Zombie Template Query

[steerpike65]

I am trying to use Hero Lab to create a Pixie Zombie and coming up against some issues that relate to the PF rules for the Zombie Template (PF Bestiary I, p.288/9), which I need clarification on:

1. Hero Lab does not allow application of the zombie template to a pixie as the pixie has NG alignment. My understanding of the zombie template is that the base creature's alignment changes to NE. I am assuming that a base creature being NG does not restrict the use of the zombie template?

2. The Hero Lab pixie zombie retains Acrobatics and Stealth skills (as well as Fly) in the Statblock output. I was interested to read the following in the Bestiary Zombie template:
"Skills: A zombie has no skill ranks.
Feats: A zombie loses all feats possessed by the base
creature..."
I assume that even though it does not state outright that it's the case, the zombie loses all skill ranks possessed by the base creature too, due to losing all Int?

3. The Hero Lab pixie zombie retains all its spell-like abilities in the Statblock output - I assume this is incorrect (since it loses all Special Attacks and most Special Qualities) but could not find any entry in the zombie template where it states that a zombie loses all spell-like abilities of the base creature. The phrase at the beginning of the template creation section "It uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here" (italics mine) gave me pause for thought.

4. The Hero Lab pixie zombie retains its Languages in the Statblock output. Again, I assume this is incorrect due to lack of Int (especially considering the lack of Languages mentioned in the Human Zombie example).

Any help appreciated.

[Troubleshooter]

It seems to me that's how it would work -- I certainly imagine that a Neutral Good Human Commoner could become a zombie, and would lose any skill ranks, feats, and language that he knew. Just about any creature that could become a zombie should have had all three of those things, but the Bestiary zombie no longer has any.

I presume that SLAs are also lost as part of 'special attacks'.

[MacGurcules]

I'm not terrifically familiar with Hero Labs. What are the supposed ratings for Acrobatics, Stealth, and Fly? Is it possible that it's just retaining the size bonuses for them?

[steerpike65]

MacGurcules wrote:

I'm not terrifically familiar with Hero Labs. What are the supposed ratings for Acrobatics, Stealth, and Fly? Is it possible that it's just retaining the size bonuses for them?

Acrobatics = +4 (+0 Jump)

Fly = +10
Stealth = +8

Dex gives a base +4 to all three skills. Size gives a +4 to Stealth and a +2 to Fly. 20 ft. land speed gives a -4 to Jump.

So: yes, Acrobatics and Stealth are base modified by size and land speed respectively.

However, Fly seems odd. Should be (I think):
+4 Dex
-8 Clumsy
+2 Size

I think they used the Pixie's Good flight modifier (+4) instead of the Zombie's Clumsy flight modifier.

But thanks for the catch - seems they are showing those modified skills with 0 ranks other than those that are modified purely by Abilities.