View source for SRD:Skeleton

{{edition|Skeleton}}
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=Skeleton=
[[Summary::Skeletons are the animated bones of the [[SRD:Dead|dead]], mindless automatons that obey the orders of their evil masters.]]

A skeleton is seldom garbed in anything more than the rotting remnants of any clothing or armor it was wearing when slain. A skeleton does only what it is ordered to do. It can draw no conclusions of its own and takes no initiative. Because of this limitation, its instructions must always be simple. A skeleton attacks until destroyed.

===Creating a Skeleton===
“Skeleton” is an acquired template that can be added to any corporeal creature (other than an [[SRD:Undead Type|undead]]) that has a skeletal system (referred to hereafter as the base creature).

'''Size and Type:''' The creature’s type changes to [[SRD:Undead Type|undead]]. It retains any subtype except for alignment subtypes (such as good) and subtypes that indicate kind. It does not gain the [[SRD:Augmented Subtype|augmented subtype]]. It uses all the base creature’s statistics and [[SRD:Special Abilities Overview|special abilities]] except as noted here.[[Type::Undead| ]]

'''[[SRD:Hit Dice (Creature Statistic)|Hit Dice:]]''' Drop any [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] gained from [[SRD:Classes|class levels]] (to a minimum of 1) and raise remaining [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] to d12s. If the creature has more than 20 [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]], it can’t be made into a skeleton by the ''[[SRD:Animate Dead|animate dead]]'' spell.

'''[[SRD:Speed (Creature Statistic)|Speed:]]''' Winged skeletons can’t use their wings to fly. If the base creature flew magically, so can the skeleton.

'''[[SRD:Armor Class (Creature Statistic)|Armor Class:]]''' [[SRD:Armor Class|Natural armor]] bonus changes to a number based on the skeleton’s size:

{|   class="zebra d20"
|-
| Tiny or smaller|| +0
|-
| Small|| +1
|-
| Medium or Large|| +2
|-
| Huge|| +3
|-
| Gargantuan|| +6
|-
| Colossal|| +10
|}

'''Attacks:''' A skeleton retains all the [[SRD:Natural Weapons|natural weapons]], [[SRD:Weapons|manufactured weapon]] attacks, and [[SRD:Weapon Proficiency|weapon proficiencies]] of the base creature, except for attacks that can’t work without flesh. A creature with hands gains one claw attack per hand; the skeleton can strike with each of its claw attacks at its full attack bonus. A skeleton’s [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|base attack bonus]] is equal to 1/2 its [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]].

'''Damage:''' Natural and [[SRD:Weapons|manufactured weapons]] deal damage normally. A claw attack deals damage depending on the skeleton’s size. (If the base creature already had claw attacks with its hands, use the skeleton claw damage only if it’s better.)

{|   class="zebra d20"
|-
| Diminutive or Fine|| 1
|-
| Tiny|| 1d2
|-
| Small|| 1d3
|-
| Medium|| 1d4
|-
| Large|| 1d6
|-
| Huge|| 1d8
|-
| Gargantuan|| 2d6
|-
| Colossal|| 2d8
|}

'''[[SRD:Special Attacks and Special Qualities (Creature Statistic)|Special Attacks:]]''' A skeleton retains none of the base creature’s special attacks.

'''[[SRD:Special Attacks and Special Qualities (Creature Statistic)|Special Qualities:]]''' A skeleton loses most special qualities of the base creature. It retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve its melee or [[SRD:Ranged Attack|ranged attacks]]. A skeleton gains the following special qualities.

''Immunity to Cold ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):'' Skeletons are not affected by cold.

''[[SRD:Damage Reduction|Damage Reduction]] 5/Bludgeoning <span class="errata">([[SRD:Ex|Ex]])</span>:'' Skeletons lack flesh or internal organs.

'''[[SRD:Saves (Creature Statistic)|Saves:]]''' Base save bonuses are Fort +1/3 [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]], Ref +1/3 [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]], and [[SRD:Saving Throw|Will]] +1/2 [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]] + 2.

'''[[SRD:Abilities (Creature Statistic)|Abilities:]]''' A skeleton’s [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]] increases by +2, it has no [[SRD:Constitution|Consitution]] or [[SRD:Intelligence|Intelligence]] score, its [[SRD:Wisdom|Wisdom]] changes to 10, and its [[SRD:Charisma|Charisma]] changes to 1.

'''[[SRD:Skills (Creature Statistic)|Skills:]]''' A skeleton has no skills.

'''[[SRD:Feats (Creature Statistic)|Feats:]]''' A skeleton loses all [[SRD:Feats|feats]] of the base creature and gains [[SRD:Improved Initiative|Improved Initiative]].

'''Environment''': Any, usually same as base creature.

'''[[SRD:Organization (Creature Statistic)|Organization:]]''' Any.

'''[[SRD:Challenge Rating (Creature Statistic)|Challenge Rating:]]''' Depends on [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]], as follows:

{|   class="zebra d20"
|-
! '''[[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]]'''!! '''Challenge Rating'''
|-
| 1/2|| 1/6
|-
| 1|| 1/3
|-
| 2–3|| 1
|-
| 4–5|| 2
|-
| 6–7|| 3
|-
| 8–9|| 4
|-
| 10–11|| 5
|-
| 12–14|| 6
|-
| 15–17|| 7
|-
| 18–20|| 8
|}[[Challenge Rating::Varies| ]]

'''[[SRD:Treasure (Creature Statistic)|Treasure:]]''' None.

'''[[SRD:Alignment (Creature Statistic)|Alignment:]]''' Always [[SRD:Neutral Evil|neutral evil]].

'''[[SRD:Advancement (Creature Statistic)|Advancement:]]''' As base creature (or — if the base creature advances by [[SRD:Classes|character class]]).

'''[[SRD:Level Adjustment (Creature Statistic)|Level Adjustment:]]''' —.

===List of Skeletons===

* [[SRD:Human Warrior Skeleton|Human Warrior Skeleton]]
* [[SRD:Wolf Skeleton|Wolf Skeleton]]
* [[SRD:Owlbear Skeleton|Owlbear Skeleton]]
* [[SRD:Troll Skeleton|Troll Skeleton]]
* [[SRD:Chimera Skeleton|Chimera Skeleton]]
* [[SRD:Ettin Skeleton|Ettin Skeleton]]
* [[SRD:Advanced Megaraptor Skeleton|Advanced Megaraptor Skeleton]]
* [[SRD:Cloud Giant Skeleton|Cloud Giant Skeleton]]
* [[SRD:Young Adult Red Dragon Skeleton|Young Adult Red Dragon Skeleton]]

{{SRD Template Footer}}
Challenge Rating	Varies +
Summary	Skeletons are the animated bones of the dead, mindless automatons that obey the orders of their evil masters. +
Title	Skeleton +
Type	Undead +