Revised Races

Races in 3.5 have a lot of problems. Balance is the most obvious one; from an optimization perspective, the vast majority of races are pretty much unusable because they're just so completely outclassed by a select few (one of which is in the PHB itself: human). There are also some lesser issues as well, such as the fact that many races are extremely cluttered with situational bonuses (like +1 to attack vs kobolds) that rarely come up and are just a waste of time for players to remember (if they even bother trying).  

Races in 3.5 have a lot of problems. Balance is the most obvious one; from an optimization perspective, the vast majority of races are pretty much unusable because they're just so completely outclassed by a select few (one of which is in the PHB itself: human). There are also some lesser issues as well, such as the fact that many races are extremely cluttered with situational bonuses (like +1 to attack vs kobolds) that rarely come up and are just a waste of time for players to remember (if they even bother trying).  

This fix is my attempt to expand the usable list of races by bringing every race up in power level so that they're roughly on the same level with each other. A secondary goal is to make all of your racial abilities matter at all levels. For some abilities, this involves changing an ability so that it scales as you grow in levels. Other times, as with most of those clutter abilities that don't really affect most characters (like the aforementioned +1 attack vs kobolds), I just removed the old ability entirely. Hopefully the result is a balanced list of interesting races that increase character options and are diverse enough to be noticeably different from each other.

This fix is my attempt to expand the usable list of races by bringing every race up in power level so that they're roughly on the same level with each other. A secondary goal is to make all of your racial abilities matter at all levels. For some abilities, this involves changing an ability so that it scales as you grow in levels. Other times, as with most of those clutter abilities that don't really affect most characters (like the aforementioned +1 attack vs kobolds), I just removed the old ability entirely. Hopefully the result is a balanced list of interesting races that increase character options and are diverse enough to be noticeably different from each other.

Races are generally much more powerful here than in regular 3.5 (and even a bit more powerful on average than in Pathfinder or d20r), though they are (at least supposed to be) balanced in regards to each other. Racial features still remain a far smaller portion of a character's power than their choice of class, and the overall power level of a particular character shouldn't be too noticeably different compared to 3.5 with sources open (especially past the early levels). The main difference is that there are now a lot more racial choices for an optimized character than there were previously, and it's far more defensible to take a race like half-elf or half-orc than before (whereas previously they would only ever be selected in very specialized builds, at least for optimization purposes).  

Races are generally much more powerful here than in regular 3.5 (and even a bit more powerful on average than in Pathfinder or d20r), though they are (at least supposed to be) balanced in regards to each other. Racial features still remain a far smaller portion of a character's power than their choice of class, and the overall power level of a particular character shouldn't be too noticeably different compared to 3.5 with sources open (especially past the early levels). The main difference is that there are now a lot more racial choices for an optimized character than there were previously, and it's far more defensible to take a race like half-elf or half-orc than before (whereas previously they would only ever be selected in very specialized builds, at least for optimization purposes).  

One of the advantages of having a higher power level on default races is that it allows for a far larger pool of possible races without needing an additional balancing factor (such as level adjustment). Whereas previously it might not be possible to express a race like the drow as LA +0 without stripping away most of what makes it distinct, now it becomes much more feasible. There is a lot of benefit to circumventing level adjustment because of how bad a balancing factor it is; losing levels is so crippling to a character that a race would need to provide a vast amount of power to justify even LA +1. When a distinctive racial feature actually is powerful enough that it still need something to tip the scales (like the four arms of a Thri-Kreen), I will include an optional racial class to provide the feature (more on that below).

One of the advantages of having a higher power level on default races is that it allows for a far larger pool of possible races without needing an additional balancing factor (such as level adjustment). Whereas previously it might not be possible to express a race like the drow as LA +0 without stripping away most of what makes it distinct, now it becomes much more feasible. There is a lot of benefit to circumventing level adjustment because of how bad a balancing factor it is; losing levels is so crippling to a character that a race would need to provide a vast amount of power to justify even LA +1. When a distinctive racial feature actually is powerful enough that it still need something to tip the scales (like the four arms of a Thri-Kreen), I will include an optional racial class to provide the feature (more on that below).

Templates are provided to customize existing base races and to allow more options in character building. As with races, none of the templates presented have level adjustment. Instead, templates are made with a similar mechanic to the Dragonborn of Bahamut, where certain racial traits are swapped with others, though on a much less extreme scale. All of the existing racial traits are grouped as either primary or secondary so that templates can swap out abilities of a certain power level as necessary.  

Templates are provided to customize existing base races and to allow more options in character building. As with races, none of the templates presented have level adjustment. Instead, templates are made with a similar mechanic to the Dragonborn of Bahamut, where certain racial traits are swapped with others, though on a much less extreme scale. All of the existing racial traits are grouped as either primary or secondary so that templates can swap out abilities of a certain power level as necessary.  

Generally, if a template requires swapping a set of features (such as primary or secondary racial traits), you may not take another template that swaps the same set of features, though you may take one that swaps a different set (so you can take a template that swaps primary traits and one that swaps secondary, but not two that swap primary traits).

Generally, if a template requires swapping a set of features (such as primary or secondary racial traits), you may not take another template that swaps the same set of features, though you may take one that swaps a different set (so you can take a template that swaps primary traits and one that swaps secondary, but not two that swap primary traits).

As I've explained above, level adjustment is a rather poor way to balance a race because of the extraordinary amount of benefits a race must provide to even be worth LA +1. Racial classes are a better method for this type of power offset. They do still offset character power, since taking more levels in classes with progressing features (such as spellcasting and martial adept classes) is usually better than taking levels in racial classes, but they are much less crippling than not having those levels at all. I will generally try to make all races function so that they don't need such balancing offsets, but some features make it impossible (like Thri-Kreen's four arms). In those cases, I will use racial class in place of level adjustment as the lesser of two evils.

As I've explained above, level adjustment is a rather poor way to balance a race because of the extraordinary amount of benefits a race must provide to even be worth LA +1. Racial classes are a better method for this type of power offset. They do still offset character power, since taking more levels in classes with progressing features (such as spellcasting and martial adept classes) is usually better than taking levels in racial classes, but they are much less crippling than not having those levels at all. I will generally try to make all races function so that they don't need such balancing offsets, but some features make it impossible (like Thri-Kreen's four arms). In those cases, I will use racial class in place of level adjustment as the lesser of two evils.

A racial class is like a base class that is only available to members of that particular race. If a creature of a certain race has a racial class, it can choose to take levels in that class at any time, but it does not have to; it can choose to never take any levels in its racial class, or only take a few levels in it and stop, or even sporadically switch between class levels and racial class levels (depending on level requirements for levels of the racial class, this may even be required). Every racial class level has a minimal character level requirement, so a character may only take that class level of the racial class if it is advancing to that character level (for example, if a 1st level half-dragon with one level in its racial class levels up, it cannot take another level in its racial class until it levels up again due to the 3rd level requirement there).

A racial class is like a base class that is only available to members of that particular race. If a creature of a certain race has a racial class, it can choose to take levels in that class at any time, but it does not have to; it can choose to never take any levels in its racial class, or only take a few levels in it and stop, or even sporadically switch between class levels and racial class levels (depending on level requirements for levels of the racial class, this may even be required). Every racial class level has a minimal character level requirement, so a character may only take that class level of the racial class if it is advancing to that character level (for example, if a 1st level half-dragon with one level in its racial class levels up, it cannot take another level in its racial class until it levels up again due to the 3rd level requirement there).

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http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/row_gallery/86633.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/row_gallery/86633.jpg

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+Str, +Con, -Int, -Cha

+Str, +Con, -Int, -Cha

+NA

+NA

FC: Dragon shaman, druid, ranger

FC: Dragon shaman, druid, ranger

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/row_gallery/86634.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/row_gallery/86634.jpg

+Dex, +Con, -Str

+Dex, +Con, -Str

FC: Binder, rogue, spellthief

FC: Binder, rogue, spellthief

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rhod_gallery/95661.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rhod_gallery/95661.jpg

(like dragonborn)

(like dragonborn)

FC: +Paladin

FC: +Paladin

+Dex, +Con, -Wis

+Dex, +Con, -Wis

FC: Dragon shaman, knight, duskblade

FC: Dragon shaman, knight, duskblade

+2 Con, +2 Cha, -4 Wis

+2 Con, +2 Cha, -4 Wis

Magic Draining Attack (Mage Slayer line?)

Magic Draining Attack (Mage Slayer line?)

racial class 1 level for better SR and mage slayer feats

racial class 1 level for better SR and mage slayer feats

FC: Binder, marshal, warlock

FC: Binder, marshal, warlock

Starts with powerful build, racial class provides Large size

Starts with powerful build, racial class provides Large size

+4 Str, +Con, -Int, -Wis, -Cha

+4 Str, +Con, -Int, -Wis, -Cha

Light sensitivity

Light sensitivity

FC: Barbarian, fighter, warblade

FC: Barbarian, fighter, warblade

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49736.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49736.jpg

+Dex, +Wis, -Str

+Dex, +Wis, -Str

FC: Druid, scout, spirit shaman

FC: Druid, scout, spirit shaman

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/row_gallery/86656.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/row_gallery/86656.jpg

+Wis, -Int

+Wis, -Int

FC: Barbarian, monk, totemist

FC: Barbarian, monk, totemist

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/roe_gallery/88207.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/roe_gallery/88207.jpg

+Dex, +Cha, -Str

+Dex, +Cha, -Str

FC: Binder, hexblade, shadowcaster

FC: Binder, hexblade, shadowcaster

: Undercommon and Gnome

: Undercommon and Gnome

+Con, +Int, -Wis, -Cha

+Con, +Int, -Wis, -Cha

FC: Archivist, artificer, warblade

FC: Archivist, artificer, warblade

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/roe_gallery/88205.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/roe_gallery/88205.jpg

+Dex, +Int, -Wis, -Cha

+Dex, +Int, -Wis, -Cha

FC: Artificer, factotum, scout

FC: Artificer, factotum, scout

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/roe_gallery/88263.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/roe_gallery/88263.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49743.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49743.jpg

(all function like dragonborn, racial classes to become half-celestial etc)

(all function like dragonborn, racial classes to become half-celestial etc)

+Str, +Wis or Cha, -Int

+Str, +Wis or Cha, -Int

FC: +Crusader

FC: +Crusader

L: +Celestial

L: +Celestial

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49753.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49753.jpg

+Wis, -Cha

+Wis, -Cha

FC: +Monk

FC: +Monk

L: +Aquan

L: +Aquan

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49749.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49749.jpg

+Cha, -Wis

+Cha, -Wis

FC: +Wilder

FC: +Wilder

L: +Ignan

L: +Ignan

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/ros_gallery/83297.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/ros_gallery/83297.jpg

+Con, -Dex

+Con, -Dex

FC: +Soulborn

FC: +Soulborn

L: +Terran

L: +Terran

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49755.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49755.jpg

+Int, +Cha, -Wis

+Int, +Cha, -Wis

FC: +Warlock

FC: +Warlock

|'''Secondary Features:'''||The base creature loses its secondary features, and gains the following:

|'''Secondary Features:'''||The base creature loses its secondary features, and gains the following:

a half-dragon choose fire, cold, electricity, or acid. It gains energy resistance 10 of the chosen energy type. At 7th level, this improves to energy resistance 20, and at 13th level it becomes energy resistance 30. At 19th level, it becomes completely immune to its chosen energy type.

a half-dragon choose fire, cold, electricity, or acid. It gains energy resistance 10 of the chosen energy type. At 7th level, this improves to energy resistance 20, and at 13th level it becomes energy resistance 30. At 19th level, it becomes completely immune to its chosen energy type.

'''Hit Die:''' d12

'''Hit Die:''' d12

(affected by nature plane)

(affected by nature plane)

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/row_gallery/86635.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/row_gallery/86635.jpg

+Dex, -Con

+Dex, -Con

FC: +Spellthief

FC: +Spellthief

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'''Hit Die:''' d12

'''Hit Die:''' d12

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+Cha, -Con

+Cha, -Con

FC: Favored soul, dragonfire adept, sorcerer

FC: Favored soul, dragonfire adept, sorcerer

+Str, +Con, -4 Cha

+Str, +Con, -4 Cha

FC: Ardent, divine mind, psychic warrior

FC: Ardent, divine mind, psychic warrior

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49762.jpg

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rof_gallery/49762.jpg

+Int, -Cha

+Int, -Cha

FC: Archivist, psion, truenamer

FC: Archivist, psion, truenamer

+Str, +Con, -Dex, -Cha

+Str, +Con, -Dex, -Cha

FC: Ardent, psychic warrior, totemist

FC: Ardent, psychic warrior, totemist

+Int

+Int

FC: Artificer, duskblade, psion

FC: Artificer, duskblade, psion

FC: +Psion

FC: +Psion

+Dex, -Wis, -Cha

+Dex, -Wis, -Cha

FC: Lurk, ranger, warblade

FC: Lurk, ranger, warblade

+Dex, +Cha, -Str

+Dex, +Cha, -Str

FC: Bard, soulknife, wilder

FC: Bard, soulknife, wilder