Do you mix templates from different settings ?

[JiCi]

I've been thinking about it for a while, and I would like to know what you guys do with this. When creating new monsters and/or NPCs, do you mix and match templates from different settings ? For example, do you mix a horrid animal from Eberron with a Beast of Xvim from Faerun and the Elite creature from World of Warcraft with the Extra-Terrestrial template from D20 Future ?

If so, I would to see what template combinaisons you guys can come up with.

For example, I like the Dreadnaught (Book of Templates 3.5) + Elite creature (WoW Monster Guide) combo. Why ? maximum hp x4 = nice boss characters. In Eberron or Faerun, this combo might be illegal due to conflicting sources, but all you nice is a little adaptation and you're set.

Let's see what you do... and all books are allowed, all settings, all third party, all sources.

 

[Gothenem]

I indeed have had fun mixing up templates like this. One of my personal fav's was a Force-Using (Star Wars) Titanic (MM2) Dire (Right Here ) Albadian Battle Dog (Creature Collection).

 

[Kafkonia]

Oh, all the time, as you can see in some of my "Fun With Templates" posts listed in my creation index (see sig.)

Combinations of templates can often net you results that you wouldn't see from the application of a single one, and are a good way of keeping beasties unrecognizable. My fear giant springs to mind as a particular example.

 

[JiCi]

goblin + gigantic + spell-powered (fear)

yep... that counts as a good combo

 

[Kafkonia]

goblin + gigantic + spell-powered (fear)

yep... that counts as a good combo

Don't forget Lolth-touched. It's a fairly humdrum template, but it enhanced the flavour of the giant immensely.

 

[JiCi]

here's another one: 14 HD creature/NPC + spellpowered (true strike, wraithstrike, golem strike, critical strike, grave strike, vine strike; all constant effects) + chirurgic horror (slashing weapons)

Sneak attack every monster except elementals and oozes, as touch attacks, with a +20 bonus, a +1d6 bonus to sneak attack, an additional +4 to confirm critical hits and a keen edge effect.

Overkill ? maybe, but for a CR 17-18 encounter, dude does it work.

Oh, and add the Shadow-walker (Unapprochable East) for more effectiveness.