Conversion help - critique my stat blocks for Cormyr: Tearing of the Weave

SatanasOz said:

Thanks heaps for that already. Sounds good then. I think i might tune down Kithguard Marran a little bit then - maybe 8HD and bring the main weapon attack in line with the ranged to a +7 (ignoring the magic weapon).

I see the proficiency in all saves adds a lot to the defensive CR calculation, but I am not quite sure how else to simulate or convert the Gal-Ralan item from 3.5 (bracers giving +1 to +5 to saving throws. This character had the +2 version originally). I like the fluff - that they are wearing enchanted bracelets to "keep the soul from slipping back into the plane of shadows" and would like to have some element carried over into the stat block.

Final question for [MENTION=20323]Quickleaf[/MENTION]: Is there a calculator you are using for these breakdowns, or just quick math by hand based on the guidelines?

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Tormyr said:

It isn't really CR related, but I feal like Weave Drain should be a Charisma saving throw.

What is CR related is that monster abilities that trigger a saving throw usually set the DC to an ability score modifier + Prof + 8 (in certain extreme cases double proficiency). The Shadowslain's most relevant ability seems to be Charisma, that would make the DC for Weave Drain 8 + 2 - 2 = 8, which seems more appropriate if the heroes are going to fight more than half a dozen of them down the road. You also might run into a bit of a game slowdown here. If a hero starts within 10 feet of half a dozen of them, that is a lot of saving throws they suddenly have to make at the start of their turn.

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SatanasOz said:

Thanks heaps for that already. Sounds good then. I think i might tune down Kithguard Marran a little bit then - maybe 8HD and bring the main weapon attack in line with the ranged to a +7 (ignoring the magic weapon).

I see the proficiency in all saves adds a lot to the defensive CR calculation, but I am not quite sure how else to simulate or convert the Gal-Ralan item from 3.5 (bracers giving +1 to +5 to saving throws. This character had the +2 version originally). I like the fluff - that they are wearing enchanted bracelets to "keep the soul from slipping back into the plane of shadows" and would like to have some element carried over into the stat block.

Final question for [MENTION=20323]Quickleaf[/MENTION]: Is there a calculator you are using for these breakdowns, or just quick math by hand based on the guidelines?

Click to expand...

SatanasOz said:

Charisma would also fit, due to the whole "force of personality" concept behind the attribute. They resist by sheer gall. Would make it tons easier for the PC in my particular game, though. The affected casters are a bard and a warlock. That is why I went for con - the attribute also linked to concentration saves. Hmm, tough one. I might go for DC 10 cha saves then. The effect is a clue to the ultimate BBEG of the adventure and should feel scary (and drive the PC to put some effort into avoiding it).

Gosh, the 3.5 Version was really brutal (no save).

I will sleep about it for a night. For now, I am drifting towards making it a DC 11 con (8+2+1) on the prime material and a DC13 (with 2x proficiency) on the Plane of Shadows - since that is where a dead magic zone is being created.

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Quickleaf said:

I've heard there are calculators out there, but I don't use them. I have lots of experience converting & DMing, and I trust myself more than any calculators. I use the DMG page 274 guidelines as a starting point, but often compare to other monsters in the game, and prefer to playtest when possible.

Like with most D&D design, one of the fundamental questions I ask myself when doing conversions is "what is similar to this new weird power/trait that already in the rules (e.g. a spell, monster trait, class feature, magic item, etc.)? what can I reasonably compare it to?"

I don't stress too much about pinning down exact CR because, well, the CR system isn't exact. If you're within the same ballpark and same tier-of-play, that's close enough.

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Tormyr said:

There isn't anything stopping you from changing its charisma score. 3.5 and 5e undead often have drastic differences in the last 3 ability scores.

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