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I would like to see a racial feat for genasi where they can invoke an elemental embodiment ability once per day. The genasi's physical bodies fade, taking on their elemental nature like a pure blood. That is perhaps something like fireshield for fire genasi, iceshield for water genasi, windwalk for air genasi, and stone skin for earth genasi.

What about giving them the ability to use one of those spells once a day as a racial ability?

Essentially that, but spending a feat point for the privilege, like with aasimar and tiefling racial feats. Paired with whatever level requirements are appropriate.

I like this idea. As of right now, the abilities that the genasi get are a little bit lacking, and in some cases, not very handy.

I admit this is a desire for the aesthetic rather than giving them any op spells. If these were cast at a novice level or gave you a greater susceptibility to damage from the opposing element while active, I think that is an acceptable trade off. I just kind of like the ability to fade into mist, or have your eyes glow and suddenly become engulfed in flames like the human torch. Or suddenly your regularly earth-toned skin takes on the sheen of metal. -shrug-

So I have a rant about genasi in general:

In FK, Genasi are given +1 ECL adjustment. Genasi as a race does not appear in the player's handbook, they were first introduced in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, which gave them the +1 ECL treatment. Presently various sources and homebrews vary in their treatment of Genasi, but most give them +0 ECL. This would appear to make sense seeing as you have Aasimar (+4 net total stats and elemental resistance) at +1, and Drow at +2 (+4 net total stats and massive spell resistance) whereas Genasi have net +0 stats and far more marginal abilities.

Nevertheless, in D&D ECL doesn't really matter as much, for two reasons:
1. while with +1 ECL you generally lag a level behind in the party, any disadvantage is only relative and your character tends to go through no more than a few campaigns. In FK, when time is spent on a character, 90%+ of that time will be spent at the maximum level. At this point, while you are lvl 48 and others at lvl 50, the differences in BAB, hp, and spell slots are absolute.
2. even net 0 stat adjustments are useful in D&D since if they are your main stats, you can simply continue leveling them, ending up with a 24 STR and CON earth genasi fighter at higher levels. In FK, stats are capped at 20 regardless, so they are truly worthless.

The net result of this is that despite their kismet cost, genasi characters in FK are actually far weaker than humans, and every other playable race.

Now I don't feel that strongly about this issue since player balance is a secondary interest at best when it comes to FK, in my opinion. But I would like to see the ECL adjustment removed or, even better, some more boons are given to the genasi races, as per above suggestion.

That is a good point. Dropping the ELC is probably a better direction than debating whether or not they should cast fireball at will for balance. I think given that they are just about the most expensive race in game, you could drop the ELC, or cut the Kismet cost though. Should they have parity with tiefling/aasimar costs, since their stat drawback is comparable to tiefling/aasimar alignment restrictions and all that this entails? Part of me wants to suggest trying them at 400 kismet. But at the same time I don't think making them super common/available is good either. Hmmm.

So how do you prevent a market square full of genasi?

Harroghty wrote:So how do you prevent a market square full of genasi?

Bear traps...bear traps as far as the eye can see...

I kidd,

I think it may require a significant kismet cost increase in order to keep the numbers in a reasonable area.

They already require the most kismet right now. So what is to say, tweaking them a little to be more in line with the handbooks is going to make everyone want to have them? People don't seem interested in them much right now.

Keep the kismet where it is then, maybe drop the ELC, and look into more racial feats?

I know this is an older thread, but the partner thread brought me to this one, and I'd like to poke some fingers...

Keep the kismet where it is then, maybe drop the ELC, and look into more racial feats?

I agree with this suggestion 100%. More racial feats (especially those with RP value) and dropping the ECL would make Genasi more interesting for those who put in the hours/RP to earn them. I'm 100% for high-kismet costs in all cases. The bottom line is at 900 kismet, assuming you're an average RPr, with no rewards, that's 900 hours spent toward this race. I don't like balance as a priority, I like realism and RP above all else, and to me, it only makes sense for Genasi to be diverse, capable, and rare. I think Cas's suggestion leads us carefully in that direction.

~Jeff.