Skeleton Elite Warrior (3.5e Monster)

These sword-wielding skeletons have a stance of a trained warrior.

More intelligent than normal skeletons, the skeleton elite warrior is both smarter and tougher. They are formed from the skeletons of unusually adept warriors who died on the battlefield.

They do not speak beyond roars and disturbing laughter, but seem to understand one another with some unseen mental language between them. They understand common.

Combat
Skeleton elite warriors still act like soldiers on the battlefield and are capable of making tactics, ambushes, and other tricks to attack the enemy as a trained unified group. While these skeletons have intelligence, they are single minded in their thirst for violence and seem incapable, or unwilling, or go beyond the usual limitations of their normal skeleton kin.

Skeleton elite warriors count as fighters of their level for the purposes of pre-requisites. Some skeleton warriors come with different weapons, such as composite longbows and other simple or martial weapons. Their feats alter appropriately.

Shield Stun : When hitting a creature with the skeleton elite warrior's shield bash attack, the target must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 HD + Strength modifier) or be staggered for 1 round, save negates.

Creation
Skeleton elite warriors can be created with animate dead by casters of at least CL 12th. They must be created from the bodies of creatures with at least +6 BAB, and have the appropriate number of HD of a skeleton of their type. They are as the normal template but with an Int score of 10, skills, and feats, and are proficient with simple and martial weapons, all armors, and all shields (including tower shields).