Some beginner questions about Improving Monsters

[Ormiss]

Hi!

I have a couple of questions relating to improving monsters as per the rules in the Monster Manual.

1) Does a creature that is advanced through HD gain any bonuses to ability scores such as the ones gained by characters/creatures advancing in classes? (In addition to the bonuses gained by advancing in size.)

2) The CR guidelines state that if a creature is given "nonassociated" class levels, the CR should rise by 1/2 levels. How would you classify "associated" class levels? What about sorcerer levels for a melee-based creature? What about cleric levels for the same creature?

3) If a creature possesses an ability that deals a fixed amount or damage or, say, heals the creature a fixed amount of damage, would you increase that damage/healing when you advanced the creature by HD (significantly)?

 

[the Jester]

Hi!

I have a couple of questions relating to improving monsters as per the rules in the Monster Manual.

1) Does a creature that is advanced through HD gain any bonuses to ability scores such as the ones gained by characters/creatures advancing in classes? (In addition to the bonuses gained by advancing in size.)

Yes, every 4 HD garners the creature a +1 ability increase.

2) The CR guidelines state that if a creature is given "nonassociated" class levels, the CR should rise by 1/2 levels. How would you classify "associated" class levels? What about sorcerer levels for a melee-based creature? What about cleric levels for the same creature?

It's all about synergies with the creature's existing abilities. A choker? I call rogue associated. A chuul? More likely fighter or barbarian. A creature with spells as a sorcerer 8? I'd call sorc associated. Basically, it's pretty subjective. I would only call caster levels associated if they stack with the creature's existing caster level, though, and not always then (eg. a CR 17 creature that casts as a 5th level sorcerer- prolly sorc is not associated).

3) If a creature possesses an ability that deals a fixed amount or damage or, say, heals the creature a fixed amount of damage, would you increase that damage/healing when you advanced the creature by HD (significantly)?

By the book no; but if you look at some examples of advanced monsters in the books they do increase sometimes. I use my own judgment; if a major ability of a CR 1, 1 HD monster does 3d6 damage and the monster advanced by 30 HD still doesn't have a better attack, I'd prolly increase it somewhat. Same kind of judgements apply with things like SR.

 

[Ormiss]

Thank you for your help!

Incidentally, I've been reading your Cydra story hour lately--it's been great entertainment.

I have another question: If you give a monster with CR 15 (26 HD, fyi) 10 class levels, how much wealth would you say it could spend on equipment? As a 10th level character, as a 25th level character, or something else?