Monster Templates
Templates are the fastest way to turn one stat block into a stronger, stranger, or setting-specific encounter. This page keeps the quick rules visible for table use while preserving the deeper rebuild notes for prep.
The calculator below is intentionally biased toward summon monster and reskin work: pick a template, set CR and Hit Dice, and the output collapses the common math into a short checklist.
Filter Templates
Advanced Creature
CR +1
simple
Bestiary
Quick Rules
- +2 on all rolls and DCs.
- +4 AC.
- +2 hit points per HD.
Show rebuild rules
- Increase all ability scores by 4.
- Increase natural armor by 2.
- Recalculate attack bonuses, save DCs, skills, and derived statistics.
Celestial Creature
CR +0 or +1
simple
Bestiary
Quick Rules
- Darkvision 60 ft.
- Cold, acid, and electricity resistance by HD band.
- DR good outsiders gain against evil attackers at 5+ HD.
- Smite evil 1/day.
Show rebuild rules
- Retain base creature statistics, then apply outsider-themed defenses and smite evil.
- At 5+ HD, CR increases by 1.
- Spell resistance equals new CR + 5.
Entropic Creature
CR +0 or +1
simple
Bestiary 2
Quick Rules
- Darkvision 60 ft.
- Cold, acid, and fire resistance by HD band.
- DR at 5+ HD.
- Smite lawful 1/day.
Show rebuild rules
- Apply protean-aligned resistances and defenses.
- At 5+ HD, CR increases by 1.
- Spell resistance equals new CR + 5.
Fiendish Creature
CR +0 or +1
simple
Bestiary
Quick Rules
- Darkvision 60 ft.
- Cold and fire resistance by HD band.
- DR at 5+ HD.
- Smite good 1/day.
Show rebuild rules
- Apply outsider-themed defenses keyed to fiendish resistances.
- At 5+ HD, CR increases by 1.
- Spell resistance equals new CR + 5.
Ghost
CR +2
complex
acquired
Bestiary
Rebuild Summary
- Undead and incorporeal
- CR +2
- Add ghost special attacks
Show rebuild rules
- Change creature to undead and incorporeal.
- Rebuild AC, saving throws, hit points, and attacks for undead traits.
- Add rejuvenation plus ghostly special attacks chosen from the rules entry.
Giant Creature
CR +1
simple
Bestiary
Quick Rules
- Increase size by one category.
- +2 on Strength- and Constitution-based rolls.
- -1 on Dexterity-based rolls.
- +2 hit points per HD.
Show rebuild rules
- Increase size by one step.
- Strength +4, Constitution +4, Dexterity -2.
- Natural armor +3.
- Apply size changes to AC, attack, CMB, CMD, and damage.
Half-Celestial
CR +1
complex
inherited
Bestiary
Rebuild Summary
- Outsider-blooded
- CR +1
- Ability boosts and resistances
Show rebuild rules
- Gain outsider traits, resistances, ability boosts, and smite evil.
- Natural armor, darkvision, and spell-like abilities scale with Hit Dice.
- Use the full rebuild path for attacks, saves, and movement changes.
Half-Dragon
CR +2
complex
inherited
Bestiary
Rebuild Summary
- Breath weapon
- CR +2
- Dragon immunities and natural armor
Show rebuild rules
- Add dragon type traits where applicable.
- Gain breath weapon, immunity keyed to dragon variety, natural armor, and ability adjustments.
- Natural attacks and movement modes may change depending on the base creature.
Half-Fiend
CR +1
complex
inherited
Bestiary
Rebuild Summary
- Outsider-blooded
- CR +1
- Resistances, SLAs, and smite good
Show rebuild rules
- Gain outsider traits, darkvision, resistances, and smite good.
- Spell-like abilities scale with Hit Dice.
- Rebuild defenses and attack statistics after the ability changes.
Lich
CR +2
complex
acquired
Bestiary
Rebuild Summary
- Arcane caster template
- CR +2
- Phylactery and paralyzing touch
Show rebuild rules
- Arcane spellcaster becomes undead with channel resistance and paralyzing touch.
- Rebuild Constitution-based values for undead traits.
- The phylactery is mandatory and defines the creature's return condition.
Resolute Creature
CR +0 or +1
simple
Bestiary 2
Quick Rules
- Darkvision 60 ft.
- Acid, electricity, and fire resistance by HD band.
- DR at 5+ HD.
- Smite chaotic 1/day.
Show rebuild rules
- Apply axiomatic-aligned resistances and defenses.
- At 5+ HD, CR increases by 1.
- Spell resistance equals new CR + 5.
Skeletal Champion
CR +1
complex
acquired
Bestiary
Rebuild Summary
- Elite skeleton
- CR +1
- Retains more combat capability
Show rebuild rules
- Build from the skeleton template, then retain more of the base creature's combat competence.
- Add channel resistance and improved ability scores.
- Keep selected feats and tactics from the original creature.
Skeleton
CR varies
complex
acquired
Bestiary
Rebuild Summary
- Undead conversion
- CR varies
- Size-based ability changes
Show rebuild rules
- Strip most special attacks and convert the creature to undead.
- Apply skeleton ability adjustments by size.
- CR depends on the base creature's HD and attack profile.
Vampire
CR +2
complex
acquired
Bestiary
Rebuild Summary
- Undead predator
- CR +2
- Fast healing, dominate, and blood drain
Show rebuild rules
- Convert the creature to undead with fast healing, blood drain, dominate, and gaseous retreat.
- Natural armor, resistances, and ability boosts require a full rebuild.
- Add vampire weaknesses and coffin dependency.
Young Creature
CR -1
simple
Bestiary
Quick Rules
- Decrease size by one category.
- +2 on Dexterity-based rolls.
- -2 on most other rolls and DCs.
- -2 hit points per HD.
Show rebuild rules
- Decrease size by one step.
- Strength -4, Constitution -4, Dexterity +4.
- Natural armor -2.
- Apply size changes to AC, attack, CMB, CMD, and damage.
Zombie
CR varies
complex
acquired
Bestiary
Rebuild Summary
- Undead conversion
- CR varies
- Slow or fast zombie paths
Show rebuild rules
- Convert the creature to undead and simplify its attack routine.
- Apply zombie ability adjustments and staggered movement limits.
- CR depends on the base creature's Hit Dice and whether it uses fast zombie rules.
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