The Apocalypse Zombie

One of the best things about being a gamer, and more specifically a Dungeon Master, is the ability to try new things and create! There is nothing better than seeing a great monster, or cool magic item make (or break) a party.

Below you will find the template for the Apocalypse Zombie. In my current Dungeons and Dragons game, a zombie apocalypse has taken over the world. Since the "normal" zombie in DnD is pretty weak, I decided to kick things up a notch. The Apocalypse Zombie is an easy monster to defeat at long range, but once it gets within 120 feet, it is a force to be reckoned with. It has the ability to sense the living, and chase after them at great speed. Once in range, its ability to slam into its target, and bite them will have all but the bravest parties groaning in defeat.

One of the great things about templates, is that it gives the DM the ability to make the familiar, unfamiliar! I hope you use the Apocalypse Zombie in your game! Plus! Tell us how it works! Leave a comment with any ideas, problems, or solutions with the Apocalypse Zombie!

Apocalypse Zombie

“Apocalypse Zombie” is an acquired template that can be added to any corporeal living creature (other than an undead) that has a skeletal system (referred to hereafter as the base creature).

Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead. It retains any subtypes except alignment subtypes (such as good) and subtypes that indicate kind (such as goblinoid or reptilian). It does not gain the augmented subtype. It uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

Hit Dice: Change to d12. If the base creature had 3 or less HD, the apocalypse zombie becomes 4HD.

Speed: If the base creature can fly, its maneuverability rating drops to clumsy.

Armor Class: Natural armor bonus increases by a number based on the zombie’s size:

Tiny or smaller	+1
Small	+2
Medium	+3
Large	+4
Huge	+5
Gargantuan	+9
Colossal	+13

Base Attack: An apocalypse zombie has a base attack bonus equal to 1/2 its Hit Dice, or its original base attack bonus, whichever is higher.

Attacks: An apocalypse zombie retains all the natural weapons of the base creature. An apocalypse zombie also gains a bite attack.

Damage: Natural weapons deal damage normally. A bite attack deals damage depending on the zombie’s size.

Fine	1d2
Diminutive	1d3
Tiny	1d4
Small	1d6
Medium	1d8
Large	2d6
Huge	2d8
Gargantuan	4d6
Colossal	6d6

Special Attacks: An apocalypse zombie retains none of the base creature’s special attacks.

Special Qualities: An apocalypse zombie loses most special qualities of the base creature. It retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve its melee attacks. A zombie gains the following special qualities.

Spawn Bite (Su) – An apocalypse zombie bite carries a terrible disease. When taking bite damage, a living creature must make a DC 10 + ½ apocalypse zombies HD Fortitude Check. If the check fails, the living creature takes 1d6 Constitution damage, and makes another check on the following round. If that one fails, the living creature dies, and rises as an apocalypse zombie the next round.

Sense Living (Su) -An apocalypse zombie can sense the presence of living creatures at range of 120'.

Calling Moan (Su) – When an apocalypse zombie senses a living creature, it moans a low and steady tone. Any apocalypse zombie within 2 miles will turn towards the moan, and follow it looking for food.

Hunger (Ex) – Apocalypse zombie's have an unnatural hunger for living flesh. Once every 3 months, the apocalypse zombie must consume 1 medium creature (or 1/16^th colossal, 1/8^thgargantuan, ¼ huge, ½ large, 2 small, 4 tiny, 8 diminutive). For each month after the third, the zombie begins to lose body parts, flesh, and so on becoming more and more rotted each month, losing -1 on all saving throws, attack and damage rolls for each month it has not fed. After 1 year with no living flesh, the apocalypse zombie falls apart.

Only flesh that was alive within 30 minutes of eating counts to sate this hunger.

Any zombie who has not sated their hunger does not have the following abilities, until they have sated themselves.

Destructive Retribution (Su) – Upon death the apocalypse zombie explodes with a burst of negative energy, dealing 3d6 negative energy damage to all living creatures within 10'. Living creature’ take half damage on a DC 10 + ½ base creature’s HD. Undead creatures within 10' are healed for the same amount.

This ability only affects living creatures, and undead. This damage does not do damage to the surrounding area, like a fireball does. Any living being killed by this explosion is raised as an apocalypse zombie in 1d4 rounds. Only a wish, miracle or true resurrection can stop this change.

Shuffle No More (Su) – Once per day, the apocalypse zombie can gain a great burst of speed. It gains +30' speed, for 10 rounds. It still cannot take run actions. It only uses this ability to chase living prey.

Saves: Base save bonuses are Fort +1/3 HD, Ref +1/3 HD, and Will +1/2 HD + 2.

Abilities: +4 Strength, -2 Dexterity, -12 Intelligence (minimum 1) and -6 Wisdom. Its Charisma changes to 3, as an undead it has no Constitution.

Skills: An apocalypse zombie has no skills.

Feats: An apocalypse zombie loses all feats of the base creature and gains Toughness (+3 HP) and Improved Toughness (+3 HP per HD), and Improved Grab.

Here are a few examples of Apocalypse Zombies from my DnD game!

CRUCIAN APOCALYPSE ZOMBIE

Medium Undead
Hit Dice: 4d12+15 (50 hp)
Initiative: -1
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 23 (-2 Dex, +11 natural, +2 leather) touch 8, flat-footed 23
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+4
Attack: Bite +7 (1d8+4)
Full Attack: Bite +7 (1d8+4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, Spawn Bite (DC 12 Fort, 1d6 Con/death), sense living, calling moan, hunger, destructive retribution (3d6 Negative Energy, DC 12 Reflex for half), shuffle no more (+30' speed for 10 rounds)
Saves: Fort +6, Ref -1, Will -2
Abilities: Str 19, Dex 6, Con --, Int 1, Wis 4, Cha 8
Feats: Toughness, Improved Toughness
Challenge Rating: 5
Alignment: Usually lawful neutral

Apocalypse Zombie GYNOSPHINX

Large CE Undead
Hit Dice: 8d12 + 27 (64 hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), fly 60 ft. (clumsy)
Armor Class: 24 (–1 size, +15 natural),touch 10, flat-footed 20
Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+16
Attack: Claw +13 melee (1d6+6)
Full Attack: 2 claws +13 melee (1d6+6), bite +13 (2d6+6 and Spawn Bite)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Qualities: Spawn Bite (DC 14 Fortitude), Sense Living, Calling Moan, Hunger, Destructive Retribution (DC 14 Reflex or take 3d6 negative), Shuffle No More (+30 speed for 10 rounds)
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +8
Abilities: Str 23, Dex 10, Con --, Int 6, Wis 13, Cha 3
Feats: Toughness, Improved Toughness
Challenge Rating: 10