Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 RAJdeBoer May 20, 2015 15:37:23	I couldn't find this in either the MM or DMG: Are there rules on how templates affect challenge? I mean, the example of say the Half Dragon increases the Challenge by 2, if comparing the Half-Red Dragon Veteran to a regular Veteran, but does that go for anything you add it to? Or does it depend on the creature you're applying the template to? Anyone knows where to find this?
#2 AaronOfBarbaria May 20, 2015 16:17:11	The affect of any particular change to any particular monster as relates to CR can be sorted out not in any sort of simple "doing this always adds this much to CR", but rather requires you to put the monster through the CR estimater in the DMG (page 274, or thereabout, and about 10 pages in total of stuff that should be looked over to get a solid grasp of how to appropriate use the tools at hand).   The DMG even points out why this is the way it is; adding a particular trait to one creature might have a huge change in its capabilities, while adding that same trait to another creature might have nearly no change in its capabilities (example: add even 1 level of spellcasting to a goblin and there is a significant change to how dangerous that goblin is - but adding one level of spellcasting to an adult dragon doesn't do anything to change how dangerous that dragon is because a single level of spellcasting is overshadowed by the normal traits the dragon possesses).
(Reply to #2) RAJdeBoer	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
#4 RAJdeBoer May 20, 2015 23:35:37	With the above in mind: Would you say you could fairly run this monster as a "boss" of sorts against a level 2 party of 5?   GIANT CONSTRICTOR SNAKE (HALF-BLUE DRAGON) Huge beast, unaligned Armor Class 12 Hit Points 60 (8d12 + 8) Speed 30ft., swim 30ft. STR 19 (+4) DEX 14 (+2) CON 12 (+1) INT 1 (-5) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 3 (-4) Skills Perception +2 Damage Resistance Lightning Senses blindsight 10ft., darkvision 60 ft, passive Perception 12 Languages Draconic Challenge 3 (700 XP)   ACTIONS Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10ft., one creature. Hit: 11 (2d6 +4) piercing damage.   Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the creature is restrained, and the snake can't constrict another target.   Lightning Breath (Recharge 5-6). The giant constrictor snake exhales lightning in an 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 55 (10d10) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
#5 Razintarr May 21, 2015 2:27:49	The damage on the lightning breath is way too high. If a character makes the save, that's 27 damage on average. A fighter that highly invested in con will have 28 hps at level 2. If that hits a wizard, it will instantly kill him even if he makes the save. If you roll high on the damage, even the fighter passes "dying' and goes straight to "make a new character".
#6 RAJdeBoer May 21, 2015 2:47:43	I figured as much, but that is what the template says, since the Giant Constrictor Snake is a Huge monster. Seemed a bit tough for my taste :p If I use the Wyrmling breath weapon in stead of the Young breath weapon, (4d10 dmg, DC 12 Save) that would be more suitable to the level I guess?
#7 Razintarr May 21, 2015 2:51:11	Yeah, that's way better.