I'm fairly new to the game, and I'm preparing to run some modules for my friends. I've run into a question while applying the Giant Creature Template to a monster, never having done this before.
For the monster attacks it says: 'increase dice rolled by 1 step'. What exactly does this mean, should my venomous snake roll a d6 instead of the usual d4?
I'm fairly new to the game, and I'm preparing to run some modules for my friends. I've run into a question while applying the Giant Creature Template to a monster, never having done this before.
For the monster attacks it says: 'increase dice rolled by 1 step'. What exactly does this mean, should my venomous snake roll a d6 instead of the usual d4?
Yes. Use the D6.
There is a table in the Universal Monster Rules about the size of natural attack damage. A "step" means moving up or down the row by a single column. Basically, find the relevant natural attack and cross it with the relevant size. Increases go to the right, decreases go to the left. I'm excited for you that you are willing to start modifying creatures. Have fun!
It might be easier to use the progression found in the "Improved Natural Attack" feat than the table, since the table only lists the most common damage values for each size.
The damage for this natural attack increases by one step on the following list, as if the creature’s size had increased by one category. Damage dice increase as follows: 1d2, 1d3, 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 2d6, 3d6, 4d6, 6d6, 8d6, 12d6.
A weapon or attack that deals 1d10 points of damage increases as follows: 1d10, 2d8, 3d8, 4d8, 6d8, 8d8, 12d8.
So: Find the current damage dice, then go to the left when applying the "young" template, and to the right when applying the "giant" template.
Thanks for the answers, nice to know there's so much help readily available.
The module I'm gonna run is a bit short on dishing out overall experience so I'm adding in some minor encounters here and there, and I needed a kind of venomous serpent thing. The original venomous snake in the bestiary is a bit weak to provide the challenge I'm looking for, which is why I'm adding in the template.
Consider adding the "Advanced Creature" template as well, if you can budget the CR. The boost in stats makes sure that it is a decent fight, and it also raises the DC of its venom.