Serpentine Undead Template (CR +1)

The creature appears to be a skeleton or zombie version of its original form, save that it gains a pair of large snake fangs and hisses when attacking.

Creating a Serpentine Undead Creature

Serpentine undead” is an inherited or acquired template that can be applied to any corporeal humanoid or snake or snake-like creature. Examples of snake-like creatures might include a couatl, marilith demon, naga, or any creature whose anatomy includes a snake’s head or body. Merely having tentacles, slit eyes, scales or a forked tongue is not enough to qualify a creature as snake-like.

Challenge Rating: same as the base creature +1. A serpentine undead creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and extraordinary abilities except as noted here. Change Hit Dice to d8s. Do not recalculate its base attack bonus, saves, or skill points if its type changes. It loses any spellcasting, spell-like or supernatural abilities it had.

Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead. Its size does not change.

Armor Class: Natural armor bonus increases by +2.

Attacks: A serpentine undead creature retains all the natural weapons, manufactured weapon attacks, and weapon proficiencies of the base creature. If it did not have a bite attack, it gains one. The bite damage is based on its size: Creature Size Bite Damage Fine 1 Diminutive 1d2 Tiny 1d3 Small 1d4 Medium 1d6 Large 1d8 Huge 2d6 Gargantuan 2d8 Colossal 4d6

Damage: Natural and manufactured weapons deal damage normally.

Special Attacks: A serpentine undead creature retains all the special attacks of the base creature and also gains the following.

Poisonous Bite (Ex)

Serpentine undead creatures gain a poisonous bite: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 14; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Con; cure 1 save.

Alignment: A serpentine creature’s alignment changes to evil.

Sample Serpentine Undead Creatures

Serpentine Undead Human Warrior: CR 1/3; Medium undead; HD 1d8; hp 6; Init +5; Spd 30; AC 17 (+1 Dex, +4 natural, +2 heavy steel shield); BAB +1; CMB +2; CMD 15; melee +1 (1d6+1/18–20, scimitar) or melee +1 (1d6 + poison, bite); SA: poisonous bite; SQ: undead traits, darkvision 60 ft.; AL CE; SV Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +2; Str 13, Dex 17, Con —, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10. Skills: Acrobatics +2, Climb +3, Ride +3 Feats: Cleave, Improved Initiative, Power Attack

Serpentine Undead Constrictor Snake: CR 2; Medium undead; HD 3d8; hp 21; Init +3; Spd 20 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; AC 17 (+3 Dex, +4 natural); BAB +2; CMB +5; CMD 18; melee +5 (1d6, Bite); SA: poisonous bite, grab, constrict; SQ: undead traits, darkvision 60 ft., scent; AL NE; SV Fort +0, Ref +6, Will +2; Str 17, Dex 17, Con –, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2. Skills: Acrobatics +11, Climb +14, Perception +7, Stealth +10, Swim +11 Feats: Alertness, Toughness

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