No vampire giants?

[Drew]

From the SRD (emphasis mine):

“Vampire” is an acquired template that can be added to any humanoid or monstrous humanoid creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature).

So, no vampire ogres, giants, mind flayers, or beholders? Seems kind of limiting, doesn't it? I know I'm free to ignore this restriction, but I'm wondering if there are any rules reasons why shouldn't. Anybody see something I'm missing?

 

[Alhazred]

I also ignore this restriction. I myself love the idea of vampiric mind flayers -although my players don't!

I can only guess that if the template were applicable to any creature it would result is very odd or very powerful combinations - vampiric jellies and dragons. But then again, the CR adjustment isn't tremendous, so I may be wrong.

 

[Drew]

There is a legendary creature in my campaign known as the Lord of Frost, an ancient Frost Giant Vampire. I didn't realize until right now that he's technically illegal.

Oh, and I suppose that a vampire ochre jelly would be sort of silly. I don't see it as really breaking the bank or anything in terms of balance. Its probably just a flavor thing, but then why not just mention that in the description, rather than limiting it in the actual rules?

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Imagine a giant trying to suck your blood? Its fang would be bigger than your head! It might as well just squeeze you like a lemon. Ooo, now I've got visions of those lemon juicer things, except for giants! Ewwww!!!!

 

[Sejs]

So, no vampire ogres, giants, mind flayers, or beholders?

Good.

I mean really, vampiric mind flayer? What, just eating the brain isn't enough, ya gotta suck out their blood and give 'em negative levels on top of that? Why not slap on an additional template on top of that, that gives them Take All Your Money Out Of The Bank, and Insult Your Mother attacks as well?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Oh, and I suppose that a vampire ochre jelly would be sort of silly.

Isn't there a Vampiric Black Pudding in a published WotC module?

-Hyp.

 

[the Jester]

Isn't there a Vampiric Black Pudding in a published WotC module?

-Hyp.

I'm not sure about that, but I know that there's a vampiric gibbering mouther somewhere in the original adventure path modules.

 

[Knight Otu]

I'm not sure about that, but I know that there's a vampiric gibbering mouther somewhere in the original adventure path modules.

Yep, a vampire that later turned (through some process by another vampire, the BBEG) into a gibbering mouther. Should be Heart of Nightfang Spire.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

There are vampiric mind flayers in "Thoughts of Darkness", a Ravenloft module from 2E. So there is precendence...

 

[Stormrunner]

Imagine a giant trying to suck your blood? Its fang would be bigger than your head! It might as well just squeeze you like a lemon. Ooo, now I've got visions of those lemon juicer things, except for giants! Ewwww!!!!

ROTFL!

OK, that's definitely getting yoinked. Expect lemon juicers in the next giant encounter.