Aquatic Creature
'Aquatic Creature' is a pattern that can be added to any creature that is well adapted to living and hunting in water, or other similar fluids. Swamp-dwelling ogres, deep-sea Trolls, Rot Flies that live in giant pools of blood, fire elementals that swim in lava, all these and more can be emulated with the Aquatic Creature pattern.
An Aquatic 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. It's Type remains the same but it gains the subtype Aquatic.
Initiative Modifier
The creature's initiative modifier increases +2.
Senses
An Aquatic Creature gains Echolocation as a sense, which is usable both in and out of the water or other fluid it lives in. If the base creature already had Echolocation, it adds 30 feet to the range of the Echolocation. All other senses such as scent, tremorsense, keen hearing, etc are unchanged. An Aquatic Creature gains +3 on Perception skill rolls.
Armor Class
Aquatic Creatures gain +2 AC.
Hit Dice
Aquatic Creatures gain +2 hp per Hit Die of their adjusted CR.
Defensive Ability
The Aquatic 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: Same as Base Creature
- Aquatic Creatures gain a +1 untyped bonus on all Saving Throws.
- Aquatic Creatures can breathe normally underwater or similar fluids, and are never at risk of drowning or suffocation in or out of water.
Immunities: Same as Base Creature.
Weaknesses: Same as Base Creature
Out of Combat
Same as Base Creature.
Speed
An Aquatic Creature's gains a Lesser Swim speed equal to its Walk speed. If the base creature already had a Swim speed, it increases by twenty feet.
Melee Attacks
The Aquatic Creature retains all the base creature's attacks . It gains a +2 untyped bonus to-hit with all attacks and is never hindered by attacking under water or similar fluids.
Damage
The Aquatic 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
Same as Base Creature.
Ability Scores
No changes.
Maneuver Offense and Maneuver Defense
The Aquatic 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.