I read about monsters as characters from Savage Species p.6-7.
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2. ABILITY SCORES
The three methods for determining monster ability scores are described below. Use one of them to generate a set of six numbers, and make a note of these numbers on a piece of scratch paper.
A. Use the Base Creature's Scores: You can copy the ability scores of the base creature from the Monster Manual if you wish. This technique sounds simple, but it has one major drawback. Each of a monster's ability scores, as given in the Monster Manual, is 10 or 11, adjusted by racial modifiers. You can do better than that.
B. Use Elite Ability Scores: Take the ability scores for a particular kind of monster directly from the Monster Manual and apply the following modifiers as you see fit: +4, +4, +2, +2, +0, –2.
C. Randomly Generate Ability Scores from Scratch: This method follows the instructions in the Player's Handbook for generating ability scores. Do not roll an ability score if the base creature's score as given in the Monster Manual is less than 6; simply use the score given there instead. Do not worry about applying racial modifiers until Step 4.
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Dog's stats are
Str 13, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6.
And by being venerable the stats would be like this:
Str 7, Dex 11, Con 9, Int 5, Wis 15, Cha 9 (does not look very optimal)
Old age would be better:
Str 10, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 4, Wis 14, Cha 8 (yes much better)
With elite ability scores we could boost the dog's mental stats like this:
Str 10, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 18, Cha 10
With this even skill tricks would be viable.
And yes I know that intelligence would need to be at least 3 before any class levels could be taken (SS.p9). But wouldn't the mental benefits from
old age make this possible? I.e. make it possible to take class levels?
The third option is to roll 5 stats as Int 2 is less than 6 and cannot be rolled. Racial modifiers would be Str +2, Dex +6, Con +4, Int --, Wis +2, Cha -4, almost like Catty Nebulart posted earlier. They are calculated by subtracting either 10 or 11 from the ability score from monster manual entry which ever results in even number.
But that would be a poor option because int would still be 2. Even by being venerable 2+3=5 Int. The character would suck at skills.
No need for awaken spell if the above is legal. 1 HD would convert to class level.
All bow to our old-aged elite-ability-scored canine overlord!
ps.
80 point-buy on a point-for-point scale.
This one I don't know how to incorporate to the character creation.
