Magic of Incarnum's Lost template

[Ieatelves]

Hey folks!

I've been running the idea of playing a pretty mentally unstable character and the lost template from Magic of Incarnum really spoke to me. It's got good ability modifiers...if not a bit too good. Two +4 for a -6 int is kinda wobbly but can be put to good use in most builds. Now what really bothers me is the REST that comes with it. A truckload of stuff comes along for that -6. I've been wanting to get a second (if not more) opinion on the template. Has been errata'ed? Do you think it should get at least a LA +1 tab on it? Gimme your thoughts and/or experiences with it.

[iDesu]

The template isn't for player characters since it has no listed level adjustment, you could try and convince your dm, though. For a more unstable character you could always try something along the lines of mineral warrior, feral, or lolth touched. All of those have a +1 level adjustment.

Edit: Clarification: Meant LA-, not just an omission of the level adjustment line.

[Chronos]

When a race has no mention of level adjustment, it's unplayable. With a template, though, anything it leaves off is assumed to be the same as the base creature, meaning a templated creature would have the same LA as the base creature, meaning it's effectively LA 0.

At least, that's the rule as written. Is that intended? Hard to say, in this case.

[supermonkeyjoe]

When a race has no mention of level adjustment, it's unplayable. With a template, though, anything it leaves off is assumed to be the same as the base creature, meaning a templated creature would have the same LA as the base creature, meaning it's effectively LA 0.

At least, that's the rule as written. Is that intended? Hard to say, in this case.

No, the Lost template has a LA of - which means this is not appropriate as a playable character.

[Segev]

The "Phrenic" template says nothing about being unstable, but the name speaks of it, to me. It's a +2 LA that is, I believe, SRD material, and makes you a psionic thingie.

Of course, being mentally unstable can manifest in a number of mechanics. The Alienist and Wild Mage PrCs from Complete Arcane both have a..."not entirely normal" mental bent to them. I once played a Divination-specialist Elf who went into Wild Mage and was mad from all the alternate outcomes and realities he'd witnessed. He often got continuity wrong, but was also often crazy like a fox when it came to acting on seemingly no information and turning out right. The party hated him. I feel bad about that.

[danzibr]

Ya know, Lost is a pretty cool template. Why oh why did WotC make it LA: -? I think +1 would be appropriate. LA +2 seems too much. I mean, you get a slam, some NA, a single special ability (breath weapon, rage, fear effect or fascinate), some mediocre DR, extra roll on certain saving throws and +4 Str, +4 Con and -6 Int. Something like Mineral Warrior or Half-Minotaur is far better for +1 LA in most cases.