I don't think I'm braining properly right now, but could someone explain how it works? Particularly the low level spells at higher hit dice?
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Let me help you brain.
To assign spellcasting, you:
1) Check the monster's HD
2) Use the appropriate table to look up spell slots/known
3) Assign higher-level spell slots/known (up to three levels of spells). The monster uses them like the class that the template emulates, with CL = HD. Spontaneous casters get 2 spells/day for every level of spells they know.
4) You can also give them 2 spell slots for each spell level beyond the three most powerful IF the monster runs out of higher level spells. I expect they want to you hold off on using lower level spells in order to discourage having a powerful monster who gets 9th level spells also load up on low-level pre-buffs like Mage Armour and Barkskin - this would increase CR much more than expected. If you're not pre-buffing the monster likely will not use its lower-level effects.
1) A succubus has 8 HD
2) An 8 HD sorcerer template gets 1 3rd level spell known, 2 2nd level spells known, and 2 1st level spells known.
3) I select 3 - Lover's Vengeance; 2 - Seducer's Eyes, Unnatural Lust; 1 - Mage Armour, Silent Image. The succubus sorceress casts these spells spontaneously, with 2 spells/day of each level, at CL 8. Spell DCs = 10+spell level+Cha mod (which is 10 after the template's bonus).
4) If the succubus runs out of these spells I can also give her two cantrips, Message and Touch of Fatigue.
1) A succubus still has 8 HD
2) An 8 HD wizard template gets 1 3rd level spell slot, 2 2nd level spell slots, and 2 1st level spell slot.
3) I prepare (as a wizard) 3 - Lover's Vengeance; 2 - Seducer's Eyes (twice); 1 - Mage Armour, Silent Image. The succubus wizard casts these spells at CL 8. Spell DCs = 10+spell level+Int mod (which is 6 after the template's bonus).
4) Like the sorcerer, I can add 2 cantrips if she uses all the above spells.
1) A balor has 20 HD
2) A 20 HD cleric gets 1 7th level spell, 2 6th level spells, and 2 5th level spells.
3) I prepare (like a cleric) 7 - Destruction; 6 - Harm (Twice); 5 - Dispel Good, Unhallow. The balor cleric casts these spells at CL 20. Spell DCs = 10+spell level+Wis mod (which is 9 after the template's bonus).
4) If the balor uses these spells I can give him 2 spells each of levels 4-0 (like Inflict Critical Wounds, twice), but I shouldn't use these slots to pre-buff with things like Protection from Energy and I probably won't need them at all.
I think I get it. Thanks.
What about bonus spells from high stats?
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It doesn't say anything about bonus spells so I don't think you get them. This is consistent with the other class abilities, which are generally more limited in uses/day than those granted by the actual classes. For example, a paladin creature can only use smite and lay on hands once per day, even though the strength of those effects is based on their HD.
OK, thanks.