Adding class levels to monsters

[The_Dood]

The reason I am adding class levels to a skeleton is to increase its fighting potential by increasing and changing its feats. If adding levels is technically againist the rules, is there another way to do this, without using the skeleton template?

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Sure there's another way to do this. However, it does go against the normal rules and will yield a skeleton that couldn't be made with Animate Dead.

Step 1. Create a figther or warrior--heck, you could even do a barbarian and explain the rage with a surge of unholy energy from a convenient altar.

Step 2. Make him a skeleton.

-Remove the con score
-Remove the Int score (make sure you didn't give him any expertise dependant feats).
-Increase all hit dice to d12
-Apply the skeletal immunities (half damage from pierce/slash, cold immunity, etc).
-Reduce BAB to 1/2 HD (as per normal undead).
-Guess and check CR.

Alternately:
Take a MM skeleton. Increase Fort save by 2. Add 1d8 (or 1d12 or some random number you pick) of hit points. Increase BAB by +1. Grant a feat. Give it martial weapon proficiencies and all armor proficiencies. Equip it as desired. Increase CR by +1. Don't tell any rules lawyers what you've done and shred your DM preparation documents after the session.

 

[novyet]

The reason I am adding class levels to a skeleton is to increase its fighting potential by increasing and changing its feats. If adding levels is technically againist the rules, is there another way to do this, without using the skeleton template?

It would be a level 1 warrior, and if you want to add a level of warrior/fighter/whatever to it, go for it. You're the dm and if you want a more challenging skeleton add class levels. I do it all the time and it works pretty well.

Hey Elder-Basilisk, that surge of unholy energy you mentioned, great idea, consider it adopted!

 

[dcollins]

Doesn't the rule about replacing the 1st HD with class HD have some kind of stipulation? Like only humanoids? Or only races that traditionally advance by class?

There is no such stipulation in the core rules (see references above).

Special rules for a new template, such as the one Grazzt linked to above, are necessary to make this possible (exactly as the increase-to-d12 specification is in each individual undead template in the MM, p. 211-222).

 

[Grazzt]

There is no such stipulation in the core rules (see references above).

Special rules for a new template, such as the one Grazzt linked to above, are necessary to make this possible (exactly as the increase-to-d12 specification is in each individual undead template in the MM, p. 211-222).

Dan is right. No such stipulation exists. And ya have to "break" or bend the rules to do what you are wanting to do (though it is your game and if you Rule 0 it, it isnt really breaking anything).

Skeletons are one of the undead that were not meant to be a template (even though WotC put one on their site). The original concept behind templates (for undead anyway) were that if the class/creature retained any of its former abilities it should be a template (vampire, lich, ghost).

Undead that do not retain any part of their former life (skeletons, shadows, spectres, etc.) were not intended for templates. At least that is what a couple of the WotC designers told me when I posed the question to them.

But- the best route to go with your concept would be to create a 1st-level warrior and tack the skeleton template on it. That seems to allow what you want and seems to be the quickest and easiest route to go without complicating things.

 

[The_Dood]

Having said all this what would be the recommended CR for the following:

Medium-Size Skeleton, Fighter 1
Medium-Size Undead
Hit Dice: 2d12 (12 hp)
Initiative: +5 (+1 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 16 (+ 1 Dex, +2 natural,
+1 Large Shield, +2 Leather Armor)
Attacks: Khopesh +1
Damage: Khopesh 1d8
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Qualities: Undead, immunities
Saves: Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +2
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 12, Con -,
Int -, Wis 10, Cha 11
Feats: Improved Initiative, Phalanx
Fighting

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Well, rounded up: CR2.