Sorry to keep bringing up CR questions, but I'm wondering about Maralee's CR since I'm making up Kyuss knights of my own and don't want to exceed her power level. As far as I know, standard undead advancement goes +1 CR per for HD added. A "normal" Kyuss knight has 16 HD.
Maralee has 32 HD (+4 CR)
She also possesses gear above her compatriots (+2 CR)
Her stats also seem a little higher (Elite, +1 CR)
I have this at a CR 20... Am I missing something? Do her higher powered gifts up her CR slightly 1 or 2? I want to make sure I don't overshadow her with my own creations, though for an appropriate challenge, I wanted to advance a few to CR 17s (32 HD), which would appear close to Maralee...
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6
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That 1 CR per 4 HD guidelines is just that - a guideline. In the case of undead, factors in that advancement ratio are lack of attack bonus, only one favored save, and poor hp (even with the d12).
Kyuss nights have unholy toughness, so they don't have poor hp anymore, and their "martial calling" ability gives them the most favorable attack bonus (even if they don't quite have full BAB). So they really don't deserve a 1:4 advancement ratio. Each HD actually gives them a lot (+1 to hit, +1/3 to Fort/Ref, +1/2 Will, +1d12+Cha hp).
This ties in to the MM explanation that you review the final creature, and adjust the CR as appropriate.
I would rate kyuss knights as advancing at 2 CR per 5 HD - they aren't doing quite as well as dragons or outsiders per HD, but are definitely doing better than most other critters.
Russ
Sorry to keep bringing up CR questions, but I'm wondering about Maralee's CR since I'm making up Kyuss knights of my own and don't want to exceed her power level. As far as I know, standard undead advancement goes +1 CR per for HD added. A "normal" Kyuss knight has 16 HD.
Maralee has 32 HD (+4 CR)
She also possesses gear above her compatriots (+2 CR)
Her stats also seem a little higher (Elite, +1 CR)
I have this at a CR 20... Am I missing something? Do her higher powered gifts up her CR slightly 1 or 2? I want to make sure I don't overshadow her with my own creations, though for an appropriate challenge, I wanted to advance a few to CR 17s (32 HD), which would appear close to Maralee...