TEXT: CREATING CUSTOM FANTASY RACES 
  With the release of Player’s Companion, Lairs & Encounters, and Axioms I, the Adventurer Conqueror King System 
  now provides rules for creating custom classes, custom spells, custom monsters, and custom magic types. What it 
  does not yet provide, however, is a set of rules for creating custom playable fantasy races. This article fills that gap, 
  elaborating on some mechanics we initially presented on the Autarch forums. 
  Follow these steps to create a custom fantasy race for your campaign: 
  1. Develop a name and concept for the fantasy race. Is it a sinister race of serpent-men with access to dark 
  magic? Is it a titanic race of giant-sized humanoids? Perhaps it is a race of human-sized talking rabbits. The 
  concept should drive your choice in the remaining steps. 
  2. Determine the ability score requirements for the race (see Requirements below). 
  3. Determine any modifications or restrictions that may apply to the race’s allocation of build points to the 
  class category values (see Class Category Values below). 
  4. Select one or more custom powers for the fantasy race and assign them to the racial values of 0, 1, 2, 3, 
  and 4 (see Racial Powers below) 
  5. Calculate the cost for racial value 0.  
  a. Count the total number of racial powers available at racial value 0. Remember that some racial 
  powers count as negative, half, two, or other variable numbers of powers. 
  b. For each racial power, increase the cost of the race at this value by 40 XP, or more if the power is 
  directly applicable to all of the race’s likely classes (see Racial Powers below).  
  c. 
  For each racial power that is a spell-like ability, increase the cost of the race at this value by 65 XP 
  + 5 XP per level of the spell (see Racial Powers below). 
  d. If the race’s racial value mimics or stacks with a class category value (such as Elf and Arcane), add 
  the cost of the mimicked class value at that level. 
  e. If the race’s racial value mimics or stacks with a negative class category value (such as Halfling 
  and HD), subtract the cost of the mimicked class value. 
  f. 
  Subtract 40 XP from this total to represent the fact that racial classes lose maximum levels of 
  experience. 
  6. Calculate the cost for racial value 1, 2, 3, and 4 by repeating these steps.  
  7. Calculate the additional cost per level after 8.  
  a. If the race’s racial value mimics a class category value (such as Elf and Arcane), divide the Racial 
  Value XP cost at Value 4 by the cost for elf 4 (2,625) and multiply the result by 50,000. This is the 
  additional cost per level after 8. 
  b. If the race’s racial value does not mimic a class category value (such as Dwarf), divide the Racial 
  Value XP cost at Value 4 by the cost for dwarf 4 (1,400) and multiply the result by 10,000 for 2 
  class types and 30,000 for 2 class types. This is the additional cost per level after 8. 
  c. 
  If the race is monstrous (as determined by the Judge), the cost per level after 8 continues to 
  double. Apply this rule for races that are particularly inhuman and power.  
  8. You’re finished. Time to build a class using your new fantasy race! 
  
  REQUIREMENTS 
  All fantasy races should have at least one ability score requirement of 9 or higher. Races whose racial value mimics 
  the Arcane value should require Intelligence 9 or higher. Races whose racial value mimics the Divine value should 
  require Wisdom 9 or higher. Other ability score requirements are at the Judge’s discretion. Fantasy races with 
  higher ability score requirements will tend to be available for play much less often, so setting high requirements is 
  a useful tool to keep some races comparatively rare and exceptional.  
  Apart from the mechanical effect on the die roll, what does it mean for a race to have ability score requirements? 
  For instance, what does it mean to say that “all gnome classes require a minimum Intelligence and Constitution of 
  9 or better”? There are many ways of interpreting the requirement. Here’s a few: 
   
  G Factor: The natural floor for gnomish intellect and health may simply be higher than it is in humans. The 
  smartest gnome is no smarter than the smartest human, but the least intelligent gnome is as smart as the 
  average human. (Tolkien’s elves seem to just not have any weak, dumb, slow, sickly, or unattractive 
  members of their species.) 
   
  GNASA Dungeonauts: Gnomish culture might carefully regulate entry into the adventuring classes. Only 
  the most intelligent and healthy applicants are able to become adventurers. Entire government programs 
  may exist that inflict annoying gnomish tricksters on an unsuspecting host populace. 
   
  No Gnome Left Behind: Gnomish culture might have wonderful public schools with a commitment to 
  education and physical fitness that assures that all gnomes reach a comfortable baseline. Those that drop 
  out of higher education end up as tricksters, obviously.  
   
  This Is GNOMELAND: Gnomes may systematically kill the slow and weak during childhood, allowing only 
  those capable of bare-chested war cries in red cloaks to survive. This seems unlikely, but it’s hard to know 
  what these diminutive races are capable of.   
   
  Which interpretation is “true” is a matter of world-building, not mechanics. For instance, in my own campaign, the 
  Auran Empire, the meaning of the requirements varies from race to race. The ability score requirement for 
  dwarves is because dwarves simply “are” hardier than humans; all dwarven classes require a minimum 
  Constitution of 9 because there are no dwarves with less than that. Conversely, the nigh-impossible ability score 
  requirements for Nobirans represent the rarity of their manifestation. Nobirans are drawn from those humans 
  who have some divine ancestry or blood, but that divine blood only manifests rarely (only when all ability scores 
  11 or above). The offspring of a dwarf is always going to be a dwarf with a minimum Constitution of 9, but the 
  offspring of a Nobiran is only potentially a Nobiran. 
  Since the choice of how difficult to make the requirements to meet is a matter of world-building, rather than a 
  matter of mechanics, it does not adjust the cost of the class’s racial value.  
  CLASS CATEGORY VALUES 
  One of the most effective tools to create a distinct fantasy race is to adjust, modify, or limit the effects of the 
  various class category values. 
  FIGHTING VALUE 
  Races that are less than man-sized, such as gnomes and dwarves, may be prevented from using two-handed 
  swords or longbows. This does not adjust the cost of the class’s racial value. If the race is so small that it cannot 
  wield any large weapons at all, and must wield medium weapons with two-hands, this counts as the Short-
  Statured custom power (-0.5 power cost). 
  
  Races that prefer particular weapons might encode these preferences with limitations on choices for narrow or 
  broad weapon selections. For instance, dwarves with narrow or broad weapon selections must include at least four 
  axes, flails, hammers, and/or maces among their selections, while elves with narrow or broad weapon selections 
  must include at least two bows, crossbows, swords, or daggers. Gnomes with narrow or broad weapon selections 
  must include arbalests, crossbows, and war hammers among their selections. Halflings with narrow weapon 
  selections are limited to choosing from bola, dagger, darts, hand axe, javelin, sling, short bow, short sword, while  
  halflings with broad weapon selections can also choose battle axe, crossbow, mace, or sword. Racial weapon 
  preferences do not adjust the cost of the class’s racial value. 
  Races that are pacifistic, small, or otherwise ill-equipped for melee combat may have their Fighting Value limited. 
  For instance, Halflings cannot allocate more than 2 points to Fighting. 
  Races that have extraordinary fighting skills, or who often practice fighting in addition to another profession, might 
  allow build points allocated to the Fighting Value to stack with build points allocated to the racial value for 
  purposes of determining the class’s fighting ability. Add the effective values to find the class’s spellcasting abilities, 
  up to a maximum of 4 points.   
  DIVINE CATEGORY 
  Fantasy races that a relationship or devotion to the divine may be forbidden from allocating build points to the 
  Divine value, or limited in the number of points they can allocate. If the race’s racial value indicates something like 
  its caste (as in Thrassians, or a hypothetical serpentman race), the race may be limited in the number of points it 
  can allocate to this category by its racial value. Limits on the Divine value do not adjust the cost of the class’s racial 
  value. 
  Races that have an extraordinary relationship or devotion to the divine, or who often practice divine spellcasting in 
  addition to another profession, might allow build points allocated to the Divine Value to stack with build points 
  allocated to the racial value for purposes of determining the class’s divine spellcasting ability. Add the effective 
  values to find the class’s spellcasting abilities, up to a maximum of 4 points.  Stacking increases the cost of the 
  racial value by the equivalent value of the benefit provided. For instance, if Race 4 provides the equivalent of 
  Divine 4, the cost of Race 4 must be increased by the cost of Divine 4. 
  Races that are mechanically-inclined and worship craftsmanship, such as dwarves, might gain the ability to create 
  divine constructs when they reach 9th caster level. This is such a minor benefit that it does not add to the race’s XP 
  cost, though such “freebies” should always be used sparingly.  
  Remember that races whose racial value mimics the Divine value should require Wisdom 9 or higher. 
  ARCANE CATEGORY 
  Fantasy races that lack innate magical abilities may be forbidden from allocating build points to the Arcane 
  category, or limited in the number of points they can allocate. If the race’s racial value indicates something like its 
  caste (as in Thrassians, or a hypothetical serpentman race), the race may be limited in the number of points it can 
  allocate to this category by its racial value. Limits on the Arcane value do not adjust the cost of the class’s racial 
  value. 
  Races that exceed the spellcasting abilities of humans, or who often practice arcane spellcasting in addition to 
  another profession, might allow build points allocated to the Arcane Value to stack with build points allocated to 
  the racial value for purposes of determining the class’s arcane spellcasting ability. 
  
  Unlike stacked racial and Divine values, stacked racial and Arcane values can reach values of 5 or greater. If so, 
  apply the following rules. When calculating number of spells available, round fractions of ½ or more up; round any 
  smaller fractions down.  
   
  Arcane + Race = 5: The class has the ability to cast spells and engage in magical research as a mage, with 
  the class’s spells per level increased by 33%. The class uses its class level for all level-dependent spell 
  ranges, durations, and damages; these are not increased. 
   
  Arcane + Race = 6: As above, but the class’s spells per level are increased by 50%. 
   
  Arcane + Race = 7: As above, but the class’s spells per level are increased by 66%. 
   
  Arcane + Race = 8: As above, but the class’s spells per level are increased by 100%. 
   
  Stacking increases the cost of the racial value by the equivalent value of the benefit provided. For instance, if Race 
  4 provides the equivalent of Arcane 2, the cost of Race 4 must be increased by the cost of Arcane 2. 
  Note that it is possible for a fantasy race to be forbidden from selecting the Arcane value while simultaneously 
  having a racial value that stacks with Arcane. For instance, gnomes may never allocate build points to the Arcane 
  category, but gnomes may gain the ability to cast arcane spells by allocating points to the Gnome Value. 
  CUSTOM POWERS FOR YOUR FANTASY RACE 
  Custom powers for your fantasy race can be selected from the Custom Power Index in the Player’s Companion or 
  built using the rules for Creating New Custom Powers found in the same chapter. Except as noted below, they 
  function exactly like class custom powers. 
  COST OF RACIAL CUSTOM POWERS 
  Some Judges will have noticed that, if they calculate the cost per custom power from the Fighting or Thievery 
  value, it typically costs 67 to 150 XP per power. Why, then, is the default cost just 40 XP to acquire a custom power 
  for a race?  
  The reason is that races are intended to serve as the chassis for multiple classes. Therefore, the racial powers 
  should be more general in nature and less specifically useful to any given class. They are costed with a discount to 
  reflect the fact that a typical character will find its class custom powers more important in play than its race 
  custom powers.  
  However, sometimes class powers do apply directly to the class’s function. If a particular race tends to specialize in 
  only one type of class, and the racial powers are directly applicable to the function of that class, then the Judge 
  should charge 75, 100, or even 125 XP per racial power to maintain balance. The Halfling Skills gained from Halfling 
  1 – 4 cost 75 XP each, for instance, as they are specially chosen to compliment the type of classes and functions 
  that halflings fulfill in the game, and for balance purposes cannot be costed at less than equivalent Thievery value 
  skills.  
  Powers such as Child-Like or Inhuman, which apply both a bonus and a penalty to reactions with specific creatures, 
  are typically costed at 0 custom powers. 
  COST OF RACIAL SPELL-LIKE ABILITIES 
  A related issue is the cost of spell-like abilities. Spell-like abilities taken as racial powers cost at least 70 XP each, 
  more as the spell level increases. This escalating cost is contrary to the approach taken in the Player’s Companion, 
  where spell-like abilities count as one custom power each as long as they follow the usage limits (1st level spells 
  usable at will with a casting time of 1 turn, etc.).  
  
  However, the Player’s Companion also specifies that “spell-like abilities should generally not appear as a class 
  power at a level of experience lower than the spell’s level.” Racial spell-like abilities violate this rule, as the 
  example of the gnome race shows: 1st level gnomes can begin play with 2nd level spell-like abilities. The special 
  rules for costing racial spell-like abilities are intended to reflect this. 
  EXAMPLES OF RACE CREATION 
  In order to better illustrate the creation of fantasy races using this system, they are organized from the least 
  complex to the most complex designs. 
  NOBIRANS 
  The Nobiran race is a very simple design that relies on a few racial powers for flavor combined with racial value / 
  Divine value stacking.  
  Requirements: Since Nobiran value mimics Divine value, the race must have a minimum Wisdom requirement. 
  Here the rule is moot, as we decided that Nobiran classes require a minimum 11 or better in all ability scores. This 
  requirement makes Nobiran racial classes exceptionally difficult to qualify for. Nobirans aren’t limited in number 
  because they have especially powerful racial powers (they don’t), but simply to reflect an in-world conceit that 
  they are rare, divinely-touched, descendants of the gods. 
  Nobiran 0: The race receives Divine Blessing (1 power), Blood of Kings (1 power), Heroic Spirit (1 power), and 
  Longevity (1 power), for a total of 4 powers. None of these are spell-like abilities, so the cost for them is 4 x 40 = 
  160 XP. However this is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c). Therefore the cost for Nobiran 0 is 120 XP, which rounds to 
  125 XP. 
  Nobiran 1: The race’s racial value mimics Divine 1, so we add the cost of the mimicked class value at that level to 
  the total. Divine 1 costs 250 XP, so the cost is 375 XP. The value in Player’s Companion is listed as 250 XP, but this is 
  incorrect! The editor responsible for this error have been sentenced to indenture in the salt mines of Alakyrum. 
  Nobiran 2: The race’s racial value mimics Divine 2, so we add the cost of the mimicked class value at that level to 
  the total. Divine 2 costs 500 XP (i.e. an additional 250 XP over Divine 1), so the cost is 625 XP. 
  Nobiran 3: The race’s racial value mimics Divine 3, so we add the cost of the mimicked class value at that level to 
  the total. Divine 3 costs 1000 XP (i.e. an additional 500 XP over Divine 2), so the cost is 1,125 XP. 
  Nobiran 4: The race’s racial value mimics Divine 4, so we add the cost of the mimicked class value at that level to 
  the total. Divine 4 costs 2000 XP (i.e. an additional 1000 XP over Divine 2), so the cost is 2,125 XP.  
  ZAHARANS 
  The Zaharan race is another very simple design. It relies on a few racial powers for flavor combined with racial 
  value / Arcane value stacking. This parallels the design of the Elf value (see below) and was intended to showcase 
  an “evil elf” type race such as the Drow, Melnibonéans, or Black Numenoreans.  
  Requirements: Zaharans require Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma of 9 or higher. Since Zaharan value mimics 
  Arcane value, the race had to have a minimum Intelligence requirement. Having two more requirements makes 
  the race considerably more difficult to qualify for than more common races like dwarf or elf, but not nearly so 
  difficult as Nobiran.   
  
  Zaharan 0: The race receives Ancient Pacts (1 power), Zaharan Tongues (1 power), Inexorable (1 power), Dark Soul 
  (-1 power), and After the Flesh (3 powers). None of these are spell-like abilities, so the cost for them is 5 x 40 = 200 
  XP. This is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c). Therefore the cost for Zaharan 0 is 160 XP, which rounds to 150 XP. e 
  value in Player’s Companion is listed as 200 XP. 
  Zaharan 1: The race’s racial value mimics Arcane 1, so we add the cost of the mimicked class value at that level to 
  the total. Arcane 1 costs 625 XP, so the cost is 825 XP.   
  Zaharan 2: The race’s racial value mimics Arcane 2, so we add the cost of the mimicked class value at that level to 
  the total. Arcane 2 costs 1,250 XP, so the cost is 1,450 XP. 
  Zaharan 3: The race’s racial value mimics Arcane 3, so we add the cost of the mimicked class value at that level to 
  the total. Arcane 3 costs 1,875 XP, so the cost is 2,075 XP. 
  Zaharan 4: The race’s racial value mimics Arcane 4, so we add the cost of the mimicked class value at that level to 
  the total. Arcane 4 costs 2,500 XP, so the cost is 2,700 XP. 
  GNOMES 
  With the gnome, we begin to introduce spell-like abilities, custom powers that accumulate over the various racial 
  values, and partial-level stacking with Arcane. It’s a complex design but it all adds up. 
  Requirements: All gnome classes require a minimum Intelligence and Constitution of 9 or better. In the Auran 
  Empire setting, gnomes are a relatively rare hybrid descended from dwarven and elven stock, so it made sense to 
  impose the elf’s Intelligence and dwarf’s Constitution requirement.  
  Gnome 0: The race receives Nose for Potions (2.5 powers), Gnome Tongues (1 power), Gnomish Infravision (2.5 
  powers), and Resistance to Illusions (1 power), for a total of 7 racial powers. None of these are spell-like abilities, 
  so the cost for them is 7 x 40 = 280 XP. However this is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c). Therefore the cost for Gnome 
  0 is 240 XP, which rounds to 250 XP. 
  Gnome 1: The race receives gains faerie fire (level 1), ventriloquism (level 1), and speak with animals (level 2). 
  These are spell like abilities which increase the cost for Gnome 1 by 70 XP, 70 XP, and 75 XP, or 215 XP total. The 
  cost for Gnome 1 is therefore (240 XP + 215 XP) or 455 XP, which rounds to 450 XP.   
  Gnome 2: The race gains the abilities of a mage of ½ the character’s class level. This is the equivalent of Arcane 1, 
  so it increases the cost by 625 XP to 1,080 XP. That rounds to 1,075 XP. 
  Gnome 3: The race gains mirror image (level 2) and phantasmal force (level 2). These are spell-like abilities which 
  increase the cost of Gnome 3 by 75 XP each. In addition, the race gains access to all magic items usable for thieves 
  (1 power). Collectively this increases the cost of Gnome 3 to (1,080 XP + 150 + 40) to 1,270 XP, which rounds to 
  1,275 XP.  
  Gnome 4: The race gains the abilities of a mage of ½ the character’s class level. This is the equivalent of Arcane 2, 
  so it increases the cost by another 625 XP. In addition, the race gains Innate Illusion Mastery (1 power), as well as 
  the ability to use magic items usable by mages (1 power). The cost for Gnome 4 is therefore (1,270 + 625 + 40 + 40)  
  1,975 XP. 
  
  HALFLINGS 
  The halfling design is unusual in that its racial values run negative – in other words, halfling classes cost less XP 
  than human classes. The reason for the negative XP cost of the halfling value is the class’s Weak custom power, 
  which imposes a HD type reduction. Since increasing HD by one type increases a class’s XP cost by 500 XP, reducing 
  HD by one type is modeled by reducing the race’s XP cost at each point by 500 XP.  
  Another unusual aspect of the halfling design is that the halfling value affords the race a series of “halfling skills” 
  which are especially suited to halfling adventures. Therefore these powers are costed at 75 XP each rather than 
  the usual 40 XP.  
  Requirements: Halfling classes require a minimum Dexterity 9 or better. The halfling race is easy to qualify for 
  without any special rules. 
  Halfling 0: The race receives Child-like (0 powers), Demi-Human Ancestry (0.5 powers), Difficult to Corrupt (1 
  power), Easily Encumbered (-1 power), Halfling Tongues (1 power), Heroic Breakfast (1 power), Underfoot (1 
  power), Short-Statured (-0.5 powers), and Weak (-1 power), for a total of 2 custom powers. None of these are 
  spell-like abilities, so the cost for them is 2  x 40 = 80 XP. However, this is reduced by 40 XP in step (3)c) to 40 XP. In 
  addition, the Weak power imposes a HD type reduction, which is the equivalent of a -1 value in the HD category (-
  500 XP).  Therefore the cost for Halfling 0 is -460 XP, which rounds to -450 XP. 
  Halfling 1: The race receives one halfling skill. Halfling skills cost 75 XP each, so the cost for Halfling 0 is increased 
  to -375 XP. 
  Halfling 2: The race receives one halfling skill. Halfling skills cost 75 XP each, so the cost for Halfling 0 is increased 
  to -300 XP. 
  Halfling 3: The race receives one halfling skill. Halfling skills cost 75 XP each, so the cost for Halfling 0 is increased 
  to -225 XP. 
  Halfling 4: The race receives one halfling skill. Halfling skills cost 75 XP each, so the cost for Halfling 0 is increased 
  to -150 XP. 
  ELVES 
  The elf race was not so much designed as it was reverse engineered from the elf class in ACKS’s predecessor games 
  (Classic Dungeons & Dragons). The result was that, although its similar to the Zaharan design, elven classes enjoy a 
  125 XP discount for the Arcane Value, a necessity to keep the Elven Spellsinger at 4,000 XP for 2nd level. This 
  mechanic in turn led to the cost of the Elf 4 value being reduced by 125 XP to avoid an asymmetry (Elf 3 + Arcane 1 
  costing less than Elf 4). Judges who wish to “play by the meta-rules” should raise the cost of Elf 4 by 125 XP and 
  eliminate the 125 XP discount for Arcane points.  
  Requirements: All elven classes require a minimum Intelligence 9 or better. Since Elf value mimics Arcane value, 
  the class must have a minimum Intelligence requirement. 
  Elf 0: The race receives Attunement to Nature (0.5 powers), Elf Tongues (1 power), Keen Eyes (1 power), 
  Connection to Nature (1 power), and Animal Friendship (0.5 powers), for a total of 4 racial powers.  None of these 
  are spell-like abilities, so the cost for them is 4 x 40 = 160 XP. However this is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c). 
  Therefore the cost for Elf 0 is 120 XP, which rounds to 125 XP.  
  
  Elf 1: The race’s racial value mimics Arcane 1, so we add the 625 XP cost of the mimicked class value to the total, 
  bringing it to 750 XP. 
  Elf 2: The race’s racial value mimics Arcane 2, so we add the 1,250 XP cost of the mimicked class value to the total, 
  bringing it to 1,375 XP. 
  Elf 3: The race’s racial value mimics Arcane 3, so we add the 1,875 XP cost of the mimicked class value to the total, 
  bringing it to 2,000 XP. 
  Elf 4: The race’s racial value mimics Arcane 3, so we add the 2,500 XP cost of the mimicked class value to the total, 
  bringing it to 2,625 XP. At this point, we take the unusual step of reducing the cost of Elf 4 to 2,500 XP. The reason 
  for this reduction is that otherwise it creates an asymmetry in the build point cost for two otherwise-identical 
  classes. HD 1, Fighter 2, Arcane 1, Elf 3 costs 4,000 XP, while HD 1, Fighter 2, Elf 4 would cost 4,125 XP. 
  DWARVES 
  Like the elf race, the dwarf race was not designed so much as reverse engineered from the dwarf class in ACKS’s 
  predecessor games (Classic Dungeons & Dragons). Unlike the elf, which in B/X was built as the equivalent of HD 1, 
  Fighting 2, Arcane 1, Elf 3, the B/X dwarf was built with HD 2, Fighting 2, Dwarf 0, meaning it offered no guidance 
  as to what the higher Dwarf value should offer. If the most elven elves are arcane casters, what are the most 
  dwarven dwarves? The choice of cumulative additional proficiencies and bonuses to proficiency throws was 
  intended to reflect the trope of superior dwarven craftsmanship. 
  The tricky question for evaluating the dwarven design is to how to cost the +1/+2/+3/+4 bonus to proficiencies and 
  thief skills. In general, a +4 bonus to a proficiency throw counts as a custom power, so a +1 bonus should equate to 
  0.25 custom powers. Since the bonus is applicable so widely, it should be costed at 75 XP rather than 40 XP per 
  power. But the bonus applies to all proficiencies and thief skills, so the cost needs to be 75 XP x 0.25 per +1 per 
  proficiency or thief skill. How many is that? 
  Calculating the average number of proficiencies or thief skills requires making some assumptions. We know every 
  character will have two proficiencies at 1st level. Let’s assume a typical class build of HD 1, Fighting 2, Thievery 0 
  with two Fighting Value trade-offs. The class could have another five proficiencies or thief skills. It will gain another 
  proficiency at 3rd, 5th, 9th, 11th, and 12th level, which (using trade-off mechanics) is worth a bit more than two 
  proficiencies. The class might have one or more bonus proficiencies from Intelligence. This suggests around 10 
  proficiencies is a serviceable baseline, and is used for the suggested costs below.     
  Requirements: All dwarven classes require a minimum Constitution 9 or better. The dwarf race is easy to qualify 
  for without any special rules. 
  Dwarf 0: The race receives Sensitivity to Rock (0.5 powers), Dwarf Tongues (1 power), Detect Traps (1 power), and 
  Hardy People (2.5 powers), for a total of 5 racial powers.  None of these are spell-like abilities, so the cost for them 
  is 5 x 40 = 200 XP. However this is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c). Therefore the cost for Dwarf 0 is 160 XP, which 
  rounds to 150 XP. The value in Player’s Companion is listed as 200 XP. 
  Dwarf 1: The race gains one extra proficiency (1 power), for a cost of 40 XP. The race gains a +1 bonus to all 
  proficiency throws. Above we calculated a baseline of 10 proficiencies for the typical dwarven class, so the +1 
  bonus must cost [(10 + 1) x (1 x 0.25)] 2.75 powers. Those powers cost another (2.75 x 75) 206 XP. Therefore the 
  additional cost for Dwarf 1 is (160 + 206) 366 XP, which rounds to 375 XP. The value in Player’s Companion is listed 
  as 400 XP. 
  
  Dwarf 2: The race gains an additional proficiency (1 power), for a cost of 40 XP. The race gains an additional +1 
  bonus to all proficiency throws. Again using a baseline of 10 proficiencies for the typical dwarven class, the +2 
  bonus must cost [(10 + 2) x (2 x 0.25)] 6 powers. Those powers cost another (6 x 75) 450 XP. Therefore the 
  additional cost for Dwarf 2 is (160 + 450) 610 XP, which rounds to 600 XP. The value in Player’s Companion is listed 
  as 600 XP. 
  Dwarf 3: The race gains an additional proficiency (1 power), for a cost of 40 XP. The race gains an additional +1 
  bonus to all proficiency throws. The cumulative +3 bonus must cost [(10 + 3) x (3 x 0.25)] 9.75 powers. Those 
  powers cost another (9.75 x 75) 731 XP. Therefore the additional cost for Dwarf 3 is (160 + 731) 891 XP, which 
  rounds to 900 XP. The value in Player’s Companion is listed as 900 XP. 
  Dwarf 4: The race gains an additional proficiency (1 power), for a cost of 40 XP. The race gains an additional +1 
  bonus to all proficiency throws. The cumulative +4 bonus must cost [(10 + 4) x (4 x 0.25)] 14 powers. Those powers 
  cost another (14 x 75) 1050 XP. Therefore the additional cost for Dwarf 3 is (160 + 1050) 1,210 XP, which rounds to 
  1,200 XP. The value in Player’s Companion is listed as 1,400 XP. 
  From the above analysis, we can see that the Dwarf class has been 
  over-charged at Dwarf 0, Dwarf 1, and Dwarf 4. The proper XP costs 
  are shown in the accompanying table. However, adopting this XP Cost 
  progression would cause the dwarven vaultguard to lose its 
  backwards compatibility with the B/X and BECMI dwarf class. 
  THRASSIAN 
  The Thrassian race is probably the most controversial in ACKS. With its high armor class and powerful attack 
  routine, it can dominate a party’s melee capabilities. 
  Requirements: All Thrassian classes require a minimum Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution of 9 or better. This 
  makes the class relatively difficult to qualify for. In-world, it reflects the fact that Thrassians are born into slavery, 
  and sickly Thrassians are killed as hatchlings or die in training.   
  Thrassian 0: The race receives Claws 1d2 and Bite 1d4 (2 powers), Infravision 30’ (1 power), Scaly Hide +1 AC (1 
  power), and Swimming 60’ (2 powers), for a total of 6 powers. None of these are spell-like abilities, so the cost for 
  them is 6 x 40 = 240 XP. However this is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c). Therefore the cost for Thrassian 0 is 200 XP, 
  just as listed in Player’s Companion. 
  Thrassian 1:  The race receives Claws 1d3-1 and Bite 1d6-1 (3 powers), Infravision 45’ (1.5 power), Scale Hide +2 AC 
  (2 powers), and Swimming 90’ (2.5 powers), for a total of 9 powers. None of these are spell-like abilities, so the 
  cost for them is 9 x 40 = 360 XP. However this is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c) to 320 XP, which rounds to 325 XP. 
  The value in Player’s Companion is listed as 400 XP. 
  Thrassian 2: The race receives Claws 1d3-1 and Bite 1d8-1 (4 powers), Infravision 60’ (2 powers), Scale Hide +3 AC 
  (3 powers), and Swimming 120’ (3 powers), for a total of 12 powers. None of these are spell-like abilities, so the 
  cost for them is 12 x 40 = 480 XP. The race’s racial value mimics Fighter 1, so we add the 500 XP cost of the 
  mimicked class value to the total, bringing it to 980 XP. However this is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c) to 940 XP, 
  which rounds to 950 XP. The value in Player’s Companion is listed as 1,000 XP. 
  Value 
  Dwarf 
  XP Cost 
  4 
  Dwarf +4 proficiencies 
  1,200 
  3 
  Dwarf +3 proficiencies 
  900 
  2 
  Dwarf +2 proficiencies 
  600 
  1 
  Dwarf +1 proficiencies 
  375 
  0 
  Dwarf 
  150 
  
  Thrassian 3: The race receives Claws 1d4-1 and Bite 1d8-1 (5 powers), Infravision 90’ (2.5 powers), Scaly Hide +4 
  AC (4 powers), and Swimming 120’ (3 powers), for a total of 14.5 powers. None of these are spell-like abilities, so 
  the cost for them is 14.5 x 40 = 580 XP.  The race’s racial value mimics Fighter 1, so we add the 500 XP cost of the 
  mimicked class value to the total, bringing it to 1,080 XP. However this is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c) to 1,040 XP, 
  which rounds to 1,050 XP. The value in Player’s Companion is listed as 1,250 XP. 
  Thrassian 4: The race receives Claws 1d4-1 and Bite 1d10-1 (6 powers), Flying (5 powers), Infravision 120’ (3 
  powers), Scaly Hide +5 AC (5 powers), and Swimming 120’ (3 powers), for a total of 22 powers. None of these are 
  spell-like abilities, so the cost for them is 22 x 40 = 880 XP.  The race’s racial value mimics Fighter 2, so we add the 
  1,000 XP cost of the mimicked class value to the total, bringing it to 1,880 XP. However this is reduced by 40 XP in 
  step 3(c) to 1,840 XP. The value in Player’s Companion is listed as 2,300 XP. 
  The Thrassian race is therefore actually over-costed at Thrassian 1, 2, 3, and 4. But is that a fair assessment? 
  Arguably, the Thrassian’s racial custom powers should cost 75 XP each, rather than 40 XP each. It’s hard to argue 
  that an attack routine, armor class bonus, infravision, or flight aren’t uniquely valuable to all classes. If the 
  Thrassian race is designed using a cost of 75 XP per power, the racial value costs work out as follows: 
  Thrassian 0: The cost is 6 x 75 = 450 XP. However this is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c). Therefore the cost for 
  Thrassian 0 is 410 XP, which rounds to 400 XP.  
  Thrassian 1:  The cost is 9 x 75 = 675 XP, reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c) to 635 XP, which rounds to 650 XP.  
  Thrassian 2: The cost is 12 x 75 = 900 XP. The race’s racial value mimics Fighter 1, so we add the 500 XP cost of the 
  mimicked class value to the total, then subtract 40 XP in step 3(c), for a total of 1,360 XP. That rounds to 1,350 XP.  
  Thrassian 3: The cost is 14.5 x 75 = 1087 XP.  The race’s racial value mimics Fighter 1, so we add the 500 XP cost of 
  the mimicked class value to the total, bringing to 1,587 XP. This is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c) to 1,547 XP, which 
  rounds to 1,550 XP.  
  Thrassian 4: The cost for them is 22 x 75 = 1,650 XP.  The race’s racial value mimics Fighter 2, so we add the 1,000 
  XP cost of the mimicked class value to the total, bringing it to 2,650 XP. This is reduced by 40 XP in step 3(c) to 
  2,610 XP, which rounds to 2,600 XP.  
  Several years of ACKS playtesting certainly don’t support the idea that the 
  Thrassian race is underpowered and should have a lower XP cost. For Judges who 
  wish to re-evaluate the race as potentially being more expensive than in Player’s 
  Companion, we present the costs for here.  
   
  Value 
  Thrassian 
  XP Cost 
  4 
  Thrassian 4 
  2600 
  3 
  Thrassian 3 
  1550 
  2 
  Thrassian 2 
  1350 
  1 
  Thrassian 1 
  650 
  0 
  Thrassian 0 
  400 
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Adventurer Conqueror King/ACKS Patreon Content/Creating Custom Races (ACKS).pdf