[Dungeon Fantasy] My attempt at a "standard demonic footsoldier" template

[Anthony]

Not sure why it has any of doesn't breathe, doesn't eat or drink, or doesn't sleep. Sure, it could have any of those things, but I don't feel like it needs to be on the base template.

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by Michael Thayne

That said, using Samar as a baseline may have been a mistake, as arguably there are characters who don't specialize in demons who make better demon-slayers than the alleged specialist. And I do like the idea of adding Terror—it lets the holy warrior shine when they pass the Fright Check and the knight doesn't. Maybe make it hearing-based to represent a blood-curdling battle cry? Add a few points in skills and it double as 187-point Ally.

Sir Yvor Gryffyn is probably better at killing one of these than Samar. He fails the Fright Check on a roll of 14, just as everyone does. He has higher weapon skill, even after Samar's Higher Purpose, and does more damage, even after Higher Purpose.

[Michael Thayne]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Not sure why it has any of doesn't breathe, doesn't eat or drink, or doesn't sleep. Sure, it could have any of those things, but I don't feel like it needs to be on the base template.

This traits are extremely common for demons in Dungeon Fantasy, to the point that Dungeon Fantasy Monsters 5 introduced a meta-trait that covers all three of them (plus Immunity to Metabolic Hazards). Every single sample monster in that book has that meta-trait, except the Demon Stallion which is explicitly noted to be a corrupted animal rather than from Hell.

Originally Posted by johndallman

Sir Yvor Gryffyn is probably better at killing one of these than Samar. He fails the Fright Check on a roll of 14, just as everyone does. He has higher weapon skill, even after Samar's Higher Purpose, and does more damage, even after Higher Purpose.

Now I feel mildly silly for forgetting Fearlessness is on the Knight template (and that Combat Reflexes gives +2 to Fright checks). Comparison of Samar's and Sir Yvor's stats is really kind of hammering home that for Holy Warriors to make sense it really helps to have demons with obscure weaknesses so all those IQ-based skills are useful. Supernatural Durability is pretty great for that but hard to fit into a creature intended to pull double-duty as an Ally. Hmmm.

[Michael Thayne]

Here's the "demonic footsoldier" concept overhauled as a none-too-bright maul-wielding brute. I do think it's sorely in need of an interesting unique weakness though. What would be an appropriate point value for Divine Curse (Holy water acts as acid)?

Attributes: ST 16 [60]; DX 13 [60]; IQ -1 [-20]; HT 13 [30].
Secondary Characteristics: Dmg 2d-1/3d+2; Will 13 [20]; Per +1 [5]; Basic Speed 7.00 [10]
Advantages: Combat Reflexes [15]; Demonic Sustenance [80]; DR 5 [25]; Hard to Subdue 3 [6]; High Pain Threshold [10]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Sharp Claws [5]; Sharp Teeth [1]; Striking ST 4 [20]; Weapon Master (Maul) [20].
Disadvantages: Appearance (Monstrous) [-20]; Bloodlust (12) [-10]; Bully (12) [-10]; Fragile (Unnatural) [-50]; Low TL 3 [-15]; Sadism (12) [-15]; Selfish (12) [-5]; Social Stigma (Demon) [-20]; Wealth (Poor) [-15].
Skills: Brawling (E) DX+1 [2]-14; Climbing (A) DX-1 [1]-12; Hidden Lore (Demons) (A) IQ-1 [1]-8; Hiking (A) HT-1 [1]-11; Intimidation (A) Will-1 [1]-9; Stealth (A) DX-1 [1]-12; Throwing Art (H) DX+1 [8]-14; Two-Handed Axe/Mace (A) DX+7 [28]-20; Wrestling (A) DX+1 [4]-14.
Features: Vestigial Horns and Tail [0].