How does Monster Templates work in CRAWL!?

Question

Complete rules for Monster Templates in the CRAWL! tabletop RPG system, covering all mechanics and procedures.

Iron Brothers Games · Accepted Answer

Ancient (Dragon, Demon Lord, Lich): Huge HP (80+), High AR (5+)  Attack: Multiple options per round  Special: Legendary actions between PC turns  Weakness: Specific item or ritual  Tactics: Intelligent, cruel, genre-aware  "The campaign boss" Brute (Ogre, Troll): Use these as starting points  High HP (40-60), Low AR (3, maybe 5)  Attack: Heavy single target (10-15 damage)  Special: Gets stronger when wounded  Weakness: Slow - always acts in Slow Phase only  Tactics: Smash smallest first  "The sack of HP that won't stop coming" Guardian (Golem, Animated Armor, Treant): High HP (50+), High AR (4-5)  Attack: Slow but devastating (25+ damage)  Special: Immune to conditions  Weakness: Specific damage type or tactic  Tactics: Protect area/item, never pursue  "The immovable object" Horror (Ghost, Wraith, Banshee): Medium HP (30), No AR (incorporeal)  Attack: Life drain or ability damage  Special: Phase through walls, immune to mundane weapons  Weakness: Specific materials (silver, holy)  Tactics: Strike and fade  "Can't be fought conventionally" Predator (Wolf, Panther, Raptor): Medium HP (20-30), Low AR (1-2)  Attack: Pounce - damage + knockdown  Special: Pack tactics (+2 damage per ally)  Weakness: Isolate them  Tactics: Circle and test, strike the weak  "Smart, fast, deadly in groups" Swarm (Rats, Insects, Birds): Low HP (10-20), No AR  Attack: Many small hits (1 damage per HP remaining)  Special: Immune to single-target attacks  Weakness: Area effects deal double damage  Tactics: Engulf isolated targets  "Death by a thousand cuts"

Iron Brothers Games · Answer

Compared to Dungeons & Dragons 5e and Old-School Essentials (OSE), CRAWL! simplifies mechanics while maintaining tactical depth. Ancient (Dragon, Demon Lord, Lich): Huge HP (80+), High AR (5+)  Attack: Multiple options per round  Special: Legendary actions between PC turns  Weakness: Specific item or ritual  Tactics: Intelligent, cruel, genre-aware  "The campaign boss" Brute (Ogre, Troll): Use these as starting points  High HP (40-60), Low AR (3, maybe 5)  Attack: Heavy single target (10-15 damage)  Special: Gets stronger when wounded  Weakness: Slow - always acts in Slow Phase only  Tactics: Smash smallest first  "The sack of HP that won't stop coming" Guardian (Golem, Animated Armor, Treant): High HP (50+), High AR (4-5)  Attack: Slow but devastating (25+ damage)  Special: Immune to conditions  Weakness: Specific damage type or tactic  Tactics: Protect area/item, never pursue  "The immovable object" Horror (Ghost, Wraith, Banshee): Medium HP (30), No AR (incorporeal)  Attack: Life drain or ability damage  Special: Phase through walls, immune to mundane weapons  Weakness: Specific materials (silver, holy)  Tactics: Strike and fade  "Can't be fought conventionally" Predator (Wolf, Panther, Raptor): Medium HP (20-30), Low AR (1-2)  Attack: Pounce - damage + knockdown  Special: Pack tactics (+2 damage per ally)  Weakness: Isolate them  Tactics: Circle and test, strike the weak  "Smart, fast, deadly in groups" Swarm (Rats, Insects, Birds): Low HP (10-20), No AR  Attack: Many small hits (1 damage per HP remaining)  Special: Immune to single-target attacks  Weakness: Area effects deal double damage  Tactics: Engulf isolated targets  "Death by a thousand cuts"

Monster Templates

Ancient (Dragon, Demon Lord, Lich)

Brute (Ogre, Troll)

Guardian (Golem, Animated Armor, Treant)

Horror (Ghost, Wraith, Banshee)

Predator (Wolf, Panther, Raptor)

Swarm (Rats, Insects, Birds)

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