Doubts about creating monsters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Doubts about creating monsters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ncquinta
07-10-06, 09:05 PM The Monster Manual 3.5 has some pretty good guidelines on creating monsters, but two things I don't understand.

1 - Caster level. If the monster has spell-like abilities, how do I determine the caster level?

2 - SR - Does every monster SR increases with its Hit-Dice? How will I know? I know that when the monster has a "x as characters" it is described, but that's not always the case.
Carpe Diem
07-10-06, 10:25 PM 1 - Caster level. If the monster has spell-like abilities, how do I determine the caster level?

For the most part, it will be equal to the CR of the encounter. There are exceptions, like Archons are generally CR 14 for inherent abilities and CR for extra spell-like abilities.

2 - SR - Does every monster SR increases with its Hit-Dice? How will I know? I know that when the monster has a "x as characters" it is described, but that's not always the case.

Roughly 10 + CR. Each 1 point you put it up means that spells fail 5% more often and each you take down means that they fail 5% less. If the party encounters the creature where CL=CR then spells succeed 50% of the time with this system.
dok
07-11-06, 12:59 AM 1 - Caster level. If the monster has spell-like abilities, how do I determine the caster level?

The caster level can be whatever you want it to be, but two typical guidelines are having a Caster level equal to the creature's Racial Hit Dice, or setting the Caster level at or near the creature's Challenge Rating.

2 - SR - Does every monster SR increases with its Hit-Dice? How will I know? I know that when the monster has a "x as characters" it is described, but that's not always the case.

A creature's "base" Spell Resistance is usually equal to it's CR, plus eight to twelve. "Weak" SR is CR +8, while stronger SR might be CR +12, or +14, or +16. These are guidelines, though, and not hard & fast rules. You can have lower SR values, or if appropriare, higher. If you want to make a "Magic Elemental" of pure mystical energy, an SR of 20+CR might be appropriate.

By the RAW, when a monster is advanced by racial HD, it's SR does not increase. Many folks have adopted as a house rule that for each +1 CR gained from advancing by Racial Hit Dice (not class levels or templates) that the creature's base SR increases by +1.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ncquinta 07-10-06, 09:05 PM	The Monster Manual 3.5 has some pretty good guidelines on creating monsters, but two things I don't understand. 1 - Caster level. If the monster has spell-like abilities, how do I determine the caster level? 2 - SR - Does every monster SR increases with its Hit-Dice? How will I know? I know that when the monster has a "x as characters" it is described, but that's not always the case.
Carpe Diem 07-10-06, 10:25 PM	1 - Caster level. If the monster has spell-like abilities, how do I determine the caster level? For the most part, it will be equal to the CR of the encounter. There are exceptions, like Archons are generally CR 14 for inherent abilities and CR for extra spell-like abilities. 2 - SR - Does every monster SR increases with its Hit-Dice? How will I know? I know that when the monster has a "x as characters" it is described, but that's not always the case. Roughly 10 + CR. Each 1 point you put it up means that spells fail 5% more often and each you take down means that they fail 5% less. If the party encounters the creature where CL=CR then spells succeed 50% of the time with this system.
dok 07-11-06, 12:59 AM	1 - Caster level. If the monster has spell-like abilities, how do I determine the caster level? The caster level can be whatever you want it to be, but two typical guidelines are having a Caster level equal to the creature's Racial Hit Dice, or setting the Caster level at or near the creature's Challenge Rating. 2 - SR - Does every monster SR increases with its Hit-Dice? How will I know? I know that when the monster has a "x as characters" it is described, but that's not always the case. A creature's "base" Spell Resistance is usually equal to it's CR, plus eight to twelve. "Weak" SR is CR +8, while stronger SR might be CR +12, or +14, or +16. These are guidelines, though, and not hard & fast rules. You can have lower SR values, or if appropriare, higher. If you want to make a "Magic Elemental" of pure mystical energy, an SR of 20+CR might be appropriate. By the RAW, when a monster is advanced by racial HD, it's SR does not increase. Many folks have adopted as a house rule that for each +1 CR gained from advancing by Racial Hit Dice (not class levels or templates) that the creature's base SR increases by +1.