How are Heroic Paths balanced against UA's Bloodlines?

[^Graff]

Heroic paths tend to have much more in the way of flavor, but would it be possible to use major bloodlines as additional heroic paths, and the "Creating new bloodlines" template for making one's own paths?

[Nifelhein]

The Bloodlines have a very different approach and purpose, and I actually think that they are a little weaker than most heroic paths, that said it can be a very good starting point for making a heroic path.

[Doomed Hero]

The main difference between the two is in the intention of the design.

Paths are supposed to substitute for the advantages normally gained by magic items in other settings. The CR system is built around a certain power curve that includes magic items, but Midnight characters generally have very few (if any) magic items. Paths are there to keep the characters from being completely overwhelmed by monsters of their CR. (it's nice that Paths are incredibly interesting and flavorful additions to a character, but it's important to remember that flavor is a secondary design intention)

Bloodlines are designed to be an addition to the character along side magic items. They weren't designed with a particular setting in mind, so they had to assume that characters would not be so restricted in terms of magic. That's why Paths are more powerful. Bloodline powers tend to be weak, doing little but adding options for a character to use once they run out of their usual spells or abilities, or augmenting something they could already do as part of a theme.

Bloodlines are a great start, but I would never expect them to substitute for a Path.

If you want to do that, I'd recommend giving a character two bloodlines, but starting the second one at second level. That staggers the rate at which things are gained, but still keeps the abilities on a level appropriate curve.

[Nifelhein]

Another thing to help design a path is the inherent bonus substitution for magic items, those are made so the math of the game works without magic, using that is bound to work well within a heroic path.

[^Graff]

Thanks.  I'm actually considering using them in a Modern game where items that the characters don't make themselves are few and far between, and wanted to know if I could tell my players "Pick a Heroic Path, or a major Bloodline" or if I shouldn't mention bloodlines at all.

[Doomed Hero]

D20 modern has a different CR system and balance than regular DnD. The classes are not built with magic items in mind. Because of that the numbers might get a little strange. Just keep an eye out for particularly high stats or skills and adjust appropriately. (For example, a Tough hero with the Ironborn path, or a Fast hero with the Quickened path might get a little hyper-specialized)