Author Topic: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans  (Read 56342 times)

Offline bhu

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #40 on: April 15, 2014, 09:25:44 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Giant (wip)

You're kind of limited if you want to become a Giant.  Half-Troll/Scrag will work if you're an Animal, Dragon, Fey, Humanoid, Magical Beast, Monstrous Humanoid or Outsider.  Appropriately sized Constructs can take Incarnate Construct.  If you use unofficial stuff Animals and Vermin also get Beasthead Giant.  Aberrations, Elementals, Oozes and Plants must first use Templates to become Fey, Dragon or Outsiders to access Half-Troll.     Undead and Deathless must first become Outsiders. 

Spells Targeting Giants
Antilife Shell
Bane Bow
Bladebane
Detect Favored Enemy
Foebane
Last Judgement
Nature's Wrath
Return to Nature
Slaying Arrow
« Last Edit: May 13, 2014, 03:55:05 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #41 on: April 15, 2014, 09:26:24 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Humanoid (wip)

Unless you're willing to jump through some hoops, were back into Wish or homebrew territory here.  The only Template allowing you to become Humanoid is Incarnate Construct, which means you must be a Construct in Humanoid form, and Medium or smaller.  That pretty well leaves out Animals, Magical Beasts, Oozes, Plants and Vermin as well as many Aberrations, Dragons, Elementals, Fey, Giants, Monstrous Humanoids and Outsiders.  Most of the Templates changing you to Construct will make you Mindless or hamper your mental faculties, while Incarnate Construct will strip you of most of your Abilities.  Most people probably won't see any point to that kind of sacrifice.   Most Undead/Deathless will be humanoid enough in form, but there's few options for them becoming a Construct.

Spells Targeting Humanoids
Antilife Shell
Bane Bow
Beckon Person
Bladebane
Charm Person
Create Chosen One (humans only)
Curse of Lyacanthropy
Daze
Detect Favored Enemy
Dominate Person
Enlarge Person
Foebane
Greater Enlarge Person
Greater Reduce Person
Greater Seed of Undeath
Hold Person
Last Judgement
Mass Enlarge Person
Mass Reduce Person
Nar Fiendbond
Nature's Wrath
Reduce Person
Return to Nature
Seed of Undeath
Slaying Arrow
Snake Barrier
Spider Curse
Stay the Hand
Steal Life
Steal Size
Were-Doom
« Last Edit: May 16, 2014, 02:13:14 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #42 on: April 15, 2014, 09:27:00 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Magical Beast (wip)

Only Animals and Vermin have Templates allowing them to become Magical Beasts.  Since your options for becoming an Animal or Vermin are limited to Wish or Homebrew (or a Feat in the case of Animal), your options for being a Magical Beast are likewise problematic.

Spells Targeting Magical Beasts
Antilife Shell
Bane Bow
Bladebane
Detect Favored Enemy
Foebane
Nature's Wrath
Return to Nature
Slaying Arrow
Snake Barrier
« Last Edit: May 13, 2014, 04:00:54 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #43 on: April 15, 2014, 09:27:45 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Monstrous Humanoid (wip)

Becoming a Monstrous Humanoid is tough unless you're a Humanoid.  Animals can do it via Anthopomorphic Animal, and Ogres have Ogre Titan.  Magical Beasts and Vermin can also take Tauric Creature.  For any other Type, you will have to become Humanoid first, and as previously mentioned that will be a bit of a bitch.

Spells Targeting Monstrous Humanoids
Antilife Shell
Bane Bow
Bladebane
Detect Favored Enemy
Foebane
Last Judgement
Nature's Wrath
Return to Nature
Slaying Arrow
Snake Barrier
« Last Edit: April 28, 2015, 02:49:01 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #44 on: April 15, 2014, 09:28:16 PM »
So You've Decided to Become An Ooze (wip)

Once again you're pretty much back to Homebrew material or Wish pending DM approval.  Only two templates allow you to become an Ooze (neither of them truly suitable for PC's): Living Spell for spell effects, and Skitterhaunt for Vermin.

Spells Targeting Oozes
Antilife Shell
Bane Bow
Bladebane
Dawn Shroud
Dehydrate
Detect Favored Enemy
Flaying Tendrils
Foebane
Ooze Puppet
Slaying Arrow
Sunbolt
« Last Edit: May 16, 2014, 01:48:17 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #45 on: April 15, 2014, 09:29:16 PM »
So You've Decided to Become An Outsider (wip)

Most Types have a pretty decent spread of Templates allowing them to become an Outsider.  Only Undead and Deathless are truly limited in their options, and both they and non-living Constructs will have to change Types.

Spells Targeting Outsiders
Bane Bow
Bladebane
Demon Dirge
Denounce
Detect Favored Enemy
Devil's Blight
Exorcism
Foebane
Holy Storm
Light of Mercuria
Light of Venya
Nature's Wrath
Nether Trail
Orders Wrath
Profane Item
Return to Nature
Revive Outsider
Righteous Exile
Sacred Item
Slaying Arrow
« Last Edit: July 07, 2017, 05:42:38 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #46 on: April 15, 2014, 09:29:48 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Plant (wip)

Options for becoming a Plant are somewhat limited, and usually require Template stacking.  Aberrations only have Wood Element Creature unless they use another Template to change Type first.  Fey, Humanoids, Vermin and Giants are likewise limited to Greenbound Creature unless they change Type.   Animals are the most versatile with three Templates they can use.  Constructs must become Aberrations (Corrupted/Corrupted by the Abyss/Worm That Walks) or Giants/ Humanoids (Incarnate Construct) or Fey (Living Constructs only).  Dragons have a few templates that will allow them to become Fey, Giants or Aberrations so they can access a Template that will turn them into Plants.   Elementals and Oozes have a few options to become Aberrations, Dragons or Fey before turning Plant.  Magical Beasts, Outsiders and Monstrous Humanoids must first become an Aberration, Dragon, Fey or Giant.  Undead and Deathless only have a few Templates that will turn them into Aberrations if they wish to become Plants. Subjects can become Plants temporarily via Arboreal Transformation.

Spells Targeting Plants
Antilife Shell
Antiplant Shell
Awaken
Bane Bow
Bladebane
Blight
Command Plants
Control Plants
Deadly Sunstroke
Dehydrate
Desiccate
Despoil
Detect Animals or Plants
Detect Favored Enemy
Diminish Plants
Evergreen
Flaying Tendrils
Foebane
Forest Eyes
Forest Voice
Junglerazer
Mass Awaken
Mass Desiccate
Profane Item
Slaying Arrow
Speak with Plants
Sunbolt
Wood Rot
Wooden Blight
Zone of Natural Purity
« Last Edit: July 07, 2017, 05:41:19 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #47 on: April 15, 2014, 09:30:29 PM »
So You've Decided to Become An Undead (wip)

Except for certain types becoming an Undead really isn't all that hard.  Non-living Constructs will possibly have to take Incarnate Construct first (or Bhaalspawn if you can gain the Shapechanger Subtype), but everyone else has plenty of options.  On the downside, lots of spells now target you

Spells Targeting Undead
Abolish Shadows (Shadows and similar beings only)
Anger of the Noonday Sun
Aura of the Sun
Bane Bow
Bladebane
Bleakness
Bone Chill
Command Undead
Consecrate
Consecrate Battlefield
Control Undead
Cure Critical Wounds
Cure Light Wounds
Cure Minor Wounds
Cure Moderate Wounds
Cure Serious Wounds
Darts of Life
Dawn Burst
Dawn Shroud
Deadly Sunstroke
Defile Snow and Ice
Deific Vengeance
Desecrate
Desecrate Battlefield
Detect Favored Enemy
Devastate Undead
Disguise Undead
Disrupt Undead
Disrupting Weapon
Dread Blast
Dust to Dust
Estanna's Stew
Expose the Dead
Eye's of the Zombie
Flaying Tendrils
Foebane
General of Undeath
Grave Strike
Greater Disrupt Undead
Greater Harm
Hallow
Harm
Halt Undead
Haunt Shift
Heal
Healing Spirit
Hide from Undead
Holy Fire
Inflict Critical Wounds
Inflict Light Wounds
Inflict Minor Wounds
Inflict Moderate Wounds
Inflict Serious Wounds
Invisibility to Undead
Leech Undeath
Life Bolt
Light of Courage
Light of Faith
Light of Mercuria
Light of Purity
Light of Venya
Light of Wisdom
Manifest Death
Manifest Life
Mass Cure Critical Wounds
Mass Cure Light Wounds
Mass Cure Moderate Wounds
Mass Cure Serious Wounds
Mass Inflict Critical Wounds
Mass Inflict Light Wounds
Mass Inflict  Moderate Wounds
Mass Inflict Serious Wounds
Mass Harm
Mass Heal
Moon Blade
Moon Bolt
Nature's Purity
Nature's Wrath
Negative Energy Aura
Negative Energy Wave
Night's Caress
Panacea
Positive Energy Aura
Positive Energy Protection
Proper State
Radiance
Rebuking Breath
Rejuvenating Light
Rejuvenative Corpse
Retributive Enervation
Revive Undead
Sacred Item
Searing Light
Seek Eternal Unrest
Semblance of Life
Shadow of the Dark Queen
Shroud of Undeath
Slaying Arrow
Soldiers of Sanctity
Spark of Life
Stone Bones
Sun Bolt
Sunbeam
Sunburst
Sunrise
Undead Bane Weapon
Undead Eyes
Undead Lieutenant
Undead Mask
Undead Torch
Undeath's Eternal Foe
Undying Aura
Unhallow
Unliving Weapon
Vile Death
« Last Edit: July 07, 2017, 05:40:03 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #48 on: April 15, 2014, 09:31:43 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Vermin (wip)

Much like Animal there are no templates in this list, third party or otherwise that allow you to become a Vermin.  So once again you're left with homebrew or Wish.  Assuming there's a reason you would actually want to.  If the DM insists you become Mindless, you can't be a PC.  But without the immunity to Mind-Affecting affects that Mindless brings there's not much reason to become a Vermin.

Spells Targeting Vermin
Antilife Shell
Armored Vermin
Bane Bow
Bladebane
Detect Favored Enemy
Dominate Vermin
Foebane
Giant Vermin
Junglerazer
Repel Vermin
Slaying Arrow
« Last Edit: May 13, 2014, 03:56:46 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #49 on: April 24, 2014, 01:16:00 AM »
So You've Decided to Become A Deathless (wip)

The Sacred Watcher Template is your only option for becoming a Deathless, and to take it you must be Good and one of the following Types: Aberration, Animal, Dragon, Giant, Humanoid, Magical Beast, Monstrous Humanoid, or Plant.  Constructs must first become a Humanoid or Giant via Incarnate Construct.  Elementals must become an Aberration as well as taking Sanctified Creature, or a Dragon (Half-Dragon or Drake, must have Good Alignment).  For Fey becoming a  Plant via Greenbound Creature or a Dragon of the appropriate alignment via Half Dragon is best.  They could also become an Aberration or Giant via Templates but would then need to find a way to alter their inappropriate Alignments.  Oozes have no options besides becoming an Aberration (and finding some way to change Alignment after) or a good-aligned Half-Dragon.  Outsiders can become Giants (Half-Troll, will still need to switch Alignment), Dragons (appropriate Half-Dragon/Drake types), or Fey via Folkloric Fey/Half-Fey/Unseelie Fey before becoming something else (and probably still need to change alignment).  Vermin actually have a plethora of options for becoming some other Type (usually Magical Beast) before taking Deathless.  Undead have almost no options.  They must first take a Template to become an Aberration and then take Sanctified Creature, or take one of the few options allowing them to become a Construct, before taking Incarnate Construct, and then taking Sacred Watcher assuming they can become Good.

Spells Targeting Deathless
Bane Bow
Bladebane
Consecrate
Consecrate Battlefield
Control Deathless
Deathwatch
Desecrate
Desecrate Battlefield
Detect Favored Enemy
Detect Undead
Disrupt Undead
Foebane
Hallow
Halt Deathless
Searing Light
Slaying Arrow
Undying Aura
Unhallow
« Last Edit: July 07, 2017, 05:33:35 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #50 on: June 09, 2014, 03:31:07 AM »
Spells That Grant Templates

Axiomatic Creature (Axiomatic) Book of Exalted Deeds
Conjure Ice Beast I-IX (Ice Beast) Frost burn
Create Frenzy Dog (Frenzy Dog) web enhancement
Curse of Lycanthropy (Lycanthropy) Complete Divine/Spell Compendium
Demonic Blood Infusion (Fiendish) Ghostwalk
Ghost Companion (Ghost) Ghostwalk
Greater Spider Form (Fiendish) Drow of the Underdark
Holy Mount (Celestial) Spell Compendium
Iconic Manifestation (Anarchic, Axiomatic, Celestial or Fiendish) Complete Champion
Incarnate Construct (Incarnate Construct) Savage Species
Lesser Spider Form (Fiendish) Drow of the Underdark
Mineralize Warrior (Mineral Warrior) Underdark
Nar Fiendbond (Half-Fiend) Lost Empires of Faerun
Sanctify the Wicked (Snactified Creature) Book of Exalted Deeds
Spider Form (Fiendish) Drow of the Underdark
Summon Desert Ally I-VIII (Dustform) Sandstorm
Undeath After Death (Crypt Spawn) Magic of Faerun
Vile Death (Fiendish) Savage Species
Were-Doom (Lycanthrope) Book of Vile Darkness

Spells That Detect Inherited Templates
Discern Bloodline (Races of Destiny)
« Last Edit: August 18, 2014, 03:13:56 AM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #51 on: June 20, 2014, 01:56:48 AM »
So You've Decided to Become A Divine Caster (wip)

Okay lets first discuss the obvious stuff, i.e. the Red Templates which you will wish to avoid at all costs.  These will be anything that:

Lowers your Primary casting stat (which can be checked here  and here )
Increases your Level Adjustment (which can be checked here )
Makes you lose all Special Attacks or Spellcasting (which can be checked here

Please note some few Monsters or Templates list casting as a Special Quality if you're adding multiple Templates so check here to confirm they don't make you lose all Special Qualities as well.

Int based Casters (Archivist)
LA +0 or -
Ancient Dead Massive bonuses, no drawbacks (except maybe Undead status).  Teal plus plus.  Assuming of course your rank is high, lower ranks have an Int Penalty instead of a Bonus.
Demonically-Infused Elemental As long as you don't mind being Evil, and can find an LA +0 Template to become an Elemental first, the Int Bonus from this is damn nice.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Ermordenung Has some nice boosts, but the toxicity of your touch will prevent you from using your touch spells to buff the party.
Favored Spawn of Kyuss Defensive Abilities might make up for the lack of HP.
Ghastly Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Ghoulish Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Greater Mummy Normally I wouldn't give an Undead Template such a rating but with all of the abilities this one adds it makes up for the hp loss.
Scion of Kyuss Great if you intend to use a lot of touch spells or engage in melee, not so much otherwise..  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Sepulchral Thief It wont boost casting much, and you lose your Con score, but damn you get some nifty stuff.
Silveraith Becoming a flying, incorporeal Undead is nice enough even without Magical Absorption.  The only downside is you lose positive energy spells, so if you want to heal the rest of the party they better be Undead.
LA: +1
Deep You get Darkvision, +2 Int, and some minor abilities in exchange for a +1 LA and Light Sensitivity.  The trade-off could be worth it in very specific instances, but is otherwise meh.

Wis based Casters (Adept, Cleric, Druid, Healer)
LA +0 or -
Ancient Dead Massive bonuses, no drawbacks (except maybe Undead status).  Teal plus plus.
Anthropomorphic Animal Bat: +6 to Wis and Small?  Sign me up.  Not quite as good for Paladin or Ranger due to the hits to Str and Cha.  For much the same reason Clerics who wish to do a lot of Turn Undead will not like it much either.
Anthropomorphic Animal Lizard:  Roughly the same as the Bat, but with a worse Wis (+4) and Cha (-4), but a higher Dex (+2).  Probably best as a Druid.
Anthropomorphic Animal Monkey: Roughly the same as Lizard.
Anthropomorphic Animal Rat: Roughly the same as Lizard.
Anthropomorphic Animal Raven: Roughly the same as Lizard.  Could go up to blue if you can buff it's Flight.
Anthropomorphic Animal Weasel: Roughly the same as Lizard.
Chosen of Bane Limited due to the Alignment, most likely a Cleric or Paladin of the LE type.
Chosen of Denier Clerics only.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Drider The rating assumes that you have the minimum Hit Dice to avoid Aberration Levels.  Best for casters that also indulge in melee such as Clerics and Paladins.
Ermordenung Has some nice boosts, but the toxicity of your touch will prevent you from using your touch spells to buff the party. Blue if you intend to be an Evil Cleric who fights or Paladin.
Favored Spawn of Kyuss Great for Paladins of Kyuss.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Ghastly Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Ghoulish Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Gravewight Rating assumes an appropriate Alignment, and once again that you intend to mix it up in fights.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Greater Mummy Normally I wouldn't give an Undead Template such a rating but with all of the abilities this one adds it makes up for the hp loss.
Huecuva It gives some nice boosts, but not enough to make up for the huge Int Penalty when you're already lowish on skill points.
Monster of Legend  It's nice and powerful, and has no LA, but it can only be applied to Base Creatures who likely have racial Hit Dice.
Nether Hound of Kiaransalee Assuming you've already taken an Undead Template this can be helpful, though you take a minor penalty to skills.
Scion of Kyuss Great for Paladins of Kyuss, not as much for others.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Silveraith Becoming a flying, incorporeal Undead is nice enough even without Magical Absorption.  The only downside is you lose positive energy spells, so if you want to heal the rest of the party they better be Undead.
Wendigo Gaining flight and massive stat bonuses is quite nice, but ths is probably best for combat builds.
LA: +1
Feral Creature Isn't bad for the LA, may jump to Blue for some combat builds.

Cha based Casters (Favored Soul, Shugenja)
LA +0 or -
Ancient Dead Massive bonuses, no drawbacks (except maybe Undead status).  Teal plus plus.
Chosen of Bane Limited due to the Alignment, most likely a Favored Soul of the LE type.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Dread Revenant Undead with Regeneration, Turn Immunity and Immunity to Mind-Affecting Effects.  The CHa Bonus is only a +2, but who gives a toss when you're nigh well unstoppable.
Drider The rating assumes that you have the minimum Hit Dice to avoid Aberration Levels.  Best for casters that also indulge in melee such as Favored Souls.
Ermordenung Has some nice boosts, but the toxicity of your touch will prevent you from using your touch spells to buff the party.
Favored Spawn of Kyuss Defensive Abilities might make up for the lack of HP.
Ghastly Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Ghoulish Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Greater Mummy Normally I wouldn't give an Undead Template such a rating but with all of the abilities this one adds it makes up for the hp loss.
Juju Zombie Has some nice defensive abilities if you can work around the Int Penalty and hp loss.
Magic-Blooded No real drawbacks.
Memelith May go down to blue depending on build.
Nether Hound of Kiaransalee Assuming you've already taken an Undead Template this can be helpful, though you take a minor penalty to skills.
Revenant Only really blue if the party is pursuing the Revenant's killers, otherwise you won't stick around.
Scion of Kyuss Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP, but some of the Abilities can mitigate that.
Sepulchral Thief It wont boost casting much, and you lose your Con score, but damn you get some nifty stuff.
Silveraith Becoming a flying, incorporeal Undead is nice enough even without Magical Absorption.  The only downside is you lose positive energy spells, so if you want to heal the rest of the party they better be Undead.
Tarterian Creature Pure bonus with no drawbacks.  Unless you die...
Wendigo Gaining flight and massive stat bonuses is quite nice, but this is probably best for combat builds.
LA: +1
Draconic Not enough ooomph for the LA.
Feytouched A Con penalty?  Really?

Wis/Cha based Casters (Spirit Shaman)
LA +0 or -
Ancient Dead Massive bonuses, no drawbacks (except maybe Undead status).  Teal plus plus.
Chosen of Bane Gotta love a Cha Bonus and SLA's.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Dread Revenant Undead with Regeneration, Turn Immunity and Immunity to Mind-Affecting Effects.  The CHa Bonus is only a +2, but who gives a toss when you're nigh well unstoppable.
Drider The rating assumes that you have the minimum Hit Dice to avoid Aberration Levels. 
Ermordenung Has some nice boosts, but the toxicity of your touch will prevent you from using your touch spells to buff the party.
Favored Spawn of Kyuss Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP, but some may find the extra abilities worthwhile.
Ghastly Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Ghoulish Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Gravewight Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP, but some may find the extra abilities worthwhile.
Greater Mummy Normally I wouldn't give an Undead Template such a rating but with all of the abilities this one adds it makes up for the hp loss.
Huecuva It gives some nice boosts, but not enough to make up for the huge Int Penalty when you're already lowish on skill points.
Memelith May go down to blue depending on build.
Nether Hound of Kiaransalee Assuming you've already taken an Undead Template this cane be helpful, though you take a minor penalty to skills.
Revenant Only really blue if the party is pursuing the Revenant's killers, otherwise you won't stick around.
Scion of Kyuss Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP, but some of the Abilities can mitigate that.
Silveraith Becoming a flying, incorporeal Undead is nice enough even without Magical Absorption.  The only downside is you lose positive energy spells, so if you want to heal the rest of the party they better be Undead.
Tarterian Creature Pure bonus with no drawbacks.  Unless you die...
Wendigo Gaining flight and massive stat bonuses is quite nice, but this is probably best for combat builds.
LA: +1
Draconic Not enough ooomph for the LA.
Feral Creature Isn't bad for the LA, may jump to Blue for some combat builds.
Feytouched A Con penalty?  Really?
« Last Edit: November 11, 2014, 07:39:30 PM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #52 on: July 02, 2014, 02:59:18 AM »
So You've Decided to Become An Arcane Caster (wip)

Okay lets first discuss the obvious stuff, i.e. the Red Templates which you will wish to avoid at all costs.  These will be anything that:

Lowers your Primary casting stat (which can be checked here  and here )
Increases your Level Adjustment (which can be checked here )
Makes you lose all Special Attacks or Spellcasting (which can be checked here

Please note some few Monsters or Templates list casting as a Special Quality if you're adding multiple Templates so check here to confirm they don't make you lose all Special Qualities as well.

Int based Casters (Beguiler, Wizard, Wu Jen)
LA +0 or -
Ancient Dead Massive bonuses, no drawbacks (except maybe Undead status).  Teal plus plus.  Assuming of course your rank is high, lower ranks have an Int Penalty instead of a Bonus.
Chosen of Mystra No Int Bonus but the SLA's and massive Con Bonus make up for it.
Demonically-Infused Elemental As long as you don't mind being Evil, and can find an LA +0 Template to become an Elemental first, the Int Bonus from this is damn nice.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Ermordenung No reason not to take, especially if you use touch spells.
Favored Spawn of Kyuss Defensive Abilities might make up for the lack of HP.
Ghastly Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Ghoulish Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Greater Mummy Normally I wouldn't give an Undead Template such a rating but with all of the abilities this one adds it makes up for the hp loss.
Scion of Kyuss Gives a mice melee boost for Duskblades.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Sepulchral Thief It wont boost casting much, and you lose your Con score, but damn you get some nifty stuff. Will probably not synergize as well with Wizard and Wu Jen as the others.
Silveraith Becoming a flying, incorporeal Undead is nice enough even without Magical Absorption.  The only downside is you lose positive energy spells, so if you want to heal the rest of the party they better be Undead.
LA: +1
Deep You get Darkvision, +2 Int, and some minor abilities in exchange for a +1 LA and Light Sensitivity.  The trade-off could be worth it in very specific instances, but is otherwise meh.

Cha based Casters (Dread Necromancer, Sorcerer, Warmage)
LA +0 or -
Ancient Dead Massive bonuses, no drawbacks (except maybe Undead status).  Teal plus plus.
Chosen of Bane Gotta love a Cha Bonus and SLA's.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Dread Revenant Undead with Regeneration, Turn Immunity and Immunity to Mind-Affecting Effects.  The CHa Bonus is only a +2, but who gives a toss when you're nigh well unstoppable.
Drider The rating assumes that you have the minimum Hit Dice to avoid Aberration Levels. 
Ermordenung No reason not to take, especially if you use touch spells.
Favored Spawn of Kyuss Defensive Abilities might make up for the lack of HP.
Ghastly Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Ghoulish Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Greater Mummy Normally I wouldn't give an Undead Template such a rating but with all of the abilities this one adds it makes up for the hp loss.
Juju Zombie Has some nice defensive abilities if you can work around the Int Penalty and hp loss.
Magic-Blooded No real drawbacks.
Nether Hound of Kiaransalee Assuming you've already taken an Undead Template this can be helpful, though you take a minor penalty to skills.
Revenant Only really blue if the party is pursuing the Revenant's killers, otherwise you won't stick around.
Scion of Kyuss Gives a mice melee boost for Hexblades.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Sepulchral Thief It wont boost casting much, and you lose your Con score, but damn you get some nifty stuff.
Silveraith Becoming a flying, incorporeal Undead is nice enough even without Magical Absorption.  The only downside is you lose positive energy spells, so if you want to heal the rest of the party they better be Undead.
Tarterian Creature Pure bonus with no drawbacks.  Unless you die...
Wendigo Gaining flight and massive stat bonuses is quite nice, but this is probably best for combat builds.
LA: +1
Draconic Not enough ooomph for the LA.
Feytouched A Con penalty?  Really?
« Last Edit: November 11, 2014, 07:49:25 PM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #53 on: July 12, 2014, 06:54:29 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Neo-Caster (wip)

This represents classes which use supernatural powers that are divine (or arcane) in origin but aren't exactly spells.

Okay lets first discuss the obvious stuff, i.e. the Red Templates which you will wish to avoid at all costs.  These will be anything that:

Lowers your Primary 'casting' stat (which can be checked here  and here )
Increases your Level Adjustment (which can be checked here )
Makes you lose all Special Attacks (which can be checked here

Int-Based (Artificer, Psionic Artificer)
LA +0 or -
Ancient Dead Massive bonuses, no drawbacks (except maybe Undead status).  Teal plus plus.  Assuming of course your rank is high, lower ranks have an Int Penalty instead of a Bonus.
Demonically-Infused Elemental As long as you don't mind being Evil, and can find an LA +0 Template to become an Elemental first, the Int Bonus from this is damn nice.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Ermordenung Best for melee Artificers.
Favored Spawn of Kyuss Defensive Abilities might make up for the lack of HP.
Ghastly Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.  Best for melee Artificers.
Ghoulish Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.  Best for melee Artificers.
Greater Mummy Normally I wouldn't give an Undead Template such a rating but with all of the abilities this one adds it makes up for the hp loss.  Best for melee Artificers.
Scion of Kyuss Gives a mice melee boost for Artificers who like to be up close.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Sepulchral Thief It wont boost casting much, and you lose your Con score, but damn you get some nifty stuff.
LA +1
Deep You get Darkvision, +2 Int, and some minor abilities in exchange for a +1 LA and Light Sensitivity.  The trade-off could be worth it in very specific instances, but is otherwise meh.

Int/Dex/Con-based (Shadowcaster skill build)
LA +0 or -
Demonically-Infused Elemental As long as you don't mind being Evil, and can find an LA +0 Template to become an Elemental first, the Int Bonus from this is damn nice.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Ermordenung Best for melee Artificers.
LA +1


Int/Cha-based (Truenamer)
LA +0 or -
Ancient Dead Massive bonuses, no drawbacks (except maybe Undead status).  Teal plus plus.  Assuming of course your rank is high, lower ranks have an Int/Cha Penalty instead of a Bonus.
Demonically-Infused Elemental As long as you don't mind being Evil, and can find an LA +0 Template to become an Elemental first, the Int Bonus from this is damn nice.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Ermordenung Best for melee
Favored Spawn of Kyuss Defensive Abilities might make up for the lack of HP.
Greater Mummy Normally I wouldn't give an Undead Template such a rating but with all of the abilities this one adds it makes up for the hp loss.  Best for melee.
Psionic Tenant Creature
Scion of Kyuss Gives a mice melee boost for players who like to be up close.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Sepulchral Thief It wont boost truenaming much, and you lose your Con score, but damn you get some nifty stuff.

Dex/Cha-based (Warlock, depending on build)
LA +0 or -

Con Based (Totemist)
LA +0 or -
Arctic Gives you +2 Con, but not much else.
Blood Ghoul +2 Str and Con, good for melee builds.
Chosen of Mystra +10 Con, who cares about the rest.
Corrupted by the Abyss Requires an alignment restriction, and lowers Dex, but is pretty good for melee builds.
Demonically-Infused Elemental As long as you don't mind being Evil, and can find an LA +0 Template to become an Elemental first, the stat Bonuses from this are damn nice.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still..
Drider +8 Con.  Gimme gimme!
Dungeonbred Monster Assuming you're an LA +0 Aberration or can become one without additional LA.
Ermordenung Best for melee fighters.
Half-Machine Robots are fun!
Lost Black if you need an Int Score.
Wendigo Gaining flight and massive stat bonuses is quite nice.
Yuan Ti (Broodguard) A few nice abilities as long as you don't mind being evil.  Dex Bonus is good for ranged builds.
LA+1
Draconic Creature
Dragonspawn (White)
Feral Creature
Gurik Cha-ahl
Half-Minotaur
Scorned
Tainted-Blood
Thomil
Yuan-Ti


Con/Cha Based (Binder, Dragonfire Adept, Shadowcaster [Save DC Focused build], Soulborn)
LA +0 or -
Chosen of Bane Gotta love that Cha Bonus.
Chosen of Mystra +10 Con, who cares about the rest.
Demonically-Infused Elemental As long as you don't mind being Evil, and can find an LA +0 Template to become an Elemental first, the stat Bonuses from this are damn nice.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Drider +8 Con.  Gimme gimme!
Ermordenung Best for melee fighters.
Tarterian Creature Pure bonus with no drawbacks.  Unless you die...
Wendigo Gaining flight and massive stat bonuses is quite nice.
LA +1
Draconic Creature


Con/Wis Based (Incarnate)
LA +0 or -
Chosen of Bane An odd combo.
Chosen of Mystra +10 Con, who cares about the rest.
Demonically-Infused Elemental As long as you don't mind being Evil, and can find an LA +0 Template to become an Elemental first, the stat Bonuses from this are damn nice.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Drider +8 Con.  Gimme gimme!
Ermordenung Best for melee fighters.
Wendigo Gaining flight and massive stat bonuses is quite nice.
Yuan Ti (Broodguard) A few nice abilities as long as you don't mind being evil.  Dex Bonus is good for ranged builds.
LA +1
Feral Creature


Str/Con/Cha-based (Dragon Shaman)
LA +0 or -
Chosen of Bane Gotta love that Cha Bonus.
Chosen of Mystra +10 Con, who cares about the rest.
Demonically-Infused Elemental As long as you don't mind being Evil, and can find an LA +0 Template to become an Elemental first, the stat Bonuses from this are damn nice.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Drider +8 Con.  Gimme gimme!
Ermordenung Best for melee fighters.
Tarterian Creature Pure bonus with no drawbacks.  Unless you die...
Wendigo Gaining flight and massive stat bonuses is quite nice.
LA +1
Draconic Creature
« Last Edit: April 29, 2015, 08:02:47 PM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #54 on: July 13, 2014, 03:31:23 AM »
So You've Decided to Become A Manifester (wip)

Okay lets first discuss the obvious stuff, i.e. the Red Templates which you will wish to avoid at all costs.  These will be anything that:

Lowers your Primary manifesting stat (which can be checked here  and here )
Increases your Level Adjustment (which can be checked here )
Makes you lose all Special Attacks or Powers (which can be checked here

Please note some few Monsters or Templates list Psionics as a Special Quality if you're adding multiple Templates so check here to confirm they don't make you lose all Special Qualities as well.

Int-based (Erudite, Lurk, Psion)
LA +0 or -
Ancient Dead Massive bonuses, no drawbacks (except maybe Undead status).  Teal plus plus.  Assuming of course your rank is high, lower ranks have an Int Penalty instead of a Bonus.
Demonically-Infused Elemental As long as you don't mind being Evil, and can find an LA +0 Template to become an Elemental first, the Int Bonus from this is damn nice.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Ermordenung Has some nice boosts, and the toxicity of your touch will mesh nicely with touch powers
Favored Spawn of Kyuss Defensive Abilities might make up for the lack of HP.
Ghastly Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Ghoulish Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Greater Mummy Normally I wouldn't give an Undead Template such a rating but with all of the abilities this one adds it makes up for the hp loss.
Scion of Kyuss Great if you intend to use a lot of touch spells or engage in melee, not so much otherwise.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Sepulchral Thief It wont boost casting much, and you lose your Con score, but damn you get some nifty stuff.
Silveraith Becoming a flying, incorporeal Undead is nice enough even without Magical Absorption. 
LA +1
Deep You get Darkvision, +2 Int, and some minor abilities in exchange for a +1 LA and Light Sensitivity.  The trade-off could be worth it in very specific instances, but is otherwise meh.


Wis-based (Ardent, Divine Mind)
LA +0 or -
Ancient Dead Massive bonuses, no drawbacks (except maybe Undead status).  Teal plus plus.
Anthropomorphic Animal Bat: +6 to Wis and Small?  Sign me up.  Not quite as good for some builds due to the hits to Str. 
Anthropomorphic Animal Lizard:  Roughly the same as the Bat, but with a worse Wis (+4), but a higher Dex (+2).  Probably best as a Druid.
Anthropomorphic Animal Monkey: Roughly the same as Lizard.
Anthropomorphic Animal Rat: Roughly the same as Lizard.
Anthropomorphic Animal Raven: Roughly the same as Lizard.  Could go up to blue if you can buff it's Flight.
Anthropomorphic Animal Weasel: Roughly the same as Lizard.
Chosen of Bane Limited due to the Alignment, most likely a Divine Mind of the LE type.
Chosen of Denier Clerics only.
Dhampir Most of the benefits of Vampire, no LA or Undeadness.  Granted you can't use a bunch of your Supernatural stuff in sunlight, but still.
Drider The rating assumes that you have the minimum Hit Dice to avoid Aberration Levels.  Best for manifesters that also indulge in melee.
Ermordenung Has some nice boosts, but the toxicity of your touch will prevent you from using your touch powers to buff the party.
Favored Spawn of Kyuss Great for Divine Minds devoted to Kyuss.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Ghastly Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Ghoulish Creature It has some Alignment restrictions and lower HP, but the Paralysis and stat bonuses easily make up for it.
Gravewight Rating assumes an appropriate Alignment, and once again that you intend to mix it up in fights.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Greater Mummy Normally I wouldn't give an Undead Template such a rating but with all of the abilities this one adds it makes up for the hp loss.
Huecuva It gives some nice boosts, but not enough to make up for the huge Int Penalty when you're already lowish on skill points.
Monster of Legend  It's nice and powerful, and has no LA, but it can only be applied to Base Creatures who likely have racial Hit Dice.
Nether Hound of Kiaransalee Assuming you've already taken an Undead Template this can be helpful, though you take a minor penalty to skills.
Scion of Kyuss Great for Divine Minds of Kyuss, not as much for others.  Being Undead means you take a hit on your HP though.
Silveraith Becoming a flying, incorporeal Undead is nice enough even without Magical Absorption. 
Wendigo Gaining flight and massive stat bonuses is quite nice, but this is probably best for combat builds.
LA: +1
Feral Creature Isn't bad for the LA, may jump to Blue for some combat builds.


Cha-based (Wilder)
LA +0 or -
« Last Edit: April 27, 2015, 09:28:37 PM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #55 on: July 13, 2014, 03:53:10 AM »
So You've Decided to Become An Initiator (wip)

Okay lets first discuss the obvious stuff, i.e. the Red Templates which you will wish to avoid at all costs.  These will be anything that:

Lowers your Primary stats (which can be checked here  and here )
Makes you lose all Special Attacks or Powers (which can be checked here

Please note some few Monsters or Templates list Initiating as a Special Quality if you're adding multiple Templates so check here to confirm they don't make you lose all Special Qualities as well.

Str/Con/Cha-based (Crusader)
LA +0 or -

Dex/Con/Wis-based (Swordsage)
LA +0 or -

Str/Con/Int-based (Warblade)
LA +0 or -
« Last Edit: September 06, 2014, 09:28:02 PM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #56 on: November 11, 2014, 07:10:22 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Beatstick (wip)

Okay lets first discuss the obvious stuff, i.e. the Red Templates which you will wish to avoid at all costs.  These will be anything that:

Lowers your Primary stats (which can be checked here  and here )
Makes you lose all Special Attacks or Powers (which can be checked here
Makes you lose all Special Qualities which can be checked here

Str/Dex/Con-based (Barbarian)
LA +0 or -

Str/Con/Cha-based (Knight, Samurai)
LA +0 or -

Dex/Con/Int-based (Swashbuckler)
LA +0 or -

note to self: add fighter
« Last Edit: November 11, 2014, 07:28:17 PM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #57 on: November 11, 2014, 07:27:59 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Beatstick Who Has Caster Aspirations (wip)

Okay lets first discuss the obvious stuff, i.e. the Red Templates which you will wish to avoid at all costs.  These will be anything that:

Lowers your Primary stats (which can be checked here  and here )
Makes you lose all Special Attacks or Powers (which can be checked here
Makes you lose all Special Qualities which can be checked here

Str/Con/Int-based (Duskblade)
LA +0 or -

Str/Dex/Cha-based (Hexblade)
LA +0 or -

Dex/Con/Wis/Cha-based (Paladin)
LA +0 or -

Str/Con/Wis-based (Psychic Warrior)
LA +0 or -

Str/Dex/Con/Wis-based (Ranger)
LA +0 or -
« Last Edit: November 11, 2014, 07:42:10 PM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #58 on: November 11, 2014, 07:38:50 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Monkey (wip)

Okay lets first discuss the obvious stuff, i.e. the Red Templates which you will wish to avoid at all costs.  These will be anything that:

Lowers your Primary stats (which can be checked here  and here )
Makes you lose all Special Attacks or Powers (which can be checked here
Makes you lose all Special Qualities which can be checked here

Con/Cha-based (Marshal)
LA +0 or -

Dex/Con/Wis-based (Monk)
LA +0 or -

Dex/Int/Wis-based (Ninja)
LA +0 or -

Dex/Int-based (Rogue, Scout)
LA +0 or -
« Last Edit: November 11, 2014, 07:51:30 PM by bhu »

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Re: Uncle Kitty's Guide to Template Based Shenanigans
« Reply #59 on: November 11, 2014, 07:48:27 PM »
So You've Decided to Become A Monkey Who Has Caster Aspirations (wip)

Okay lets first discuss the obvious stuff, i.e. the Red Templates which you will wish to avoid at all costs.  These will be anything that:

Lowers your Primary stats (which can be checked here  and here )
Makes you lose all Special Attacks or Powers (which can be checked here
Makes you lose all Special Qualities which can be checked here

Dex/Int/Cha-based (Bard)
LA +0 or -

Dex/Int/Wis-based (Factotum)
LA +0 or -

Dex/Int-based (Psychic Rogue)
LA +0 or -

Dex/Int/Cha-based (Spellthief)
LA +0 or -

« Last Edit: November 11, 2014, 07:55:56 PM by bhu »