How do you deal with Monster Advancement by Character Class?
If I understand the rules correctly, a creature that advances by character class cannot have more than 20 HD. This is based off the fact that a creature/character cannot normally be higher than 20th character level. The creature's character level equals the total hit dice plus all class levels based off of page 14 of the MM.
So a 6th level fighter fire giant would have 15d8 (fire giant hit dice) and 5d10 (fighter hit dice), the last level of fighter would not gain any hit dice, base attack, or saving throws. I'm basing this assumption off of the rules in the FRCS page 289. An example of this can be found on page 170 of the FRCS where they have a frost giant Clr 5/Rnc 4.
From what I can see it looks like the higher HD creatures get less benefit of having character classes than lower HD creatures. The higher the HD the less class levels where you will get the full attack bonus, saving throws, and hit dice that the lower HD creature would get for the same level in that class. This deficiency seems most apparent on melee classes, which don't have many class features that you would receive with an effective level. Casters seem to be slightly less affected.
Has anyone else come across this? How have you handled this if so?
I know that the Epic Level Handbook will probably cover this, but I need this sorted out before then.
Any suggestions or ideas?
Graz
If I understand the rules correctly, a creature that advances by character class cannot have more than 20 HD. This is based off the fact that a creature/character cannot normally be higher than 20th character level. The creature's character level equals the total hit dice plus all class levels based off of page 14 of the MM.
So a 6th level fighter fire giant would have 15d8 (fire giant hit dice) and 5d10 (fighter hit dice), the last level of fighter would not gain any hit dice, base attack, or saving throws. I'm basing this assumption off of the rules in the FRCS page 289. An example of this can be found on page 170 of the FRCS where they have a frost giant Clr 5/Rnc 4.
From what I can see it looks like the higher HD creatures get less benefit of having character classes than lower HD creatures. The higher the HD the less class levels where you will get the full attack bonus, saving throws, and hit dice that the lower HD creature would get for the same level in that class. This deficiency seems most apparent on melee classes, which don't have many class features that you would receive with an effective level. Casters seem to be slightly less affected.
Has anyone else come across this? How have you handled this if so?
I know that the Epic Level Handbook will probably cover this, but I need this sorted out before then.
Any suggestions or ideas?
Graz
