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Message: <blockquote data-quote="cbwjm" data-source="post: 9331978" data-attributes="member: 6788732">Yep, some are a little more basic than others, but they gave me a framework to quickly alter a creature. What I was using is below. You could turn an owlbear into artillery by giving it an "acid spit" attack using constitution as its "spellcasting" stat granting it a ranged acid attack with +5 to hit dealing 1d10 acid damage. Of course you'll still want to run it as a melee monster, but if there are more than one, they might all spit acid before engaging in melee. Whereas if you apply the soldier template, it just gains a higher AC and a bonus on morale checks (no weapons so no need to change anything with its attacks).Quick creature alterationsTake a regular (humanoid) creature and make the following changes. Other creatures could also be altered though the fiction will have to change. A giant snake with the artillery template might spit poison and use the magical artillery adjustments. If a creature is a thrown weapon artillery template, they might instead be firing quills (which could also be the standard artillery if preferred) Artillery<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Artillery use ranged attacks. They gain a +2 bonus to hit (archery fighting style) and use a bow or  other ranged weapon.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Gain additional attacks so that they can attack at least twice with their ranged weapon as long as their base CR is 1 or higher.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Thrown weapon artillery. <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">No +2 bonus to hit. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Gain a +2 bonus to damage with thrown weapons</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Magical Artillery.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">No additional bonus to hit, but their minimum spellcasting ability modifier is +2, increasing to +5 for CR 12 or higher (i.e., +1 at CR 4, 8, and 12).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">No additional attack.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Have a ranged cantrip that deals 1d10 elemental damage per tier.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Add control. Reduce the damage to d8 and add a slow effect (-10 feet) when hit.</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Have a ranged AoE effect useable twice per encounter which deals 2d6 (+ 2d6/tier for CR 1 or higher).</li> </ul></li> </ul> Brute<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Brutes gain +3 hit points per hit die.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Brutes are typically easier to hit, unless wearing armour, AC is equal to 12 + tier (13 to 16), though no higher than the standard creature. If wearing light or medium armour, calculate as if their dexterity is a 10 unless it is normally lower for the creature.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Brutes deal more damage. Add  3 + tier level to their damage.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Crushing Blow. On a critical hit, the brute deals 1 [W] extra damage. E.g., a greatsword would deal 4d6 normally on a critical hit, a crushing blow will deal 6d6 damage.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Brutes have proficiency in Strength and Constitution saving throws.</li> </ul> Lurker<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">High stealth (expertise) proficiency.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Humanoids use a light melee or a ranged weapon (d6). </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Have a sneak attack ability which adds to their first attack (1d8 per tier)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Have an ability to hide again.</li> </ul> Skirmisher <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Increase speed by 10 feet.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Add a second attack. Light weapons only. Dual wields. Drop any shield they may have.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Defensive ability. No opportunity attack from a target they made an attack against.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">An orc would lose the greataxe and gain two handaxes allowing two attacks at 1d6+3 damage. They'd move faster than regular orcs, including the bonus action charge. If they attack two members of the party, they can move without risk of them making opportunity attacks.</li> </ul></li> </ul> Soldier<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Soldiers add a shield (+2 AC). Non-humanoids might have toughened scales or plating that increases  their AC.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Use a single handed weapon (1d8 damage) if they would otherwise not be. An orc soldier replaces their     greataxe for a battleaxe and shield dealing less damage but improving their AC by 2.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Soldiers have advantage on morale checks.</li> </ul> Elites<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Elites use the standard monster rules and could even be an artillery, brute, or soldier.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Choose 2 Saving throws, they gain proficiency with those saves.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Elites have advantage on saving throws that would stun, slow, or paralyse them.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Maximise the base creature's hit points. A gnoll elite would have 40 (5d8) hit points. If they were also a brute, they would add 15 hit points for a total of 55.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Elite Action. An elite can, once per round, move or make an attack at the end of a player's turn. It regains the ability to do so at the start of its turn.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Rechargeable Actions. If the elite has an action that recharges on a die roll, it will recharge as soon as it is bloodied providing an additional use. All rechargeable actions are recharged in this way.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">CR increase. Unlike most templates which I don't bother with an increase in CR, for an Elite, boost their CR by 1     level.</li> </ul>  Legendary creatures should use much of the elite template, superseding any features with an improved legendary form.</blockquote>

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