Creature Traits [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTimePost
D_and_Dude

04-28-07, 06:23 PM
When a creature has a certain type of traits e.g. undead traits, vermin traits, etc... does that mean that all creatures with those traits have special abilities e.g. all creatures with vermin traits immune to fire. Or does this just mean that spells that say only effect undead effect creatures with undead traits???

Thanks in advance
Return of the Flumph

04-28-07, 06:39 PM
Both.

Being a member of a given creature type both dictates a monster's hit die type, skill points, and certain other traits, and determines how type-specific spells affect it.

For example, a creature with the Outsider type always has eight sided hit dice, gains six skill points per hit die, has a full attack bonus and good Fortitude and Will saves, and is always immune to mind control effects. A Magical Beast always has low light vision, ten sided hit dice, and good Reflex and Fortitude saves. Outsiders take extra damage from outsider bane weapons and spells that specifically target outsiders, Magical beasts are the same way with effects that focus on them.
D_and_Dude

04-28-07, 06:44 PM
Both.

Being a member of a given creature type both dictates a monster's hit die type, skill points, and certain other traits, and determines how type-specific spells affect it.

For example, a creature with the Outsider type always has eight sided hit dice, gains six skill points per hit die, has a full attack bonus and good Fortitude and Will saves, and is always immune to mind control effects. A Magical Beast always has low light vision, ten sided hit dice, and good Reflex and Fortitude saves. Outsiders take extra damage from outsider bane weapons and spells that specifically target outsiders, Magical beasts are the same way with effects that focus on them.

Where do they show these trait things though?
Return of the Flumph

04-28-07, 07:41 PM
Where do they show these trait things though?

In the index of the Monster Manual.
Morwen

04-28-07, 07:58 PM
You can also see http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/typesSubtypes.htm for type/subtype information.
runestar

04-28-07, 11:46 PM
Some adjudication may be in order though. For example, oozes and vermin are immune to mindaffecting effects exactly because they have no int score. If they somehow obtained an int score, it might not be unfair to rule that they lose aforementioned immunity, although that is not documented anywhere in the MM.

I am still contemplating the implications of a golem or undead accessing a con score though.:P

It seems odd if a mage shapechanged into a lemure and could benefit from the "mindless" extraordinary property...:D
D_and_Dude

04-29-07, 08:31 AM
ok thanks guys!:D
SpoonyBard

04-29-07, 10:00 PM
Some adjudication may be in order though. For example, oozes and vermin are immune to mindaffecting effects exactly because they have no int score. If they somehow obtained an int score, it might not be unfair to rule that they lose aforementioned immunity, although that is not documented anywhere in the MM.

I am still contemplating the implications of a golem or undead accessing a con score though.:P

It seems odd if a mage shapechanged into a lemure and could benefit from the "mindless" extraordinary property...:D

Doesn't Shapechange alter your mental stats, too, though?
runestar

04-29-07, 10:39 PM
Doesn't Shapechange alter your mental stats, too, though?
Not to my knowledge. PAO does though.:)