Templates give you an easy way to update a creature from a normal version to an elite version. Each template is assigned one or more roles, and—although it isn’t necessary—a creature is best served by using a template that matches its original role.

See the 4E Dungeon Master’s Guide for more on templates.

Achillean (Elite Brute or Soldier)

Through divine blessing or the immortal powers from beyond the astral sea, there come creatures of remarkable resilience. These undying creatures may appear only once every century, but they usually rise to a position of power or dominance over their own kind and even over other creatures. They are virtually indistinguishable from normal, bearing no obvious physical differences. Only when an attempt is made to wound them do their remarkable powers become apparent…

“Achillean” is a template you can apply to any creature. These creatures are resistant to almost all types of damage, making them extremely difficult to defeat.

Immortal (XP Elite)
Defenses +3 AC, +1 Fortitude, +1 Reflex, +1 Will
Resist Half damage from all sources it is not vulnerable to (see also achillean resistance and achillean defense)
Vulnerable 5 to one damage type, increases to 10 when bloodied (see achillean weakness)
Saving Throws +2
Action Point 1
Hit Points +8/level + Constitution score

TRAITS
Achillean Fear
While bloodied, an achillean creature suffers a −5 penalty to Will defense against Intimidate checks.

Achillean Resistance
The achillean creature takes half damage (before applying any other resistance) from any damage that it is not currently vulnerable to. If the achillean creature gains vulnerability to any damage type, it no longer takes half damage from that type as long as it remains vulnerable.

Achillean Weakness
If the creature has a vulnerability to one or more damage types, the vulnerability becomes 5 instead of its normal value. If the creature does not have a vulnerability, choose a damage type (typically acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder). The creature gains vulnerable 5 to that damage type. This increases to 10 when the achillean creature is bloodied. [At the GM’s option, instead of a damage type, the creature can be vulnerable to a category such as: ranged and area attacks, close and melee attacks, attacks that target Will, attacks with the weapon keyword, etc.]

Immortal
The achillean creature’s origin becomes immortal instead of its normal type.

STANDARD ACTIONS
Achillean Defense • Recharge 4, 5, 6
Effect—The achillean creature gains resist 5 all damage until the end of its next turn.
Sustain Minor—The effect persists. If the achillean creature is hit (even if it takes no damage) by an attack it is vulnerable to, it cannot sustain or re-use this power until the power recharges.

TRIGGERED ACTIONS
[M] or [R] Counterattack
Trigger—The achillean creature takes damage.
Attack (Immediate Reaction)—Make a basic ranged or basic melee attack against any enemy in range.

Achillean Tactics

An achillean creature shows no fear of damage in battle, but takes no foolish risks that expose it unnecessarily to attacks (such as being flanked or risking opportunity attacks). It uses its counterattack to maximum advantage, by ruthlessly targeting any creature that has shown any ability attack its achillean weakness.

Special

When using this template, a GM might want to give the players a chance to uncover hints of which damage type can hurt the creature. An Insight check at DC 20 + 1/2 the creature’s level might allow a player to discern a clue, such as the creature avoids any source of fire, the creature’s lair is unusually warm, the creature flinches away from loud noises, and so on.

If part of a planned adventure, some hints can be discovered in previous encounters. PCs may learn the creature never ventures out of its lair during a storm or its servants destroy any acid they find.

A generous DM might include a hazard that can expose the weakness in or near the creature’s lair or the encounter site. If this option is used, smart players will certainly find ways to exploit this hazard.