Creating Swarms

Is there a template or standard procedure for creating creatures with the swarm sub-type out of creatures with already existing statistics? (For example, making a raven swarm or a cat swarm) I don't own my own copies of any of the 3.5 books and the SRD doesn't mention anything.
 

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While there are no specific guidelines for creating them, they are actually rather easy.

The Monster Types, Subtypes and Abilities file in the SRD has the Swarm traits:

http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/TypesSubtypesAbilities.rtf

Essentially, they always have a Space/Reach of 10 ft./0 ft., have no advancement, and don't have to make attack rolls. The damage type is always swarm, based on the swarm's HD. See the table in the file above.

Most swarms have a Str of 1 and cannot grapple.

There is a variant raven swarm, the bloodraven swarm, in the Book of Exalted Deeds.

I hope this helps!
 


This is my first attempt at playing around with swarms. It's essentially a modified rat swarm made with a statistics block for a mouse I found in my archive.

MOUSE SWARM
Fine Animal (Swarm)
Hit Dice: 4d8 (13 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 10 ft. (3 squares), climb 10 ft.
Armor Class: 20 (+8 size, +2 Dex), touch 14, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/-
Attack: Swarm (1d6 plus disease)
Full Attack: Swarm (1d6 plus disease)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Distraction
Special Qualities: Immune to weapon damage, low-light vision, scent, swarm traits
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +1
Abilities: Str 2, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +10, Climb +12, Hide +24, Listen +6, Move Silently +10, Spot +2
Feats: Alertness, Weapon Finesse
Environment: Any Land or Underground
Organization: Solitary, pack (2-4 swarms), or infestation (7-12 swarms)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: None
Level Adjustment: -

You hear a loud squeaking sound. Thousands of minute gray rodents scuttle around in different direction, confusion and fear in their beady eyes, and their diminutive teeth chattering away.

Combat
A mouse swarm seeks to surround and attack any warm-blooded prey it encounters. A swarm deals 1d6 points of damage to any creature whose space it occupies at the end of its move.
Distraction (Ex): Any living creature that begins its turn with a swarm in its square must succeed on a DC 12 Fortitude save or be nauseated for 1 round. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Skills: A mouse swarm has a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks, and a +8 racial bonus on Balance, Climb, and Swim checks. A mouse swarm can always choose to take 10 on all Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. A mouse swarm uses its Dexterity modifier instead of its Strength modifier for Climb and Swim checks.

Other:
A Mouse Swarm can be summoned with Summon Swarm
 
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