Monster Special Attack DCs

[CombatWombat51]

How do I figure the DC of a creature's Sp, Ex, and Su abilities? Until about 5 minutes ago, I always thought it was half their HD + the relavant ability modifier. But just now I was making an adventure with a satyr, and I noticed that the DC for their pipe effects is 14... they have 5 HD and a Cha 13. For that matter, they don't have any ability scores that give a +2 modifier =/

So either I've been calculating creature DC's wrong all this time, there's something about satyrs that I'm missing, or they made a boo boo when calculating their pipe DC.

 

[Crothian]

Normally it is 10 + 1/2 HD + cha or Con score.

Maybe they rounded HD up?

 

[shilsen]

Interesting. The satyr is presented with a level-by-level breakup in Savage Species, and there is a flat DC 14 for the pipes. This is unlike most other monsters, where the special ability DCs use the formula Crothian mentioned. Maybe there is something wrong with the DC for the pipes, and the SS authors couldn't replicate it with the normal formula.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Maybe it's an ability of the pipes, not the satyr... DC 14 is the a standard DC for a spell from an item.