Half-Elves Bite

[Johan]

Below is the current Half-Elf starting "package":

Just like the elves:
Immunity to Sleep and similar magical effects
+2 to saves against enchantment spells or effects
LL Vision

Almost like the elves:
+1 on Listen, Search, and Spot
Elf blood

Like the humans:
No favored class (means that multiclassing isn?t going to affect experience accumulation)

All their own:
+2 to Gather Information checks

We all know that I don't care for the human starting package, and I don't particularly care for this one either. It has seemed underpowered to me for a while.

SO, with that in mind, I'm going to make the Half-elf package pretty close to halfway between the human and the elf.

The new package:

+1Dex, -1 Con
Immunity to Sleep and similar magical effects
+2 to saves against enchantment spells or effects
LL Vision
+1 on Listen, Search, and Spot
Elf blood
2 additional skill points at first level
At first level, choose 4 skills that are from then on considered to be Class skills
You can add a +2 modifier onto one of these skills (choose upon character creation, cannot later be changed)
Favored Class: Bard, Fighter, Mage, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer (means that multiclassing in these classes isn?t going to affect experience accumulation)

I think that this is a good balance, and any half-elves in the FK game (Arlen) may add these modifications to their character now.

[If any of you (Arlen) would prefer to leave your half-elf the way it is, please feel free to do so]

[Johan]

Belwar is now half elf.

Sorry...I can't make that work. Half elves get no facial hair and they are not allowed to get angry.  

[Johan]

I have applied the 1/4 elf package to Valen, he is now more powerful. Thanks!

Are you sure that you applied that package correctly?

[Griznuq]

Belwar is now half elf.

[Dray]

I have applied the 1/4 elf package to Valen, he is now more powerful. Thanks!

[Johan]

I guess my thinking speaks to the power of flexibility.

The original HE package gives the character +2 to GI checks. This doesn't make sense to me in that it makes it seem like all HEs would be adept at this skill. This doesn't sit well with me. I like variety. Hence, I afford the opportunity to place that +2 in a variety of places (one of four skills of your choosing).

However, noting that +2 is a pretty significant bonus, it seems to me that if the player had the flexibility to place that anywhere, this would become a more powerful still.

The way that I set this up, I feel that the player gains the flexibility to customize his character a little more, but not so much that it might overbalance him (if you take my meaning).

This, at least, is my thinking.

[fraz]

Ok, um, so why is the +2 modifier only applicable to one of the former cross-class skills?  Is there a particular reason it can't be applied to any skill?  Just askin' 'cause I don't understand the reasoning of this.  Please help me understand!  :-)

[Johan]

That is correct, sir.

[Johan]

All ready done:

+2 CH -1 to each of STR, DX, INT
Near-Sight Vision
One bonus feat at 4th level (instead of the one at 1st level)
-2 Bonus to Enchant and similar effects
Immune to Wake spells
Can pick 4 skill that are otherwise Class skills; They are now CC
-1 on one of those skills
No Favored class (as they can't make up their mind about anything)

You can apply these modifiers to Valen immediately, please.

[Dray]

Valen is 1/4 Elf, could you work on that starting package?  

[Johan]

I did indeed. In fact, in my first round, I had them gaining the extra feat at second level, so as to not take the edge off of the human sword, so to speak.

in this case, I think that the ability to make four additional skills "Class Skills" balances that for the humans, and balances the automatic weapon proficiencies for elves. Also, the half-elf has a +2 to one of those skills, which affords some additional flexibility to customize. I like flexibility...it speaks to me.  

My feeling is that this package, combined with all the others (my human, and the canned elf, dwarf...) balance reasonably well. Folks will have some advantages or disadvantages based upon whatever race they choose to play.

Unless they choose to play a half-orc. Those are next on my list of things to spruce up.

[Blackspear]

I like your ideas here.  Have you considered allowing half elves to gain an extra feat at first level?