Templates Revisited

[SponkleofInfini]

I thought that with their low ECL's these templates can over power characters at lower levels so feel giving them a progression will sort of balance them out for an entire progression to 20th lv.

Worm that Walks

AC is changed to 4 + HD (max 20)
Engulf deals 6.25 points of damage rounded down per HD (max 100)
Spell-like Abilities - 1/day; Caster Level = HD
1-2-------------Animal Friendship, Animal Messenger
3-4-------------Animal Trance
5-6 ------------Giant Vermin
7-8-------------Summon Vermin
9-10-----------Animal Growth
11-12---------Insect Plague
13-14---------Creeping Doom
15-16---------Animal Shapes
17-18---------Colossal Vermin
Skills - The bonuses = 4 + HD (max 20)

Treat everything else as is described in the ELH

ECL +4


Half Celestial

Special Qualities

HD---------------------*Resistances
1-2----------------------5
3-4----------------------5
5-6----------------------10
7-8----------------------10
9-10--------------------15
11-12------------------15
13-14-------------------20
15-16-------------------20
17-18--------------------Immunity
19+----------------------Immunity

*Applies to Acid, Cold and electricty immunities mentioned in the MM only

Treat everything else as is described in the MM

ECL +3

Half-Dragon

AC = +1 per HD (max +4)
Special Attacks

Breath Weapons - 1/day
DC's = 10 + 1/2 HD + con mod
Damage = 2 damage dice per 3 HD
Special Qualities

Elemental Resistance/Immunity

HD----------------------Resistances
1-2----------------------10
3-4----------------------10
5-6----------------------15
7-8----------------------15
9-10---------------------20
11-12--------------------20
13+----------------------Immunity


Treat everything else as is described in the MM

ECL +3

Half-Fiend

Special Qualities

HD----------------------*Resistances
1-2----------------------5
3-4----------------------5
5-6----------------------10
7-8----------------------10
9-10---------------------15
11-12--------------------15
13+----------------------20

*Applies to all resistances mentioned in the MM only

Treat everything else as is described in the MM

ECL +3

[Setzer Gabbiani]

Honestly Sponk, the Worm that Walks is munched enough as it is. That's just rediculous. Also, the rest are balanced as-is for the reason you're forgetting -- no extra HD. Sure, you could take a half-something template at level 4 or 5, but you'd be slaughtered by the first CR 4 or 5 critter that took a swing at you. By the time losing 30 or so HP doesn't matter, neither does the ability bonuses or immunities.

[SponkleofInfini]

the Worm that Walks is the same as in the ELH, it is just set so it can be taken at lower levels without being unbelievably powerful.

*Note* I forgot to put the caps on some of it's abilities.

Hmm weren't you one of the people disputing my Paragon ECL, if what you say is true then shouldn't you be on the side of the Paragon at 16 :)

The thing I am trying to do here is balance out what is unbalanced at lower levels and is underpowered at higher levels. To say the Worm that Walks is munched up is an overstatement and to say that a CR 4-5 creature could slaughter a person with one of the templates is plain incorrect.

Maybe you should look at some of your little exploits before criticising Setzer. The templates themeselves arn't that much different from the originals except that the immunities are spread out over levels.

Back to the Worm that Walks, if you looks at the ELH the ECL is +4 and can be taken by characters that are below lv 20 to the DM's descretion. Dm's are reluctant to allow them as they are far to powerful at such a low level I reduced their abilities as to accomodate for characters at low levels and not hamper higher level PC/NPC's.