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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carcharoth" data-source="post: 6755036" data-attributes="member: 6804318">Because I have learned much over many years of lurking, I figure it’s about time that I shared a little something with the community. I (like most I presume) have favorite monsters, and so I often boost or reduce CR to continue to keep them engaging and relevant as PC levels increase. Since I like templates in 3.5/ Pathfinder, I used a similar idea to create the following for 5e.In the off chance that someone else might find it useful, here you go… [h=1]Adding Flavor by Using Templates to Increase or Decrease the CR of 5e Monsters[/h][h=2]Introduction[/h]The following information is intended to help DMs make quick CR adjustments to existing 5e monsters. It is not intended to be used for monster creation; however, it can aid in that process. As mentioned in the DMG, monsters are more than an exercise in number crunching, so the DM is encouraged to make further adjustments as deemed necessary.Below are a few basic templates and formulas that can be used to quickly increase or decrease a monster’s CR. Both methods are derived from rules contained in the Monster Statistics by Challenge Rating guide of the DMG on page 274.[h=2]Basic Templates[/h]Basic Templates are broken down into two types; Quick and Simple. Quick Templates are intended to give a quick CR boost, while Simple Templates are used to add flavor that may or may not result in a change to the CR.With respect to Basic Templates, the rules presented in the DMG work well for adjusting CR up and down a few points, but do not scale well when used for greater changes. The following templates work well within the -3 CR to +3 CR range.Although most templates show increases, simply subtract to decrease the CR. Each template is calculated using the following rules per the DMG.<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Find the CR for its corresponding HPs, and adjust the CR up or down by one for every two points of difference between the original AC and the corresponding AC for this CR. This is the Defensive CR.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Find the CR for its corresponding DPR, and adjust the CR up or down by one for every two points of difference between the original Attack Bonus and the corresponding Attack Bonus for this CR. This is the Offensive CR.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The final CR is the average of the Defensive and Offensive CRs rounded up.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Adjust the final CR as you see fit.</li> </ol>Each template will change one or more of the following attributes; AC, HP, Attack Bonus, and Damage Per Round.[h=3]Quick Templates[/h]CR+1: HP+1, DPR+1 CR+2: HP+2, DPR+2 CR+3: AC+1, HP+3, AB+1, DPR+3[h=3]Simple Templates[/h][h=4]Defensive[/h]CR+0: AC-2, HP+1CR+0: AC+2, HP-1CR+1: AC+2, HP+1CR+1: AC+1, HP+2CR+2: AC+2, HP+3CR+3: AC+3, HP+5[h=4]Offensive[/h]CR+0: AB-2, DPR+1CR+0: AB+2, DPR-1CR+1: AB+2, DPR+1CR+1: AB+1, DPR+2CR+2: AB+2, DPR+3CR+3: AB+3, DPR+5[h=4]Advanced[/h]CR+1: AC+1, HP+1, AB+1, DPR+1CR+2: AC+1, HP+2, AB+1, DPR+2CR+3: AC+2, HP+2, AB+2, DPR+2CR+3: AC+1, HP+3, AB+1, DPR+3[h=4]Decrepit/ Young[/h]CR-1:   AC-0, HP-1, AB-0, DPR-1CR-2:   AC-1, HP-2, AB-1, DPR-2CR-3:   AC-2, HP-2, AB-2, DPR-2CR-3:   AC-1, HP-3, AB-1, DPR-3[h=4]Lumbering Beast[/h]CR+1: AC-1, HP+1, AB-1, DPR+1CR+2: AC-1, HP+2, AB-1, DPR+2CR+3: AC-2, HP+4, AB-2, DPR+4 To use a template, adjust each attribute as follows. <ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">CR+1: The template will adjust the CR up by 1.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">AC+1: Add 1 to the current AC.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">HP+1*: Multiply the following HP value by 1 and add to monster’s current HP.<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">If CR is less than 1, add 5 HP (5x1).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">If CR is between 1 and 19, add 15 HP (15x1).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">If CR is 20 or greater, add 45 HP (45x1).</li> </ol></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">AB+2: Add 2 to the current AB.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">DPR+2*: Multiply the following DPR value by 2 and add to monster’s current DPR.<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">If DPR is less than 1, add 4 to DPR (2x2).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">If DPR is between 1 and 19, add 12 DPR (6x2).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">If DPR is 20 or greater, add 36 DPR (18x2).</li> </ol></li> </ol>* The HP and DPR values presented here are determined by the difference between the current and desired CR. For instance, in the DMG table, you will note that the HP difference between a CR 5 and CR 6 creature is 15 HP, while the DPR difference between the two is 6.[h=2]Examples of Templates[/h][h=3]Defensive Template[/h]Whether fleet of foot or tough as nails, a creature that’s harder to hit, and/ or takes a lot of damage.Golfimbul slowly whittles away at the diminishing defenses of his rival, who, in turn, is having difficulty scoring a solid blow. Goblin: CR ¼, AC 15, HP 7, AB 4, DPR 5Defensive: CR+1, AC+2, HP+1 (5)New Stats: CR ½, AC 17, HP 14, AB 4, DPR 5 A great worm it was, with nigh impenetrable hide, a force of untold horror that in its wake left only ruin.Purple Worm: CR 15, AC 18, HP 247, AB 9, DPR 41Defensive: CR+2, AC+2, HP+3 (45)New Stats: CR 17, AC 20, HP 292, AB 9, DPR 41[h=3]Offensive Template[/h]Through natural skill or pure aggression, a creature that hits hard and often.The dreaded Katahdin, she-bear and known hunter of the goodly races, marked new territory near a small farming settlement, just a two day journey down Old Forest Road. Brown Bear: CR 1, AC 11, HP 34, AB 5, DPR 19Offensive: CR+2, AB+2, DPR+3 (18)New Stats: CR 3, AC 11, HP 34, AB 7, DPR 37[h=3]Advanced Template[/h]A creature more ferocious and formidable than its kin.As the alpha of her pack, Garmr brutally slaughters a rival underling, quelling a simmering unrest in her hellish retinue.Hellhound: CR 3, AC 15, HP 45, AB 5, DPR 21Advanced: CR+3, AC+1, HP+3 (45), AB+1, DPR+3 (18)New Stats: CR 6, AC 16. HP 90, AB 6, DPR 39[h=3]Decrepit Template[/h]A creature once majestic and worthy of respect, reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.Finding that he can no longer defend against the cruelty of his own kind, Asterion is condemned to live among the squalor of lesser races. Minotaur: CR 3, AC 14, HP 76, AB 6, DPR 17Decrepit: CR-2, AC-1, HP-2 (30), AB-1, DPR-2 (12)New Stats: CR 1, AC 13, HP 46, AB 5, DPR 5[h=3]Lumbering Beast Template[/h]A creature larger, slower and less precise than its ilk, yet capable of dealing and enduring tremendous punishment.Gilim, a hulking mass of destruction tainted by the Ruinous Powers, provides muscle for a local band of marauders.Hill Giant: CR 5, AC 13, HP 105, AB 8, DPR 36Lumbering Beast: CR+2, AC-1, HP+2 (30), AB-1, DPR+2 (12)New Stats: CR 7, AC 12, HP 135, AB 7, DPR 48 [h=3]Zero Sum CR Templates for Flavor[/h]A zero-sum template increases one set of attributes, while it decreases another. The end result is a more flavorful version of the original creature.  A Glass Jaw. Afraid of getting hurt, Bloop is last to enter the fray, but when he does, watch out for that right. Kua-Toa: CR ¼, AC 13, HP 18, AB 3, DPR 4Formula: CR+0, AC-2, HP-1 (6), AB+2, DPR+1 (2)New Stats: CR ¼, AC 11, HP 12, AB 5, DPR 6Floats Like a Butterfly…With quick hands and light feet, Willy works his way around the periphery, punishing the unwary with disturbing ease.Wererat: CR 2, AC 12, HP 33, AB 4, DPR 9Formula: CR+0, AC+1, HP+ 0, AB+2, DM-1 (6)New Stats: CR 2, AC 14, HP 33, AB 5, DPR 3 [h=3]CR Formulas[/h]To maintain better balance over a larger range increases or decreases, use the formulas below. Numerically, the result will be a reasonable representation of a substantially different CR for a given creature.Since many of the 5e monsters do not precisely match the DMG table, the odds are that you’re not going to end up with a precise match either. The formulas will, however, yield consistent results that may vary +/-1 per AC or AB, depending on the value of the beginning CR.Increase or Decrease CR by XAC:   +(X+1)/3 Rounded DownHP:   CR < 1, +(X*5) CR >1 and < 20, +(X * 15) CR > 19, +(X * 45)AB:   +X/3 Rounded DownDPR: CR < 1, +(X*2) CR > 1 and < 20, +(X*6) CR > 19, +(X*18)[h=3]Examples of CR Formulas[/h]As mentioned previously, the previous templates do not scale well over larger increases or decreases. As such, the following examples use simple formulas to boost CR and allow you to add flavor as desired.A Hero Among TrollsAs in ages past, The Fallen once again make host of foul creatures. Dunker the Depraved, until recently unheard of, quickly and unexpectedly ascended the ranks of a large orc army, foreshadowing a new age of darkness.Original Stats: CR 5, AC 15, HP 84, AB 7, DPR 29Formula: CR+5: AC+(5+1)/3, HP+(5*15), AB+5/3, DPR+(5*6)Result: CR+5, AC+2, HP+75, AB+1, DPR+30New Stats: CR 10, AC 17, HP 159, AB 8, DPR 59Uber OrogAt the fore of a renewed assault, Mauzur Fey-Killer, right hand to the Spectral Queen, insights in the armies of darkness a bloodlust most foul, shattering the already precarious resolve of his opposing forces.Orog: CR 2, AC 18, HP 42, AB 6, 20Formula: CR+13: AC+(13+1)/3, HP+(13*15), AB+13/3, DPR+(13*6)Result: CR+13, AC+4, HP+195, AB+4, DRP+78New Stats: CR 15, AC 22, HP 237, AB 10, DPR 98</blockquote>

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