Skeleton Template clarification

[Rogar Stonebow]

What does it mean by "Improve"?
Is it saying that any ability that adds to a normal melee or ranged attack it keeps?

Special Qualities: A skeleton loses most special qualities of the base creature. It retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve its melee or ranged attacks.

Can I get some examples of what would be kept, and what would not be kept?

Thanks in advance!

[Dasrak]

Quote:

Special Qualities: A skeleton loses most special qualities of the base creature. It retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve its melee or ranged attacks.

If it's listed in the "melee" or "ranged" stat blocks, then it keeps it. If it's listed under "special attacks" then it does not.

For instance, a skeleton constrictor snake would keep its "grab" on its bite attack, but it would lose its "constrict" ability.

[Rogar Stonebow]

Hey! Thank you for your help!

[Atracious]

Dasrak wrote:

Quote:

Special Qualities: A skeleton loses most special qualities of the base creature. It retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve its melee or ranged attacks.

If it's listed in the "melee" or "ranged" stat blocks, then it keeps it. If it's listed under "special attacks" then it does not.

For instance, a skeleton constrictor snake would keep its "grab" on its bite attack, but it would lose its "constrict" ability.

So does that mean that if i applied the skeleton template to a creature, it would retain SR, so long as it's not in the special section?

Or does that fall under "A skeleton loses the base creature's defensive abilities"?

EDIT:Also, if i were to use the skeleton template on something like a wolf or crocodile, would it gain claw attacks for its feet?
And what about scent? I'd assume that would be gone, as it relies on flesh, but i just want to double check...

[Rogar Stonebow]

I believe it looses it's SR as SR is a defensive ability.

[Whack-a-Rogue]

That's correct, it loses its SR. Scent goes away as well. As for the claw attacks, according to RAW, the creature gains one claw attack per hand. Wolves and Crocodiles have feet, so they won't gain any attacks. They'll keep the bite attack, though.

[Atracious]

Whack-a-Rogue wrote:

That's correct, it loses its SR. Scent goes away as well. As for the claw attacks, according to RAW, the creature gains one claw attack per hand. Wolves and Crocodiles have feet, so they won't gain any attacks. They'll keep the bite attack, though.

OK, that makes sense, thank you both for your help.

[Rogar Stonebow]

Sure np. Necromancer's are becoming our specialty!