Undead Age Categories
Instead of using templates (such as advanced creature) every time I wanted to throw a group of skeletons or other undead against my players, I came up with a quick and dirty method of boosting the monsters. I don't advise this method for every instance but this is good for a quick and dirty method of challenging your players with seemingly innocuous monsters. These bonus stats are cumulative and each age category bonus is added to the one before as you advance the monster.
Please note: Advancing monsters using standard advancement or templates is preferred for major enemies since it scales their skills and abilities appropriately to their HD.
| AGE | Extra HD | Hit/Damage | AC Bonus | Fort | Ref | Will | Abilities | CR Bonus |
| Old 100 years |
+1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | None | +1 |
| Very Old 1000 years |
+2 | +2 | +3 | +1 | +3 | +3 | DR +10/- | +2 |
| Ancient 5000 years |
+5 | +5 | +5 | +2 | +4 | +4 | Regenerate 2 | +4 |
| Scion 10000 years+ |
+10 | +10 | +10 | +3 | +6 | +6 | DR holy Regenerate 5 |
+8 |
Examples
Old Skeleton
Medium Skeleton (CR 10) up from 1/3
XP 400 (up from 135)
NE Medium undead
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +0
AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+2 armor, +2 Dex, +3 natural) up from +2 natural
hp 16 (2d8) up from 1d8
Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +3
DR 5/bludgeoning; Immune cold, undead traits
Speed 30 ft.
Melee broken scimitar +1 (1d6+1), claw –2 (1d4+2) or 2 claws +3 (1d4+3)
Str 15, Dex 14, Con —, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 10
Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Improved InitiativeB
Gear broken chain shirt, broken scimitar
Skeletal Scion
Medium Skeleton (CR 8) up from 1/3
XP 51,200 (up from 135)
NE Medium undead
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +0
AC 35, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+2 armor, +2 Dex, +21 natural) up from +2 natural
hp 144 (18d8) up from 1d8
Fort +7, Ref +16, Will +16
DR 15/holy; Regenerate 5; Immune cold, undead traits
Speed 30 ft.
Melee broken scimitar +18 (1d6+18), claw +8 (1d4+19) or 2 claws +3 (1d4+27)
Str 15, Dex 14, Con —, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 10
Base Atk +18; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Improved InitiativeB
Gear broken chain shirt, broken scimitar