Template (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
game, a template can be applied to a creature to enhance its abilities or to even create a new type of creature.
Templates can be either acquired or inherited. An acquired template can be applied to a creature at any point (assuming it meets the prerequisites for the template), while an inherited template is gained at birth (or creation). For example, undead
are usually acquired templates, as they are usually created upon the death of a living creature. On the other hand, a half-dragon results from the mating of a dragon
with another creature, and thus is inherited.
Some of the more common templates include the celestial creature
, fiendish creature
, half-celestial, half-fiend, half-dragon, and various templates to create lycanthropes
and undead.
game in the Third Edition Monster Manual
and since then numerous templates have appeared in each new monster supplement, and often in the monster sections of other rulebooks.
Technically, the earliest template introduced for use with the AD&D game system - quite different than those currently in use with the Third Edition game - was published in the First Edition game's Dungeon Master's Guide
, which features tables to aid in the "random generation of creatures from the lower planes
". Subsequent other First Edition handbooks, notably the Monster Manual II, as well as Dragon Magazine
, featured additional early monster generation templates.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
game, a template can be applied to a creature to enhance its abilities or to even create a new type of creature.
Templates can be either acquired or inherited. An acquired template can be applied to a creature at any point (assuming it meets the prerequisites for the template), while an inherited template is gained at birth (or creation). For example, undead
Undead (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, undead is a classification of monsters that can be encountered by player characters. Undead creatures are most often once-living creatures, which have been animated by spiritual or supernatural forces....
are usually acquired templates, as they are usually created upon the death of a living creature. On the other hand, a half-dragon results from the mating of a dragon
Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game , dragons are an iconic type of monstrous creature used as adversaries or, less commonly, allies of player characters...
with another creature, and thus is inherited.
Some of the more common templates include the celestial creature
Celestial creature
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, celestial creatures are magical versions of regular creatures which live in the Upper planes.-Publication history:...
, fiendish creature
Fiendish creature
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, fiendish creatures are magical versions of regular creatures which live in the Lower planes.-Publication history:...
, half-celestial, half-fiend, half-dragon, and various templates to create lycanthropes
Lycanthrope (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the lycanthrope is a humanoid shapeshifter based on various legends of lycanthropy.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
and undead.
History
In their current form, templates were first introduced to the Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
game in the Third Edition Monster Manual
Monster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
and since then numerous templates have appeared in each new monster supplement, and often in the monster sections of other rulebooks.
Technically, the earliest template introduced for use with the AD&D game system - quite different than those currently in use with the Third Edition game - was published in the First Edition game's Dungeon Master's Guide
Dungeon Master's Guide
The Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
, which features tables to aid in the "random generation of creatures from the lower planes
Fiend (Dungeons & Dragons)
Fiends is a term used in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game to refer to any malicious otherworldly creatures within the Dungeons & Dragons universe. These include various races of demons and devils that are of an evil alignment and hail from the Lower Planes...
". Subsequent other First Edition handbooks, notably the Monster Manual II, as well as Dragon Magazine
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
, featured additional early monster generation templates.