| Mathius |
There is no ghoul template and i want to avoid the command ghouls ability in the dread ghoul template. I also in general avoid third party stuff but may use it if all else fails.
Is the best to make a NPC ghoul to assume that ghoul is a race that gets +2 str, +4 dex, +2 int, +4 wis, and +4 cha, ghoul fever, paralysis, claws and bite attacks at 1d6, +2 natural armor, the undead type, and 2 racial HD?
When I add a heroic class to it I also get to use a 15point by for stats or the heroic array?
How does the awesomeness of the ghoul race effect CR. I know there is a some set of rule for adding class levels to monsters but I can never seam to find it.
How does the extra HD from ghoul factor into the expected wealth on eq the ghoul has. Do we just use class levels? Do we tread the extra HD as class levels or maybe non heroic class levels?
| Peasant |
First off, I suspect you're overthinking it. By your questions you appear to be conflating the separate methodologies for designing NPC's and Monsters. That's always going to be confusing. The guidelines for adding class levels to monsters (and indeed the guidelines for designing your own monsters as well) are vague and loose to allow more freedom in tailoring your game. That said, here's how I would answer your questions...
1) What do you really get from this race, mechanically? Ghoul Fever and Paralysis (DC's of both based on Charisma) for unarmed attacks, Darkvision and Undead traits. Before you do anything else, consider the synergy between these abilities and your class features.
2) The standard Ghoul is a CR 1. I would categorize its role in combat as that of a martial. Without recapping whole sections of books, that means that if you add non-martial class levels, being a ghoul is going to have no impact on CR. If you're adding martial class levels, increase the CR by 1. In my opinion, if there is unusual synergy between class and race, I'd kick it up by 1 more.
3) The standard Ghoul described in the Bestiary does not have a standard stat array because it has no Constitution, but is roughly comparable to a 15 point array. There's little evidence of any racial stat modifications and in your case, I'd simply go with a 15 pt array and the mods of the NPC's previous race. Go with Heroic if these are meant to be impressive NPC's. Unless you max out Charisma the impact will be minimal.
4) Gear will be of limited importance in your final calculation. The difference between suggested NPC wealth and suggested PC wealth is simply huge. If you choose to give full PC wealth for its character level or even a level more or less, it doesn't make much difference... the NPC's CR will still be equal to it's class level (+1 if Martial). NPC wealth would reduce the overall CR by just 1.
So what does all that mean in practice? The overall package of heroic stats, high wealth and ghoulishness is worth CR +1, perhaps +2 if being a ghoul is especially complementary (like a Monk).