Talk:Succedaneums (3.5e Race)

Playability

I'm really not sure what to do to this race to make it both playable and attractive to players. The LA is also bugging me endlessly. Also, it would be nice if they were more like aberrations, rather than just shapechanging humanoids, so any suggestions on any of these points would be gladly welcomed to help this race out. --Ganteka 15:51, 25 September 2008 (MDT)

The Rework

Oh man, what a chore this race turned out to be. Hopefully now its on the right track for playability. Though, its still a bit complicated. Gotta figure a way to keep the abilities unique but trim them down. Avoiding LA is gonna be hard here, but I'm not satisfied with LA 2. LA 1 is probably gonna be where it ends up at, hopefully... --Ganteka 22:05, 30 March 2009 (MDT)

Rating

Power - 4/5 This race seems great, but the LA and its abilities need to work out better. It seems like a good idea and rather balanced at first, but the shapechanging and disguise and bluff bonuses from Soul Imprint make it very very very very powerful if you specialize. I think adding an additional -2 to something like Con from being a squishy shapeshifter might make it into a STRONG LA +0. I like the idea of making the night form into a prerequisited racial feat or, better yet, a scaled racial ability; something you gain at level 5 when you've gained better control of your shapeshifting or something. If you can find a really good way to make a it an acceptable LA0 (in my book) I'd be glad to come and bump this up to a 5.

Wording - 4/5 Another place where it's just on the edge is your communication. You have the ideas expressed solidly and well, but sometimes what that MEANS is unclear. Perhaps being sure to explain the implications of everything. One part this was especially apparent to me was in the description of the Soul Imprint racil ability where it said only one soul can be imprinted at a time. That's all well and good, but what does that say about their ability to shapeshift into that person? Do they retain the bonuses from past imprints, or do they simply replace the last one and you can never retain the old imprint? On a related note, I think it would be awesome to be able to have multiple imprints at higher levels. Much higher levels.

Formatting - 5/5 You always have excellent formatting. You've got links, it's organized, you use tables, capitalization and italicization, and headings correctly. I can't complain.

Flavor - 5/5 I love the delicious taste of this race. It reminds me of a succubus, a doppelganger, and a half-elf all at the same time, and that makes me happy. True quality, right here. Don't change the flavor.

Overall, I want to see this race become a beautifully playable LA0 one through intricate mechanics and well-thoughtout style while maintaining its quality of flavor and formatting. Fix a few ideas in the wording and make the basis a little more manageable at lower levels, and you're golden. -Valentine the Rogue 19:44, 7 April 2009 (MDT)