I'm obviously a new GM with the following question:
I'm trying to calculate the Reflex saving throw for the group members in regards to;
Devastating Blast (Su)
Three times per day, the graveknight may unleash a 30-foot cone of energy as a standard action. This blast deals 2d6 points of damage for every 3 Hit Dice a graveknight has (Reflex for half ). This damage is of the energy type determined by the graveknight's ruinous revivification special quality.
So, is this 10+CR8 or GK own dex?
Lastly, what is the basic rule for calculations saving throws?
The saving throw is 10+1/HD+relevant modifier. It does not go by CR
The relevant modifier is listed in the description.
Special Attacks: A graveknight gains the following special attacks. Save DCs are equal to 10 + 1/2 the graveknight's HD + the graveknight's Charisma modifier unless otherwise noted.
I will give you an example.
Let's say the graveknight was 10th level paladin. That means it had 10 HD
Let's say its charisma score after becoming a grave knight is 22.
A score of 22 equals a modifier of +6
So you have 10+5(1/2 of 10HD)+6(the relevant modifier)=21 DC to resist the ability.
I was thinking it was something with it's HD + CHA but wasn't positive. So this means the calculation is as follows:
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s. Class Hit Dice are unaffected. As an undead, a graveknight uses its Charisma modifier to determine bonus hit points.
He is a 7 level fighter +Graveknight+CR2=HD 9/CR8
His charisma is an 18/+4
!0+4.5 (HD)+4 (cha)=18 reflex saving throw or do you round up so a 19?
I was thinking it was something with it's HD + CHA but wasn't positive. So this means the calculation is as follows:
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s. Class Hit Dice are unaffected. As an undead, a graveknight uses its Charisma modifier to determine bonus hit points.
He is a 7 level fighter +Graveknight+CR2=HD 9/CR8
His charisma is an 18/+4
!0+4.5 (HD)+4 (cha)=18 reflex saving throw or do you round up so a 19?
Not quite. This graveknight was a 7th level fighter; he thus has 7 hit dice. The CR increase from being a graveknight doesn't increase his hit dice, it just increases his CR.
You also always round down.
So his Devastating Blast save DC is 10 + (7/2) + 4 = 10 + 3 + 4 = 17.
Edit: also, the graveknight template changes racial HD to d8s. The hit dice from levels of fighter aren't racial HD, they're class HD, so they remain d10s. Humans (and elves, dwarves, halflings, etc.) don't have any racial HD.
I was thinking it was something with it's HD + CHA but wasn't positive. So this means the calculation is as follows:
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s. Class Hit Dice are unaffected. As an undead, a graveknight uses its Charisma modifier to determine bonus hit points.
He is a 7 level fighter +Graveknight+CR2=HD 9/CR8
His charisma is an 18/+4
!0+4.5 (HD)+4 (cha)=18 reflex saving throw or do you round up so a 19?
The CR is not factor in the equation. It is all about HD and ability score modifiers.
In your case it is 10+3(hd/2 and rounded down)+4=17
It sounds like we're talking about two different Graveknights.
Our calculations are based on the sample Graveknight in Bestiary 3. That Graveknight is a level 10 Fighter, that has 10 Hit Dice and Charisma of 18. That means its DC is 10 + (10/2) + (4), or 19.
It sounds like your Graveknight is level 7, and also has 18 Charisma. That means its DC is 10 + (7/2, rounded down) + (4) for a total of 17.
CR does not affect the saving throw of their abilities. Although adding "Graveknight" to a creature increases its CR by two, you do not add 2 to its Hit Dice for the purposes of determining the DC of its ability. The Bestiary Graveknight only gets +5 to its DC for having 10 Hit Dice, and your level 7 Fighter Gravknight only gets +3 to its DC from having 7 Hit Dice.
Does that make it clearer?
I now got it folks and thanks very much for your help!