Making Monsters Smaller?

[el-remmen]

If I want to make a creature into one or more size categories smaller, can I just reverse the steps for increasing size category? Or is there something I should be aware of when trying to do this that might make the system breakdown?

The only reason I ask, is b/c the SRD (that I can find) does not mention making things smaller, only bigger.

 

[the Jester]

I can't see why reverse engineering wouldn't work... there's also a template in Dungeonscape, the dungeonbred monster, which is good for shrinking monsters.

 

[pawsplay]

It should work, at least for a size or two. Make sure, though, that you're stripping the current size bonuses, not using the ones for the level below. I.e. when going from Medium to small, subtract the bonuses you would get from going from Small to Medium.

CR is going to be an interesting issue, though.

 

[el-remmen]

CR is going to be an interesting issue, though.

CR? I don't need no stinkin' CR!

 

[UltimaGabe]

Hmm... Imagine a Fine Tarrasque....

...possibly even deadlier than a Colossal one.

 

[pawsplay]

A Diminuitive Giant.

 

[blargney the second]

Pit Fiend Swarm (Fine)!

 

[Sound of Azure]

Pit Fiend Swarm (Fine)!

Naw, a Succubus Swarm (Fine).

Heck, succubuses are fine, anyway.

 

[Notmousse]

Just as you guessed, it's the same process as making them bigger, only in reverse.

Going from Large to Medium is as simple as subtracting (including the negative modifier, for a gain) the modifiers you'd get from going from Medium to Large.

 

[pallandrome]

Ok, now my players get to fight a new baddier, some mad scientist Wizard who keeps casting Perminant Reduce Person on people that enter his lair. It'll be great!