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Hello all,
I wanted to gauge people's interest in a "Big Book o' Templates" that could be smacked on a monster. The idea of these templates would be to have a quick and easy to apply modifications to a monster.
Beyond the Elite template, which doesn't modify the flavor of a monster at all, we have more specific templates that change the flavor of a monster. This is an example of an existing monster Template. I would consider a template like this to be pretty complex, but it shows the design-space that exists for creating new templates.
So, to create a template template (I'm sorry), a monster template should outline the following:
* Level adjustment
* Number changes (AC, modifiers and DC changes)
* Health adjustment
* Strike/ability damage adjustments
* Abilities added by the template
The framework is relatively light, with the intention being that you should be able to slap it on a monster easily (or click a button on FoundryVTT or HeroLab).
Here is an example of a template I thought could be cool
Spore Infested
Level adjustment: 0
Bonuses and DCs: (AC/Saves/Attack modifiers) -1
Health adjustment: down one level (depending on chart in Elite adjustment entry
Strike/damage adjustments: -2 damage to melee strikes
Ability:
Fungal Rupture (Reaction) when this creature reaches zero hit points, it tears open violently, releasing spores in a powerful blast. All creatures within 10 feet must make a basic reflex save. Deals a number of d6's equal to half the creatures level (minimum 1).
Boom, evocative monster (balance not guaranteed, this is me throwing out ideas).
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Yes.
I REALLY wanted the Simple Monster Creation rules, which has some of those templates. Plus 4E had them, and I feel the 4E monster rules were the best thing about that system.
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Absolutely! This would be a great purchase.
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I think this is a great idea.
As much as I loved templates in 3.x/PF1, I find myself saying nay. Not that I wouldn't use them, but I'd rather have the efforts come in a different form. The great thing about templates (& adding classes) is customization. For PF2, I think we'd be better served by a system that adds even more customization than that.
Let's start with the charts in the GMG. If we want to move a creature up or down in ability, they're as simple as applying a template, just keep the monster's abilities in their same lanes as one moves up or down.
But when should one drop/add a particular ability because it's level inappropriate? With a level, maybe even two, one ability shouldn't break the system, but what if one want's a CR 4 Baby Roc? Is Improved Grab still acceptable (especially how early CR 9 Rocs get it compared to other monsters)?
So much like those charts have acceptable base stats per level, it'd be cool to have lists of ability ladders (and also framed in terms of advisable ranges to be finessed rather than rigidly "correct" rules.)
For example, we can look at the Basilisk & Medusa (& perhaps Cockatrice & Gorgon too) to see how petrification works. And at what levels should the Pack Attack bonus damage increase? What's the appropriate Resist number curve, and how does that and Fast Healing/Regeneration balance w/ the hit points? Or something as complex as Construct Armor? When should Constrict be upgraded to Improved Constrict?
And how do poisons, conditions, and other additional damage sources/effects balance w/ hit point damage?
I think it'd be cool to have lists of such abilities, much like feats for monsters, w/ caveats. Like the Roc might have Improved Grab as some sort of signature ability, and be made to balance w/ the assumption it's flying each round, while a higher level grabber might not have that due to specializing elsewhere.
And in terms of themes, like Fungal, etc., there could be sets. So here's a page of fungal abilities and the levels at which they're appropriate. Pick X amount, much like the ghost template or some of the X per 4 level abilities template in PF1.
And yes, this could very well used like a template on an existing monster (and example templates could perhaps come w/ each theme), but the charts/lists/whatnot would also be useful when creating new monsters. So you could go to CR X on the charts, grab some appropriate stats, then go to the "tentacle abilities" page and grab Grab (or Improved Grab w/ or w/o (Improved) Constrict as advised by level) and there's a Tentacle Beast. Maybe you want a level-appropriate poison too, so you downgrade the base damage and add that on. And so forth, using the guidelines and finesse so as not to overtune.
So I guess I do want (flexible) templates, but as part of a package of monster-making recipe guidelines. That I think would be meaty enough for a whole book.
absolutely yes specially acquired templates that can be applied to humans preferably undead or aberration but any would be great bonus points if ti makes the creature ageless or grants rejuvenation-like abilities
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I am glad to hear there is a general interest for this type of thing. I would love to create a big book o' monsters that focuses on templates, and how to modify existing creatures using various themes. kudos @Castilliano, I think that having them grouped could work out mechanically and conceptually.
A cool example is how you can "Build a Zombie/Skeleton" in 2e, with lists of traits that they could have. For example, within an "Ooze-rot" theme you could offer a table of the following options to add on to a creature with the template:
* Level adjustment: -1
* Number changes (AC, modifiers and DC changes): -1
* Health adjustment: Down a level, according to chart
* Strike/ability damage adjustments: -2
* One Ooze-rot ability from the below table
* Level adjustment: 0
* Number changes (AC, modifiers and DC changes): -2
* Health adjustment: None
* Strike/ability damage adjustments: -1
* Two Ooze-rot ability from the below table
* Level adjustment: +2
* Number changes (AC, modifiers and DC changes): -2
* Health adjustment: Up a level, according to chart
* Strike/ability damage adjustments:
* Two Ooze-rot ability from the below table plus Virulent Ooze
-- Virulent Ooze: Fort DC, creatures proficiency in this DC dependent on level of play (Organized like health change table)
Most creatures affected by ooze-rot have at least one of these abilities. If you give an Ooze-rot affected more, you might want to increase its level and adjust its statistics (already reflected in existing templates).
Quivering legs: A creature with this trait has its legs slowly rotting into an oozing mass that slows them down but makes them harder to move. Decrease the creatures speed by 10 feet (to a minimum of 10 feet). Any attempts to Trip or Shove this creature take a -4 circumstance penalty.
Oozing wounds: Appearing normal on the surface (if not a slightly lumpy), the insides of the creature have started to congeal into a life-sustaining fluid. Each time the creature takes slashing or piercing damage, it gains Fast Healing 5. On the creatures turn, roll to see if this healing stops in the same manor you would resolve persistent bleed damage.
Tight Squeeze: This creature can squeeze through any space that a tiny creature could fit through. This does not allow any weapons or armor that they might be carrying to move through this space.
Double Dribbling: Something horrifying is happening within this creature, preparing it to expand and grow. After being dealt a critical hit, this creature splits into two smaller versions of itself. Each of these versions have half of the health that the original creature had after the critical hit, and each creature has an additional -2 to all checks and DCs, as well as damage. Any weapons and armor that the original creature had are split between the two smaller creatures.
I quite like monster templates, anything that allows me to quickly make some thematically connected monsters makes prep a lot easier.
I quite like monster templates, anything that allows me to quickly make some thematically connected monsters makes prep a lot easier.
I agree, I quite like templates! It'd make it easier for me when I need sheets for undead Otyugh's of various types or something like that.