mictrepanier
2014-12-28, 05:59 PM
Warning: I don't add any features to the monster. I just add here a game mechanism: monster race classes.
I don’t like the d&d 5e rule in DMG chapter 9. It does not answer a simple question: how to create a Player Character from a monster too powerful to be considered a normal race without a level adjustment. Third edition rule will then be used by me.
D&d 3.x Monsters as races Rule: Monsters suitable for play have a level adjustment given in their statistics. Add a monster’s level adjustment to its Humanoids and Class Levels to get the creature’s effective character level, or ECL. Effectively, monsters with a level adjustment become multiclass character when they take class levels.
I will list monsters usuable without ECL. To create a monster PC race with the MM abilities, I created Monster Racial classes. My ECL solution is to create classes like any other class but without class option (so far, since I just emulate MM content), restricted to the monster, with full HD, proficiencies, abilities increase at 4th, 8th level, etc. Please add a background as well. The class cannot go up to 20th level, it must multiclass, a needed hindrance for such a powerful monster. The HD is always at per the monster size. But since this is a PC, not a NPC, new classes HD should be as per class, not size.. No d8 wizards, no d8 barbarians!
1st monster:
Doppelganger, medium monstrosity (ECL +3, CR 3)
Abilities modifiers: Dx +2
Alignment: Mostly Neutral
Racial Features (see MM p82):
-Darkvision 60', see elves, dwarves, etc in PHB
-Shapechanger modified 2nd lThis is a modified Alter self 2nd level spell-like ability; It is innate, so there is no expiration or components and it cannot be dispelled. The creature gets a plain humanoid apparence, with no special features like amphibious or claws.
-Read Thoughs 2nd level spell-like ability, no expiration except concentration length, The creature may get a wisdom save againt 8+ proficiency + wisdom ; The effect can be blocked.
- Condition Immunities: charmed
This is the race as 0 ECL . The rest is to emulate what is found in MM entry. The class and background are optional. New classes HD just be as per class, not race... This is a PC, not a NPC. No d8 wizards, no d8 barbarians!
New Background: Hedonist (See the doppelganger description in MM )
Bonus skills: Deception and insight
Feature: Continual trichery - grants expertise on deception proficiency (needed to emulate tge MM entry. Otherwise :
Squats: You know all houses depleted of their owners; either or not by your hand. You always get access to a shelter in known areas for your and your party.
Ambusher: Doppelganger Racial Class
Features
Skills, Weapons and armor proficiencies: any 2 Skills (you impersonated several professions in the past), simple weapons, light armor.
Hit Dice: D8, as a medium creature
Prefered Saves: Wisdom and Charisma
levels:
level 1 2 weapons fighting style, restricted to unarmed ; surprise attack +1d6 (like sneak attack);
Strikers: Slam d6 bludgeon damage- unarmed attack while in natural form.
level 2 Ambusher : advantage on surprise; Surprise attack: +2d6. The read though effect cannot be opposed by a save.
level 3 Surprise attack: +3d6, New Fighting style (MM Multiattack. It should be 2 weapons fighting, unarmed restricted, because the race lack proficiencies)
level 4 Abilities increase or feat
level 5+ Can be created by DMs…ex: Surprise attack +4d6, etc.
Comments: This "class" is a way to emulate the official MM monster. The amount of HD of the MM may be too high for PC because in D&D 5e the NPC have more HD than PC. Pc can be healed, may rest, have more magic items than NPC. But I balanced these 4 levels of race class to be competitive, not OP, compared with a comparable PC class.
The Dopperganger +2 proficiency is for a CR 3, so level 3 is fine. Level 4 if you want a new feat or raise abilities.
The bonus attributes and race features as on par with other races like elves. You can see some features from the MM are added as background of class features. They are then not allowed to PC using other classes… Multiclassing to new classes must meet the requirements - unless the pc stats are really low, it is not an issue. Rogue,monk or archer (fighter) are favored due to high dex.
I will compare this class to a multiclassed fighter character that will stop progression at level 4, before the extra attack… level 1 is OP, there is an extra HD but no proficiencies. Level 2 is weaker, level 3 OP if the future class is Monk, comparable otherwise . This "class" is not designed to go higher than 4th level…
Your opinion ? It is not easy to balance without peers` help.
I don’t like the d&d 5e rule in DMG chapter 9. It does not answer a simple question: how to create a Player Character from a monster too powerful to be considered a normal race without a level adjustment. Third edition rule will then be used by me.
D&d 3.x Monsters as races Rule: Monsters suitable for play have a level adjustment given in their statistics. Add a monster’s level adjustment to its Humanoids and Class Levels to get the creature’s effective character level, or ECL. Effectively, monsters with a level adjustment become multiclass character when they take class levels.
I will list monsters usuable without ECL. To create a monster PC race with the MM abilities, I created Monster Racial classes. My ECL solution is to create classes like any other class but without class option (so far, since I just emulate MM content), restricted to the monster, with full HD, proficiencies, abilities increase at 4th, 8th level, etc. Please add a background as well. The class cannot go up to 20th level, it must multiclass, a needed hindrance for such a powerful monster. The HD is always at per the monster size. But since this is a PC, not a NPC, new classes HD should be as per class, not size.. No d8 wizards, no d8 barbarians!
1st monster:
Doppelganger, medium monstrosity (ECL +3, CR 3)
Abilities modifiers: Dx +2
Alignment: Mostly Neutral
Racial Features (see MM p82):
-Darkvision 60', see elves, dwarves, etc in PHB
-Shapechanger modified 2nd lThis is a modified Alter self 2nd level spell-like ability; It is innate, so there is no expiration or components and it cannot be dispelled. The creature gets a plain humanoid apparence, with no special features like amphibious or claws.
-Read Thoughs 2nd level spell-like ability, no expiration except concentration length, The creature may get a wisdom save againt 8+ proficiency + wisdom ; The effect can be blocked.
- Condition Immunities: charmed
This is the race as 0 ECL . The rest is to emulate what is found in MM entry. The class and background are optional. New classes HD just be as per class, not race... This is a PC, not a NPC. No d8 wizards, no d8 barbarians!
New Background: Hedonist (See the doppelganger description in MM )
Bonus skills: Deception and insight
Feature: Continual trichery - grants expertise on deception proficiency (needed to emulate tge MM entry. Otherwise :
Squats: You know all houses depleted of their owners; either or not by your hand. You always get access to a shelter in known areas for your and your party.
Ambusher: Doppelganger Racial Class
Features
Skills, Weapons and armor proficiencies: any 2 Skills (you impersonated several professions in the past), simple weapons, light armor.
Hit Dice: D8, as a medium creature
Prefered Saves: Wisdom and Charisma
levels:
level 1 2 weapons fighting style, restricted to unarmed ; surprise attack +1d6 (like sneak attack);
Strikers: Slam d6 bludgeon damage- unarmed attack while in natural form.
level 2 Ambusher : advantage on surprise; Surprise attack: +2d6. The read though effect cannot be opposed by a save.
level 3 Surprise attack: +3d6, New Fighting style (MM Multiattack. It should be 2 weapons fighting, unarmed restricted, because the race lack proficiencies)
level 4 Abilities increase or feat
level 5+ Can be created by DMs…ex: Surprise attack +4d6, etc.
Comments: This "class" is a way to emulate the official MM monster. The amount of HD of the MM may be too high for PC because in D&D 5e the NPC have more HD than PC. Pc can be healed, may rest, have more magic items than NPC. But I balanced these 4 levels of race class to be competitive, not OP, compared with a comparable PC class.
The Dopperganger +2 proficiency is for a CR 3, so level 3 is fine. Level 4 if you want a new feat or raise abilities.
The bonus attributes and race features as on par with other races like elves. You can see some features from the MM are added as background of class features. They are then not allowed to PC using other classes… Multiclassing to new classes must meet the requirements - unless the pc stats are really low, it is not an issue. Rogue,monk or archer (fighter) are favored due to high dex.
I will compare this class to a multiclassed fighter character that will stop progression at level 4, before the extra attack… level 1 is OP, there is an extra HD but no proficiencies. Level 2 is weaker, level 3 OP if the future class is Monk, comparable otherwise . This "class" is not designed to go higher than 4th level…
Your opinion ? It is not easy to balance without peers` help.