core rules

[Lost-Johnny]

Just wondering where the basic idea of templates is first covered in the core rulebooks. Can templates be applied to PC's? I was thinking about using the template concept for character background. Is this idea covered in any supplement?

Thanks.

 

[Shazman]

The core templates are in the Monster Manual. They are listed alphabetically, so half-fiends, dragons, etc. are in the H's. Off of the top of my head, the templates are celestial, fiendish, ghost, half-celestial, half-dragon, half-fiend, lich, lycanthrope, and vampire. There are also a number of templates in other non-core books such as Draconomicon, Libris Mortis, Savage Species, etc.

 

[CsonTep]

Add skeleton and zombie to Shazman's list.

The Savage Progressions article series on the Wizard's website had template classes for most of them.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/sp

 

[Corsair]

The DMG has a section on non-standard races as well, addressing how Level Adjustment (LA) works. Any template appropriate for a PC usually has a LA listed.