3.5e Kobold Paragon Redesign (PEACH)

[Nifft]

What is this? A re-design of the Kobold Paragon racial class found in the Races of the Dragon web enhancement.

Why bother? Because kobolds are cool, and I didn't really like the original Kobold Paragon class.

What are the assumptions which make this work in a balanced way? Great question! This class is notably stronger than most other Paragon classes, and that's for a few reasons:
- I don't allow the Greater Draconic Rite of Passage (which gives +1 Sorcerer level, potentially putting your casting above your HD).
- I don't allow Loredrake or other such cheesy Dragonwrought exploits.
- I do like Kobolds and want to see them played sometimes.

So, with those restrictions in mind, please take a look at this class as a general Kobold resource.

Thanks!



Kobold Paragon

HD d6

Skills (4 +Int): Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Disable Device (Dex), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (dungeoneering) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Spell- craft (Int), Spot (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Skills (4 +Int): Athletics (Str), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Disable Device (Dex), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Int), Knowledge (arcana, dungeoneering) (Int), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Spellcraft (Int), and Stealth (Dex).


Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The kobold paragon is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the heavy pick and light pick. Kobold paragons are also proficient with light armor.



Level
BAB
Fort
Ref
Will
Features
Spellcasting


1st
+0
0
2
2
Spear Finesse, Manual Expertise
+1 level of Sorcerer


2nd
+1
0
3
3
+1d6 Sneak Attack, Draconic Skin
+1 level of Sorcerer


3rd
+2
1
3
3
+2 Charisma, Daylight Adaptation
+1 level of Sorcerer



Spellcasting: At each level, a kobold paragon gains new spells per day and spells known as if he or she had also gained a level in sorcerer. The kobold does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (e.g. familiar). This essentially means that he adds the level of kobold paragon to his level in sorcerer, then determines spells per day, spells known, and caster level accordingly.

If a kobold paragon had no levels in sorcerer, then this feature gives spell casting and spells known but no other class features. The paragon levels are treated as sorcerer levels for meeting any prerequisites.

Spear Finesse: A kobold paragon gains the Weapon Finesse feat, and in addition, s/he may treat spears and shortspears as finesse weapons.

Manual Expertise (Ex): A kobold paragon may add his class level as a racial bonus on Craft (trapmaking), Profession (mining), and Search checks.

Sneak Attack (Ex): This is exactly like the rogue ability of the same name. If a kobold paragon gets a sneak attack bonus from another source the bonuses on damage stack.

Draconic Skin: At 2nd level, a kobold paragon gains the Draconic Skin feat. If s/he already had this feat, s/he may choose any other Draconic feat for which s/he is qualified.

Daylight Adaptation (Ex): The kobold paragon loses his or her racial light sensitivity.

Ability Boost (Ex): At 3rd level, a kobold paragon's Charisma score increases by 2 points.

[nonsi]

1. Greater draconic rite of passage is among the few reasons to play a sorcerer (either that or metagaming with sorcadin ubergish).
2. In your game, if i'm a kobold sorc. why wouldn't i take all paragon levels?

[Nifft]

1. Greater draconic rite of passage is among the few reasons to play a sorcerer (either that or metagaming with sorcadin ubergish).
2. In your game, if i'm a kobold sorc. why wouldn't i take all paragon levels?


You probably would.

You might not take any Sorcerer levels at all, just the Paragon + PrC levels, and that's fine.

Just like any kobold Sorcerer would take Greater Rite of Draconic Passage, if it were available, because it's very good and the opportunity cost is low.

[nonsi]

You might not take any Sorcerer levels at all, just the Paragon + PrC levels, and that's fine.


Yes, Master Specialist immediately comes to mind.
However, AFAICR, racial paragon classes don't advance spellcasting if you don't have it already.





Just like any kobold Sorcerer would take Greater Rite of Draconic Passage, if it were available, because it's very good and the opportunity cost is low.


Indeed, but you'd have to RP (and survive) both rites and pay a feat 3 levels earlier. To make things more challenging, I'd dictate that the characters must perform both rites alone (as in without someone watching his back).
If you persevere from levels 1st - 6th and in the process dump a feat just to somewhat even up the Sorc. vs. the Wiz... 3 levels into the future, then it seems fine to me.
If you hand it out to your players on a plate with a high-level character build, then of course it's a no-brainer.

And I'm not entirely sure that on the overall it's a better deal (even being handed to you on a plate) than what you offer with your racial paragon option.

[Nifft]

Yes, Master Specialist immediately comes to mind.
However, AFAICR, racial paragon classes don't advance spellcasting if you don't have it already.
Er, a Sorcerer is not a Specialist Wizard, so this Sorcerer casting cannot qualify a character for Master Specialist.

Also: they do if the class says they do. Which this one does. Similar to how a PrC does not advance spellcasting, unless it says that it does.


If you hand it out to your players on a plate with a high-level character build, then of course it's a no-brainer. Many campaigns start at levels higher than 1. "Survive from level 1" is not a valid balance constraint.

I hand my players plates because it's easier than mopping the floor after.


And I'm not entirely sure that on the overall it's a better deal (even being handed to you on a plate) than what you offer with your racial paragon option. That's excellent.

[nonsi]

Er, a Sorcerer is not a Specialist Wizard, so this Sorcerer casting cannot qualify a character for Master Specialist.


Yeah, maybe drawing from memory when sleep deprived wasn't such a great idea :facepalm:
(it's just that no other caster PrC comes to mind where entering at 4th char-level is involved)




Also: they do if the class says they do. Which this one does. Similar to how a PrC does not advance spellcasting, unless it says that it does.

Many campaigns start at levels higher than 1. "Survive from level 1" is not a valid balance constraint.

I hand my players plates because it's easier than mopping the floor after.

That's excellent.


Ok, your call I guess. I just don't get the motivation. You ban something because it's too good and then provide an even better alternative and are ok with it.
If it works for you, then more power to you.
Just seems like it's a personal taste issue more than balancing things. I was under the impression that you were asking for opinions, and personal taste is not something that opinions can validate/invalidate.

[Nifft]

Yeah, maybe drawing from memory when sleep deprived wasn't such a great idea :facepalm:


Get some sleep, and we can talk when your head is in the game.

[Nifft]

Yeah, maybe drawing from memory when sleep deprived wasn't such a great idea :facepalm:
(it's just that no other caster PrC comes to mind where entering at 4th char-level is involved)
Hope you're better rested now.

Also: nobody said you had to enter at level 4, all I said was you might want to enter without any other Sorcerer levels.

Rogue 2 / Kobold Paragon 3 / Unseen Seer 10 would be a decent build, for example.


Ok, your call I guess. I just don't get the motivation. You ban something because it's too good and then provide an even better alternative and are ok with it.
If it works for you, then more power to you.
Just seems like it's a personal taste issue more than balancing things. I was under the impression that you were asking for opinions, and personal taste is not something that opinions can validate/invalidate. I am asking for opinions, but reasoned opinions are worth a whole lot more to me than just gut reactions.

All I can do with a single gut reaction is say: "Okay."

A statistically significant number of gut reactions might be interesting -- not as a design criteria, of course, but as a popularity and perception metric.

- - -

Anyway, you were wondering why I think that +1 Sorcerer Level (over HD) is bad, yet free Weapon Finesse, Sneak Attack, +1 BAB and some more skill points are good.

It's because +1 Sorcerer Level (over HD) is best applied to a straight-up full-caster Sorcerer, so it adds directly to the power of a T2 spellcaster, while the other options do not directly add to the power of a straight-up spellcaster.
- Weapon Finesse: useless to a straight Sorcerer, great for a Gish.
- Sneak Attack: useless to a straight Sorcerer, great for a hybrid.
- Skills: mostly useless to a straight Sorcerer, great for a partial skillmonkey or hybrid sneak.

So, what I did was remove direct power, and instead add bonuses which facilitate hybrid builds.

[nonsi]

Rogue 2 / Kobold Paragon 3 / Unseen Seer 10 would be a decent build, for example.


Indeed.
Your Kobold Paragon is by far the best caster choice (I'm almost tempted to say a no-brainer) for entering Unseen Seer, Arcane Trickster (1 level earlier than any official fullcaster I know of) and probably any spell-skill PrC that it could possibly take.





Anyway, you were wondering why I think that +1 Sorcerer Level (over HD) is bad, yet free Weapon Finesse, Sneak Attack, +1 BAB and some more skill points are good.

It's because +1 Sorcerer Level (over HD) is best applied to a straight-up full-caster Sorcerer, so it adds directly to the power of a T2 spellcaster,


Let's consider when that +1 Sorc level really matters.
When gaining access to a new SL, a sorc gains 3 spells per day from its newly acquired highest SL and another from the 2nd highest. The other levels provide more known spell, but no sorc counts on his known spells alone.
This means that the difference mostly comes to play once every 2 levels - each odd level starting at 7th.





... while the other options do not directly add to the power of a straight-up spellcaster.
- Weapon Finesse: useless to a straight Sorcerer, great for a Gish.
- Sneak Attack: useless to a straight Sorcerer, great for a hybrid.
- Skills: mostly useless to a straight Sorcerer, great for a partial skillmonkey or hybrid sneak.

So, what I did was remove direct power, and instead add bonuses which facilitate hybrid builds.


Your Kobold Paragon starts reaping "the fruits of its labor" starting at 1st level.
Yes, Spear Finesse is far from amazing, but with decent Dex this could matter a lot at the lower levels.
Sneak Attack counts for spell damage and quickens entry for several PrCs, saving you CL in the process.
Skills: you have more of those - both in options and numbers, and you also gain bonuses. That's a lot at low-mid levels.

As far as the other aspects that you didn't mention go:
- Draconic Skin. That's a bonus feat right there - direct improvement to AC at no cost.
- Daylight Adaptation - light sensitivity is a pain.
- Charisma boost - I believe no explanations required here.

All the above make you very frontloaded.

Now, if we get back to reality and practicality, most groups don't attend the minmax boards (we're just a small fraction), are not minmaxers at heart and are far more comfortable with dungeon crawls at levels 1 - 12 than changing the order of the multiverse at higher levels, so in practice (especially w/ PrCs in the equation), seems to me that on average your suggestion blows Greater Draconic Rite of Passage out of the water (I remind you that going for that option practically burns 2 feats - and we both know how feat-starved the Sorc. is). Also, I don't know of any PrC that requires 4th SL or 7th CL, so (AFAIK) no quick-entry abuse there.

[Nifft]

Let's consider when that +1 Sorc level really matters. It matters all the time. The character either gets a whole new level of spells, or the character gets a bunch of lower-level spells known.


Your Kobold Paragon starts reaping "the fruits of its labor" starting at 1st level.
Yes, Spear Finesse is far from amazing, but with decent Dex this could matter a lot at the lower levels.
Sneak Attack counts for spell damage and quickens entry for several PrCs, saving you CL in the process.
Skills: you have more of those - both in options and numbers, and you also gain bonuses. That's a lot at low-mid levels.

As far as the other aspects that you didn't mention go:
- Draconic Skin. That's a bonus feat right there - direct improvement to AC at no cost.
- Daylight Adaptation - light sensitivity is a pain.
- Charisma boost - I believe no explanations required here.

All the above make you very frontloaded. ... on a Kobold, with -4 Str, -2 Con, and Light Sensitivity.

Being a Kobold makes you very front-penalized.

So yeah, the Paragon is stronger than normal.

That's to compensate for the pain of being a non-cheese Kobold.

This was mentioned at the top of the first post -- it shouldn't be a surprise.


at levels 1 - 12 In reality, most people avoid playing at levels 1 or 2. Most games start at level 3 or higher.


Greater Draconic Rite of Passage out of the water (I remind you that going for that option practically burns 2 feats - and we both know how feat-starved the Sorc. is). It's one feat.

If you're going to make arguments based on mechanics, it's really helpful to know the mechanics.

One feat and 4 hp in trade for +1 caster level is a very good trade.


Also, I don't know of any PrC that requires 4th SL or 7th CL, so (AFAIK) no quick-entry abuse there. A quick search shows you're very wrong:
- Sacred Exorcist
- Fatespinner
- Celestial Mystic
- Primal Scholar
- Shadowcraft Mage

Higher than 4th:
- Magelord
- Archmage

So yeah, you're kinda off-target when it comes to mechanics.

[nonsi]

It matters all the time. The character either gets a whole new level of spells, or the character gets a bunch of lower-level spells known.


I didn't say it doesn't matter at all, just that the levels where you gain SL access are by far more significant.





... on a Kobold, with -4 Str, -2 Con, and Light Sensitivity.

Being a Kobold makes you very front-penalized.


Str means little to nothing to a full arcanists, and elves also suffer -2 Con, that doesn't make them bad arcanists.
(and Desert Kobold doesn't suffer Con penalty)





So yeah, the Paragon is stronger than normal.

That's to compensate for the pain of being a non-cheese Kobold.

This was mentioned at the top of the first post -- it shouldn't be a surprise.


Some argue (yours truly included) that even without the level delay, Sorc. < Wiz. This stems from both its narrow array of known spells and lack of class features.
(btw, what do you refer to as a "cheese Kobold"?)





In reality, most people avoid playing at levels 1 or 2. Most games start at level 3 or higher.


Fair enough. No argument there.
But this just means that your Paragon Kobold probably comes with all candies attached out of the box.





It's one feat.

If you're going to make arguments based on mechanics, it's really helpful to know the mechanics.


Yes, a miscount on my part due to background noise and interference. I got my trail of thought interrupted and mixed with another.
My bad.





One feat and 4 hp in trade for +1 caster level is a very good trade.


Ditto on Sorc. < Wiz.





A quick search shows you're very wrong:
- Sacred Exorcist
- Fatespinner
- Celestial Mystic
- Primal Scholar
- Shadowcraft Mage


Celestial Mystic - not a full caster
Fatespinner - not a full caster (last level, but you still lose one - unless you break before the end, something that a lot of DMs don't allow).
Primal Scholar - doesn't count. I didn't know of the existence "Secrets of Xen'drik" until just now, and I've been around for quite a while.
Sacred Exorcist - along with the special requirement, "Able to cast dismissal or dispel evil" is only abusive for arcanists with sorcadin build (which is already abusive in and on its own).
Shadowcraft Mage - Ok, you got me there, but it's very specific.





Higher than 4th:
- Magelord
- Archmage


Magelord - it can be counted in my favor that I didn't study Lost Empires of Faerûn all too well. I intend to study this class one day.
Archmage - let's declare that you got me for the second time, but: 1) it's way passed 12th. 2) at those levels, the class' features are not much more than trinkets (except maybe Mastery of Shaping). 3) I see it as a good thing that a sorc could finish this very much core PrC pre-epic.

[Nifft]

Some argue (yours truly included) that even without the level delay, Sorc. < Wiz. This stems from both its narrow array of known spells and lack of class features. Yes, Sorc < Wiz.

That's something I agree is true.

How is that fact relevant to your argument that this Sorc-based paragon class is somehow overpowered?


(btw, what do you refer to as a "cheese Kobold"?) Stuff like Loredrake or starting out Venerable. Those aren't the only things, of course.


Fair enough. No argument there.
But this just means that your Paragon Kobold probably comes with all candies attached out of the box. Sure. That's fine.


Celestial Mystic - not a full caster
Fatespinner - not a full caster (last level, but you still lose one - unless you break before the end, something that a lot of DMs don't allow). You're not making a good argument here. 9/10 casting is a very common full caster PrC progression, and leaving Master Specialist early is a standard Incantatrix entry... not to mention dipping into Mindbender for 1 level.

Please don't make absurd arguments, just cop to the fact that you're wrong about the mechanics, and +1 caster level really is a relevant buff all the time.

I'm snipping the rest rather than correcting you because it's not really on-topic. One counter-example is all that's necessary to puncture a bad argument, and even you agreed there were a least two, so we're done with that argument.

[nonsi]

Yes, Sorc < Wiz.

That's something I agree is true.

How is that fact relevant to your argument that this Sorc-based paragon class is somehow overpowered?


I didn't say that your Sorc-based paragon class is particularly overpowered, just that on average it's not inferior to Greater Rite of Draconic Passage to merit nixing the latter.
Of course both shouldn't co-exist, but if you wish to be fair, allow the option of choosing between them at the campaign-level.




Yes, Sorc < Wiz.
Stuff like Loredrake or starting out Venerable. Those aren't the only things, of course.


Oh, I get what you mean.
Actually, Loredrake is cheesy only if you conveniently read it wrong.
Let me explain via quote:
"Once the dragon has the ability to cast spells, his effective sorcerer level is increased by two. For example, an adult gold loredrake cast spells as a 9th-level sorcerer."
That spellcasting stems from racial traits.
An adult Dragonwrote kobold doesn't grant you an effective 9th-level sorcerer casting.

I'm sure that the other things also have the right way and the wrong way of reading them.



Yes, Sorc < Wiz.
You're not making a good argument here. 9/10 casting is a very common full caster PrC progression, and leaving Master Specialist early is a standard Incantatrix entry... not to mention dipping into Mindbender for 1 level.


Same goes for Spellsword & Bladesinger - Which is exactly why a lot of DMs ban breaking out of PrCs midway - to prevent circumventing a PrC's mitigating factor.
(btw, most DMs that ban Dweomerkeeper & Plannar Sheppard also ban Incantatrix - and any DM with some sense in his head would ban Dweomerkeeper outright).




Yes, Sorc < Wiz.
Please don't make absurd arguments, just cop to the fact that you're wrong about the mechanics, and +1 caster level really is a relevant buff all the time.

I'm snipping the rest rather than correcting you because it's not really on-topic. One counter-example is all that's necessary to puncture a bad argument, and even you agreed there were a least two, so we're done with that argument.


The RAW also allow Pun Pun and Warhulk<->Hulking Hurler abuse. I dare assume that you wouldn't allow Pun Pun in your game.
Yes, as far as the existence of PrCs that would allow you earlier entry with Sorc goes, yes - you won the argument competition. This still doesn't make Greater Rite of Draconic Passage particularly broken.
There are more abusable options out there than the PrCs you mentioned combined with the level boost.

[Nifft]

I didn't say that your Sorc-based paragon class is particularly overpowered, just that on average it's not inferior to Greater Rite of Draconic Passage to merit nixing the latter.
I'm not aiming for inferior, so that's great.

I'm aiming for a thing that's balanced by being a Kobold.


Oh, I get what you mean.
Actually, Loredrake is cheesy only if you conveniently read it wrong.
That's another fine reason to not allow such things.


The RAW also allow Pun Pun and Warhulk<->Hulking Hurler abuse. I dare assume that you wouldn't allow Pun Pun in your game.
Yes, as far as the existence of PrCs that would allow you earlier entry with Sorc goes, yes - you won the argument competition. This still doesn't make Greater Rite of Draconic Passage particularly broken.
There are more abusable options out there than the PrCs you mentioned combined with the level boost. Honestly I'm not sure why you wanted to have an argument competition in the first place.

What I'm asking for is some feedback on whether my racial paragon class is balanced or broken, and giving some context for making that evaluation.

Thanks in advance.

[Stratovarius]

So, I don't think Kobold Paragon is particularly unbalanced in a world where Sorcerers and Wizards abound, but it is better than being a straight Sorcerer - you've created a racial Paragon class that obviates the need to take the actual racial class (at least until level 4). This strikes me as a little bit unnecessary, since the Sorcerer is already Tier 2.

[Amechra]

In all honesty, this feels more like a set of Racial Substitution levels rather than a Paragon class.

[Nifft]

Thanks for the feedback!


So, I don't think Kobold Paragon is particularly unbalanced in a world where Sorcerers and Wizards abound, but it is better than being a straight Sorcerer - you've created a racial Paragon class that obviates the need to take the actual racial class (at least until level 4). This strikes me as a little bit unnecessary, since the Sorcerer is already Tier 2. It's true that Sorcerer is T2, but the first three levels are ... kinda disappointing to play.

It is better than being a Sorcerer in many ways, except you have to be a Kobold (and you don't get a Familiar unless you take the feat).


In all honesty, this feels more like a set of Racial Substitution levels rather than a Paragon class. That's an interesting idea.

I was picturing this Paragon as more of a multi-class-in-a-can, since it's a suitable start for Rogues, Fighter hybrids, and Sorcerers ... but since their favored class is Sorcerer, adding Sorc levels is never going to hurt a Kobold. (Well, unless you use one of the templates that changes favored class. Hmm.)

[Stratovarius]

It's true that Sorcerer is T2, but the first three levels are ... kinda disappointing to play.

It is better than being a Sorcerer in many ways, except you have to be a Kobold (and you don't get a Familiar unless you take the feat).

I'm not actually certain you've solved the disappointment. The reason I say that is this - the only "active" abilities the character gets are still the sorcerer spells. Certainly, the PC is better if it comes to combat, but they're a kobold. -4 Str/-2 Con means the last place they want to be is in combat range. And if the PC avoids combat, they've got... a sorcerer with better skills. Plinking away with a crossbow.

Going off on a complete tangent, one ability that comes to mind is using a substitution level to replace the familiar with a kobold servant. A sort of crossbreed between a familiar and Meepo or Deekin. A slightly more useful version of Chicken Infested, I suppose.

[nonsi]

Honestly I'm not sure why you wanted to have an argument competition in the first place.


I didn't try to get into an argument competition.
All I said was that as a player, I'd want the DM to leave the choice to me. Personally, for selfish reasons, I'd prefer your option. I just wouldn't want my DM to shove it down my throat.





What I'm asking for is some feedback on whether my racial paragon class is balanced or broken, and giving some context for making that evaluation.

Thanks in advance.


To my better understanding, I did. To some extent:

"Your Kobold Paragon is by far the best caster choice (I'm almost tempted to say a no-brainer) for entering Unseen Seer, Arcane Trickster (1 level earlier than any official fullcaster I know of) and probably any spell-skill PrC that it could possibly take."

"All the above make you very frontloaded."
(especially given that Str doesn't matter and you can circumvent Con penalties)

"I didn't say that your Sorc-based paragon class is particularly overpowered, just that on average it's not inferior to Greater Rite of Draconic Passage to merit nixing the latter.
Of course both shouldn't co-exist, but if you wish to be fair, allow the option of choosing between them at the campaign-level."


In a nutshell... It's not broken, but it's the obvious choice in a lot of cases.

[Nifft]

I'm not actually certain you've solved the disappointment. The reason I say that is this - the only "active" abilities the character gets are still the sorcerer spells. Certainly, the PC is better if it comes to combat, but they're a kobold. -4 Str/-2 Con means the last place they want to be is in combat range. And if the PC avoids combat, they've got... a sorcerer with better skills. Plinking away with a crossbow. At level 1, you've got a Sorcerer with a few extra hit points (but a Con penalty), some skills, Weapon Finesse, and +2 Dexterity from your race.

At level 2, you've got +1 AC and Sneak Attack, and Sneak Attack can make even Cantrips deal half-decent damage, or can make your flanking matter for the (very few) rounds during which you can't avoid melee.


Going off on a complete tangent, one ability that comes to mind is using a substitution level to replace the familiar with a kobold servant. A sort of crossbreed between a familiar and Meepo or Deekin. A slightly more useful version of Chicken Infested, I suppose. Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved had a race ("Mojh") who were voluntarily transformed humans, that made themselves into dragon-hybrids.

Mojh were sterile, but they could occasionally bud off a Kobold.

I think that's my favorite Kobold origin story.


I didn't try to get into an argument competition.
All I said was that as a player, I'd want the DM to leave the choice to me. Personally, for selfish reasons, I'd prefer your option. I just wouldn't want my DM to shove it down my throat. Not sure why you think anything is being shoved down anyone's throat.

Making the rules fit the setting is a thing which DMs are allowed to do.


To my better understanding, I did. To some extent:

"Your Kobold Paragon is by far the best caster choice (I'm almost tempted to say a no-brainer) for entering Unseen Seer, Arcane Trickster (1 level earlier than any official fullcaster I know of) and probably any spell-skill PrC that it could possibly take."

"All the above make you very frontloaded."
(especially given that Str doesn't matter and you can circumvent Con penalties)

"I didn't say that your Sorc-based paragon class is particularly overpowered, just that on average it's not inferior to Greater Rite of Draconic Passage to merit nixing the latter.
Of course both shouldn't co-exist, but if you wish to be fair, allow the option of choosing between them at the campaign-level."

In a nutshell... It's not broken, but it's the obvious choice in a lot of cases. Well, here's the thing.

Previously:
- Kobolds are good at being a Sorcerer.
- Kobolds get options to make Sorcerer even better.
- Sorcerer is already a T2 class, probably stronger than all the hybrids, but less interesting.

Using my rules:
- Kobolds are good at being Sorcerer hybrids.
- Kobolds get a head start at a lot of diverse classes, rather than just one class.
- Sorcerer remains a T2 class, probably stronger than all the hybrids, but less interesting.


If I were to allow Greater Rite of Draconic Passage, then it would never raise Sorcerer level above HD -- so it could help fill in a missing hybrid level, but not boost the PC's CL above her HD.