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==Templates== Certain creatures are created by adding a template to an existing creature. A templated creature can represent a freak of nature, the individual creation of a single experimenter, or the first generation of offspring from parents of different species. ===List=== {{#dpl:debug=1 |category=Template |category=SRD |notcategory=Feat |notcategory=Statistic |notcategory=Term |notcategory=Rule |notcategory=Epic |notnamespace=Category |mode=category |ordermethod=titlewithoutnamespace |order=ascending |shownamespace=false |allowcachedresults=true }} ===Epic List=== {{#dpl:debug=1 |category=Template |category=SRD |category=Epic |notcategory=Feat |notcategory=Statistic |notcategory=Term |notcategory=Rule |notnamespace=Category |mode=category |ordermethod=titlewithoutnamespace |order=ascending |shownamespace=false |allowcachedresults=true }} ===Acquired and Inherited Templates=== Some templates can be added to creatures anytime. Templates such as these are referred to as acquired templates, indicating that the creature did not always have the attributes of the template. Other templates, known as inherited templates, are part of a creature from the beginning of its existence. Creatures are born with these templates. It’s possible for a certain kind of template to be of either type. ==Reading a Template== A template’s description provides a set of instructions for altering an existing creature, known as the base creature. The changes that a template might cause to each line of a creature ’s statistics block are discussed below. Generally, if a template does not cause a change to a certain statistic, that entry is missing from the template description. For clarity, the entry for a statistic or attribute that is not changed is sometimes given as “Same as the base creature.” =====Size and Type===== Templates often change a creature’s type, and may change the creature’s size. If a template changes the base creature’s type, the creature also acquires the augmented subtype unless the template description indicates otherwise. The augmented subtype is always paired with the creature’s original type. Unless a template indicates otherwise, the new creature has the traits of the new type but the features of the original type. If a template changes a creature’s size, use [[SRD:Improving Creatures#Table: Changes to Statistics by Size|Table: Changes to Statistics by Size]] to calculate changes to [[SRD:Natural Armor|natural armor]], [[SRD:Armor Class|Armor Class]], [[SRD:Attack Roll|attack rolls]], and [[SRD:Grapple|grapple]] bonus. =====Hit Dice and [[SRD:Hit Points|Hit Points]]===== Most templates do not change the number of [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] a monster has, but some do. Some templates change the size of a creature’s [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] (usually by changing the creature type). A few templates change previously acquired [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]], and continue to change [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] gained with [[SRD:Classes|class levels]], but most templates that change [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] change only the creature’s original [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]] and leave [[SRD:Class|class]] [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] unchanged. If the [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] entry in a template description is missing, [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] and [[SRD:Hit Points|hit points]] do not change unless the creature’s [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]] modifier changes. =====Initiative===== If a template changes the monster’s [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]], or if it adds or removes the Improved Initiative [[SRD:Feats|feat]], this entry changes. =====Speed===== If a template modifies a creature’s speed, the template states how that happens. More commonly, a template adds a new movement mode. =====[[SRD:Armor Class|Armor Class]]===== If a template changes the creature’s size, see Table: Changes to Statistics by Size to determine its new [[SRD:Armor Class|Armor Class]] and to see whether its [[SRD:Natural Armor|natural armor]] changes. In some cases the method of determining [[SRD:Armor Class|Armor Class]] changes radically; the template description explains how to adjust the creature’s [[SRD:AC|AC]]. =====Base Attack/Grapple===== Templates usually do not change a creature’s [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|base attack bonus]]. If a template modifies a creature’s [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|base attack bonus]], the template description states how that happens. Changes to a creature’s [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] score can change a creature’s [[SRD:Grapple|grapple]] bonus, as can changes to its size. =====Attack and Full Attack===== Most templates do not change a creature’s attack bonus or modes of attack, even when the creature’s type changes (the creature’s [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|base attack bonus]] is the same as a creature of the original type). Of course, any change in ability scores may affect attack bonuses. If [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] or [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]] changes, use the new modifier to determine attack bonuses. A change in a monster’s size also changes its attack bonus; see Table: Changes to Statistics by Size. =====Damage===== Damage changes with [[SRD:Strength|Strength]]. If the creature uses a two-handed weapon or has a single [[SRD:Natural Weapon|natural weapon]], it adds 1-1/2 times its [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] bonus to the damage. If it has more than a single attack then it adds its [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] bonus to [[SRD:Attack Damage|damage rolls]] for the primary attack and 1/2 its [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] bonus to all secondary attacks. =====Space/Reach===== A template may change this entry if it changes the monster’s size. Note that this table does not take into account special situations such as exceptional reach. =====Special Attacks===== A template may add or remove special attacks. The template description gives the details of any special attacks a template provides, including how to determine [[SRD:Saving Throw|saving throw]] [[SRD:DC|DCs]], if applicable. =====Special Qualities===== A template may add or remove special qualities. The template description gives the details of any special qualities a template provides, including how to determine [[SRD:Saving Throw|saving throw]] [[SRD:DC|DCs]], if applicable. Even if the special qualities entry is missing from a template description, the creature still gains any qualities associated with its new type. =====Base Saves===== As with attacks, changing a monster’s type does not always change its base [[SRD:Saving Throw|saving throw]] bonuses. You only need to adjust them for new modifiers for [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]], [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]], or [[SRD:Wisdom|Wisdom]]. A template may, however, state that a monster has a different “good” [[SRD:Saving Throw|saving throw]]. =====Abilities===== If a template changes one or more ability scores, these changes are noted here. =====Skills===== As with attacks, changing a monster’s type does not always change its [[SRD:Skill Points|skill points]]. Most templates don’t change the number of [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] a creature has, so you don’t need to adjust skills in that case unless the key abilities for those skills have changed, or the template gives a bonus on one or more skills, or unless the template gives a [[SRD:Feats|feat]] that provides a bonus on a [[SRD:Skill Check|skill check]]. Some templates change how [[SRD:Skill Points|skill points]] are determined, but this change usually only affects [[SRD:Skill Points|skill points]] gained after the template is applied. Treat skills listed in the base creature’s description as [[SRD:Class|class]] skills, as well as any new skills provided by the template. =====Feats===== Since most templates do not change the number of [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] a creature has, a template will not change the number of [[SRD:Feats|feats]] the creature has. Some templates grant one or more bonus [[SRD:Feats|feats]]. =====Environment===== Usually the same as the base creature. =====Organization===== Usually the same as the base creature. =====Challenge Rating===== Most templates increase the creature’s Challenge Rating. A template might provide a modifier to be added to the base creature’s [[SRD:CR|CR]], or it might specify a range of modifiers depending on the base creature’s original [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] or [[SRD:CR|CR]]. =====Treasure===== Usually the same as the base creature. =====Alignment===== Usually the same as the base creature, unless the template is associated with a certain alignment. =====Advancement===== Usually the same as the base creature. =====Level Adjustment===== This entry is a modifier to the base creature’s level adjustment. Any level adjustment is meaningless unless the creature retains a high enough [[SRD:Intelligence|Intelligence]] (minimum 3) to gain [[SRD:Classes|class levels]] after applying the template. ====Adding More Than One Template==== In theory, there’s no limit to the number of templates you can add to a creature. To add more than one template, just apply each template one at a time. Always apply inherited templates before applying acquired templates. Whenever you add multiple templates, pay attention to the creature’s type—you may add a template that makes the creature ineligible for other templates you might want to add. ---- [[System Reference Document]] {{Admin_Locked_Page}} {{OGL Bottom|the System 3.5 Reference Document|SRD}} [[Category:SRD|false]] [[Category:Rule|false]]
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