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I know that when you are increasing the CR of a hydra, you can add heads for a +1 to CR per additional head (and gain an additional HD and all that entails), but what about if you wanted to lower the CR of one? Would it be fair to say that for each head lost, I should lower the CR by one? And I should also remove 1 HD and all related statistics?
Hydras have a minimum of 5 heads. Below that, the CR isn't balanced very well. A CR 2 or 3 that's so damn hard to kill and has so many attacks isn't fair. If you want to nerf a pre-made Hydra with several heads, then it works in reverse just fine.
I know that when you are increasing the CR of a hydra, you can add heads for a +1 to CR per additional head (and gain an additional HD and all that entails), but what about if you wanted to lower the CR of one? Would it be fair to say that for each head lost, I should lower the CR by one? And I should also remove 1 HD and all related statistics?
Your best bet of lowering the CR of a hydra would probably be to add the young template to it, since as Quantum Steve pointed out just reducing the number of heads could lead to balance issues.
Young Template is fun. Make it a young young young, throw a diaper on that sized small 5 headed baby hydra, each head with a pacifier and a blanket tucked between the necks.
Hydra (Young Young Young) CR 1
N small magical beast
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +10
Defense
AC 18, touch 17, flat-footed 11 (+7 Dex, +1 size)
hp 17 (5d10-10); fast healing 5
Fort +3, Ref +13, Will +3
Offense
Speed 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Melee 5 bites +3 (1d4-3)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks pounce
Statistics
Str 5, Dex 24, Con 6, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 9
Base Atk +5; CMB +1; CMD 17 (can't be tripped)
Feats Combat Reflexes, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes
Skills Perception +10, Swim +5; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception
Awww... that looks adorable.
Make it a young young young
I'm pretty sure none of the simple templates are balanced for multiple applications :)
I'm pretty sure none of the simple templates are balanced for multiple applications :)
That is true they are not balanced, but can legally be done.
I like mixing Young and Advanced for any incorporeal undead, I call it the Child Prodigy template. size reduced by 1 category (has no effect since the creature you add it to does not do physical damage but ability damage), +8 dex!, +4 int, +4 wis, +4 char, +1 AC due to size change, +1 to hit due to size change
All for a CR adjustment of +0
Put that on a shadow and watch the PCs cry foul. Oh add fiendish for another +0 CR for more template fun.
You could add Child Prodigy twice to a shadow (goes from size medium to tiny)
+16 dex, +8 int, +8 wis, +8 char, +2 AC, +2 to hit, oh since they are undead that is +4hp/hit dice
That shadow is still a CR 3.
So you are right not balanced, but I will say it again, it is legal!
For crazier fun mix Young and Giant: +1 Natural armor, +2 Dex for +0 to CR. All creatures need those templates added.