frankthedm
First Post
http://wizards.com/d20/files/msrd/FutureXenobiology.rtf
I was looking through the D20 rule set and noticed the D20 Future Xenobiology section had two interesting templates. Not only was one of them quite customizable, but it also had measured +1/3rd & +2/3rds increments for CR, something rarely seen in templates. But I got to wondering, how well to the CRs stand up to D&D CRs?
CR is an art, not a min max tool, but are the CR adjustments good ballpark numbers?
The Space slime and green slime seem pretty congruent, but the extraterrestrial and space creature templates are what I was wondering about.
[Sblock=Slimes]Green Slime (CR 4): This dungeon peril is a dangerous variety of normal slime. Green slime devours flesh and organic materials on contact and is even capable of dissolving metal. Bright green, wet, and sticky, it clings to walls, floors, and ceilings in patches, reproducing as it consumes organic matter. It drops from walls and ceilings when it detects movement (and possible food) below.
A single 5-foot square of green slime deals 1d6 points of Constitution damage per round while it devours flesh. On the first round of contact, the slime can be scraped off a creature (most likely destroying the scraping device), but after that it must be frozen, burned, or cut away (dealing damage to the victim as well). Anything that deals cold or fire damage, sunlight, or a remove disease spell destroys a patch of green slime. Against wood or metal, green slime deals 2d6 points of damage per round, ignoring metal’s hardness but not that of wood. It does not harm stone.
SPACE SLIME (CR 4)
This sticky, translucent green slime devours flesh and organic materials on contact. Wet and sticky, it clings to walls, ceilings, and floors in patches, growing and spreading as it consumes organic matter. It drops from walls and ceilings when it detects movement (and possible food) below.
A single 5-foot square of space slime deals 1d6 points of Constitution damage per round while it devours flesh. On the first round of contact, the slime can be scraped off a creature (most likely destroying the scraping device), but after that it must be frozen, burned, or cut away (dealing damage to the victim as well). Against wood or metal, space slime deals 2d6 points of damage per round, ignoring metal’s hardness but not that of wood. It does not harm stone. An injection of Sporekill or 10 or more points of cold or fire damage destroys a 5-foot patch of space slime.[/Sblock]
CREATURE TEMPLATES
[Sblock=EXTRATERRESTRIAL (TEMPLATE)]
The term “extraterrestrial” is used to describe creatures from other worlds. Extraterrestrials capable of space travel can be encountered almost anywhere. Some present themselves as friendly explorers, while others are interested primarily in conquest or colonization. Others are simply predators that make their way from one world to another.
TEMPLATE TRAITS
“Extraterrestrial” is an inherited template that can be added to any living creature (referred to hereafter as the “base creature”). The creature retains its original type. It uses the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Challenge Rating: Same as base creature, with modifiers as noted under Special Qualities, below. If the total CR modifier is a fraction, round up or down to the nearest whole number; for example, an extraterrestrial that gains a breath weapon (+2/3 CR), improved natural armor (+1/3 CR), and power resistance (+1/3 CR) has a total CR modifier of +1.
Speed: The extraterrestrial can replace one of the base creature’s modes of movement for another, gaining the ability to burrow, climb, fly, or swim.
Burrow: The extraterrestrial can burrow at a speed equal to one-half its base land speed.
Climb: The extraterrestrial can climb at a speed equal to its base land speed. It also gains a +8 species bonus on Climb checks.
Fly: The extraterrestrial has wings and can fly at twice the speed of its base land speed (poor maneuverability).
Swim: The extraterrestrial can swim at a speed equal to its base land speed. It also gains a +8 species bonus on Swim checks.
Special Qualities: An extraterrestrial retains all the special qualities of the base creature. It may also gain one or more special qualities, chosen from the following list:
Special Quality CR Modifier
Acidic blood +1/3
Blindsight +1/3
Breath weapon +2/3
Damage reduction 5/– +2/3
Death cloud +2/3
Energy resistance 10 +1/3
Fast healing 5 +2/3
Improved natural armor +1/3
Poisonous bite +2/3
Power resistance +1/3
Psionics +1/3
Scent +1/3
Acidic Blood (Ex): The extraterrestrial has acidic blood. Each time it takes damage, it deals acid damage to all adjacent creatures and objects as it splatters its blood on them. The amount of damage equals 1d6 per 3 Hit Dice of the creature (rounded down), to a maximum of 5d6 points. A successful Reflex save (DC 15) halves the damage. Acidic blood increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Blindsight (Ex): Blindsight increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Breath Weapon (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds, the extraterrestrial can breathe a 30-foot cone of cold or fire, or a 60-foot line of acid or electricity. The breath weapon deals damage of the appropriate energy type to all opponents within the effect, and the amount of damage is equal to 1d6 per Hit Dice of the creature, to a maximum of 15d6 points. Targets who make a successful Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 creature’s HD + creature’s Con modifier) take half damage. A breath weapon increases the creature’s CR by +2/3.
Damage Reduction (Ex): The extraterrestrial gains damage reduction 5/–. Damage reduction increases the creature’s CR by +2/3.
Death Cloud (Ex): When it dies, the extraterrestrial expels a cloud of poisonous gas that fills its fighting space and all squares within 10 feet. Any creature in the cloud must succeed in a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 the dead creature’s Hit Dice + the dead creature’s Con modifier) to negate the initial and secondary effects (1d6 points of Constitution damage each). The death cloud increases the creature’s CR by +2/3.
Energy Resistance (Ex): The extraterrestrial gains resistance 10 to one type of energy (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic/concussion). Energy resistance increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Fast Healing (Ex): The extraterrestrial has fast healing 5. Fast healing increases the creature’s CR by +2/3.
Improved Natural Armor (Ex): Increase the base creature’s natural armor by +3. This increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Poisonous Bite (Ex): The extraterrestrial’s bite attack is poisonous. (Only creatures with a natural bite attack can gain this ability.) A successful Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 the creature’s Hit Dice + the creature’s Con modifier) negates the effect. The poison’s damage can vary, as shown below; either roll randomly or choose the type that best suits the creature. A poisonous bite increases the creature’s CR by +2/3.
Roll d% Initial Damage Secondary Damage
01–17% 1d6 Str 1d6 Str
18–34% 1d6 Dex 1d6 Dex
35–50% 1d4 Con 1d4 Con
51–67% 2d4 Wis 2d4 Wis
68–84% 2d4 Cha 2d4 Cha
85–100% None Paralysis 1d6 hours
Power Resistance (Ex): The extraterrestrial gains power resistance equal to its Hit Dice. Power resistance increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Psionics (Sp): The extraterrestrial gains the use of one psionic power of 2nd level or lower. It can use this power three times per day. This ability increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Scent (Ex): This ability increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Feats: An extraterrestrial may replace one of the base creature’s feats with the Planetary Adaptation feat. If the base creature has no feats, it does not gain Planetary Adaptation as a bonus feat.
PLANETARY ADAPTATION
Your physiology has been altered by life on a planet with a harsh climate or adverse environmental conditions.
Benefit: You gain one of the benefits listed below, depending on your planet of origin.
Barren World: You gain a +4 bonus on Survival checks and a +4 bonus on Constitution checks against starvation and thirst.
Cold World: You gain a +4 bonus on Fortitude saves against extreme cold, as well as cold resistance 5.
Dark World: You gain darkvision out to a range of 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but otherwise works as normal sight.
High-G World: You gain a +2 bonus to your Strength. Reduce your base height by 6 inches.
Hot World: You gain a +4 bonus on Fortitude saves against extreme heat, as well as fire resistance 5.
Low-G World: You gain a +2 bonus to your Dexterity. Increase your base height by 6 inches.
Water World: You gain a +4 bonus on Swim checks and can hold your breath for a number of rounds equal to twice your Constitution score.
Special: You may only take this feat at 1st level. You may select this feat more than once, however, if you get multiple feats at 1st level; each time you choose this feat, you gain a different benefit. [/Sblock]
[Sblock=SPACE CREATURE (TEMPLATE)]
A space creature is a xenomorph that either lives in the cold vacuum of space or can survive there indefinitely. Space creatures often hibernate in comets and asteroids. Others wander outer space in search of food, occasionally taking up residence on planets where food is abundant (assuming they can find a safe way to the surface). Space creatures even threaten astronauts and idle starships from time to time. Not all space creatures are motivated by hunger or sheer malice; other likely motives include natural curiosity or a desire for companionship. Space is, after all, a vast and lonely place.
TEMPLATE TRAITS
“Space creature” is an inherited template that can be added to any creature (referred to hereafter as the “base creature”). The creature retains its original type. It uses the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Challenge Rating: Same as base creature +1.
Speed: In space and other zero-gravity environments, a space creature gains a fly speed equal to its base speed (perfect maneuverability).
Special Qualities: A space creature retains all the special qualities of the base creature. I t also gains the following special qualities:
Energy Resistance (Ex): A space creature gains cold resistance 20 and fire resistance 20.
Darkvision (Ex): The space creature gains darkvision out to a range of 120 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but is otherwise the same as normal sight.
Radiation Resistance (Ex): A space creature gains a +8 species bonus on saves to resist any kind of radiation poisoning.
Vacuum Survival (Ex): A space creature creates its own oxygen supply or doesn’t need to breathe at all. It can exist in zero-atmosphere environments.
Ability Modifiers: Apply the following modifiers to a space creature’s ability scores: –2 Str, +2 Con.
Bonus Feats: A space creature gains the bonus feat Zero-G Training.
ZERO-G TRAINING
You can function normally in low gravity or zero gravity.
Prerequisites: Dexterity 13, Tumble 4 ranks.
Benefits: You take no penalty on attack rolls in low-gravity or zero-gravity environments. In addition, you do not suffer the debilitating effects of space sickness.
Normal: Without this feat, you take a –4 penalty on attack rolls while operating in zero-gravity environments, or a –2 penalty on attack rolls while operating in low-gravity environments. In addition, you are subject to the effects of Space Adaptation Syndrome, also known as space sickness.[/Sblock]
I was looking through the D20 rule set and noticed the D20 Future Xenobiology section had two interesting templates. Not only was one of them quite customizable, but it also had measured +1/3rd & +2/3rds increments for CR, something rarely seen in templates. But I got to wondering, how well to the CRs stand up to D&D CRs?
CR is an art, not a min max tool, but are the CR adjustments good ballpark numbers?
The Space slime and green slime seem pretty congruent, but the extraterrestrial and space creature templates are what I was wondering about.
[Sblock=Slimes]Green Slime (CR 4): This dungeon peril is a dangerous variety of normal slime. Green slime devours flesh and organic materials on contact and is even capable of dissolving metal. Bright green, wet, and sticky, it clings to walls, floors, and ceilings in patches, reproducing as it consumes organic matter. It drops from walls and ceilings when it detects movement (and possible food) below.
A single 5-foot square of green slime deals 1d6 points of Constitution damage per round while it devours flesh. On the first round of contact, the slime can be scraped off a creature (most likely destroying the scraping device), but after that it must be frozen, burned, or cut away (dealing damage to the victim as well). Anything that deals cold or fire damage, sunlight, or a remove disease spell destroys a patch of green slime. Against wood or metal, green slime deals 2d6 points of damage per round, ignoring metal’s hardness but not that of wood. It does not harm stone.
SPACE SLIME (CR 4)
This sticky, translucent green slime devours flesh and organic materials on contact. Wet and sticky, it clings to walls, ceilings, and floors in patches, growing and spreading as it consumes organic matter. It drops from walls and ceilings when it detects movement (and possible food) below.
A single 5-foot square of space slime deals 1d6 points of Constitution damage per round while it devours flesh. On the first round of contact, the slime can be scraped off a creature (most likely destroying the scraping device), but after that it must be frozen, burned, or cut away (dealing damage to the victim as well). Against wood or metal, space slime deals 2d6 points of damage per round, ignoring metal’s hardness but not that of wood. It does not harm stone. An injection of Sporekill or 10 or more points of cold or fire damage destroys a 5-foot patch of space slime.[/Sblock]
CREATURE TEMPLATES
[Sblock=EXTRATERRESTRIAL (TEMPLATE)]
The term “extraterrestrial” is used to describe creatures from other worlds. Extraterrestrials capable of space travel can be encountered almost anywhere. Some present themselves as friendly explorers, while others are interested primarily in conquest or colonization. Others are simply predators that make their way from one world to another.
TEMPLATE TRAITS
“Extraterrestrial” is an inherited template that can be added to any living creature (referred to hereafter as the “base creature”). The creature retains its original type. It uses the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Challenge Rating: Same as base creature, with modifiers as noted under Special Qualities, below. If the total CR modifier is a fraction, round up or down to the nearest whole number; for example, an extraterrestrial that gains a breath weapon (+2/3 CR), improved natural armor (+1/3 CR), and power resistance (+1/3 CR) has a total CR modifier of +1.
Speed: The extraterrestrial can replace one of the base creature’s modes of movement for another, gaining the ability to burrow, climb, fly, or swim.
Burrow: The extraterrestrial can burrow at a speed equal to one-half its base land speed.
Climb: The extraterrestrial can climb at a speed equal to its base land speed. It also gains a +8 species bonus on Climb checks.
Fly: The extraterrestrial has wings and can fly at twice the speed of its base land speed (poor maneuverability).
Swim: The extraterrestrial can swim at a speed equal to its base land speed. It also gains a +8 species bonus on Swim checks.
Special Qualities: An extraterrestrial retains all the special qualities of the base creature. It may also gain one or more special qualities, chosen from the following list:
Special Quality CR Modifier
Acidic blood +1/3
Blindsight +1/3
Breath weapon +2/3
Damage reduction 5/– +2/3
Death cloud +2/3
Energy resistance 10 +1/3
Fast healing 5 +2/3
Improved natural armor +1/3
Poisonous bite +2/3
Power resistance +1/3
Psionics +1/3
Scent +1/3
Acidic Blood (Ex): The extraterrestrial has acidic blood. Each time it takes damage, it deals acid damage to all adjacent creatures and objects as it splatters its blood on them. The amount of damage equals 1d6 per 3 Hit Dice of the creature (rounded down), to a maximum of 5d6 points. A successful Reflex save (DC 15) halves the damage. Acidic blood increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Blindsight (Ex): Blindsight increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Breath Weapon (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds, the extraterrestrial can breathe a 30-foot cone of cold or fire, or a 60-foot line of acid or electricity. The breath weapon deals damage of the appropriate energy type to all opponents within the effect, and the amount of damage is equal to 1d6 per Hit Dice of the creature, to a maximum of 15d6 points. Targets who make a successful Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 creature’s HD + creature’s Con modifier) take half damage. A breath weapon increases the creature’s CR by +2/3.
Damage Reduction (Ex): The extraterrestrial gains damage reduction 5/–. Damage reduction increases the creature’s CR by +2/3.
Death Cloud (Ex): When it dies, the extraterrestrial expels a cloud of poisonous gas that fills its fighting space and all squares within 10 feet. Any creature in the cloud must succeed in a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 the dead creature’s Hit Dice + the dead creature’s Con modifier) to negate the initial and secondary effects (1d6 points of Constitution damage each). The death cloud increases the creature’s CR by +2/3.
Energy Resistance (Ex): The extraterrestrial gains resistance 10 to one type of energy (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic/concussion). Energy resistance increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Fast Healing (Ex): The extraterrestrial has fast healing 5. Fast healing increases the creature’s CR by +2/3.
Improved Natural Armor (Ex): Increase the base creature’s natural armor by +3. This increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Poisonous Bite (Ex): The extraterrestrial’s bite attack is poisonous. (Only creatures with a natural bite attack can gain this ability.) A successful Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 the creature’s Hit Dice + the creature’s Con modifier) negates the effect. The poison’s damage can vary, as shown below; either roll randomly or choose the type that best suits the creature. A poisonous bite increases the creature’s CR by +2/3.
Roll d% Initial Damage Secondary Damage
01–17% 1d6 Str 1d6 Str
18–34% 1d6 Dex 1d6 Dex
35–50% 1d4 Con 1d4 Con
51–67% 2d4 Wis 2d4 Wis
68–84% 2d4 Cha 2d4 Cha
85–100% None Paralysis 1d6 hours
Power Resistance (Ex): The extraterrestrial gains power resistance equal to its Hit Dice. Power resistance increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Psionics (Sp): The extraterrestrial gains the use of one psionic power of 2nd level or lower. It can use this power three times per day. This ability increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Scent (Ex): This ability increases the creature’s CR by +1/3.
Feats: An extraterrestrial may replace one of the base creature’s feats with the Planetary Adaptation feat. If the base creature has no feats, it does not gain Planetary Adaptation as a bonus feat.
PLANETARY ADAPTATION
Your physiology has been altered by life on a planet with a harsh climate or adverse environmental conditions.
Benefit: You gain one of the benefits listed below, depending on your planet of origin.
Barren World: You gain a +4 bonus on Survival checks and a +4 bonus on Constitution checks against starvation and thirst.
Cold World: You gain a +4 bonus on Fortitude saves against extreme cold, as well as cold resistance 5.
Dark World: You gain darkvision out to a range of 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but otherwise works as normal sight.
High-G World: You gain a +2 bonus to your Strength. Reduce your base height by 6 inches.
Hot World: You gain a +4 bonus on Fortitude saves against extreme heat, as well as fire resistance 5.
Low-G World: You gain a +2 bonus to your Dexterity. Increase your base height by 6 inches.
Water World: You gain a +4 bonus on Swim checks and can hold your breath for a number of rounds equal to twice your Constitution score.
Special: You may only take this feat at 1st level. You may select this feat more than once, however, if you get multiple feats at 1st level; each time you choose this feat, you gain a different benefit. [/Sblock]
[Sblock=SPACE CREATURE (TEMPLATE)]
A space creature is a xenomorph that either lives in the cold vacuum of space or can survive there indefinitely. Space creatures often hibernate in comets and asteroids. Others wander outer space in search of food, occasionally taking up residence on planets where food is abundant (assuming they can find a safe way to the surface). Space creatures even threaten astronauts and idle starships from time to time. Not all space creatures are motivated by hunger or sheer malice; other likely motives include natural curiosity or a desire for companionship. Space is, after all, a vast and lonely place.
TEMPLATE TRAITS
“Space creature” is an inherited template that can be added to any creature (referred to hereafter as the “base creature”). The creature retains its original type. It uses the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Challenge Rating: Same as base creature +1.
Speed: In space and other zero-gravity environments, a space creature gains a fly speed equal to its base speed (perfect maneuverability).
Special Qualities: A space creature retains all the special qualities of the base creature. I t also gains the following special qualities:
Energy Resistance (Ex): A space creature gains cold resistance 20 and fire resistance 20.
Darkvision (Ex): The space creature gains darkvision out to a range of 120 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but is otherwise the same as normal sight.
Radiation Resistance (Ex): A space creature gains a +8 species bonus on saves to resist any kind of radiation poisoning.
Vacuum Survival (Ex): A space creature creates its own oxygen supply or doesn’t need to breathe at all. It can exist in zero-atmosphere environments.
Ability Modifiers: Apply the following modifiers to a space creature’s ability scores: –2 Str, +2 Con.
Bonus Feats: A space creature gains the bonus feat Zero-G Training.
ZERO-G TRAINING
You can function normally in low gravity or zero gravity.
Prerequisites: Dexterity 13, Tumble 4 ranks.
Benefits: You take no penalty on attack rolls in low-gravity or zero-gravity environments. In addition, you do not suffer the debilitating effects of space sickness.
Normal: Without this feat, you take a –4 penalty on attack rolls while operating in zero-gravity environments, or a –2 penalty on attack rolls while operating in low-gravity environments. In addition, you are subject to the effects of Space Adaptation Syndrome, also known as space sickness.[/Sblock]
