So, in the process of making Skeleton minions for a new villain in my campaign I came across a few questions that I didn't find the answer for.
The Skeleton template says that it drops its HD from class levels, does this mean that a Skeleton loses the class entirely? Or it only loses the HD but keep the levels?
This question came from the line "It retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve its melee or ranged attacks."
So if, for example, I was to apply the template to a Slayer of 7th level, would it still be able to make Sneaky Attacks and use Studied Target?
In another case, were I to animate a level 9 Brawler as a Skeleton and equip it with a punching dagger, would the damage increase to 1d8 due to the close weapon mastery feature and the brawler's level or the loss of hit die would make his effective level be treated as 0?
And a last question: Do I keep the ability score increases gained by level or do I lose them?
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Yes, they lose their class abilities completely, including any bonuses that come from having additional Hit Dice. Skeletons are mindless undead, and as such unable to use class abilities.
If you want a skeleton to keep the class abilities, you need to use the Skeletal Champion template instead.
Skeletons lose the class entirely. A skeleton created from a 20th level character is treated as a 1hd creature and retains no class ability. Because you lose the class you don’t get the ability scores from level.
Skeletal Champions on the other hand do retain their class levels. Skeletal Champions unfortunately cannot be created by animated dead. I am not sure what if any spell is used to create them. If this is for a PC instead of a NPC the template may not be available.
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Skeletal Champions unfortunately cannot be created by animated dead. I am not sure what if any spell is used to create them. If this is for a PC instead of a NPC the template may not be available.
Create Undead level 11+
Oh, I see
thanks for the quick answers :)
You are the GM. You can do whatever you want with the skeletons. Give them class levels and abilities.
It is not uncommon for badguys to have undead minions that don't have specific PC-usable spells for creating them. They could be sent as servants by the dark power the villain worships, raised by some nefarious ritual, or be otherwise unrelated creatures who were conscripted (if unintelligent or weak) or allied with (if intelligent and strong).