4 HD
ECL 7: 30000 (+6000 XP), 5 HD
ECL 8: 37000 (+7000 XP), 6 HD
LA Buyoff: Pay 7000 XP, you now count as 7th level, at 6 HD
ECL 8: 44000 XP (+7000 XP), 7 HD
ECL 9: 52000 (+8000 XP), 8 HD
ECL 10: 61000 (+9000 XP), 9 HD
LA Buyoff: Pay 9000 XP, you now count as 9th level, at 9 HD
ECL 10: 70000 XP (+9000 XP), 10 HD

So if the DM says, "Okay, we are starting a 13th and a half level game. Everyone gets 86K XP". You put "ECL/Class Level: 10 (LA Bought Off). Race: Drow. XP 70k. Next level: 80K."

[Andezzar]

Yes, this is correct.

[Godskook]

Afaik, at 1 HD +2 LA, you're starting at the base 3k like everyone else

[Andezzar]

Afaik, at 1 HD +2 LA, you're starting at the base 3k like everyone elseWoops, I missed that one.

[TuggyNE]

So, I was trying to do some math, and figure out if I managed to figure out the level adjustment / xp costs, and the math thing correctly.

Lets assume that someone wants to play a Drow Fighter (eww...) to ECL 10, and buy-off the level adjustment as early as possible.

Is this math right?

ECL 3: 0 XP, 1 HD (Drow Fighter 1, for example)
ECL 4: 3000 XP (+3000 xp), 2 HD
ECL 5: 7000 (+4000 xp), 3 HD
ECL 6: 12000 (+5000 xp), 4 HD
ECL 7: 30000 (+6000 XP), 5 HD
ECL 8: 37000 (+7000 XP), 6 HD
LA Buyoff: Pay 7000 XP, you now count as 7th level, at 6 HD
ECL 8: 44000 XP (+7000 XP), 7 HD
ECL 9: 52000 (+8000 XP), 8 HD
ECL 10: 61000 (+9000 XP), 9 HD
LA Buyoff: Pay 9000 XP, you now count as 9th level, at 9 HD
ECL 10: 70000 XP (+9000 XP), 10 HD

So if the DM says, "Okay, we are starting a 13th and a half level game. Everyone gets 86K XP". You put "ECL/Class Level: 10 (LA Bought Off). Race: Drow. XP 70k. Next level: 80K."

XP determines ECL, not level. That is, you'd have the same XP (until you spent it on buyoff) as the others, starting at 3000.

[Gavinfoxx]

XP determines ECL, not level. That is, you'd have the same XP (until you spent it on buyoff) as the others, starting at 3000.

Are you sure? I've seen people say all Drow start at 3000 xp, or they all start at 0 XP... Where does it say for sure? Is this described in the FAQ anywhere? Rules Compendium? A Sage column?

[Rossebay]

Are you sure? I've seen people say all Drow start at 3000 xp, or they all start at 0 XP... Where does it say for sure? Is this described in the FAQ anywhere? Rules Compendium? A Sage column?

All characters start with the same experience. Drow just have to wait until the rest of the party hits level 4 before they get their 2nd class level.

[Gavinfoxx]

So it would be...

ECL 3: 3000 XP, 1 HD (Drow Fighter 1, for example)
ECL 4: 6000 XP (+3000 xp), 2 HD
ECL 5: 10000 (+4000 xp), 3 HD
ECL 6: 15000 (+5000 xp), 4 HD
ECL 7: 21000 (+6000 XP), 5 HD
ECL 8: 28000 (+7000 XP), 6 HD
LA Buyoff: Pay 7000 XP, reducing your total to 21000 again, you now count as 7th level, at 6 HD
ECL 8: 28000 XP (+7000 XP), 7 HD
ECL 9: 36000 (+8000 XP), 8 HD
ECL 10: 45000 (+9000 XP), 9 HD
LA Buyoff: Pay 9000 XP, you now count as 9th level, at 9 HD, reducing your total to 36000 xp again
ECL 10: 45000 XP (+9000 XP), 10 HD

Correct?

[Siosilvar]

So it would be...

-snip-
ECL 10: 45000 XP (+9000 XP), 10 HD

Correct?

Exactly right. Yes, it took you 61000xp earned to get this far, but you still end up with the proper number for your level.

[Suddo]

You technically start at 3k xp. There is a variant rule to allow people to take 1 level of a class before taking their race levels.
Take half-orge (I believe) who has 1 HD and 2 LA. You would take your HD and then your 2 levels gaining some of your abilities as you go. Then you would take Fighter 1 at level 4.

[Godskook]

Are you sure? I've seen people say all Drow start at 3000 xp, or they all start at 0 XP... Where does it say for sure? Is this described in the FAQ anywhere? Rules Compendium? A Sage column?

Read the LA buyoff rules carefully, and you'll notice the example given is a gnoll fighter 2 who gains just enough xp to level. So he's now a fighter 3 with 2 RHD, 1 LA and 15000xp.