Each of the monster entries describes a typical creature of its kind. However, there are several methods by which extraordinary or unique
monsters can be created using a typical creature as the foundation: by adding character classes, increasing a monster's Hit
Dice, or by adding a
template to a monster. These methods are not mutually exclusive-it's possible for a monster with a
template to be improved by both increasing its Hit
Dice and adding character
class levels.
Class Levels: Intelligent creatures that are reasonably humanoid in shape most commonly advance by
adding class levels. Creatures that fall into this category have an entry of "By character class" in their Advancement line. When a
monster adds a class level, that level usually represents an increase in experience and learned skills and capabilities.
Increased Hit Dice: Intelligent creatures that are not humanoid in shape, and nonintelligent
monsters, can advance by increasing their Hit
Dice. Creatures with
increased Hit Dice are usually superior specimens of their race, bigger and more powerful than their
run-of-the-mill fellows.
Templates: Both intelligent and nonintelligent creatures with an unusual heritage or an inflicted change in their essential nature may be modified with a template.
Templates usually result in tougher
monsters with capabilities that differ from those of their common kin.
Each of these three methods for improving
monsters is discussed in more detail below.
Contents
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Ability Score Arrays - Monsters are assumed to have completely average (or standard) ability scores-a...
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Ability Score Improvement - Treat monster Hit Dice the same as character level for determining ability score increases.
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Elite Array - The elite array is 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. While the monster has one weakness...
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Nonelite Array - The nonelite array is 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8. The nonelite array does not...
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Advanced Monster Challenge Rating - When adding class levels to a creature with 1 or less HD, you advance the creature like a character.
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Adding Class Levels - If you are advancing a monster by adding player character class levels,...
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Adding Hit Dice - When you improve a monster by adding Hit Dice, use Table: Improved Monster...
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Adding Special Abilities - You can add any sort of spell-like, supernatural, or extraordinary ability to a creature.
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Increasing Size - Generally, increasing a monster's size increases its combat effectiveness.
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Increasing Hit Dice - As its Hit Dice increase, a creature's attack bonuses and saving throw modifiers might improve.
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Monsters And Class Levels - If a creature acquires a character class, it follows the rules for multiclass characters.
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Templates - Certain creatures are created by adding a template to an existing creature.
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Acquired And Inherited Templates - Some templates can be added to creatures anytime. Templates such as these...
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Reading A Template - A template's description provides a set of instructions for altering an existing creature, known as the base creature.
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Abilities - If a template changes one or more ability scores, these changes are noted here.
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Adding More Than One Template - In theory, there's no limit to the number of templates you can add to a creature.
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Advancement - Usually the same as the base creature.
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Alignment - Usually the same as the base creature, unless the template is associated with a certain alignment.
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Armor Class - If a template changes the creature's size, see Table: Changes to Statistics...
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Attack And Full Attack - Most templates do not change a creature's attack bonus or modes of attack,...
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Base Attack/Grapple - Templates usually do not change a creature's base attack bonus.
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Base Saves - As with attacks, changing a monster's type does not always change its base saving throw bonuses.
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Challenge Rating - Most templates increase the creature's Challenge Rating.
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Damage - Damage changes with Strength. If the creature uses a two-handed weapon...
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Environment - Usually the same as the base creature.
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Feats - Since most templates do not change the number of Hit Dice a creature has,...
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Hit Dice And Hit Points - Most templates do not change the number of Hit Dice a monster has, but some do.
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Initiative - If a template changes the monster's Dexterity, or if it adds or removes the Improved Initiative feat, this entry changes.
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Level Adjustment - This entry is a modifier to the base creature's level adjustment.
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Organization - Usually the same as the base creature.
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Size And Type - Templates often change a creature's type, and may change the creature's size.
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Skills - As with attacks, changing a monster's type does not always change its skill points.
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Space/Reach - A template may change this entry if it changes the monster's size.
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Special Attacks - A template may add or remove special attacks. The template description...
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Special Qualities - A template may add or remove special qualities. The template description...
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Speed - If a template modifies a creature's speed, the template states how that happens.
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Treasure - Usually the same as the base creature.