Starting a Lycanthrope [Archive] - Wizards Community

Starting a Lycanthrope [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
happydude
02-23-07, 12:17 AM Probably tremenously easy but for some reason I'm having trouble grasping how to work this all out, particularly with HD. :(

I want to create an individual with inherited lycanthropy (+3 LA) where the base creature is human and base animal is a dire wolf. Would anybody mind helping me out getting him started off enough so that I can then begin adding class levels? After his lycanthrope levels he will be taking levels in druid.

Any help is greatly appreciated! :)
Paulon
02-23-07, 12:48 AM http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040117a
Thomar_of_Uointer
02-23-07, 02:42 AM Okay, you're better off starting with a level 1 character and then applying the template. Templates come after races, and probably after class levels too.

Do you have any specific questions about the template? FYI, this character's level is going to be equal to his class levels plus his level adjustment plus his animal Hit Dice, so you won't be able to start him out at level 1 without a progression like the one in that link. Also, is your DM helping you with this or are you the DM running an encounter or helping a player?

You can find the template online in the SRD:
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lycanthrope.htm
happydude
02-23-07, 11:26 AM I'm the DM, trying to get this guy made as one of two BBEG's in my new campaign.

So basically I would start with say a level 1 druid, then add the 6 levels of the Dire Wolf Lycanthrope for 1d8+6d8 hit dice (and is it plus Con mod. from both base creature and base animal?)? Then for his level, it would be 1 druid, +3 LA from template, and +6 from dire wolf HD?

*EDIT*
After further reading I notice in the Dire Wolf template that there is no damage reduction. Is that because it assumes all Lycanthropes get it or if because you can choose to take it prior to the Dire Wolf template in order to get the DR?
zook1shoe666
02-23-07, 12:22 PM in the MM1 they give the template. it grants many abilities like +2 Natural Armor, Curse of Lycanthropy (natural only), Alternate Form, DR 5/silver (afflicted only) or 10/silver (natural only), Lycanthropic Empathy, Low-light Vision, and Scent.
Thomar_of_Uointer
02-23-07, 02:37 PM I'm the DM, trying to get this guy made as one of two BBEG's in my new campaign.

So basically I would start with say a level 1 druid, then add the 6 levels of the Dire Wolf Lycanthrope for 1d8+6d8 hit dice (and is it plus Con mod. from both base creature and base animal?)? Then for his level, it would be 1 druid, +3 LA from template, and +6 from dire wolf HD?

*EDIT*
After further reading I notice in the Dire Wolf template that there is no damage reduction. Is that because it assumes all Lycanthropes get it or if because you can choose to take it prior to the Dire Wolf template in order to get the DR?

Yup. He's a level 10 character with a challenge rating of 5, and it's a very tough CR 5 if you play him properly. Remember, as a druid, he should have a neutral alignment, as a natural lycanthrope he can be CN or NE.

Dire wolves do not have DR. Lycanthropes do have DR in their hybrid and animal forms. Read through the lycanthrope template, it's very specific.
happydude
02-23-07, 02:48 PM Dire wolves do not have DR. Lycanthropes do have DR in their hybrid and animal forms. Read through the lycanthrope template, it's very specific.

Dire wolves themselves don't get DR but if a lycanthrope's base creature was a Dire Wolf would he get DR in his hybrid and animal forms then?

By the way, thanks for the help. For some reason I am having a real pain in the ass time figuring this guy out lol
Thomar_of_Uointer
02-23-07, 02:57 PM Dire wolves themselves don't get DR but if a lycanthrope's base creature was a Dire Wolf would he get DR in his hybrid and animal forms then?
All lycanthropes get DR in animal and hybrid forms.

Special Qualities
A lycanthrope retains all the special qualities of the base creature and the base animal, and also gains those described below.

Alternate Form (Su)
A lycanthrope can assume the form of a specific animal (as indicated in its entry).
Changing to or from animal or hybrid form is a standard action.
A slain lycanthrope reverts to its humanoid form, although it remains dead. Separated body parts retain their animal form, however.
Afflicted lycanthropes find this ability difficult to control (see Lycanthropy as an Affliction, below), but natural lycanthropes have full control over this power.

Damage Reduction (Ex)
An afflicted lycanthrope in animal or hybrid form has damage reduction 5/silver. A natural lycanthrope in animal or hybrid form has damage reduction 10/silver.

Lycanthropic Empathy (Ex)
In any form, lycanthropes can communicate and empathize with normal or dire animals of their animal form. This gives them a +4 racial bonus on checks when influencing the animal’s attitude and allows the communication of simple concepts and (if the animal is friendly) commands, such as "friend," "foe," "flee," and "attack."

Low-Light Vision (Ex)
A lycanthrope has low-light vision in any form.

Scent (Ex)
A lycanthrope has the scent ability in any form.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
happydude 02-23-07, 12:17 AM	Probably tremenously easy but for some reason I'm having trouble grasping how to work this all out, particularly with HD. :( I want to create an individual with inherited lycanthropy (+3 LA) where the base creature is human and base animal is a dire wolf. Would anybody mind helping me out getting him started off enough so that I can then begin adding class levels? After his lycanthrope levels he will be taking levels in druid. Any help is greatly appreciated! :)
Paulon 02-23-07, 12:48 AM	http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040117a
Thomar_of_Uointer 02-23-07, 02:42 AM	Okay, you're better off starting with a level 1 character and then applying the template. Templates come after races, and probably after class levels too. Do you have any specific questions about the template? FYI, this character's level is going to be equal to his class levels plus his level adjustment plus his animal Hit Dice, so you won't be able to start him out at level 1 without a progression like the one in that link. Also, is your DM helping you with this or are you the DM running an encounter or helping a player? You can find the template online in the SRD: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lycanthrope.htm
happydude 02-23-07, 11:26 AM	I'm the DM, trying to get this guy made as one of two BBEG's in my new campaign. So basically I would start with say a level 1 druid, then add the 6 levels of the Dire Wolf Lycanthrope for 1d8+6d8 hit dice (and is it plus Con mod. from both base creature and base animal?)? Then for his level, it would be 1 druid, +3 LA from template, and +6 from dire wolf HD? EDIT After further reading I notice in the Dire Wolf template that there is no damage reduction. Is that because it assumes all Lycanthropes get it or if because you can choose to take it prior to the Dire Wolf template in order to get the DR?
zook1shoe666 02-23-07, 12:22 PM	in the MM1 they give the template. it grants many abilities like +2 Natural Armor, Curse of Lycanthropy (natural only), Alternate Form, DR 5/silver (afflicted only) or 10/silver (natural only), Lycanthropic Empathy, Low-light Vision, and Scent.
Thomar_of_Uointer 02-23-07, 02:37 PM	I'm the DM, trying to get this guy made as one of two BBEG's in my new campaign. So basically I would start with say a level 1 druid, then add the 6 levels of the Dire Wolf Lycanthrope for 1d8+6d8 hit dice (and is it plus Con mod. from both base creature and base animal?)? Then for his level, it would be 1 druid, +3 LA from template, and +6 from dire wolf HD? EDIT After further reading I notice in the Dire Wolf template that there is no damage reduction. Is that because it assumes all Lycanthropes get it or if because you can choose to take it prior to the Dire Wolf template in order to get the DR? Yup. He's a level 10 character with a challenge rating of 5, and it's a very tough CR 5 if you play him properly. Remember, as a druid, he should have a neutral alignment, as a natural lycanthrope he can be CN or NE. Dire wolves do not have DR. Lycanthropes do have DR in their hybrid and animal forms. Read through the lycanthrope template, it's very specific.
happydude 02-23-07, 02:48 PM	Dire wolves do not have DR. Lycanthropes do have DR in their hybrid and animal forms. Read through the lycanthrope template, it's very specific. Dire wolves themselves don't get DR but if a lycanthrope's base creature was a Dire Wolf would he get DR in his hybrid and animal forms then? By the way, thanks for the help. For some reason I am having a real pain in the ass time figuring this guy out lol
Thomar_of_Uointer 02-23-07, 02:57 PM	Dire wolves themselves don't get DR but if a lycanthrope's base creature was a Dire Wolf would he get DR in his hybrid and animal forms then? All lycanthropes get DR in animal and hybrid forms. Special Qualities A lycanthrope retains all the special qualities of the base creature and the base animal, and also gains those described below. Alternate Form (Su) A lycanthrope can assume the form of a specific animal (as indicated in its entry). Changing to or from animal or hybrid form is a standard action. A slain lycanthrope reverts to its humanoid form, although it remains dead. Separated body parts retain their animal form, however. Afflicted lycanthropes find this ability difficult to control (see Lycanthropy as an Affliction, below), but natural lycanthropes have full control over this power. Damage Reduction (Ex) An afflicted lycanthrope in animal or hybrid form has damage reduction 5/silver. A natural lycanthrope in animal or hybrid form has damage reduction 10/silver. Lycanthropic Empathy (Ex) In any form, lycanthropes can communicate and empathize with normal or dire animals of their animal form. This gives them a +4 racial bonus on checks when influencing the animal’s attitude and allows the communication of simple concepts and (if the animal is friendly) commands, such as "friend," "foe," "flee," and "attack." Low-Light Vision (Ex) A lycanthrope has low-light vision in any form. Scent (Ex) A lycanthrope has the scent ability in any form.