Questions about applying templates [Archive] - Wizards Community

Questions about applying templates [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Im_hiding
08-29-07, 11:36 AM I have two questions I need some help with concerning templates:

(1) I have a PC that is considering adding the half-celestial template to his holy warrior. The problem is, he is already Cleric7/Fighter2/Pious Templar2. Can he add ½ celestial through some divine intervention (which I, as DM am willing to allow)?
(2) HOW do I deal with this, since the LA is +4? I assume therefore he will never have more than 16 class levels. But, when he has 16 class levels, is he considered to have 16 HD or 20 HD for purposes of determining the special abilities on pg. 145 of the monster manual? The example creature they give in the MM is a 9th level Paladin and he has 9 levels of paladin and the commiserate special abilities of 9 HD.

Thanks for any help and clarification
Nephlite
08-29-07, 11:56 AM I have two questions I need some help with concerning templates:

(1) I have a PC that is considering adding the half-celestial template to his holy warrior. The problem is, he is already Cleric7/Fighter2/Pious Templar2. Can he add ½ celestial through some divine intervention (which I, as DM am willing to allow)?
(2) HOW do I deal with this, since the LA is +4? I assume therefore he will never have more than 16 class levels. But, when he has 16 class levels, is he considered to have 16 HD or 20 HD for purposes of determining the special abilities on pg. 145 of the monster manual? The example creature they give in the MM is a 9th level Paladin and he has 9 levels of paladin and the commiserate special abilities of 9 HD.

Thanks for any help and clarification

LA only effects Exp(He counts as 20th level if 16 is true level +4 LA=20 ECL ): He still only has 16 HD.

Exactly: HD and LA are not the same.

Divine intervention is possible. It could be a special ritual: Plus, you can actually let him take the whole LA +4 or let him level up in the Template class on the WotC articles.
I'll find link:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20030824a

This is first article: explaining how one an gain a template during a campaign without a huge power boost (as adding lycanthrope or 1/2 Celestial might be).

Here is the 1/2 fiend one: there listed no 1/2 celestial one, but just exchange the differences between the two templates.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20031010a

It is 4 level long same the LA. These levels do not give HD, but he can gain them slowly so his ECL stays with party.
In the 1/2 Fiend one:
1st level he gains: Dex +2, natural armor +1, 2 claws, darkvision 60 ft., outsider type, spell-like abilities

The 1/2 Celestial has no claws no nix that part:
NA +1, Her type changes to outsider (native), spell-like Abilities (depends on HD and how many levels taken), Darkvision out to 60 feet, DEx +2

Wings give out at 4th level 1/2 Celestial level.

Really, up to you, you let him take levels in 1/2 celestial now or give the full LA +4.
Colmarr
08-29-07, 10:16 PM Half-celestial is an "inherited" template, rather than an "acquired" one. As such, it is not RAW legal to add it to a creature after it is first created (i.e. Character level 1).

It can be applied to any living (so no constructs, undead, or deathless) corporeal (so not wisps etc) creature with Intelligence of 4 and above.

Of course you as DM can allow anything you want.

Assuming he meets those criteria, he gains the benefits of the template immediately and his effective character level immediately increases by 4 (making him a 15th level character). He gains xp as a 15th level character and won't level-up again until he has enough xp to reach 16th level.

However, as Nephlite pointed out, there are optional rules for a Half-Fiend "template class" that allows the LA to be paid over time. You could adjust those rules to represent a half-celestial template class.

[I haven't taken the time to check Nephlite's working in that regard]

In answer to your final question, LA does not count when determining HD, so even after gaining the template, the character still only counts as having 11 HD.
Im_hiding
09-06-07, 05:07 PM These levels do not give HD, but he can gain them slowly so his ECL stays with party.

So, if we had a full half celestial Paladin, he would have 16 levels of Paladin and 16d10 for hit points? (assuming a 20th level party)

Also, does the PC in question still gains feats and ability score boosts for the half celestial levels? I.e. when you advance a monster, it gets a feat for every 3 HD it gains.
Colmarr
09-06-07, 06:36 PM Level Adjustment does not give any bonuses at all. It is a game penalty intended to balance the other advantages that race provides.

In this case, the PC is paying for his new wings, natural armour, special attacks, spell-like abilities and special qualities with 4 levels worth of no HD, no save bonuses, no BAB etc.

The ECL ("effective character level") 20 half-celestial paladin would have 16d10 HD and 6 feats (1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th and 15th)*. He would have 4 ability increases (4th, 8th, 12th and 16th). He doesn't gain any of the normal bonuses for the "levels" that his LA represents.

*7 if the PC has a bonus feat for being human to start with.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Im_hiding 08-29-07, 11:36 AM	I have two questions I need some help with concerning templates: (1) I have a PC that is considering adding the half-celestial template to his holy warrior. The problem is, he is already Cleric7/Fighter2/Pious Templar2. Can he add ½ celestial through some divine intervention (which I, as DM am willing to allow)? (2) HOW do I deal with this, since the LA is +4? I assume therefore he will never have more than 16 class levels. But, when he has 16 class levels, is he considered to have 16 HD or 20 HD for purposes of determining the special abilities on pg. 145 of the monster manual? The example creature they give in the MM is a 9th level Paladin and he has 9 levels of paladin and the commiserate special abilities of 9 HD. Thanks for any help and clarification
Nephlite 08-29-07, 11:56 AM	I have two questions I need some help with concerning templates: (1) I have a PC that is considering adding the half-celestial template to his holy warrior. The problem is, he is already Cleric7/Fighter2/Pious Templar2. Can he add ½ celestial through some divine intervention (which I, as DM am willing to allow)? (2) HOW do I deal with this, since the LA is +4? I assume therefore he will never have more than 16 class levels. But, when he has 16 class levels, is he considered to have 16 HD or 20 HD for purposes of determining the special abilities on pg. 145 of the monster manual? The example creature they give in the MM is a 9th level Paladin and he has 9 levels of paladin and the commiserate special abilities of 9 HD. Thanks for any help and clarification LA only effects Exp(He counts as 20th level if 16 is true level +4 LA=20 ECL ): He still only has 16 HD. Exactly: HD and LA are not the same. Divine intervention is possible. It could be a special ritual: Plus, you can actually let him take the whole LA +4 or let him level up in the Template class on the WotC articles. I'll find link: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20030824a This is first article: explaining how one an gain a template during a campaign without a huge power boost (as adding lycanthrope or 1/2 Celestial might be). Here is the 1/2 fiend one: there listed no 1/2 celestial one, but just exchange the differences between the two templates. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20031010a It is 4 level long same the LA. These levels do not give HD, but he can gain them slowly so his ECL stays with party. In the 1/2 Fiend one: 1st level he gains: Dex +2, natural armor +1, 2 claws, darkvision 60 ft., outsider type, spell-like abilities The 1/2 Celestial has no claws no nix that part: NA +1, Her type changes to outsider (native), spell-like Abilities (depends on HD and how many levels taken), Darkvision out to 60 feet, DEx +2 Wings give out at 4th level 1/2 Celestial level. Really, up to you, you let him take levels in 1/2 celestial now or give the full LA +4.
Colmarr 08-29-07, 10:16 PM	Half-celestial is an "inherited" template, rather than an "acquired" one. As such, it is not RAW legal to add it to a creature after it is first created (i.e. Character level 1). It can be applied to any living (so no constructs, undead, or deathless) corporeal (so not wisps etc) creature with Intelligence of 4 and above. Of course you as DM can allow anything you want. Assuming he meets those criteria, he gains the benefits of the template immediately and his effective character level immediately increases by 4 (making him a 15th level character). He gains xp as a 15th level character and won't level-up again until he has enough xp to reach 16th level. However, as Nephlite pointed out, there are optional rules for a Half-Fiend "template class" that allows the LA to be paid over time. You could adjust those rules to represent a half-celestial template class. [I haven't taken the time to check Nephlite's working in that regard] In answer to your final question, LA does not count when determining HD, so even after gaining the template, the character still only counts as having 11 HD.
Im_hiding 09-06-07, 05:07 PM	These levels do not give HD, but he can gain them slowly so his ECL stays with party. So, if we had a full half celestial Paladin, he would have 16 levels of Paladin and 16d10 for hit points? (assuming a 20th level party) Also, does the PC in question still gains feats and ability score boosts for the half celestial levels? I.e. when you advance a monster, it gets a feat for every 3 HD it gains.
Colmarr 09-06-07, 06:36 PM	Level Adjustment does not give any bonuses at all. It is a game penalty intended to balance the other advantages that race provides. In this case, the PC is paying for his new wings, natural armour, special attacks, spell-like abilities and special qualities with 4 levels worth of no HD, no save bonuses, no BAB etc. The ECL ("effective character level") 20 half-celestial paladin would have 16d10 HD and 6 feats (1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th and 15th). He would have 4 ability increases (4th, 8th, 12th and 16th). He doesn't gain any of the normal bonuses for the "levels" that his LA represents. 7 if the PC has a bonus feat for being human to start with.