Draconic Creature
'Draconic Creature' is a pattern that can be added to any creature that has 'dragon' characteristics. Such creatures may be tainted by a Dragon's bloodline in their ancestry, or they may be ardent worshippers of a Dragon who have absorbed part of its power, or they may be henchmen with draconic gifts, or they may simply be creatures that have wings and a mighty battle howl that have a resemblence to Dragons by sheer happenstance.
Whatever the circumstances of their existence, a Draconic Creature uses all of the base creature's statistics and abilities except as noted below.
CR
Same as base creature +2.
Size and Type
The creature's Size remains the same. It's Type remains the same but it gains the subtype Dragon.
Initiative Modifier
The creature's initiative modifier increases by half the amount that its CR increases, round up.
Senses
Draconic Creatures gain Keen Hearing. If the base creature already has Keen Hearing, they gain Precise Hearing. All other senses are unchanged. A Draconic Creature gains +4 on Perception skill rolls.
Armor Class
Draconic Creatures gain +4 AC.
Hit Dice
Draconic Creatures gain +1 hp per Hit Die of their new, higher CR.
Defensive Ability
The Draconic Creature gains the following abilities, which may be added to their Bestiary entry:
Aura: - Same as Base Creature
SR: - Same as Base Creature
Special Defenses: Draconic Creatures gain ER/Sonic equal to their adjusted Challenge Rating +5.
Immunities: Same as Base Creature.
Weaknesses: Same as Base Creature
Out of Combat
Same as Base Creature.
Speed
A Draconic Creature's base speed does not change. A Draconic Creature is set apart by the fact that it has large, strong, pinioned wings, without feathers. These wings are of appearance and nature to match the base creature.
A Draconic Creature gains Lesser Flight with a value equal the base creature's highest movement type plus 20 feet.
If the base creature already had Lesser Flight, the speed of the Lesser Flight gains plus 50 feet.
If the base creature already had Hover, it keeps the Hover but also gains Lesser Flight at a speed equal to its highest movement type plus 20.
If the base creature already had Greater Flight, it does not gain Lesser Flight but its Greater Flight speed increases by 50 feet.
Melee Attacks
The Draconic Creature retains all the base creature's attacks . It gains a +3 untyped bonus to-hit with all attacks.
Damage
The Draconic Creature does the same damage and effects as the base creature. It gains a +2 untyped bonus to all damage it inflicts, and all DC's are raised by +2.
Space and Reach
A Draconic creature's space and reach do not change.
Offensive Ability
Draconic Creatures gain Battle Howl.
- Battle Howl (Ex)
Once per encounter, as a standard action, a Draconic Creature may emit an ear-shattering howl. This is a sonic-based attack that affects all creatures within a 30 foot cone adjacent to the draconic creature's space. The draconic creature must have line of effect for this power to operate, but does not require line of sight. This power inflicts Special Standard Damage for the monster's adjusted CR. Check the Monster Pattern Damage Chart to calculate this value. Battle Howl allows a Fort save versus an Average DC for the monster's adjusted CR taken from the Save DC's chart, or, the same DC as the monster's adjusted save DC, to take half damage.
Ability Scores
No changes.
Maneuver Offense and Maneuver Defense
The Draconic Creature gains a +3 untyped bonus to Maneuver Offense and Maneuver Defense rolls.
Feats
Optionally, add one non-combat oriented feat, for flavor. Or just wing it! DM fiat is a wonderful thing.
Skills
Optionally, add one skill at new CR+10.