Ability DCs

[Andrew Betts]

Do class levels count towards the DC of abilities from say a template or such?

I'm looking at the awakened demilich and as I see it if class levels don't count then the DC for the devour soul ability only ends up being a DC 17 compared to the base demilich's DC of 24 and that doesn't seem right to me. I can't find it written where it says one way or the other.

[Starglim]

Class levels almost always give you hit dice, which add to the DC of many special abilities. The demilich's Devour Soul has a save that is Charisma-based, so its DC is 10 + 5 (CHA) + 7 (1/2 x 15 HD) + 2 (Ability Focus) = 24. If this demilich had 5 additional class levels, it would have 20 Hit Dice and the save DC would go up to 27.

However an awakened demilich doesn't add extra class levels or hit dice. It just regains spellcasting abilities for the levels it previously had. If "the lich it was before" was a 15 HD lich, this would neither increase nor reduce its Devour Soul DC.

[Andrew Betts]

Anyone have a link or page number that states it?

[Kayerloth]

Which part?

1) Step 8: Special Abilities and Qualities

... <snip> ... Most special abilities that cause damage, such as breath weapons, give a save (Fortitude, Reflex, or Will depending on the ability). The DC for almost all special abilities is equal to 10 + 1/2 the creature's Hit Dice + a relevant ability modifier (usually Constitution or Charisma depending on the ability). Special abilities that add to melee and ranged attacks generally do not allow a save, as they rely on the attacks hitting to be useful. ... <snip> ...

or this?

2) ... <snip> ... Awakened liches keep their original lich Hit Dice, and any mental attributes that are higher than the demilich's minimums. They otherwise have all the special abilities and defenses of a demilich, and no abilities of the original lich beyond spellcasting and mental attributes. ... <snip> ...