Hello, I have a question about ability score changes for monsters. To be exact, I'm looking at giving Kobolds the heroic ability scores listed instead of the basic to represent a super-dragon infused kobold. However, I cannot find it spelled out either in the core rulebook or the bestiary about how that would affect the default CR of 1/4 for the kobolds. Now I think that it would represent a +1 step to the current CR making the new kobolds CR 1/3. Any help on this issue would be appreciated and if there is a page in one of those books even better. Thanks again for your help.
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Are you referring to the elite array?
If so, you should change the kobolds to have a PC class and make their CR 1/2
The usual set-ups for humanoids are:
NPC Class + Basic Array
PC Class + Elite Array (referred to as "Heroic" on p451 of the core book)
Normally the CR of such a creature is Level - 2 for the first option, and Level - 1 for the second. If this drops below 1 it goes 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, etc
Kobolds are an exception in that they are Level - 3 for the CR if they use the first option.
Of course, this only applies to humanoids without racial HD. A good rule of thumb would be to increase the CR by 1 stage if you upgrade them from Basic to Heroic. (Again, Kobolds being the exception).
If you wish to improve other types of monsters, I'd recommend the simple templates and other such rules in the appendices of the Bestiary.
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The rules are silent on the issue, but I don't think the heroic stat line alone is worth a CR +1. However, if the level 1 warrior changes to level 1 fighter, the kobold automatically gets the heroic stat line and the bonus feat of a fighter, which is totally worth the CR +1 (the rules even say so!). Incidentally, making this change to the kobold *results* in a +2 to CR, but that's because they're kobolds (and kobolds with only NPC class levels figure their CR differently).
Another option you might want to consider to represent the raw infusion of draconic power is the advanced creature temlate: same CR increase, but with monster-appropriate changes (IMO).
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I also think that elite array doesn't raise the CR. Compare it to the advanced template (CR +1) - where the creature gets +4 on all attributes and natural armor bonus.
I'm pretty sure there's supposed to be a distinction between "monster" and "humanoid". A character with any form of class levels will generally get a lot more out of +4 to all attributes than the average monster.
I usually go with the rule of thumb that if it has a class level, use the basic/heroic stat sets (properly matched by NPC versus PC classes); If it does not have a class level (ie Chimera), use generic templates.
Hello, I have a question about ability score changes for monsters. To be exact, I'm looking at giving Kobolds the heroic ability scores listed instead of the basic to represent a super-dragon infused kobold. However, I cannot find it spelled out either in the core rulebook or the bestiary about how that would affect the default CR of 1/4 for the kobolds. Now I think that it would represent a +1 step to the current CR making the new kobolds CR 1/3. Any help on this issue would be appreciated and if there is a page in one of those books even better. Thanks again for your help.
1/3 should be about right, I think there are more creative ways though, maybe try to make a template ?
something between a half-dragon and a kobold perhaps.
* "dragonblooded(template):
CR +1
+4 strength, +2 constitution, +2 charisma
+4 on saves vs paralysis and sleep effects, energy resistance 10, +2 natural armor bonus"
Maybe consider making them 3rd level kobold warriors by default.
you get:
str: 13 dex: 13 con: 12 int: 10 wis: 9 cha: 10
AC: 18, touch 13, flatfooted 17 (+2 armor, +1 dex, +1 dodge +3 natural, +1 size)
hp: 16 (3d8+3)
saves: F +4 R: +2 W: +0
attack: spear +5 (1d6+1), sling +5 1d3+1
energy resist fire 10, +4 saves vs sleep and paralysis
feats: skill focus perception, dodge
CR 1 seems reasonable. (comparable to a gnoll)