Undead?

[kmdietri]

When undead gain class levels do they get d12 HD?

 

[frankthedm]

When undead gain class levels do they get d12 HD?

Yep! It is like having your HP bonus in reverse of your class HD

1d4 to 1d12 is like having an 18 con
1d6 to 1d12 is like having an 16 con
1d8 to 1d12 is like having an 14 con
1d10 to 1d12 is like having an 12 con
1d12 to 1d12 is like having an 10 con

Undeath kinda sux for high HD classes since your con score goes away. GREAT for spell casters though!

 

[Sejs]

Undeath kinda sux for high HD classes since your con score goes away. GREAT for spell casters though!

*nod* hence liches.

As an aside - isn't there a trait in MM3 that lets an undead creature use its charisma modifier as a bonus to hp per hd, similar to how the living use con? Undead Toughness or the like.

I understand that it's normally a trait, but it sounds like it would translate over to be a good undead-only feat ala some of the ones from Libris Mortis, too.

 

[Caliban]

Yep! It is like having your HP bonus in reverse of your class HD

1d4 to 1d12 is like having an 18 con
1d6 to 1d12 is like having an 16 con
1d8 to 1d12 is like having an 14 con
1d10 to 1d12 is like having an 12 con
1d12 to 1d12 is like having an 10 con

Undeath kinda sux for high HD classes since your con score goes away. GREAT for spell casters though!

This isn't quite correct. Most undead templates (such as Lich or Vampire) cause all HD to become D12's, but that is not true in every case. It will say so in the template. Most non-template undead get the normal HD for whatever class they take.

Examples from the 3.5 Monster Manual:

Mummy Cleric - get's the cleric HD, not D12's.
Vampire template - All current and future HD become D12's.
Lich template- All current and future HD become D12's.

 

[Shin Okada]

*nod* hence liches.

As an aside - isn't there a trait in MM3 that lets an undead creature use its charisma modifier as a bonus to hp per hd, similar to how the living use con? Undead Toughness or the like.

That is not a feat. "Unholy Toughness" is an Ex ability which some of the newer undead mosters have.

 

[Sejs]

That is not a feat. "Unholy Toughness" is an Ex ability which some of the newer undead mosters have.

*nod* Nah, I was saying it would make a good feat. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but in general even despite the d12 hd it's been my experience that critters like undead and constructs tend to be a bit light in the hp department, lacking a per-hd modifier as they do.

 

[Shin Okada]

*nod* Nah, I was saying it would make a good feat. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but in general even despite the d12 hd it's been my experience that critters like undead and constructs tend to be a bit light in the hp department, lacking a per-hd modifier as they do.

If they are created or summoned within the area of Desecrate doubled by permanent alter or something, they get +2 hp per HD. If they are a created with spells cast by someone having Corpsecrafter feat, +2 hp HD. And then they can take Improved Toughness feat, +1 hp per HD. Now +5 hp per HD. Not that bad.

 

[Darkness]

Mummy Cleric - get's the cleric HD, not D12's.

True, but I'm not sure if that's not just an error.

 

[Knight Otu]

True, but I'm not sure if that's not just an error.

It isn't. When non-template Undead gain class levels, they receive the normal Hit Dice for their class, since the Undead type does not change that. Most Undead Templates do, but it is not a function of the Undead type.

 

[Darkness]

Ah, I vaguely remember it now. Alright, then.