Monster Power Scaling
The Monster Power Scaling rules allow the Game Master to increase the strength of an existing creature without creating an entirely new Bestiary entry. This can be useful when a normally weaker creature is intended to challenge more experienced adventurers, or when the GM wishes to create an unusually powerful specimen of a particular monster.
A monster may be increased by one or more Power Levels, written as +1, +2, +3, and so forth. Apply the following adjustments for each additional Power Level.
Power Level Adjustments
| Statistic | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Hit Points | +1 Hit Die of the creature's existing type, and +1 to its HP modifier |
| Attack Scores | +1d6 to all Attack Scores |
| Defense Score | No change |
| Attack Targets | No change |
| Defense Target | No change |
| Limited-use Tactics | +1 use for every 2 Power Levels |
| Limited-use Powers | +1 use for every 2 Power Levels |
| Spell/Power Damage | +1 damage per Power Level |
| Other Statistics | No change |
Hit Points
Each Power Level adds one Hit Die of the same type already used by the creature, as well as +1 to its existing HP modifier. A creature with 4d6+2 HP, for example, becomes 5d6+3 at +1 Power, 6d6+4 at +2 Power, and so forth. A creature using d3 Hit Dice continues using d3s; the type of Hit Die does not change.
Attack Scores
Increase every Attack Score possessed by the creature by +1d6 per Power Level. Attack Targets remain unchanged. Thus, a creature with an Attack Score of 5d6 @ 4+ attacks at 8d6 @ 4+ when increased to +3 Power.
Defense
Power Levels do not increase a creature's Defense Score or alter its Defense Target. More powerful creatures are therefore more dangerous and harder to kill because of their increased HP, but they do not become progressively more difficult to hit.
Tactics and Powers
If a Tactic or Power has a limited number of uses, increase those uses by +1 for every 2 Power Levels. Round down. Thus, a Power normally usable (3) times may be used (4) times by a +2 or +3 creature, and (5) times by a +4 or +5 creature. Tactics and Powers without a limited number of uses are unaffected.
Spell and Power Damage
Any damaging Spell or Power used by the creature inflicts +1 additional damage per Power Level. A +3 creature therefore adds +3 damage to damage caused by its Spells and Powers. This bonus does not increase ordinary weapon or natural Attack damage; those attacks are already strengthened by the increased Attack Score.
Unless specifically adjusted by the GM, Ability Scores, Initiative, Awareness, Morale, movement, Immunities, Resistances, Weaknesses, ranges, and other statistics remain unchanged.
Example
A monster with 6d6+2 HP, an Attack Score of 5d6 @ 4+, Defense Score of 4d6 @ 5+, and a damaging Power usable (2) times becomes the following at +5 Power:
| Statistic | Result at +5 Power |
|---|---|
| Hit Points | 11d6+7 |
| Attack Score | 10d6 @ 4+ |
| Defense Score | 4d6 @ 5+ |
| Power Uses | (4) |
| Power Damage | +5 damage |
Power Scaling is intended to preserve the creature's basic identity. A +5 Goblin is still fundamentally a Goblin - it simply represents an exceptionally dangerous example capable of threatening adventurers who would ordinarily have little difficulty dealing with its kind.
A GM may choose to improve a creature's Ability Scores - but should do so sparingly. Remember to adjust Modifiers and Attack or Defense Targets accordingly as well!