In my 3e version of Roll of Honor, the PC had an encounter with a fiendish hawk.

When 4e was released, there weren't any hawks, eagles or similar predatory birds in the MM, so I converted the encounter to one with a spiretop drake instead.

Now that blood hawks are in MM2 (and are level 1 skirmishers, the same as the spiretop drake), I've decided to change the encounter to one with a shadowtouched blood hawk instead. This will make it slighly tougher as the blood hawk deals more damage.

As with the shadowtouched spiretop drake, the following example is not a direct application of the shadowtouched alternate advancement. Once again, I made flyby attack synergize better with necrotic smite.

Shadowtouched Blood Hawk, Level 2 Skirmisher
Small natural beast (XP 125)

Initiative +6
Senses Perception +2; darkvision
HP 35; Bloodied 17; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 16; Fortitude 12, Reflex 15, Will 13
Resist 5 necrotic
Speed 2 (clumsy), fly 6; see also flyby attack

Claw Rake (standard; at-will)
+6 vs. AC; 1d6 + 5 damage, and the target takes ongoing 2 damage, or ongoing 5 damage if the shadowtouched blood hawk is bloodied; see also bloodied retaliation.
Flyby Attack (standard; at-will)
The shadowtouched blood hawk flies up to 6 squares and makes a claw rake attack or a necrotic smite attack at any point during that movement. It does not provoke opportunity attacks when moving away from the target of the attack.
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
The shadowtouched blood hawk makes a bite attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 6 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Bloodied Retaliation
The shadowtouched blood hawk gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.

Alignment Unaligned
Languages –
Str 13 (+2) Dex 16 (+4) Wis 13 (+2)
Con 11 (+1) Int 2 (-3) Cha 7 (-1)

FireLance

The following example applies the shadowtouched alternate advancement to a kobold slyblade (MM).

Shadowfang Kobold Slyblade, Level 5 Lurker
Small natural humanoid (reptile) (XP 200)

Initiative +10
Senses Perception +3; darkvision
HP 48; Bloodied 24; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 19; Fortitude 13, Reflex 17, Will 15; see also trap sense
Resist 5 necrotic
Speed 6

Short Sword (standard; at-will) * Weapon
+9 vs. AC; 1d6 damage; see also bloodied retaliation
Twin Slash (standard; at-will) * Weapon
Requires combat advantage; the Shadowfang kobold slyblade makes 2 short sword attacks. If both attacks hit the same target, the target takes ongoing 5 damage (save ends); see also bloodied retaliation
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
The Shadowfang kobold slyblade makes a short sword attack or a twin slash attack. If it hits with at least one attack, it deals an additional 7 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Bloodied Retaliation
The Shadowfang kobold slyblade gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.
Combat Advantage
The Shadowfang kobold slyblade deals an extra 1d6 damage on melee attacks against any target it has combat advantage against.
Sly Dodge (immediate interrupt, when targeted by a melee or a ranged attack, at-will)
The Shadowfang kobold slyblade redirects the attack to an adjacent kobold minion.
Shifty (minor; at-will)
The Shadowfang kobold slyblade shifts 1 square.
Trap Sense
The Shadowfang kobold slyblade gains a +2 bonus to all defenses against traps.

Alignment Evil
Languages Common, Draconic
Skills Acrobatics +11, Stealth +13, Thievery +13
Str 9 (+1) Dex 18 (+6) Wis 12 (+3)
Con 12 (+3) Int 9 (+1) Cha 14 (+4)
Equipment leather armor, 2 short swords

FireLance

The following example applies the shadowtouched alternate advancement to a kobold denwarden, from the revised Keep on the Shadowfell adventure.

Shadowfang Kobold Denwarden, Level 3 Soldier
Small natural humanoid (reptile) (XP 150)

Initiative +4
Senses Perception +2; darkvision
HP 44; Bloodied 22; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 19; Fortitude 17, Reflex 16, Will 17; see also trap sense
Resist 5 necrotic
Speed 6

Spear (standard; at-will) * Weapon
+7 vs. AC; 1d8 + 1 damage, and the target is marked until the end of the Shadowfang kobold denwarden's next turn; see also bloodied retaliation and mob attack
() Javelin (standard; at-will) * Weapon
Ranged 10/20; +7 vs. AC; 1d6 + 1 damage, and the target is marked until the end of the Shadowfang kobold denwarden's next turn; see also bloodied retaliation and mob attack
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
The Shadowfang kobold denwarden makes a spear attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 6 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Bloodied Retaliation
The Shadowfang kobold denwarden gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.
Denwarden's Mark (immediate interrupt, when an adjacent enemy marked by the Shadowfang kobold denwarden makes an attack that does not include the denwarden as a target; at-will)
The Shadowfang kobold denwarden makes a melee basic attack against the triggering enemy. If the attack hits, the target grants combat advantage to the Shadowfang kobold denwarden and its allies until the end of the denwarden's next turn.
Mob Attack
The Shadowfang kobold denwarden gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls per kobold ally adjacent to the target.
Shifty (minor; at-will)
The Shadowfang kobold denwarden shifts 1 square.
Trap Sense
The Shadowfang kobold denwarden gains a +2 bonus to all defenses against traps.

Alignment Evil
Languages Common, Draconic
Skills Acrobatics +5, Stealth +7, Thievery +7
Str 13 (+2) Dex 13 (+2) Wis 12 (+2)
Con 12 (+2) Int 9 (+0) Cha 10 (+1)
Equipment chainmail, heavy shield, spear, 3 javelins

FireLance

I was going to use a wyrm-wisp (from Draconomicon) in the next adventure, but after analyzing its numbers in some detail, I get the feeling that it's a little overpowered for its level. A wyrm-wisp is a level 4 skirmisher, but when I compare it to a Monster Manual wraith (a level 5 lurker), the wyrm-wisp has better defenses, has no vulnerability to radiant energy (although it suppresses its regeneration for one round, same as the wraith), deals more damage, and its special movement ability (death dive) works like the wraith's but deals damage and weakens its enemies to boot. About the only advantages the wraith has over the wyrm-wisp are a role-appropriate higher initiative modifier and a level-appropriate higher attack modifier.

In addition, insubstantial + attacks that weaken + no vulnerability + regeneration which is only suppressed by taking radiant damage + a single PC sounds like a recipe for disaster, or at least, a very long and almost certainly boring fight. Between insubstantial and a save ends weaken, the PC is going to be dealing about one quarter his normal damage most of the time. Add to that regeneration 5 that is suppressed for only one round if the PC happens to hit with a radiant attack, and you are quite likely to end up with a situation in which the PC just can't deal damage fast enough to ever defeat the wyrm-wisp. It's not too bad if there is more than one PC, since they can focus fire on the creature, and not all of them may be weakened at the same time. However, for a single PC, it's probably too much.

So, I came up with my own version, which will hopefully be better balanced for a single PC, while still providing a game experience similar to fighting a wyrm-wisp.

Dracoshade Wisp, Level 4 Skirmisher
Small shadow magical beast (dragon, undead) (XP 175)

Initiative +8
Senses Perception +3; darkvision
HP 40; Bloodied 20
Regeneration 2; if the dracoshade wisp takes radiant damage, its regeneration is suppressed (save ends)
AC 17; Fortitude 14, Reflex 17, Will 14
Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; insubstantial; Vulnerable 5 radiant; see also regeneration
Speed fly 8 (hover); see also death dive

Bite (standard; at-will) * Necrotic
+7 vs. Reflex; 1d6 + 4 necrotic damage; see also enervated advantage.
Weakening Bite (standard; recharges when first bloodied; encounter) * Necrotic
+7 vs. Reflex; 1d6 + 4 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends); see also enervated advantage.
Combat Advantage * Necrotic
The dracoshade wisp deals 1d6 extra necrotic damage against any target it has combat advantage against.
Death Dive (move; encounter) * Necrotic
The dracoshade wisp shifts 6 squares. If it enters the space of another creature, that that creature takes 1d6 necrotic damage and is weakened until the end of the dracoshade wisp's next turn.
Enervated Advantage
The dracoshade wisp gains combat advantage against a weakened target.
Spawn Wraith
Any humanoid creature killed by dracoshade wisp rises as a free-willed wraith at the start of its creator's next turn; a dragon instead rises as a dracoshade wisp. The new wraith appears in the space where it died or in the nearest unoccupied space. Raising the slain creature (using the Raise Dead ritual) does not destroy the spawned wraith.

Alignment Chaotic Evil
Languages Draconic
Str 10 (+2) Dex 19 (+6) Wis 12 (+3)
Con 13 (+3) Int 6 (+0) Cha 10 (+2)

FireLance

The Shadowfang kobold tribe also breeds spitting drakes that spit necrotic energy instead of acid. The following was obtained by applying the shadowtouched alternate advancement to a spitting drake. The damage type of its ranged attack was also changed to necrotic to fit better with the theme, as was the damage type of its resistance. As with the Shadowfang kobold dragonshield, I also increased its necrotic resistance since it already had it.

Shadowtouched Spitting Drake, Level 4 Artillery
Medium natural beast (reptile) (XP 175)

Initiative +6
Senses Perception +4; darkvision
HP 44; Bloodied 22; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 18; Fortitude 14, Reflex 16, Will 15
Resist 15 necrotic
Speed 7

Bite (standard; at-will)
+6 vs. AC; 1d6 + 2 damage; see also bloodied retaliation
Necrotic Spit (standard; at-will) * Necrotic
Ranged 10; +8 vs. Reflex; 1d10 + 4 necrotic damage; see also bloodied retaliation
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
The shadowtouched spitting drake makes a bite or a necrotic spit attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 7 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Bloodied Retaliation
The shadowtouched spitting drake gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.

Alignment unaligned
Languages -
Str 14 (+4) Dex 18 (+6) Wis 14 (+4)
Con 14 (+4) Int 3 (-2) Cha 12 (+3)

FireLance

The Shadowfang kobold tribe is also known for fighting alongside shadowtouched drakes such as the following, which was obtained by applying the shadowtouched alternate advancement to a guard drake.

Shadowtouched Guard Drake, Level 3 Brute
Small natural beast (reptile) (XP 150)

Initiative +3
Senses Perception +7; darkvision
HP 58; Bloodied 29; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 16; Fortitude 16, Reflex 14, Will 12
Immune fear (while within 2 squares of an ally); Resist 5 necrotic
Speed 6

Bite (standard; at-will)
+6 vs. AC; 1d10 + 3 damage, or 1d10 + 9 damage while within 2 squares of an ally; see also bloodied retaliation
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
The shadowtouched guard drake makes a bite attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 6 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Bloodied Retaliation
The shadowtouched guard drake gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.

Alignment unaligned
Languages -
Str 16 (+4) Dex 15 (+3) Wis 12 (+2)
Con 18 (+5) Int 3 (-3) Cha 12 (+2)

FireLance

The Shadowfang kobold wyrmpriest was obtained by applying the shadowtouched alternate advancement to a kobold wyrmpriest serving a shadow dragon. Its necrotic smite ability was modified to work with its energy orb attack.

Shadowfang Kobold Wyrmpriest, Level 4 Artillery (Leader)
Small natural humanoid (reptile) (XP 175)

Initiative +5
Senses Perception +5; darkvision
HP 42; Bloodied 21; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 18; Fortitude 13, Reflex 16, Will 16; see also trap sense
Resist 5 necrotic
Speed 6

Spear (standard; at-will) * Weapon
+7 vs. AC; 1d8 damage; see also bloodied retaliation
Energy Orb (standard; at-will) * Necrotic
Ranged 10; +6 vs. Reflex; 1d10 + 3 necrotic damage; see also bloodied retaliation
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
The Shadowfang kobold wyrmpriest makes a spear or energy orb attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 7 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Incite Faith (minor; encounter)
Close burst 10; kobold allies in the burst gain 5 temporary hit points and shift 1 square.
Dragon Breath (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
Close blast 3; +6 vs. Fortitude; 1d10 + 3 necrotic damage. Miss: half; see also bloodied retaliation
Bloodied Retaliation
The Shadowfang kobold wyrmpriest gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.
Shifty (minor; at-will)
The Shadowfang kobold wyrmpriest shifts 1 square.
Trap Sense
The Shadowfang kobold wyrmpriest gains a +2 bonus to all defenses against traps.

Alignment Evil
Languages Common, Draconic
Skills Stealth +11, Thievery +11
Str 9 (+1) Dex 16 (+5) Wis 17 (+5)
Con 12 (+3) Int 9 (+1) Cha 12 (+3)
Equipment hide armor, spear, bone mask

FireLance

The Shadowfang kobold dragonshield was obtained by applying the shadowtouched alternate advancement to a normal kobold dragonshield. Its necrotic resistance is higher than normal for a shadowtouched creature of its level as kobold dragonshields serving a shadow dragon already have necrotic resistance.

Shadowfang Kobold Dragonshield, Level 3 Soldier
Small natural humanoid (reptile) (XP 150)

Initiative +4
Senses Perception +2; darkvision
HP 44; Bloodied 22; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 19; Fortitude 15, Reflex 13, Will 14; see also trap sense
Resist 10 necrotic
Speed 5

Short Sword (standard; at-will) * Weapon
+7 vs. AC; 1d6 + 3 damage, and the target is marked until the end of the Shadowfang kobold dragonshield's next turn; see also bloodied retaliation and mob attack
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
The Shadowfang kobold dragonshield makes a short sword attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 6 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Bloodied Retaliation
The Shadowfang kobold dragonshield gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.
Dragonshield Tactics (immediate reaction, when an adjacent enemy shifts away or an enemy moves adjacent; at-will)
The Shadowfang kobold dragonshield shifts 1 square.
Mob Attack
The Shadowfang kobold dragonshield gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls per kobold ally adjacent to the target.
Shifty (minor; at-will)
The Shadowfang kobold dragonshield shifts 1 square.
Trap Sense
The Shadowfang kobold dragonshield gains a +2 bonus to all defenses against traps.

Alignment Evil
Languages Common, Draconic
Skills Acrobatics +5, Stealth +7, Thievery +7
Str 14 (+3) Dex 13 (+2) Wis 12 (+2)
Con 12 (+2) Int 9 (+0) Cha 10 (+1)
Equipment scale armor, heavy shield, short sword

FireLance

I'm still mulling over ideas for the 2nd-level adventure, but I'm pretty sure that I want the PC to encounter some kobolds that serve a shadow dragon: the Shadowfang kobold tribe. Their stats are derived by applying the shadowtouched alternate advancement to normal kobolds, such as the kobold skirmisher:

Shadowfang Kobold Skirmisher, Level 2 Skirmisher
Small natural humanoid (reptile) (XP 125)

Initiative +6
Senses Perception +1; darkvision
HP 35; Bloodied 17; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 16; Fortitude 11, Reflex 15, Will 14; see also trap sense
Resist 5 necrotic
Speed 6

Spear (standard; at-will) * Weapon
+6 vs. AC; 1d8 damage; see also bloodied retaliation and mob attack
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
The Shadowfang kobold skirmisher makes a spear attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 6 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Bloodied Retaliation
The Shadowfang kobold skirmisher gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.
Combat Advantage
The Shadowfang kobold skirmisher deals an extra 1d6 damage on melee and ranged attacks against any target it has combat advantage against.
Mob Attack
The Shadowfang kobold skirmisher gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls per kobold ally adjacent to the target.
Shifty (minor; at-will)
The Shadowfang kobold skirmisher shifts 1 square.
Trap Sense
The Shadowfang kobold skirmisher gains a +2 bonus to all defenses against traps.

Alignment Evil
Languages Common, Draconic
Skills Acrobatics +8, Stealth +10, Thievery +10
Str 8 (+0) Dex 16 (+4) Wis 10 (+1)
Con 11 (+1) Int 6 (-1) Cha 15 (+3)
Equipment hide armor, spear

FireLance

The basic idea for the following creature was inspired by the Ben 10 alien form Ditto. Essentially, it's a creature that can make copies of itself, but the copies are linked so that injuring or killing one injures or kills all the others. To this basic idea I added what I felt was a thematically appropriate form: a serpentine creature made of water, and recombination as a weakness that could help prevent "grind" by giving the players some incentive to use basic forced movement abilities such as bull rush and moving a grabbed target.

Splitting Serpent, Level 1 Solo Skirmisher
Medium elemental beast (aquatic, reptile, water) (500 XP)

Initiative +5
Senses Perception +1; low-light vision
HP 112; Bloodied 56; see also bloodied division
AC 17, Fortitude 15, Reflex 16, Will 12
Immune disease, poison; Resist 5 fire
Saving Throws +5
Speed 6, swim 6
Action Points 2

Bite (standard; at-will)
+6 vs. AC; 1d4 damage, and the target is grabbed (until escape) and takes ongoing 5 damage until it escapes. A duplicate that wishes to sustain its grab must use its standard action to do so (see one body, many minds, below). Ongoing damage from being grabbed by multiple duplicates does not stack.
Split (minor, 1/round; at-will)
The splitting serpent creates a new duplicate of itself in an unoccupied square adjacent to an existing duplicate. The newly-created duplicate shifts 3 squares and makes a bite attack.
Divide and Conquer (standard; recharge )
The splitting serpent makes a split attack. If it has less than four duplicates after the attack, it repeats the attack until it has a total of four duplicates. This does not prevent it from making a split attack as a minor action in the same round.
Bloodied Division (free, when first bloodied, encounter)
The splitting serpent's divide and conquer attack recharges and it uses it immediately.
Flowing Water (move, 1/round; at-will)
A duplicate shifts 6 squares and ignores difficult terrain while it shifts.
One Body, Many Minds
A splitting serpent may create multiple duplicates of itself. Note that it is not really worthwhile to track which is the original splitting serpent, so for simplicity, its original body is also considered a duplicate. All the duplicates of a splitting serpent are treated as a single creature for the purpose of hit points and hit point damage: damage taken by a duplicate is subtracted from the splitting serpent's common pool of hit points, and the splitting serpent only takes damage once if two or more of its duplicates are affected by a power that deals damage to multiple targets simultaneously. However, they are treated as separate creatures for the purpose of other effects, e.g. a power that stuns only one duplicate would not affect any other duplicate. On its turn, each of the splitting serpent's duplicates may take a standard action (unless stunned or otherwise prevented from acting). In addition, as long as any of the splitting serpent's duplicates are capable of a full round's worth of actions, it also gains a move action and a minor action. When the splitting serpent spends an action point, the additional action may be taken by any of its duplicates.
Recombination
If a duplicate is pushed, pulled or slid into a square adjacent to another duplicate, it slides into the other duplicate's space and is re-absorbed and destroyed.

Alignment unaligned
Languages –
Str 13 (+1) Dex 16 (+3) Wis 13 (+1)
Con 12 (+1) Int 2 (-4) Cha 10 (+0)

Splitting Serpent Tactics
A splitting serpent attempts to get close to at least a few enemies before using divide and conquer, and tries as far as possible to have each duplicate attack a different enemy. If two or more duplicates are grabbing the same enemy, one of them uses its action to sustain the grab while the others release their grab to either bite the same target or move to attack another one. The splitting serpent tries to spread its duplicates evenly among its enemies, using flowing water to avoid opportunity attacks and using split to create additional duplicates where it wants them.

FireLance

The shadowfused template builds on the shadowtouched alternate advancement, and represents an even greater infusion of necrotic energy into the base creature. This increases its necrotic resistance and general toughness, and allows it to strike back with necrotic energy against its attackers, and to use its necrotic smite ability more often.

Prerequisite: Shadowtouched alternate advancement

Shadowfused
XP elite
Defenses +2 to three highest defenses
Resist increase necrotic resistance by 5
Saving Throws +2
Action Points 1
Hit Points double hit points of shadowtouched creature

Powers
Necrotic Backlash
An adjacent creature that damages the shadowfused creature with a melee attack or an attack with the Weapon keyword takes necrotic damage equal to 2 + 1/2 the shadowfused creature's level.
Necrotic Smite
The shadowfused creature's necrotic smite also recharges when first bloodied.

The shadowfused template does not change the base creature's origin. However, a successful Arcana check allows a character to recognize that a creature is shadowfused, even if he is unable to identify the base creature, and to know the powers and resistances of the shadowfused template, as per the rules for monster knowledge checks.

The following example applies the shadowfused template to the shadowtouched gray wolf.

Shadowfused Gray Wolf, Level 3 Elite Skirmisher
Medium natural beast (XP 300)

Initiative +5
Senses Perception +7; darkvision
HP 92; Bloodied 46; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 19; Fortitude 17, Reflex 17, Will 13
Resist 10 necrotic
Speed 8

Bite (standard; at-will)
+7 vs. AC; 1d6 + 2 damage, or 2d6 + 2 damage against a prone target or against the target of its bloodied retaliation (see below)
Combat Advantage
If the shadowfused gray wolf has combat advantage against the target, the target is also knocked prone on a hit.
Necrotic Smite (standard; recharges when first bloodied, encounter) * Necrotic
The shadowfused gray wolf makes a bite attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 6 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Necrotic Backlash
An adjacent creature that damages the shadowfused gray wolf with a melee attack or an attack with the Weapon keyword takes 3 necrotic damage.
Bloodied Retaliation
The shadowfused gray wolf gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.

Alignment Unaligned
Languages –
Str 13 (+2) Dex 14 (+3) Wis 13 (+2)
Con 14 (+3) Int 3 (-3) Cha 10 (+1)

FireLance

Kail Greenbough is a prosperous local farmer, and Blackie is his pet dog.

Adventure Role: Kail Greenbough plays a key role in Challenge #4, when the PC is asked to mediate a dispute between him and the elf ranger Rumil Amanth. Knowledge of Kail's full name and Blackie's name should also help the PC solve the lock puzzle in Challenge #2.

Physical Description: middle-aged; tall; burly; tanned skin; black eyes; graying black hair. Blackie is a black, wolf-like dog similar to an Alsatian.

Personality Traits: blunt, gruff, stubborn.

Key Game Stats:

Kail Greenbough, Level 1 Adjunct
Medium natural humanoid, human (XP 50)

Initiative +0
Senses Perception +1
HP 14; Bloodied 7
AC 14; Fortitude 13, Reflex 12, Will 12
Speed 6

Club (standard; at-will) * Weapon
+5 vs. AC; 6 damage.

Alignment Unaligned
Languages Common
Str 14 (+2) Dex 10 (+0) Wis 13 (+1)
Con 12 (+1) Int 13 (+1) Cha 11 (+0)
Equipment club

- - - - -

Blackie, Level 1 Adjunct
Medium natural beast (XP 50)

Initiative +4
Senses Perception +6
HP 15; Bloodied 7
AC 15; Fortitude 13, Reflex 13, Will 12
Speed 6

Bite (standard; at-will)
+6 vs. AC; 6 damage.

Alignment Unaligned
Languages -
Str 13 (+1) Dex 14 (+2) Wis 13 (+1)
Con 14 (+2) Int 2 (-4) Cha 10 (+0)

FireLance

The following example applies the shadowtouched alternate advancement to the web terror spider found in the D&D Basic Game. I also added an additional ability which I felt was appropriate for the base spider.

Shadowtouched Web Terror Spider, Level 3 Controller
Medium natural beast (spider) (XP 150)

Initiative +3
Senses Perception +7; darkvision, tremorsense 5
HP 46; Bloodied 23; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 17; Fortitude 13, Reflex 15, Will 16
Resist 5 necrotic
Speed 6, climb 6 (spider climb)

Bite (standard; at-will) * Poison
+5 vs. AC; 1d6 + 1 damage, and the target takes ongoing 5 poison damage and is slowed (save ends both); see also web advantage and bloodied retaliation.
() Web (minor 1/round; at-will)
Ranged 10; +6 vs. Reflex; the target is immobilized (save ends).
Web Advantage
The shadowtouched web terror spider gains combat advantage against an immobilized target.
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic, Poison
The shadowtouched web terror spider makes a bite attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 6 necrotic damage and the target is weakened in addition to being slowed and taking ongoing 5 poison damage (save ends all three).
Bloodied Retaliation
The shadowtouched web terror spider gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.

Alignment Unaligned
Languages –
Skills Athletics +8, Stealth +9
Str 12 (+2) Dex 15 (+3) Wis 13 (+2)
Con 14 (+3) Int 1 (-4) Cha 8 (+0)

FireLance

The following example applies the shadowtouched alternate advancement to a gray wolf. I also modified its bite attack to make it synergize better with bloodied retaliation.

Shadowtouched Gray Wolf, Level 3 Skirmisher
Medium natural beast (XP 150)

Initiative +5
Senses Perception +7; darkvision
HP 46; Bloodied 23; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 17; Fortitude 15, Reflex 15, Will 13
Resist 5 necrotic
Speed 8

Bite (standard; at-will)
+7 vs. AC; 1d6 + 2 damage, or 2d6 + 2 damage against a prone target or against the target of its bloodied retaliation (see below);
Combat Advantage
If the shadowtouched gray wolf has combat advantage against the target, the target is also knocked prone on a hit.
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
The shadowtouched gray wolf makes a bite attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 6 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Bloodied Retaliation
The shadowtouched gray wolf gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.

Alignment Unaligned
Languages –
Str 13 (+2) Dex 14 (+3) Wis 13 (+2)
Con 14 (+3) Int 3 (-3) Cha 10 (+1)

FireLance

The following example is not a direct application of the shadowtouched alternate advancement. I made an existing ability (flyby attack) synergize better with necrotic smite, and removed another melee basic attack (snatch) to compensate. Doing so also simplified the available combat options slightly.

Shadowtouched Spiretop Drake, Level 2 Skirmisher
Small natural beast (reptile) (XP 125)

Initiative +7
Senses Perception +4; darkvision
HP 37; Bloodied 18; see also bloodied retaliation
AC 17; Fortitude 11, Reflex 15, Will 14
Resist 5 necrotic
Speed 4, fly 8 (hover); see also flyby attack

Bite (standard; at-will)
+6 vs. AC; 1d6 + 4 damage; see also bloodied retaliation.
Flyby Attack (standard; at-will)
The shadowtouched spiretop drake flies up to 8 squares and makes a bite attack or a necrotic smite attack at any point during that movement. It does not provoke opportunity attacks when moving away from the target of the attack.
Necrotic Smite (standard; encounter) * Necrotic
The shadowtouched spiretop drake makes a bite attack. If it hits, it deals an additional 6 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save ends).
Bloodied Retaliation
The shadowtouched spiretop drake gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the creature that first bloodies it in an encounter.

Alignment Unaligned
Languages –
Str 11 (+1) Dex 18 (+5) Wis 16 (+4)
Con 13 (+2) Int 3 (-3) Cha 11 (+1)

FireLance