Half-Ogre Level Adjustment

[Nathan P. Mahney]

OK, so one of my players wants to play a half-ogre fighter, starting at 4th level. Races of Destiny says the half-ogre has a level adjustment of +2.

OK, as I understand it, you add level adjustment to the creature's HD and class levels, and that's what level the creature is. Fine. But I can't find anything in Races of Destiny (or any of the Monster Manuals) on what a half-ogre's starting Hit Dice is.

So does the character start with 2 fighter levels and nothing else? No extra Hit Dice? Or does he get two HD for the 2 levels of half-ogre?

If ever something needed a streamlining for 4e, this system is it.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

OK, so one of my players wants to play a half-ogre fighter, starting at 4th level. Races of Destiny says the half-ogre has a level adjustment of +2.

OK, as I understand it, you add level adjustment to the creature's HD and class levels, and that's what level the creature is. Fine. But I can't find anything in Races of Destiny (or any of the Monster Manuals) on what a half-ogre's starting Hit Dice is.

So does the character start with 2 fighter levels and nothing else? No extra Hit Dice? Or does he get two HD for the 2 levels of half-ogre?

If ever something needed a streamlining for 4e, this system is it.

In your example, yes, he would be a 2nd level fighter. The Half-Ogre has no racial hit dice, though it probably should. I'd be a bit careful ofthe race though, even at +2 it is great for a fighter, and only gets better. At this level, he will be significantly behind the HP curve, which will slow him down, but at later levels it will matter less and less.

Also, I owuld strongly suggest not allowing LA buyoff from Unearthed Arcana. If you do that by 9th level he will be 8th level with no LA.

 

[Seeten]

I would never call an ECL 4 character with 2 bab, gimped power attack, and 2d10 hit dice a "Great fighter".

You could argue he is almost as good as a human, perhaps, due to his higher strength, but much worse HP and significantly behind in feat trees, he cant qualify for most fighter PrC's until ECL 7, and is not qualified for Weapon Specialization until ECL 6.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

I would never call an ECL 4 character with 2 bab, gimped power attack, and 2d10 hit dice a "Great fighter".

Reach, larger weapons, and such makes for a good advantage. Don't you think the plus to strength makes up for the BAB and power attack? I sure do. +6 strength more than takes care of the BAB, and 3 of the four Power atack. Not bad.

 

[frankthedm]

gimped power attack

Only if he is a APPATT nutcase.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I allowed the LA+1 version of a half-ogre barbarian 1/cleric X (currently cleric 10), and he's a powerhouse, even as that build (barb 1 + LA race + full caster class). They're definitely worth a +2 LA.

 

[Humanaut]

Personally, i sometimes like funky things like 1/2 ogres and such, even if i lose class levels. They can be somewhat harsh at lower levels, but by mid-lvl, a good con will help with the HP, and a large Str bonus makes up BAB (though not for PA). A good TH wpn, big str and reach... lots of fun! I'm thinking now of a 1/2 ogre with a good DX, combat reflexes and a Spiked Chain! Oh the TH super-reach!

 

[Sejs]

If ever something needed a streamlining for 4e, this system is it.

Nah, it's not that difficult once you understand it.

Anyway, Half Ogres don't have any racial hit dice, just like Humans, Elves, Gnomes, etc don't. Same deal, just slap on the +2 LA at the end of his class levels and off you go.

So at character level 4, for example, he'd be a Half Ogre Fighter (2). Just like any other lvl 2 fighter, just that he's a half ogre ta boot.

 

[Nathan P. Mahney]

Thanks guys. Looks like the LA system's not as difficult as I thought - my first instinct was correct after all.

 

[Seeten]

Only if he is a APPATT nutcase.

FPAATT.

Come on, he's a half-ogre, how could he not be?

Further, I know you, Frank, of all people, will claim you never go to war with 20 hp, when you could go to war with 40. True, or not true?