Is There an Official Bodak Template?

[Felon]

The monster manual describes a bodak as if it were a template, and specifically states that the statistics provided were for supplied for a human who became a bodak. Since it's actually pretty easy to become a bodak (all you have to do is look at one the wrong way--literally!) I figured some bright child must have gotten the idea to write up a bodak template, perhaps for a dragon magazine. I'd like to know before I start brewing one up at home.

Hmm. Bodak medusa. Bodak beholder. Boda ettin. What else would be a nasty combo?

 

[Crothian]

I don't think there is a Bodak Template, but there does seem to be a need for one.

 

[LostSoul]

Now that is scary. Just looking at those guys freaks me out.

 

[SteelDraco]

I've not seen a bodak template in any of the WotC books (or anywhere else, for that matter).

It's a shame, too, because due to some unfortunate circumstances, I have a bodak carrier pigeon running around in one of my games. I should really stat it up if I'm going to keep threatening people with it.

 

[Felon]

I've not seen a bodak template in any of the WotC books (or anywhere else, for that matter).

It's a shame, too, because due to some unfortunate circumstances, I have a bodak carrier pigeon running around in one of my games. I should really stat it up if I'm going to keep threatening people with it.

Well, the save would be based on 10 + HD + CHA, so probably not too high, eh?

 

[Geoff Watson]

It wouldn't be hard to make a Bodak template, I've done it for ghouls, ghasts and mohrgs. Just take the difference between the undead and an average human.

Bodak Template:
Type: Change to undead.
Size: Same
Hit Dice: +8 HD
Change to D12s
Speed: reduce by a third
AC: increase Natural Armour by 3
Attacks: Gain a Slam attack if it doesn't have any (Base damage 1d8 for Medium size)
Face/Reach: As original creature
Special Attacks: Add Death gaze (save DC 10 + 1/2HD + Cha mod)
Special Qualities: Gain DR 15/silver, fire and acid resistance 20, electricity immunity, sunlight vulnerability, flashbacks.
Ability mods: Str +2, Dex +4, Con -, Int -4, Wis +2, Cha +2.


Bodak Pigeon (used Raven as base stats)
Tiny Undead
HD 8d12 (52)
Initiative: +8
Speed 5' (fly 30')
AC 19 (+2 size, +4 dex, +3 natural armour)
Attacks: Claws +10
Damage: 1d2-4
Face/Reach: 2.5 by 2.5/0
Special Attacks: Death Gaze (Save DC 13)
Special Qualities: DR 15/silver, fire and acid resistance 20, electricity immunity, sunlight vulnerability, flashbacks.
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +9
Abilities: Str 3, Dex 19, Con -, Int 1, Wis 16, Cha 8
Skills: Spot +7, Listen +7.
Feats: Weapon Finesse (claws), Improved Initiative.

Maybe it should only have 2HD (about a quarter of a normal Bodak since a raven has a quarter of a normal human).
That would drop it's hit points to 13, it's attack bonus to +7, it's death gaze DC to 10, and it's saves to +1/+5/+6.

Geoff.

 

[Bran Blackbyrd]

*Ahem*

It's a bodak moment.


I apologize for that, I really do, but it had to be done.

 

[Azure Trance]

But imagine an 8D12 pigeon; wow.

 

[Felon]

It wouldn't be hard to make a Bodak template, I've done it for ghouls, ghasts and mohrgs. Just take the difference between the undead and an average human.

Your template is pretty much right on the money. The only part of that's probleatic is figuring out whether the bodak presented in the MM is a 1st-level commoner or an 8th-level character of some kind. On the one hand, it doesn't have the feats an 8th-level fighter would have, or any class features. OTOH, I have yet to see a template that actually provided a base number of HD. I don't think templates are supposed to work that way; they usually just alter the die type used.

I'll probably just change the HD to d12's and assume the bodak's ability scores are the same as they were when it was alive. That won't hurt my bodak ettin none (although the loss of CON will).