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Sam Baughn · 06-25-2021, 04:26 AM

GURPS Space chapter 6 has a useful alien generation system which works well for weird fantasy animals too. I find Template Toolkit 2 useful for point-less creature design too.
Don't dismiss the possibility of using existing stat-blocks. A lot of the time a creature which fills the same ecological niche is at going to have similar attributes, traits, and skills. Add or remove some limbs, switch damage type, or add an odd ability and you have a completely different creature. Most big cat stat-blocks, for example, just need quadruped replacing with ham-fisted 2 and bad grip 2, plus a point or two more DR and maybe dropping IQ to 3 to make decent small-ish carnivorous dinosaurs. Alternatively, add flight (winged) and swap sharp teeth for sharp beak and you have a gryphon, or a striker with toxic follow-up and you have a manticore. Or remove the claws for a giant wolf like animal. Remove the claws and swap quadruped for ichthyoid, drop IQ and you have a big predatory fish.

06-25-2021, 04:26 AM	#2
Sam Baughn Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and some other bits.	Re: Making Quick Monster Stat Blocks GURPS Space chapter 6 has a useful alien generation system which works well for weird fantasy animals too. I find Template Toolkit 2 useful for point-less creature design too. Don't dismiss the possibility of using existing stat-blocks. A lot of the time a creature which fills the same ecological niche is at going to have similar attributes, traits, and skills. Add or remove some limbs, switch damage type, or add an odd ability and you have a completely different creature. Most big cat stat-blocks, for example, just need quadruped replacing with ham-fisted 2 and bad grip 2, plus a point or two more DR and maybe dropping IQ to 3 to make decent small-ish carnivorous dinosaurs. Alternatively, add flight (winged) and swap sharp teeth for sharp beak and you have a gryphon, or a striker with toxic follow-up and you have a manticore. Or remove the claws for a giant wolf like animal. Remove the claws and swap quadruped for ichthyoid, drop IQ and you have a big predatory fish. __________________ My blog.