Veteran (3.5e Template)

Veteran

Veteran creatures are significantly more experienced and seasoned combatants who have lived among a world wrought with strife. More durable and more dangerous than their counterparts, they are talented individuals.

Veteran Qualities

Most Veteran creatures bear scars of past conflicts, having lived a life of difficulty and fighting out of absolute necessity. Albeit marred and marked by their experiences, Veterans are markedly more talented combatants who have nearly a lifetime's worth of strife to draw on for wisdom in battle, regardless of their actual age.

Physically, Veterans vary greatly by species, but the majority of Veterans show at least minor scarring from not-quite-turned blades and long healed burns from evasive maneuvers past. Most Veteran creatures are older than average creatures of their like, having survived by a combination of luck and talent to have gotten as far as they have. While certainly not frail, Veteran creatures might show their age, including younger Veteran creatures, just from prolonged stress alone, sporting the occasional silvered hair or two. In the case of most animals and magical beasts, they are frequently larger and heavier than their counterparts, but the same is seldom seen in humanoids, monstrous humanoids and giants, who only appear more weathered if at all.

Psychologically, Veteran creatures are much more canny combatants who can rapidly assess their situations before taking action. Not often prone to spur of the moment type conflict, a Veteran knows to pick and choose their fights, and when combat turns from bad to worse. A Veteran Hill Giant, for example, might recognize that the adventurers it spotted are exceptionally well armed and outfitted, and have a large band of at least six members, and instead opts to avoid them altogether rather than initiate a conflict it probably cannot win. Needless to say Veteran creatures are far from cowardly, most Veterans are exceptionally heroic creatures for their kind, and when drawn into a fight, engage with practiced talent and or has the company of other allies, often those who make up for their personal lacks.

Humanoid Veterans, like those of human or dwarf origin, along with the other mortal races, typically serve as lieutenants or captains among a regulated fighting force, if at the very least as sergeants. In the case of those less reputable, Veteran bandits and highwaymen are typically a leader or individual of importance or power to the group. Animals and magical beasts vary, but more often than not Veteran animals and magical beasts are simply more experienced members of their species, and on rare occasion, unusual members of their species such as a black tiger or golden unicorn.

Creating a Veteran

The Veteran template is an acquired template that can be added to any living, corporeal creature that is an animal, magical beast, humanoid, monstrous humanoid or giant.

Size and Type

The base creature’s type does not change.

Hit Dice

Same as the base creature.

Speed

Same as the base creature.

Armor Class

The Veteran creature's Armor Class receives a permanent +2 Dodge bonus or a +2 Deflection bonus, whichever it would deem more beneficial or would provide the largest increase to Armor Class.

Attack

Same as the base creature.

Damage

All damage rolls for a Veteran creature receive a +2 Competence bonus.

Special Attacks

Same as the base creature.

Special Qualities

All Veteran creatures receive a +1 Competence bonus to all saving throws.

Abilities

A Veteran creature may gain either of the two following increases to ability scores, it may not gain both:

+2 Strength, +2 Constitution, and +2 Wisdom

or

+2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom, and +2 Charisma

Skills

Same as the base creature.

Feats

All Veteran creatures gain Diehard as a bonus feat, even if they do not meet the prerequisites. If a Veteran creature already has the Diehard feat, it instead receives a +2 bonus to Constitution.

Environment

Varies, typically same as base creature.

Organization

Varies, typically same as base creature, but often in higher standing or status.

Challenge Rating

Same as base creature +1.

Treasure

Standard plus 50% additional coins.

Alignment

Any. Although most Veteran creatures are Neutral because of their experience.

Advancement

Same as base creature or by character class.

Level Adjustment

Same as base creature +1.

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