[3.5] Templates That Boost BAB?

[Thurbane]

hey all,

Looking for templates that boosts the BAB of the base creature.

It's fine if the template changes type.

Not looking for solutions like "UMD a scroll of Divine Power" thanks - specifically wondering if there's any templates that do this.

I know there are some that boost HD size or skill points, but not sure there are any that re-calculate BAB?

Cheers - T

[Maat Mons]

The zombie template doubles racial hit dice and sets base attack bonus equal to 1/2 the new HD total.

The lycanthrope template adds animal hit dice, and gives the base attack bonus derived from them.

[One Step Two]

The Warbeast Template grants a HD which can increase the base Creatures BAB.

Tauric, like Lycanthropes add the BAB of the two creatures together.

[Thurbane]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Ideally, not looking for anything that adds HD, but it's an interesting approach. :smallsmile:

Zombie is also interesting, but the end result being mindless is not ideal either.

Was hoping to find a template that maybe changed type to Dragon or Outsider, and also gave good BAB for existing RHD - but I'm thinking such a thing does not exist.

Tauric comes close, though...

[Jeraa]

Anything that increases the number of hit dice will increase Base Attack Bonus appropriately. Some templates change type which can change how BAB is calculated. Other than that, I highly doubt you will find any template that just boosts BAB independent of hit dice. It is one of the things that is directly tied to number of hit dice or levels.

[Thurbane]

Anything that increases the number of hit dice will increase Base Attack Bonus appropriately. Some templates change type which can change how BAB is calculated. Other than that, I highly doubt you will find any template that just boosts BAB independent of hit dice. It is one of the things that is directly tied to number of hit dice or levels.

yeah, I was hoping to find a template that changed RHD to a type that has good BAB, and then recalculate BAb for those HD.

Things like Ti-khana work, but only for Animals.

[Necroticplague]

yeah, I was hoping to find a template that changed RHD to a type that has good BAB, and then recalculate BAb for those HD.

Things like Ti-khana work, but only for Animals.

Sadly, I think you're gonna be high and dry there. While Construct and Undead creating templates tend to do similar things for HP, that's just to try and compensate for a lack of CON, and it's otherwise near unheard of for HD-tied mechanics (Base HP, BAB, Base Saves) to change retroactively.

[Maat Mons]

Not looking for solutions like "UMD a scroll of Divine Power" thanks

That reminds me. The skillful weapon special ability changes the base attack bonus of the wielder. Maybe you could give the monster a Necklace of Natural Attacks?

[ericgrau]

Zombie is also interesting, but the end result being mindless is not ideal either.

Awaken undead spell?

[ShurikVch]

but only for AnimalsEh? Do you mean you're need that template for an Animal, or for non-Animal?

[Thurbane]

Eh? Do you mean you're need that template for an Animal, or for non-Animal?

Ideally for a non-Animal.

Something like Ti-khana (changes type to a full BAB type, and re-calculates BAB for RHD) that would work for Fey, Giants or Humanoids.

Awaken Undead on a Zombie is an interesting idea: however, the Zombie template wipes out pretty much all racial traits, and is also not ideal for that reason as well.

[darkdragoon]

Not sure if it helps you much, but Ice Beast (Frostburn) sets BAB to 3/4.

[ShurikVch]

There are some things
AFAIK, they're all both don't grant the augmented subtype (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary&term=Glossary_dnd_augmentedsubtype&alpha=) and lacking the "Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, or saves" clause, so - in theory - should work for you

Change Type to Monstrous Humanoid
Dragon Vassal (Bestiary Of Krynn, Revised)
Feral Creature
Thoon Thrall
Thrax (Terrors of Athas)
Yuan-Ti, Broodguard
Yuan-Ti, Tainted One

Change Type to Outsider
Bhaalspawn (Dragon #288)
Einherjar (Deities & Demigods)
Half-<insertelement> Elemental
Petitioner
Pseudonatural Creature
Pseudonatural Creature, [epic]
Saint
Shade
Vhaerath (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20040818a)

Also, because you're mentioned Fey - the rare type with BAB ½ - there are:

Change Type to Aberration
Corrupted Creature (Book of Vile Darkness)
Gelatinous Creature
Worm that Walks

Change Type to Construct
Aleax

Change Type to Elemental
<insertelement> Element Creature

Change Type to Giant
Half-Scrag
Half-Troll

[Thurbane]

Thanks. There's some possibilities in there...

[zergling.exe]

There are some things
AFAIK, they're all both don't grant the augmented subtype (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary&term=Glossary_dnd_augmentedsubtype&alpha=) and lacking the "Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, or saves" clause, so - in theory - should work for you

That's not how the Augmented subtype works:

Augmented Subtype: A creature receives this subtype whenever something happens to change its original type. Some creatures (those with an inherited template) are born with this subtype; others acquire it when they take on an acquired template. The augmented subtype is always paired with the creature’s original type. For example, a wizard’s raven familiar is a magical beast (augmented animal). A creature with the augmented subtype usually has the traits of its current type, but the features of its original type. For example, a wizard’s raven familiar has an animal’s features and the traits of a magical beast.
Your type changes > you get the subtype, regardless of whether the thing changing the type says you get it.

[ShurikVch]

That's not how the Augmented subtype works:

Your type changes > you get the subtype, regardless of whether the thing changing the type says you get it.Go, check the RAW for Thoon Thrall - it's flat out says: no, you're didn't get the Augmented subtype!
Also, neither Skeleton, nor Zombie have it
So, apparently, you're wrong

[Blue Jay]

There are some things
AFAIK, they're all both don't grant the augmented subtype (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary&term=Glossary_dnd_augmentedsubtype&alpha=) and lacking the "Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, or saves" clause, so - in theory - should work for you

Read the template rules again (they're in the MM):

If a template changes the base creature’s type, the creature also acquires the augmented subtype unless the template description indicates otherwise. The augmented subtype is always paired with the creature’s original type. Unless a template indicates otherwise, the new creature has the traits of the new type but the features of the original type.

Source (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/improvingMonsters.htm#sizeandType)

Now, look at the Glossary entries for the various creature types (e.g., Monstrous Humanoid (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/typesSubtypes.htm#monstrousHumanoidType)), and you'll see that "Features" are the numerical stats like HD, BAB, saves and skill points.

By default, you do not recalculate BAB or other features unless the template specifically says so. In general, the only templates that tell you to recalculate your racial features are the ones that change your type to Undead, but there are a few others, like Anthropomorphic Animal, Ti-Khana, and some templates that change type to Construct.

For example, the Thoon Thrall template doesn't say to recalculate BAB for pre-existing racial HD. So, if you make a Gnoll into a Thoon Thrall, it keeps its 3/4 BAB for its original 2 racial HD, but it gains full BAB for the 2 Monstrous Humanoid HD added by the template.

You also don't recalculate BAB or other features for Corrupted, Element Creature (all), Feral, Half-Elemental (all), Pseudonatural (both), Saint... and those are the only ones I looked up, but I assume the same goes for pretty much every other template on your list.

A few templates, like Aleax and Gelatinous Creature, tell you to change some racial features (HD for the Aleax and save bonuses for the Gelatinous Creature), but not others.

[ericgrau]

Awaken Undead on a Zombie is an interesting idea: however, the Zombie template wipes out pretty much all racial traits, and is also not ideal for that reason as well.
The awaken undead spell says you regain armor and weapon proficiencies and Ex abilities. But not skills, feats nor most other abilities. However it seems to say the weapon proficiencies and Ex abilities could have been from class levels and not just race, even though the levels themselves are now gone. Looking at the zombie template it looks like mainly you only lose non-Ex special attacks and special qualities (assuming no former class levels). Also you only get 4+1d6 int regardless of your former int. But that also opens up int to empower/maximize/intensify/etc. shennanigans. It's in Libris Mortis, and a 7th level spell. So not a perfect solution, but you don't quite lose everything.

[ShurikVch]

Read the template rules again (they're in the MM):The bold part is excessive, since it's just a function of Augmented subtype

Yes, apparently, at the beginning of 3.5, it - indeed - worked like that
But, eventually, it was quietly abandoned:
Planar Handbook has Entropic and Vivacious Creature templates, which adhered to this rule
But Monster Manual III - which was published just one month later - already had Topiary Guardian, which is neither gave Augmented Animal subtype (because none of multiple example creatures have it), nor said to don't add it
Since there it went downhill
Eventually, RAW for templates started include such texts as "The creature gains the augmented subtype." (what's the point, if you should do it anyway unless said to don't?)
Thus, somewhere from 2005 there was shift from "Augmented as default" to "Augmented as exception"
For example, Brood Spawn - one of two templates in the Elder Evils (December 2007): none of Brood Spawns in the book are Augmented, but RAW for template also doesn't says to don't add it
Or Shadowdale: The Scouring of the Land (July 2007): Shadow Simulacrum template - the example creature (Prince Yder Tanthul) doesn't have the Augmented Humanoid subtype, and Shadowslain template says: "The creature's type changes to undead. It retains any subtypes except alignment subtypes, and gains the augmented subtype."

Amusingly, Dragon #315 (January 2004) gone to the opposite extreme - it contains two examples of Humanoid (Augmented Humanoid), the latter of which, in truth, should be Undead


Now, look at the Glossary entries for the various creature types (e.g., Monstrous Humanoid (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/typesSubtypes.htm#monstrousHumanoidType)), and you'll see that "Features" are the numerical stats like HD, BAB, saves and skill points.Nitpick: HD size is perfectly numerical; do you mean Liches and Vampires are should have d8 HD? :smallsmile:



By default, you do not recalculate BAB or other features unless the template specifically says so.Then why it parroting so much:"Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, or saves"?
Obvious answer is: because, by default, you do!


For example, the Thoon Thrall template doesn't say to recalculate BAB for pre-existing racial HD.[citation needed]

[Blue Jay]

The bold part is excessive, since it's just a function of Augmented subtype

Yes, apparently, at the beginning of 3.5, it - indeed - worked like that
But, eventually, it was quietly abandoned:
Planar Handbook has Entropic and Vivacious Creature templates, which adhered to this rule
But Monster Manual III - which was published just one month later - already had Topiary Guardian, which is neither gave Augmented Animal subtype (because none of multiple example creatures have it), nor said to don't add it
Since there it went downhill
Eventually, RAW for templates started include such texts as "The creature gains the augmented subtype." (what's the point, if you should do it anyway unless said to don't?)
Thus, somewhere from 2005 there was shift from "Augmented as default" to "Augmented as exception"
For example, Brood Spawn - one of two templates in the Elder Evils (December 2007): none of Brood Spawns in the book are Augmented, but RAW for template also doesn't says to don't add it
Or Shadowdale: The Scouring of the Land (July 2007): Shadow Simulacrum template - the example creature (Prince Yder Tanthul) doesn't have the Augmented Humanoid subtype, and Shadowslain template says: "The creature's type changes to undead. It retains any subtypes except alignment subtypes, and gains the augmented subtype."

It's not hard to find editorial blunders and inconsistencies in 3.5 sourcebooks, so you can't rely on this sort of thing to tell you what the rules are. When there are conflicts or contradictions, WotC says the primary source takes precedence. In this case, the primary source is the first Monster Manual, not the text for the Shadowslain template in the Shadowdale campaign accessory.


Nitpick: HD size is perfectly numerical; do you mean Liches and Vampires are should have d8 HD? :smallsmile:

No. I'll provide the same quote again, this time with the other part of the sentence emphasized:


"Unless a template indicates otherwise, the new creature has the traits of the new type but the features of the original type."

From the Lich template (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lich.htm):


"Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s."

From the Vampire template (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/vampire.htm):


"Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s."

These templates "indicate otherwise."


Then why it parroting so much:"Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, or saves"?
Obvious answer is: because, by default, you do!

95% of templates also say "Size is unchanged," even though that's obviously the default.

You're reading too much into random editorial quirks: just follow what the designated primary source says.


[citation needed]

Just to be clear, you're asking me to provide a citation for where the Thoon Thrall template doesn't say to recalculate BAB? Okay. Here's the quote:


"... ..."

Get it? It's a blank quote, because there's no line in that template's text that tells you to recalculate BAB. There's a line that lists what BAB you get for the 2 Monstrous Humanoid HD you add, but nothing about changing the BAB for your pre-existing HD.

[ShurikVch]

It's not hard to find editorial blunders and inconsistencies in 3.5 sourcebooks, so you can't rely on this sort of thing to tell you what the rules are. When there are conflicts or contradictions, WotC says the primary source takes precedence. In this case, the primary source is the first Monster Manual, not the text for the Shadowslain template in the Shadowdale campaign accessory.For example: all creatures with Brood Spawn template are lacking Augmented subtype - despite the fact template don't says to not apply it
All of Brood Spawns are have full BAB - like a "normal" Outsiders - regardless of fact some of them are Giants (who's ordinary BAB is 3/4)
So, do you insist to edit the all in-book instances?
Or, maybe, writers are better knew what's they're intended?
"One time" may be an accident, "few times" may be a coincidence, but "every time" is a rule

Also:
Vampiric Dragon Half-Dragon Diplodocus
Undead (Augmented Dragon, Augmented Animal)
Oh, my!..
We're got two Augmented subtypes!
So, should we use draconic or animal features? :smallamused:



95% of templates also say "Size is unchanged," even though that's obviously the default.Wrong analogy.
Lack of "Size is unchanged" wouldn't matter unless specifically told for how much to change it
But lack of "Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, or saves" is rather obvious call to recalculate it!



Just to be clear, you're asking me to provide a citation for where the Thoon Thrall template doesn't say to recalculate BAB? Okay. Here's the quote:


"... ..."

Get it? It's a blank quote, because there's no line in that template's text that tells you to recalculate BAB. There's a line that lists what BAB you get for the 2 Monstrous Humanoid HD you add, but nothing about changing the BAB for your pre-existing HD.:smallsigh:
I expected you to pull from somewhere the sacramental "Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, or saves"
You're utterly failed to do it.

Get it? It's a blank quote, because there's no line in that template's text that tells you to recalculate BAB.There are also no line which says Thoon Thrall now haven't fly speed 100' with Perfect maneuverability
So, in short: you're did't shown any quotes to prove your statement, thus - is incorrect

[Blue Jay]

For example: all creatures with Brood Spawn template are lacking Augmented subtype - despite the fact template don't says to not apply it
All of Brood Spawns are have full BAB - like a "normal" Outsiders - regardless of fact some of them are Giants (who's ordinary BAB is 3/4)
So, do you insist to edit the all in-book instances?
Or, maybe, writers are better knew what's they're intended?
"One time" may be an accident, "few times" may be a coincidence, but "every time" is a rule

Okay, back up a minute. I haven't denied that the sources you cite contradict the rules that I've stated: they clearly do not follow the rules as written in the Monster Manual. And I haven't said anything about the writers' intent: I don't know what the writers meant to do, and my argument doesn't depend them having any particular intent. On the other hand, you have claimed that the game designers changed the rule about templates, so the burden of proof is on you to prove it.

So far, your evidence is just a list of examples that contradict the stated rules of the game. You know as well as anyone that there is an enormous list (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?267985-Completely-Dysfunctional-Handbook-3-5) of discrepancies and contradictions between sourcebooks.

But the game designers set a standard for how conflicts between sources are to be resolved: the primary source takes precedence. And in this case, the primary source is the first Monster Manual.

In order to prove your case, you have to show one of two things:

Show that the designers changed the text of the primary source.
Show that the designers revoked the "primary source" rule.


And you haven't done either of those things: all you've done is provide evidence that there are discrepancies between sourcebooks, which isn't news to anybody.

As a caveat to this, some errata documents say that a monster's stat block is the primary source for that specific monster. So by RAW, a specific monster's stat block trumps any text, even if that stat block contains an error. So, the BAB in the stat blocks for Brood Spawn Giants are official, even though they calculated the wrong BAB (I don't own Elder Evils, so I can't verify this, but I'll take your word for it, since you seem to be a trustworthy fellow).

-----

Also, the Acidborn (Dungeonscape, pub. Feb 2007) template uses a shark as an example. The shark gained the Magical Beast type from the template, but its stat block uses Animal features, even though the template doesn't have the "Do not recalculate" line.


Also:
Vampiric Dragon Half-Dragon Diplodocus
Undead (Augmented Dragon, Augmented Animal)
Oh, my!..
We're got two Augmented subtypes!
So, should we use draconic or animal features? :smallamused:

From the text of the Vampiric Dragon template:


"The creature’s type changes to undead, and it loses any subtypes it had in life."

Augmented Animal is a subtype it had in life.


Wrong analogy.
Lack of "Size is unchanged" wouldn't matter unless specifically told for how much to change it
But lack of "Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, or saves" is rather obvious call to recalculate it!

Have you heard the expression "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"? The argument you're making is a classic example of Argument from Ignorance (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_ignorance).

The lack of a evidence for A does not mean you automatically do B: it means you default to the standard procedure, which, as I've tirelessly repeated, is refer to the primary source. In many cases, this means you still default to A, even though you haven't proven it, because A is the "null hypothesis," or the designated default position.


I expected you to pull from somewhere the sacramental "Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, or saves"
You're utterly failed to do it.

I did pull it from somewhere: I pulled it from THE PRIMARY SOURCE. Remember this line:


"Unless a template indicates otherwise, the new creature has the traits of the new type but the features of the original type."

Thoon Thrall does not "indicate otherwise," therefore, you use the general rule --- keep the features of the original type --- which is written in THE PRIMARY SOURCE.

[ShurikVch]

But the game designers set a standard for how conflicts between sources are to be resolved: the primary source takes precedence. And in this case, the primary source is the first Monster Manual.Please, excuse me, but "Primary Source" argument wouldn't help you there: Monster Manual says what to do when you're apply the Augmented subtype, but not what to do when you're don't

The most logical thing there is to presume you should get new Features as well, since it's the only function of the Augmented subtype



Also, the Acidborn (Dungeonscape, pub. Feb 2007) template uses a shark as an example. The shark gained the Magical Beast type from the template, but its stat block uses Animal features, even though the template doesn't have the "Do not recalculate" line.Im's sorry, but your example falls flat as badly as my with Vampiric Dragon: Thoon Thrall explicitly says you're don't get the Augmented subtype; Acidborn - on the other hand - directly says you do!




From the text of the Vampiric Dragon template:


"The creature’s type changes to undead, and it loses any subtypes it had in life."

Augmented Animal is a subtype it had in life.Sorry!
Let's replace Vampiric Dragon with Monstrous Vampire



I did pull it from somewhere: I pulled it from THE PRIMARY SOURCE. Remember this line:


"Unless a template indicates otherwise, the new creature has the traits of the new type but the features of the original type."And template says to change the type
Not just "traits of the type" - just "type"

[ShurikVch]

But the game designers set a standard for how conflicts between sources are to be resolved: the primary source takes precedence. And in this case, the primary source is the first Monster Manual.Please, excuse me, but "Primary Source" argument wouldn't help you there: Monster Manual says what to do when you're apply the Augmented subtype, but not what to do when you're don't

The most logical thing there is to presume you should get new Features as well, since it's the only function of the Augmented subtype



Also, the Acidborn (Dungeonscape, pub. Feb 2007) template uses a shark as an example. The shark gained the Magical Beast type from the template, but its stat block uses Animal features, even though the template doesn't have the "Do not recalculate" line.Im's sorry, but your example falls flat as badly as my with Vampiric Dragon: Thoon Thrall explicitly says you're don't get the Augmented subtype; Acidborn - on the other hand - directly says you do!




From the text of the Vampiric Dragon template:


"The creature’s type changes to undead, and it loses any subtypes it had in life."

Augmented Animal is a subtype it had in life.Sorry!
Let's replace Vampiric Dragon with Monstrous Vampire



I did pull it from somewhere: I pulled it from THE PRIMARY SOURCE. Remember this line:


"Unless a template indicates otherwise, the new creature has the traits of the new type but the features of the original type."That line is strait from the RAW for the Augmented subtype
If the Augmented subtype wasn't applied, then that line is out of action too

[Blue Jay]

Please, excuse me, but "Primary Source" argument wouldn't help you there: Monster Manual says what to do when you're apply the Augmented subtype, but not what to do when you're don't

So, your argument is that the line I quoted --- this line:


"Unless a template indicates otherwise, the new creature has the traits of the new type but the features of the original type."

--- only applies when the creature gains the Augmented subtype? I guess I can understand why you'd think that. But, that line isn't from the "Augmented subtype" entry: it was a quote from the "Reading a Template (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/improvingMonsters.htm#readingATemplate)" section.

You can just look at the rest of the "Reading a Template" section, and see that, in just about all cases, it says to default to the creature's existing stats unless the template specifically says otherwise. Here are several examples:


Reading a Template
"Generally, if a template does not cause a change to a certain statistic, that entry is missing from the template description."


Hit Dice and Hit Points
If the Hit Dice entry in a template description is missing, Hit Dice and hit points do not change unless the creature’s Constitution modifier changes.


Base Attack/Grapple
Templates usually do not change a creature’s base attack bonus. If a template modifies a creature’s base attack bonus, the template description states how that happens.


Base Saves
As with attacks, changing a monster’s type does not always change its base saving throw bonuses. You only need to adjust them for new modifiers for Constitution, Dexterity, or Wisdom. A template may, however, state that a monster has a different "good" saving throw.

The primary source is clearly telling you not to recalculate stuff the template doesn't tell you recalculate. Missing information means "don't recalculate."


Im's sorry, but your example falls flat as badly as my with Vampiric Dragon: Thoon Thrall explicitly says you're don't get the Augmented subtype; Acidborn - on the other hand - directly says you do!

Forget the Augmented subtype for a moment: this thread is about templates recalculating BAB.

You said that the writers switched from "Recalculate as exception" to "Recalculate as default" sometime around 2005. I mentioned Acidborn because it shows that a source from 2007 was treating "Do not recalculate" as the default.

Again, the rule is established in the primary source, and no matter how many sourcebooks do it differently, the rule is still the rule. So none of the templates you listed actually boost a creature's BAB, because none of them tells you to boost the creature's BAB.

[ShurikVch]

So, your argument is that the line I quoted --- this line:


"Unless a template indicates otherwise, the new creature has the traits of the new type but the features of the original type."

--- only applies when the creature gains the Augmented subtype? I guess I can understand why you'd think that. But, that line isn't from the "Augmented subtype" entry: it was a quote from the "Reading a Template (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/improvingMonsters.htm#readingATemplate)" section.And they're clearly the same thing.
Let's compare:
If a template changes the base creature’s type, the creature also acquires the augmented subtype unless the template description indicates otherwise. The augmented subtype is always paired with the creature’s original type. Unless a template indicates otherwise, the new creature has the traits of the new type but the features of the original type.Now, the augmented subtype (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary&term=Glossary_dnd_augmentedsubtype&alpha=):
A creature receives this subtype whenever something happens to change its original type. Some creatures (those with an inherited template) are born with this subtype; others acquire it when they take on an acquired template. The augmented subtype is always paired with the creature's original type. For example, a wizard's raven familiar is a magical beast (augmented animal). A creature with the augmented subtype usually has the traits of its current type, but the features of its original type. For example, a wizard's raven familiar has an animal's features and the traits of a magical beast.
Source: MM, MM3See?
It's clearly the same thing, since it's the only function of the Augmented subtype - aside, maybe, from pointing the "previous" type (which is kinda obvious most of the times anyway)
If we would slap the "has the traits of its current type, but the features of its original type" on everything regardless, then Augmented subtype would be truely and completely obsolete



The primary source is clearly telling you not to recalculate stuff the template doesn't tell you recalculate. Missing information means "don't recalculate."The primary source says to change the creature's Type
Not a "traits of the type" - just "type"
Types are have features too!



Forget the Augmented subtype for a moment: this thread is about templates recalculating BAB.But RAW for the Augmented subtype is crucial to that: is says - creatures with it are usually "has the traits of its current type, but the features of its original type"
While we may have some possibility to change features - in case that subtype isn't there, but if it's is in place - no dice



You said that the writers switched from "Recalculate as exception" to "Recalculate as default" sometime around 2005. I mentioned Acidborn because it shows that a source from 2007 was treating "Do not recalculate" as the default.And it's also explicitly said it gains the Augmented subtype
If anything, it's more support to my point - because, once again, "if it is truly default, why waste the space to state it separately?"