Post by Trailfoot on Mar 22, 2006 7:10:20 GMT -5
Behind the Curtain: Racial Paths
Looking over the full set of racial paths in and of themselves, it becomes obvious that they are not balanced, especially if one uses the System Reference Document as a basis. However, this does not take into account the base racial abilities of each race, nor does it account for the Iron Heroes system.
The paths that seem the most overpowered are the Elan Master of the Mind, the Kobold Scion of the Most Ancient, and the Dromite Master of the Elemental Forces. The Kobold and Dromite paths, however, take on this appearance mostly because of their blatently supernatural nature. In play, these two paths are expected to be on par with the alternate paths of these races.
However, both paths for each of these two races are more powerful than the paths of the other races (aside from the Master of the Mind). This is actually an overall balancing feature of the Starfall system, however. Iron Heroes emphasizes physical combat over magic and psionics, and Starfall mostly retains that emphasis. Kobolds and Dromites both suffer Strength penalties, in addition to being Small creatures. These two factors significantly hamper their ability to deal damage under the Iron Heroes rules, and thus call for a counterbalance. That counterbalance comes in the form of their racial path abilities.
The Elan Master of the Mind is also more powerful than the other paths, and the Elan race does not suffer from the same weaknesses as the Kobold and Dromite. However, the overall power of this path is a planned aspect of the system. Its full potential does is not shown by any class aside from the Psion and Psychic Warrior, meaning that the path's abilities are balanced or perhaps slightly underpowered when paired with other classes. As for Master of the Mind Psions? The attractiveness of this option was a specific, conscious choice as well. Elan Psions should be more common than Elan of most other classes, since the natural talents and culture of this race emphasize their psionic talents.
The Most Perfect path is balanced specifically with the Human Master of All, taking the numerical advantages that the Master of All might gain with feats from its ability score increases.
Looking over the full set of racial paths in and of themselves, it becomes obvious that they are not balanced, especially if one uses the System Reference Document as a basis. However, this does not take into account the base racial abilities of each race, nor does it account for the Iron Heroes system.
The paths that seem the most overpowered are the Elan Master of the Mind, the Kobold Scion of the Most Ancient, and the Dromite Master of the Elemental Forces. The Kobold and Dromite paths, however, take on this appearance mostly because of their blatently supernatural nature. In play, these two paths are expected to be on par with the alternate paths of these races.
However, both paths for each of these two races are more powerful than the paths of the other races (aside from the Master of the Mind). This is actually an overall balancing feature of the Starfall system, however. Iron Heroes emphasizes physical combat over magic and psionics, and Starfall mostly retains that emphasis. Kobolds and Dromites both suffer Strength penalties, in addition to being Small creatures. These two factors significantly hamper their ability to deal damage under the Iron Heroes rules, and thus call for a counterbalance. That counterbalance comes in the form of their racial path abilities.
The Elan Master of the Mind is also more powerful than the other paths, and the Elan race does not suffer from the same weaknesses as the Kobold and Dromite. However, the overall power of this path is a planned aspect of the system. Its full potential does is not shown by any class aside from the Psion and Psychic Warrior, meaning that the path's abilities are balanced or perhaps slightly underpowered when paired with other classes. As for Master of the Mind Psions? The attractiveness of this option was a specific, conscious choice as well. Elan Psions should be more common than Elan of most other classes, since the natural talents and culture of this race emphasize their psionic talents.
The Most Perfect path is balanced specifically with the Human Master of All, taking the numerical advantages that the Master of All might gain with feats from its ability score increases.