Returning Creature

'Returning Creature' is a pattern that can be added to any creature to give them a nasty defensive capability. The Returning ability can mean many different things. Perhaps the Drow Maidens have enchanted shields given to their favored males that return attacks, or that shimmering Purple Worm has super-shiny scutes that bounce back attacks. Maybe that Spectre raises the spirit of the attack just made and sends it, screaming in ectoplasmic fury, back to the attacker. Perhaps illusory attacks originate from dark-blessed armor, or psychic echoes ripple outward, or maybe the monster catches the attacks on their weapons and just 'scoops' some of it back toward their attacker.

There are a thousand ways the GM can use this pattern to create monsters that are dangerous simply to oppose, and the players will have to find new tactics and methods, or just endure the punishment.

A Returning Creature uses all of the base creature's statistics and abilities except as noted below.

CR (challenge rating)

Same as base creature +2.

Size and Type

The creature's Size does not change. Its Type remains the same but it gains the subtype Returning.

Initiative Modifier

The creature's initiative modifier increases by +1.

Senses

All senses such as scent, tremorsense, keen hearing, etc are unchanged. A Returning Creature gains +3 on Perception skill rolls.

Armor Class

Returning Creatures gain +2 AC.

Hit Dice

Returning Creatures gain +2 hp per Hit Die of their adjusted CR.

Defensive Ability

The Returning Creature gains the following abilities, which may be added to their Bestiary entry:

Returning (Su): Once per round, per attacking creature, when struck by any source of damage originated by an enemy located outside their melee reach, a Returning creature may Return that damage to the attacking creature. This Return requires line of sight and line of effect, although that is usually not an issue since attacks made against the creature usually require line of sight and line of effect to be made in the first place. This Returned damage hits automatically, and may or may not allow a saving throw depending on whether the source of the damage required a saving throw. Returning only inflicts damage, it does not lay status conditions, even if the triggering attack did so. If any attack is only a status condition, this power has no effect.

This power inflicts Special Standard Damage for the monster's adjusted CR. Check the Monster Pattern Damage Chart to calculate this value. If the triggering attack allows a save, a save of the same nature (Fort, Refl, or Will) can be made versus an Average DC for the monster's adjusted CR (challenge rating) taken from the Save DCs chart, or, the same DC as the monster's adjusted save DC, to take half damage. This power inflicts the same sort of damage as the incoming attack, in all cases. Note that this power only affects the originator of an attack, even if the attack was area of effect. If a single attack hits multiple Returning creatures, only one of them may Return that attack, although if the aggressor attacks again, a second Return can be made by a different struck victim.

This power will return arrows, rocks, magic item effects, spells, racial and class abilities of all sort, and any other source of damage directed at the monster.

SR: - Same as Base Creature

Special Defenses: Same as Base Creature

• Returning Creatures gain a +1 untyped bonus on all Saving Throws.

Immunities: Same as Base Creature.

Weaknesses: Same as Base Creature

Out of Combat

Same as Base Creature.

Speed

A Returning Creatures base speed improves by ten feet in all movement categories it has.

Melee Attacks

The Returning Creature retains all the base creature's attacks . It gains a +2 untyped bonus to-hit with all attacks.

Damage

The Returning 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 +1.

Space and Reach

No Changes.

Offensive Ability

No Changes.

Ability Scores

No Changes.

Maneuver Offense and Maneuver Defense

The Returning Creature gains a +2 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 CR+10.