Liber Demonica (3.5e Sourcebook)/Playing a Demon

Becoming A Demon: rules for demon PCs

Let's be honest with each other - we want to play demons. Demons are awesome. And for some campaigns, people playing demons is totally fine by us. However, the rules as they exist simply don't accommodate this idea very well, making people pay for HD independent of abilities, and then abilities independent of HD, which leads to overpriced monster characters. To make matters worse, this is not an accident - actual staff from WotC are on record that this was a desirable outcome! As a result, we're gonna have to ditch this idea wholesale, and instead write some rules that don't make us cry.

The Basics
So, you want to be a demon. Once you've figured out which demon you want (and asked the GM's permission), you need to be aware of two things: firstly, all demons have a minimum level. This is the equivalent level to just being that demon. To work this out, add 1 to the demon's CR. This is the minimum level at which such a demon can be played as a player character. If you're playing at a higher level, feel free to give your demon class levels, or levels in a prestige class (or two). Don't advance them using HD - the results won't be anything like balanced.

Example: A hezrou (CR 11) is an acceptable player character no sooner than 12th level. Thus, its minimum level is 12.

Secondly, demons have ability score adjustments. Instead of simply using the monster's ordinary statline (which represents an 'average' demon of that type), these are converted into ability score modifiers, that apply to the character's generated ability scores. These are listed below.

Other than that, use the monster exactly as presented. It really is that simple!

Considerations
When demons gain levels, it is important to remember the following considerations.


 * Advance their caster level by an amount equal to their additional levels.
 * Advance their spell reistance by an amount equal to their additional levels.
 * Don't forget ability score increases every fourth level! While the 'base' demons already have this included, later additions must be remembered.
 * Don't forget new feats, at the same time as other characters would gain them.

Additionally, as a player, you can change the following on a demon:


 * Skills (demons have 8 + Int skill points per level, and pretty much any class skills you feel like having)
 * Feats (demons gain feats just like characters do). Note that bonus feats are fixed.

Playing Demons and Equipment
Generally-speaking, demons played at their minimum level don't need much in the way of additional equipment - they are supposed to be self-contained. Although many demons have treasure, it's not usually equipment, but things like gems, gold and so forth. For this reason (and the fact that it would get insanely broken), it is recommended that GMs treat demons as needing wealth by level for equipment purposes as their actual level minus their minimum level.

Example: A hezrou blackguard with 3 class levels would have a wealth by level as a 3rd level character for the purposes of equipment (14th character level minus the hezrou's minimum level of 11).

Babau
Minimum Level: 7th

Ability Score Adjustments: +4 Strength, +8 Dexterity, +4 Int, +6 Wisdom, +6 Constitution, +2 Charisma

Balor
The balor is not suitable as a player character at any level.

Bar-lgura
Minimum Level: 6th

Ability Score Adjustments: +8 Strength, +6 Dexterity, +8 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, +4 Charisma

Bebilith
Minimum Level: 11th

Ability Score Adjustments: +12 Strength, +0 Dexterity, +12 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, +0 Wisdom, +0 Charisma

Dretch
Minimum Level: 3rd

Ability Score Adjustments: +0 Strength, -2 Dexterity, +0 Constitution, -2 Intelligence, +0 Wisdom, +2 Charisma

Glabrezu
Minimum Level: 14th

Ability Score Adjustments: +16 Strength, +4 Dexterity, +16 Constitution, +4 Intelligence, +4 Wisdom, +14 Charisma

Hezrou
Minimum Level: 12th

Ability Score Adjustments: +16 Strength, +4 Dexterity, +18 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, +4 Charisma

Mane
Due to their main ability involving self-destruction, manes are not suitable for player characters.

Marilith
Minimum Level: 18th

Ability Score Adjustments: +18 Strength, +8 Dexterity, +14 Constitution, +10 Intelligence, +6 Wisdom, +6 Charisma

Nalfeshnee
Minimum Level: 15th

Ability Score Adjustments: +16 Strength, +0 Dexterity, +20 Constitution, +10 Intelligence, +10 Wisdom, +10 Charisma

Quasit
Minimum Level: 4th

Ability Score Adjustments: +0 Strength, +4 Dexterity, +0 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, +0 Wisdom, +0 Charisma

Shadow Demon
Minimum Level: 9th

Ability Score Adjustments: No Strength, +8 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, +4 Intelligence, +4 Wisdom, +6 Charisma

Succubus
Minimum Level: 8th

Ability Score Adjustments: +4 Strength, +4 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, +4 Intelligence, +4 Wisdom, +10 Charisma

Vrock
Minimum Level: 10th

Ability Score Adjustments: +8 Strength, +8 Dexterity, +10 Constitution, +6 Intelligence, +6 Wisdom, +4 Charisma