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Switch to Forum Live View Races of En'Gha ( 3 Homebrew Races ), updated to 4E
5 years ago  ::  Jun 22, 2008 - 11:52PM #1
Crimson_Concerto
Date Joined: Aug 28, 2005
Posts: 9,914
Another guy looking for opinions on a few home-brewed races.

I'm sure few people care about the fluff and history of these races, so I'll get right to the mechanics and only bring up fluff when it directly relates to my design decisions... Though, for those who are curious, I will explain my design decisions after each race description for things I think might be controversial in terms of balance...

#1) JINN

Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 Squares
Vision: Normal

Languages: Common, Primordial, choice of one other
Skill Bonuses: +2 Arcana, +2 Athletics
Arcane Blood Power: When you create your character, you choose a 1st level at-will attack power with the Arcane power source keyword from any class other than your own. You can use that power as an encounter power. You must remove the Implement keyword from the power, but you gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls with it. At 11th level, this bonus increases to +4, and at 21st level, it increases to +6.
Elemental Origin: Your ancestors were native to the Elemental Chaos, so you are considered an Elemental creature for the purpose of effects that relate to creature origin.
Group Wind Boost: You grant allies within 5 squares of you a +1 racial bonus to Athletics checks.
Jinn Weapon Proficiency: You gain proficiency with the Scimitar.

GRACEFUL ZEPHYR [JINN]
Tier: Heroic
Prerequisite: Jinn
Benefit: You grant allies within 5 squares of you a +1 racial bonus to Acrobatics checks.
You gain a +2 feat bonus to Acrobatics checks.

JINN BLADE WARRIOR [JINN]
Tier: Heroic
Prerequisite: Jinn
Benefit: You may treat the Scimitar as a Light Blade with the Off-Hand property, and you gain a +2 feat bonus to damage rolls with Scimitars.

ARCANE BLOOD FOCUS [JINN]
Tier: Paragon
Prerequisite: Jinn, Arcane Blood Power
Benefit: You gain a +3 feat bonus to damage rolls with your Arcane Blood Power. At 21st level, this bonus increases to +6.

This race only have one controversial aspect, Arcane Blood Power, but it may be a big one. I couldn't decide on a racial power to give them since they got lots of racial SLAs in 3.5, so I decided to have them select their own, just like Half-Elves. This also promotes the racial diversity that is a big part of the Jinn flavor. However, I would need to restrict them to arcane powers (this may change when the Primal power source comes out, but for now, it works).
The problem with that is that allowing them access only to arcane powers means that they have no way of improving their attacks and damage with that power since they don't get the ability to use implements by default, which is a problem I keep hearing pops up with Half-Elves. It's also worth noting that racial powers that require attack rolls often do get bonuses to hit and damage when characters change in tier to make up for the fact that these racial powers don't normally allow enhancement bonus improvement. Thus, in order for this to work, I included an inherent attack bonus to the powers in exchange from removing the Implement keyword (just to eliminate confusion). I decided adding a damage bonus would be too much at low levels, though, so I made that into a paragon tier feat.
My biggest concern is that an Arcane class will come up that uses powers that don't use Implements by default (perhaps using Weapons instead) and so removing that keyword will not matter and will result in a free attack bonus, which I don't want. However, this is fine for now, and I will edit in the future as necessary.

#2) STILLBORN

Ability Scores: +2 to one ability score of your choice
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 Squares
Vision: Darkvision

Languages: Common, choice of one other
Skill Bonuses: +2 Endurance, +2 Stealth
Breathless: You do not need to breathe, but this does not render you immune to any effect.
Deathless: When reduced to 0 Hit Points, you are less likely to die. When you make a death saving throw, you can take the better of your die roll or 10. You still die at the normal negative Hit Point total.
Humanity: You can take feats that have Human as a prerequisite (as well as those specifically for Stillborn), as long as you meet any other requirements.
Necrotic Resistance: You gain Resist Necrotic 5 + ½ your level.
Sleepless: Rather than sleep, Stillborn spend 4 hours refraining from any strenuous activity. You need to spend 4 hours in this state to gain the same benefits other races gain from taking 6-hour extended rest. While resting in this low-exertion state, you are fully aware of your surroundings and notice approaching enemies and other events as normal.
Undead Resilience: You gain a +5 racial bonus to saving throws against disease and poison.

STREET URCHIN [STILLBORN]
Prerequisite: Stillborn, Trained in Thievery
Benefit: If you fail a Thievery check to Pick Pocket by 9 or less, you don’t get the object, but the target doesn’t notice, so you can try again as a new action.
If you fail by 10 or more, you don’t get the object, and the target notices your failed attempt.
You gain a +1 feat bonus to Streetwise checks and Thievery checks.

UNHOLY PRESENCE [STILLBORN]
Prerequisite: Stillborn
Benefit: You gain a +1 feat bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls when you use a power that has the Fear or Necrotic keyword.

STILLBORN RESISTANCE [STILLBORN]
Prerequisite: Stillborn
Benefit: You gain Resist Poison equal to ½ your level.

I'd like to go ahead and make it clear that Stillborn are NOT supposed to be undead. They are products of arcane-pollution-induced mutations that make them exhibit many undead-like qualities.
Now, at first I wanted to give them a CON bonus and something else, but I couldn't think of the something else that would fit. Most of the things that the +2 CON represent, though, are covered by their other racial features. Since they would have been humans if not for being Stillborn anyways, I decided just to give them the human ability score boost treatment. This is also the reason I gave them Humanity.
The reason for the slower speed is that their joint maneuverability is hindered by their condition. This used to be a -2 DEX back in 3.5. Truth be told, I wasn't going to do this, but I felt like with all of their other features AND Darkvision, it might be necessary. This slow speed and the boost to only one stat without the boost to any defenses are what I feel balance them out.
Yes, I do realize that Stillborn do not have a racial power, but I'm actually okay with this.
About Stillborn Resistance, I'm wondering if this is too powerful for a Paragon tier feat, but poison seems to be a rarer damage type...

#3) STRANGER

Ability Scores: +2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 Squares
Vision: Low-Light

Languages: Common, Unknown, choice of one other
Skill Bonuses: +2 Insight, +2 Perception
Intuition: You gain a +2 racial bonus to Initiative checks.
Stranger Academics: You add the Arcana, History, and Religion skills to your class skill list, and you gain training in any one of them.
Uncanny Vision: When an attack would blind you, you can immediately make a saving throw to avoid being blinded.
Second Sight: You can use Second Sight as an encounter power.

Second Sight
Encounter
Immediate Interrupt - Personal

Trigger: You are hit by an attack.
Effect: Cancel any Combat Advantage you granted to the attack.
Special: You can use this power even if Surprised.

PRESCIENCE [STRANGER]
Prerequisite: Stranger, Second Sight racial power
Benefit: When you use your Second Sight power, you gain a +2 bonus to your defenses against the attack.

STRANGER EDUCATION [STRANGER]
Prerequisite: Stranger
Benefit: When you make a Knowledge check or Monster Knowledge check, roll twice and use whichever roll you like.
You gain a +1 feat bonus to Arcana, History, and Religion checks.

SUPERNATURAL FORESIGHT [STRANGER]
Prerequisite: Stranger
Benefit: You cannot be Surprised.

Yes, I realize that they were moving away from having many esoteric racial languages, but part of the fluff is that they were gone form the planet for an extremely long time (they moved to the moon) and thus ended up developing their own language in their seclusion.
I'm concerned about Second Sight only because there is a Fighter Utility Power 2 that does almost the same thing. I found this out after designing the race, but the ability fits too much to just let it go. See, they're supposed to have limited precognitive abilities.
Other than that, my only real concern is Supernatural Foresight, which again may be too powerful for a Paragon tier feat, but then again, surprise doesn't really happen all that often...

Why, yes, as a matter of fact I am the Unfailing Arbiter of All That Is Good Design (Even More So Than The Actual Developers) TM

Speaking of things that were badly designed, please check out this thread for my Minotaur fix. What have the critics said, you ask?
"If any of my players ask to play a Minotaur, I'm definitely offering this as an alternative to the official version." - EmpactWB
"If I ever feel like playing a Minotaur I'll know where to look!" - Undrave
"WoTC if you are reading this - please take this guy's advice." - Ferol_Debtor_of_Torm
"Really full of win. A minotaur that is actually attractive for more than just melee classes." - Cpt_Micha

Also, check out my recent GENASI variant! If you've ever wished that your Fire Genasi could actually set stuff on fire, your Water Genasi could actually swim, or your Wind Genasi could at least glide, then look no further.

Finally, check out my OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE article, an effort to give unique support to the races that WotC keeps forgetting about. Includes new racial feature options for the Changeling, Deva, Githzerai, Gnoll, Gnome, Goliath, Half-Orc, Kalashtar, Minotaur, Shadar-Kai, Thri-Kreen, Warforged and more!
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5 years ago  ::  Jun 23, 2008 - 5:19PM #2
Crimson_Concerto
Date Joined: Aug 28, 2005
Posts: 9,914
Really? Almost 35 views but no replies at all? :raincloud

Why, yes, as a matter of fact I am the Unfailing Arbiter of All That Is Good Design (Even More So Than The Actual Developers) TM

Speaking of things that were badly designed, please check out this thread for my Minotaur fix. What have the critics said, you ask?
"If any of my players ask to play a Minotaur, I'm definitely offering this as an alternative to the official version." - EmpactWB
"If I ever feel like playing a Minotaur I'll know where to look!" - Undrave
"WoTC if you are reading this - please take this guy's advice." - Ferol_Debtor_of_Torm
"Really full of win. A minotaur that is actually attractive for more than just melee classes." - Cpt_Micha

Also, check out my recent GENASI variant! If you've ever wished that your Fire Genasi could actually set stuff on fire, your Water Genasi could actually swim, or your Wind Genasi could at least glide, then look no further.

Finally, check out my OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE article, an effort to give unique support to the races that WotC keeps forgetting about. Includes new racial feature options for the Changeling, Deva, Githzerai, Gnoll, Gnome, Goliath, Half-Orc, Kalashtar, Minotaur, Shadar-Kai, Thri-Kreen, Warforged and more!
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5 years ago  ::  Jun 23, 2008 - 7:45PM #3
lugnut71
Date Joined: Mar 22, 2002
Posts: 367
I'll reply (very really do I ever get replies in mine either, the secret is to make things overpowered, then you will get them left and right).

Jinn
I think Arcane blood fury is fine, I never really thought about it but that makes sense about the half-elf problem with falling behind on to hit and damage. I think your system is a convenient fix. I think I would rename Group Wind Bonus I just get a flatulent image from it (but I'm immature so). The only thing I wouldn't be certain of is Jinn Blade Warrior. I can't remember offhand if any other heroic tier feat give a +2 bonus to damage (if there is I think it would be fine).

Stillborn
Lacking an encounter ability is fine if they have enough other stuff. Deathless is similar to a warforged ability correct? Honestly looking everything over I think you could add another ability. I think it is a little weak since abilities like humanity and sleepless are nice but not as strong as say resistance or the dwarf's minor action second wind. Especially with the addition of a slower speed. Although a +5 bonus to two things is nice (but disease isn't as good as some of the others). Stillborn resistance I'm not certain at either. My first instinct was that it wouldn't really be too powerful, but after more thought I think maybe it would. It going to require looking over both the MM and my PHB for a final decision.

Stranger
I like second sight, I think it is a flavorful ability. Also I wouldn't be worried that it duplicates an ability, for a fighter it is extra icing for everyone else it is extremely nice when dealing with lurkers (since a lot of them have sneak attack). With uncanny vision is there currently any attacks that blind? I don't have my books while I'm typing this and I can't remember off hand. Supernatural Foresight does seem strong since if I remember correctly there also a paragon feat that only prevents combat advantage. If I am remembering wrong and it is a heroic feat than it is probably fine.
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5 years ago  ::  Jun 23, 2008 - 8:00PM #4
Crimson_Concerto
Date Joined: Aug 28, 2005
Posts: 9,914

lugnut71 wrote:

I'll reply (very really do I ever get replies in mine either, the secret is to make things overpowered, then you will get them left and right).


It figures, huh?
Well, thank you for your reply. It makes me feel better. :D

Jinn
...
I think I would rename Group Wind Bonus I just get a flatulent image from it (but I'm immature so).


Well the concept is actually that the Jinn have latent air elemental abilities that cause a constant breeze around them, which subconsciously produces the beneficial affect of aiding in movement... But no, you're not the first to make the joke.

The only thing I wouldn't be certain of is Jinn Blade Warrior. I can't remember offhand if any other heroic tier feat give a +2 bonus to damage (if there is I think it would be fine).


There are two racial feats, actually, that pop into mind:
1) Dwarven Weapon Training gives +2 damage and proficiency with all axes and hammers.
2) Eladrin Soldier gives +2 damage and proficiency with all spears and longswords.

My actual concern about that feat is that I don't know of any existing effect allowing you to treat a weapon as another weapon or add weapon properties to it... I realize this feat is pretty good for Jinn Rogues since it means that they can use the scimitar with their exploits, and for Jinn Fighters since it means that they have a weapon in two different weapon groups (though there are existing weapons in multiple weapon groups...).

Stillborn
...
Honestly looking everything over I think you could add another ability.


Well at this point, if they could in fact use a little boost, I'd rather just bring their speed back up to average than add in another racial feature. Thanks.

Stillborn resistance I'm not certain at either. My first instinct was that it wouldn't really be too powerful, but after more thought I think maybe it would. It going to require looking over both the MM and my PHB for a final decision.


If it's too powerful as it, I might drop it to Resist Poison 1/3 your level.

Stranger
...
With uncanny vision is there currently any attacks that blind? I don't have my books while I'm typing this and I can't remember off hand.


Yes, there are a couple of attacks which do blind, though admittedly not many. Strangers have a save bonus against blindness in 3.5, but no blinding effects I've seen offer a save at all, so I figured I'd just rip off what the Dwarf gets to do when it would get knocked prone. :D

Supernatural Foresight does seem strong since if I remember correctly there also a paragon feat that only prevents combat advantage.


Yes, that's Uncanny Dodge, and it is indeed a Paragon tier feat, but I will go ahead and point out that racial feats tend to be better than normal feats by quite a bit. I mean, just compare Dwarven Weapon Training and Eladrin Soldier to Weapon Focus. :P

Why, yes, as a matter of fact I am the Unfailing Arbiter of All That Is Good Design (Even More So Than The Actual Developers) TM

Speaking of things that were badly designed, please check out this thread for my Minotaur fix. What have the critics said, you ask?
"If any of my players ask to play a Minotaur, I'm definitely offering this as an alternative to the official version." - EmpactWB
"If I ever feel like playing a Minotaur I'll know where to look!" - Undrave
"WoTC if you are reading this - please take this guy's advice." - Ferol_Debtor_of_Torm
"Really full of win. A minotaur that is actually attractive for more than just melee classes." - Cpt_Micha

Also, check out my recent GENASI variant! If you've ever wished that your Fire Genasi could actually set stuff on fire, your Water Genasi could actually swim, or your Wind Genasi could at least glide, then look no further.

Finally, check out my OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE article, an effort to give unique support to the races that WotC keeps forgetting about. Includes new racial feature options for the Changeling, Deva, Githzerai, Gnoll, Gnome, Goliath, Half-Orc, Kalashtar, Minotaur, Shadar-Kai, Thri-Kreen, Warforged and more!
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5 years ago  ::  Jun 24, 2008 - 2:09PM #5
lugnut71
Date Joined: Mar 22, 2002
Posts: 367
Well the scimitar is only 1d8 with high crit. The closest light blades are short rapier or Katar. The Katar has higher prof and does 1d6, with high crit too. The rapier can also be used and it is a 1d8 with +3 prof. Both of them are superior weapons and require a feat to use for the rogue. So I think it is strong but it certainly isn't something that is going to break the game. I would keep it as is.

I think with the Stillborn resistance feat I would err on the side of caution and see how it plays out. 20 poison resistance would stop all the higher poisons but it only becomes available at level 30. Still a lot of the higher level poisoners only do 10 ongoing.

Otherwise I think your reasoning is good for everything.
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5 years ago  ::  Jun 24, 2008 - 9:26PM #6
Crimson_Concerto
Date Joined: Aug 28, 2005
Posts: 9,914

lugnut71 wrote:

I think with the Stillborn resistance feat I would err on the side of caution and see how it plays out. 20 poison resistance would stop all the higher poisons but it only becomes available at level 30. Still a lot of the higher level poisoners only do 10 ongoing.


All right, I toned it down to just ½ your level your level instead of 5 + ½ your level. That should be enough, yes?

Oh, and lugnut71, I just realized that while you said Stillborn may need a power boost, I didn't see anywhere in your post your opinion on their getting Darkvision and how that factored in. Is it because you missed that they got it or because you didn't think it was significant enough to mention? Because currently, the only race that gets Darkvision is the Drow, but I felt like if any playable race should have it, the Stillborn seem like the right candidates. If my suspicion is right and you didn't take Darkvision into account, does this qualify as the boost you mentioned to bring them up to par? Because honestly, Darkvision was kind of the reason I decided not to give them a racial power...

Why, yes, as a matter of fact I am the Unfailing Arbiter of All That Is Good Design (Even More So Than The Actual Developers) TM

Speaking of things that were badly designed, please check out this thread for my Minotaur fix. What have the critics said, you ask?
"If any of my players ask to play a Minotaur, I'm definitely offering this as an alternative to the official version." - EmpactWB
"If I ever feel like playing a Minotaur I'll know where to look!" - Undrave
"WoTC if you are reading this - please take this guy's advice." - Ferol_Debtor_of_Torm
"Really full of win. A minotaur that is actually attractive for more than just melee classes." - Cpt_Micha

Also, check out my recent GENASI variant! If you've ever wished that your Fire Genasi could actually set stuff on fire, your Water Genasi could actually swim, or your Wind Genasi could at least glide, then look no further.

Finally, check out my OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE article, an effort to give unique support to the races that WotC keeps forgetting about. Includes new racial feature options for the Changeling, Deva, Githzerai, Gnoll, Gnome, Goliath, Half-Orc, Kalashtar, Minotaur, Shadar-Kai, Thri-Kreen, Warforged and more!
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5 years ago  ::  Jun 24, 2008 - 9:35PM #7
Kagehito
Date Joined: Sep 9, 2007
Posts: 265
I didn't reply because I actually like the fluff. If I see a person that took the effort into making fluff, I'm assuming he put an equal amout of time into balance and testing to make sure it was good quality.

Just something for future notice.

Also, a full color pdf spread with pictures also will entice the readers, but not everyone has a degree in graphic design.

As far as the races go...

They seem like they are balanced as far as number juggling goes, have you had a chance to playtest them and get some feedback yet?

They look good, and complement each other well, and add a few things that players might want that wasn't put in the players handbook.

Overall good job, You got anything else?

-Rob
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5 years ago  ::  Jun 24, 2008 - 10:01PM #8
Crimson_Concerto
Date Joined: Aug 28, 2005
Posts: 9,914

Kagehito wrote:

I didn't reply because I actually like the fluff. If I see a person that took the effort into making fluff, I'm assuming he put an equal amout of time into balance and testing to make sure it was good quality.


I've actually posted a couple races back in the 3.5 races forum, but it's just that every time I did go into long elaborate detail on what I had planned for the race and why, people either didn't comment on it at all or specifically said that the crunch was good but they didn't feel like wading through the fluff...

There's no pleasing you people. :P

Rest assured that there is quite a lot of plot and background that have gone into each of these races, and they all have major roles in defining why En'Gha is the way it is, but I think I'll take your advice. See, I was already planning on getting a PDF up of these races (because I know that attracts people), but the problem is that I want to get really good art for it, and not being very artistic myself, I'm currently looking for somebody to do this for me. When I do upload the PDF into a new thread in the future, it will include full fluff and detail. It's just that for now, I wanted to be sure that my perception of 4E race balance were good enough that when I actually got that PDF up, it would actually be worth it for somebody to read without balance complaints.

Overall good job, You got anything else?

-Rob


Thank you.

I do have other things I'm eventually planning on updating to 4E, but I chose to do these races first since they matter the most to me personally. I'll likely get some of the others up eventually if conversion is possible.

Why, yes, as a matter of fact I am the Unfailing Arbiter of All That Is Good Design (Even More So Than The Actual Developers) TM

Speaking of things that were badly designed, please check out this thread for my Minotaur fix. What have the critics said, you ask?
"If any of my players ask to play a Minotaur, I'm definitely offering this as an alternative to the official version." - EmpactWB
"If I ever feel like playing a Minotaur I'll know where to look!" - Undrave
"WoTC if you are reading this - please take this guy's advice." - Ferol_Debtor_of_Torm
"Really full of win. A minotaur that is actually attractive for more than just melee classes." - Cpt_Micha

Also, check out my recent GENASI variant! If you've ever wished that your Fire Genasi could actually set stuff on fire, your Water Genasi could actually swim, or your Wind Genasi could at least glide, then look no further.

Finally, check out my OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE article, an effort to give unique support to the races that WotC keeps forgetting about. Includes new racial feature options for the Changeling, Deva, Githzerai, Gnoll, Gnome, Goliath, Half-Orc, Kalashtar, Minotaur, Shadar-Kai, Thri-Kreen, Warforged and more!
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5 years ago  ::  Jun 24, 2008 - 10:06PM #9
Kagehito
Date Joined: Sep 9, 2007
Posts: 265
Perhaps the Campaign setting of En'Gha? :D
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5 years ago  ::  Jun 24, 2008 - 10:10PM #10
Crimson_Concerto
Date Joined: Aug 28, 2005
Posts: 9,914

Kagehito wrote:

Perhaps the Campaign setting of En'Gha? :D


If I can find an artist good enough to do the various fantasy landscapes I would want to include, I may in fact consider it...
Though I must say I have posted such campaign setting information before back on the 3.5 forums and got little response overall.

Why, yes, as a matter of fact I am the Unfailing Arbiter of All That Is Good Design (Even More So Than The Actual Developers) TM

Speaking of things that were badly designed, please check out this thread for my Minotaur fix. What have the critics said, you ask?
"If any of my players ask to play a Minotaur, I'm definitely offering this as an alternative to the official version." - EmpactWB
"If I ever feel like playing a Minotaur I'll know where to look!" - Undrave
"WoTC if you are reading this - please take this guy's advice." - Ferol_Debtor_of_Torm
"Really full of win. A minotaur that is actually attractive for more than just melee classes." - Cpt_Micha

Also, check out my recent GENASI variant! If you've ever wished that your Fire Genasi could actually set stuff on fire, your Water Genasi could actually swim, or your Wind Genasi could at least glide, then look no further.

Finally, check out my OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE article, an effort to give unique support to the races that WotC keeps forgetting about. Includes new racial feature options for the Changeling, Deva, Githzerai, Gnoll, Gnome, Goliath, Half-Orc, Kalashtar, Minotaur, Shadar-Kai, Thri-Kreen, Warforged and more!
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