[3.P] What's the point of vampires being minimum 5 HD?

[ImperatorK]

Well, what do you think?

[Greysect]

So anything lower than 5 HD only becomes spawn, right? Well, the reason only creatures 5 HD and up turn full vampire is that only the more strong willed creatures in the world are capable of making the full change and tapping into their true potential. Vampire Spawn and slaves, the sheep vampires made from sheep stock. If everyone was capable of being a full vampire, including level 1 commoners, it would water down the template as a hole. By being an exclusive club, the vampires come off stronger fluff-wise.

I'm sure there is also a crunchy reason, too. Perhaps energy drain and ability damage should only be encountered at an CR estimated by HD.

[veekie]

Since its humanoids, the HD does determine CR, and the negative levels with the funky vampire powers is going to be pretty overkill on anything less.

[DavidWL]

I'd say, thematically, it'd be pretty sad if a housecat could take out a vampire ....



Best,
David

[SolEiji]

I'd say, thematically, it'd be pretty sad if a housecat could take out a vampire ....



Best,
David

What if it was a vampiric housecat?

[Noliar]

I'd say, thematically, it'd be pretty sad if a housecat could take out a vampire ....



Best,
David

"He's just a big softy really."
- Nanny Ogg

[Slaughterhouserock]

I'd say, thematically, it'd be pretty sad if a housecat could take out a vampire ....



Best,
David

"He's just a big softy really."
- Nanny Ogg

A big softy that just happened to swallow a vampire while in bat form.  To be fair, he's not your average housecat either.

[archangel.arcanis]

The real reason is so that the DM could throw one at a level 4 party, or higher with level drain, and not worry about a player becoming super powered instead of dead.