How do monster hit dice function for PC Character creation?

[Nornalhorst]

I was a bit confused looking at some of the monster templates in d&d, in particular the ones that had hit dice, how does that work for PCs in D&D?

For example let's say you are a lvl 1 [insert class] monstrous humanoid with 4 hit dice how would this effect your character? Do you get monster levels? How do monster levels work? In particular for a monstrous humanoid?

[Alaris]

I was a bit confused looking at some of the monster templates in d&d, in particular the ones that had hit dice, how does that work for PCs in D&D?

For example let's say you are a lvl 1 [insert class] monstrous humanoid with 4 hit dice how would this effect your character? Do you get monster levels? How do monster levels work? In particular for a monstrous humanoid?

Well, if he is a race that is a Monstrous Humanoid with 4 Hit Dice, and 1 Class Level, then he is ECL5 (and thus, should be paired with other PCs of equal level, 5).

As for Monstrous Humanoid, yes, you would get these "Racial Hit Dice."


D8 Hit Dice
Full Base Attack Bonus (As Fighter)
Good Reflex and Will Saves
2 + Intelligence Modifier Skill Points Per Level (x4 at 1st)
Darkvision 60 Ft.
Proficiet in Simple Weapons or Weapons in Monster Entry
Proficient in Armor Described as wearing in Monster Entry


Essentially, you would treat the Racial Hit Dice as a separate class in the sense of levels in it. So with 4 hit dice, he would have:


4D8 + (Con Modifier x4) Hit Points
+4 Base Attack Bonus
+1 Fortitude Save, +4 Reflex Saves, +4 Will Saves
14 Skill Points + (Intelligence Modifier x4)
Darkvision 60 Ft.
Weapon & Armor Proficiencies
Any other benefits listed in the specific Monster Entry


And with 1 class level, you would add the benefits of a 1st level in whatever class you chose on top of that. It would not be treated as your first level however, so you do not receive maximum Hit Points or x4 Skill Points (as you received that in the Racial Hit Dice).

[AuraTwilight]

Essentially, Monster Hit Dice work like levels without class features.

[Nornalhorst]

Well, if he is a race that is a Monstrous Humanoid with 4 Hit Dice, and 1 Class Level, then he is ECL5 (and thus, should be paired with other PCs of equal level, 5).

As for Monstrous Humanoid, yes, you would get these "Racial Hit Dice."


D8 Hit Dice
Full Base Attack Bonus (As Fighter)
Good Reflex and Will Saves
2 + Intelligence Modifier Skill Points Per Level (x4 at 1st)
Darkvision 60 Ft.
Proficiet in Simple Weapons or Weapons in Monster Entry
Proficient in Armor Described as wearing in Monster Entry


Essentially, you would treat the Racial Hit Dice as a separate class in the sense of levels in it. So with 4 hit dice, he would have:


4D8 + (Con Modifier x4) Hit Points
+4 Base Attack Bonus
+1 Fortitude Save, +4 Reflex Saves, +4 Will Saves
14 Skill Points + (Intelligence Modifier x4)
Darkvision 60 Ft.
Weapon & Armor Proficiencies
Any other benefits listed in the specific Monster Entry


And with 1 class level, you would add the benefits of a 1st level in whatever class you chose on top of that. It would not be treated as your first level however, so you do not receive maximum Hit Points or x4 Skill Points (as you received that in the Racial Hit Dice).

Thanks, also where did you get that info?

[MrLemon]

Like above. Just some small additions.

@Alaris: It should say (14+7xINT) at 4 RHD, not 4xINT

Also, to the OP, Urpriest has written a manual for playing monsters, let me just dig it out somewhere... here you go:
Urpriest's Monstrous Monster Handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207928)

What the RHD give you is normally listed in the Monster Description under "... as player characters".
Additionally, it is in the type description at the back of the Monster Manual, in this case: Monstrous Humanoid