Adding a Ghost template to the kraken

[Evilthorne]

I was looking at a big bad end guy and came across adding the ghost template to the Kraken. But it looks like it would lower it's CR significantly? For starters it's AC would go from 32 to 13 and it's HD would drop from d10 to d8 lowering it's HP by 60 because it loses it's Con bonus of +9hp a HD to +7hp a HD.

I know I can do whatever I want to make it stronger if I desired(which I don't) I am just curious if I make it verbatim to the rules should it's CR actually come down?

[deuxhero]

I take it the presence in third party is a mistake?

The main gain of Ghost in exchange for defense losses is incorporeal (though it is easily countered with a dozen ways to get Ghost Touch temporarily and if it's a CR20 BBEG the PCs should see it coming) and the difficulty of stopping it permanently (but by that level PCs can easily overcome it if it's an important foe. Even sheer brute force via Trap the Soul works). 20d6 no AC no DR compares decently to the Kraken's standard ~110 (if all hit) average damage.

For what it is worth, modules and APs pretty much never use ghost as something to smite and kill: The challenge is always putting it to rest forever.

[Evilthorne]

I agree, it was not meant as a TPK more of a finale to a story and an explanation beyond what they thought was really happening.

I changed it strictly because I didn’t want the PC’s to have to come up with a way to have to put it to rest permanently. Ended up going with giant squid and a bunch of templates including the whispering phantasm creature. Came out fairly nicely, now to spring it on them.

Thanks