Alt.Half-Dragons

[Buddha the DM]

I altered and expanded the Half-Dragon Template from the Monster Manual. You can view it at http://harineldermage.tripod.com/d20/althalf-dragon.html

 

[Buddha the DM]

I'll try attaching the file I made to this post.... Because if I try to copy and paste the document all of the tables will be massively screwed up.

 

[Buddha the DM]

Please post any comments or criticisms you have about my Alt.Half-Dragons here. If someone feels ambitious enough to figure out the ECL & CR mods for the 17 seperate species I'll give them credit for it in the file.

 

[Crothian]

I'd say for most of them ecl is about 5.

It doesn't look that bad. I think the Nat Armor bonus is a little high. I do like how you seperated the dragons for most of the bonuses.

 

[Buddha the DM]

Could you be a little bit more specific on which ones you think are ECL +5, and which aren't?

 

[Crothian]

Could you be a little bit more specific on which ones you think are ECL +5, and which aren't?

The following is Guess work, but I think I'm in the right ballpark for most of these. The higher the ecl, the tougher it really is to determine especially with out base HD for the creature.

Amethyst: Ecl +6
Black: Ecl +5
Blue: Ecl +5
Brass: Ecl +5
Bronze: Ecl +5
Copper: Ecl +5
Crystal: Ecl +5
Emerald: Ecl +6
Force: Ecl +10
Gold: Ecl +6
Green: Ecl +5
Prismatic: Ecl +11
Red: Ecl +6
Sapphire: Ecl +5
Silver: Ecl +5
Topaz: Ecl +5
White: Ecl +4

 

[Corwin]

I agree that the natural armor bonuses are a bit high. And that is a large portion of the high ECLs. Crothian has them about right, IMO. Though this isn't the place or time to be discussing the ambiguities of ECL vs. specific PC class/race. Not all templates on all creatures are created equal. But I digress.

If you want to get those ECLs down to a playable number, you need to reduce the natural armor bonus and the ability score bonuses.

IMO, halve the armor bonuses you show. Though don't be afraid to use odd numbers here and there.

As for ability scores, here's what I'd do. I'd take the "current" MM totals (+8 Str, +2 Con, +2 Int, +2 Cha) and shift them around (where necessary). Keeping in mind the disparate values of things like dumping off some Strength to Wisdom.

I think many of the "basic" dragons can use the generic stat boosts. But YMMV.

Doing these things can get those ECLS down a few points, IMO.

 

[Crothian]

Revised List after plugging the numbers a little harder. THe attribute bonuses are much more varied then I original thought. The saved DC and damage of the Prismatic and Force breath weapon really makes it hard to judge, so they might be a little on the high side.

Ecl +3:White

ECL +4: Black, Copper, Brass, Crystal, Saphire, Green

ECL +5: Amythest, Blue

ECL +6: Bronze, Emerald, Silver, Topaz

Ecl: +7: Red

Ecl +9: Gold

Prismatic, and Force are actually around +15

 

[Corwin]

Revised List after plugging the numbers a little harder. THe attribute bonuses are much more varied then I original thought.

Which is why I recommend getting them down a bit.

I'm guessing the reason he's going to the trouble, is that he intends to use it. One of the problems of high ECLs is that get virtually unplayable (templates especially).

By getting the numbers down and lowering the ECLs, you get a more usable "product".

 

[Buddha the DM]

I had originally used the baseline template in the MM as a guideline for the numbers that I got in the file. You are also correct in assuming that I intend to use my new alt.half-dragon template. I made it because the original struck me as a little bland.