Troll ECL question {PF}

[GodGoblin]

Hey guys ive been away from the forums for a little while but as my groups got back into playing im back here once again!

Weve started the Rise of The Rune Lords Pathfinder adventure path, still only level 1 but I like to plan ahead. Currently playing a Human Gunslinger but if and when the time comes to roll up a new character I would love to play a Troll Natural weapon style Ranger.

Ive read the monsters to PC info here (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/monsters/monstersAsPCs.html) but having some trouble digesting it, could anyone in lamens terms explain the proccess to me? Or even just the Trolls starting ECL and I can go from there.

As always guys thanks in advance!

Edit: Just seen the Moss Troll (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/humanoids/giants/troll/troll-moss)on the SRD, it fits my concept even better and fortunatly has a lower CR and HD so hopefully will allow me to play it within reasonable levels.

[grarrrg]

if and when the time comes to roll up a new character I would love to play a Troll Natural weapon style Ranger.

Ive read the monsters to PC info here (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/monsters/monstersAsPCs.html) but having some trouble digesting it, could anyone in lamens terms explain the proccess to me? Or even just the Trolls starting ECL and I can go from there.

As always guys thanks in advance!

Edit: Just seen the Moss Troll (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/humanoids/giants/troll/troll-moss)on the SRD, it fits my concept even better and fortunatly has a lower CR and HD so hopefully will allow me to play it within reasonable levels.

The starting ECL = CR. So you wouldn't be able to play a Moss Troll until the rest of the party was level 3.

Half of your CR (round up) is Permanent, the other half will slowly be 'traded in' for class levels. This happens every 3 levels that the group gains.

So for the Moss Troll:
CR 3, means 2 is permanent, 1 is traded in.
At level 6 (ish) you would trade in your CR for an extra Class level.
Assuming Fighter just because:
Group ECL: 3, Troll CR 3 Levels 0
Group ECL: 4, Troll CR 3 Levels 1
Group ECL: 5, Troll CR 3 Levels 2
Group ECL: 6, Troll CR 2 Levels 4
From here on out you gain levels as normal.

[GodGoblin]

Brilliant! Thanks a lot, that really helps :smallsmile:

So HD doesnt come into it at all then? 3.5 monster rules must be so ingrained into me that im just making stuff up for PF!

[grarrrg]

Brilliant! Thanks a lot, that really helps :smallsmile:

So HD doesnt come into it at all then? 3.5 monster rules must be so ingrained into me that im just making stuff up for PF!

If you want to use 3.5 terms to describe how PF works, then:

Take the Creature's CR, Half (round-up) is "RHD", the other Half (round-down) is "LA".
Every 3 levels gained past this you automatically "buy off" one of the "LA" and gain a Class Level.

When thinking about it this way, the major difference is that the "LA" is "bought off" every 3 levels, instead of a 'LA multiplied by 3' levels.