Templates, multiple natural attacks, & conflicting resistances

[GlassEye]

I would like to apply the Half-Dragon template to a Displacer Beast but I'm not sure how that affects the beast's multiple natural attacks. Normally the DB has 2 tentacle attacks (primary) and a bite attack (secondary). When applying the Half-Dragon template the DB gains 2 claw attacks. The template says that the claw attacks are primary. So which attacks end up being primary and which one secondary?

For the moment I'm using the 2 tentacles as primary attacks and the claw and bite attacks as secondary.

Also, if a monster has vulnerabilty to fire (+50% fire damage) and you add a template that grants immunity to fire, what happens with the monster's fire resistance?

Let me know what you think.

 

[Runestar]

Also, if a monster has vulnerabilty to fire (+50% fire damage) and you add a template that grants immunity to fire, what happens with the monster's fire resistance?

The vulnerability effectively never comes into play. However you resolve the order, either the damage is multiplied by 1.5, then negated by immunity, or it is canceled out by immunity, then multiplied (and zero times 1.5 is still zero).

Not sure if the claws would "displace" or be "displaced" by existing natural weapons or not though. I suppose you could run both the claws and tentacles as primary attacks...

 

[GlassEye]

I figured that's how the immunity would resolve, just needed a little bit of validation, I guess.

And I thought about the claws and tentacles both as primary weapons and, aside from a vague feeling it just wasn't quite right, couldn't find anything in the rules to contradict that particular ruling.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Shin Okada]

MM P.312 "Natural Weapons" entry says,

When a creature has more than one natural weapon, one of them (of sometimes a pair or set of them) is the primary weapon.

So, you can't have two different sets of primary natural weapons (tentacles and claws).

RAW is somewhat vague if you should always choose your claw attacks as primary weapons. If I were a DM, I will allow you to choose either tentacles or claws as your primary natural weapon sets each turn.

 

[Drowbane]

Personally I'd keep the tentacles as Primary and the other sets as secondary (although as DM, you have option between the Claws and Tentacles... and who is going to argue if you go with the Bite? ).

As to the Vulnerability and Immunity, you multiply then negate. There is a feat out there that makes your Fire spells do full dmg to creatures with Fire Immunity, and another that makes your Cold spells do 1/2 dmg to creatures with Cold Immunity.

Also, there is a third party template out there that states instead of taking fire dmg, you heal hp... I have an NPC with this template who also has Vulnerability to Fire. x1.5 as healing? Sweet!