Malfera (X5--Temple of Death)

johnsemlak

First Post

• Jun 3, 2004

• #1

Stats from X5:

Armor Class: 3
No. Appearing 1 (1-2)
Hit Dice: 9**
Save As: Fighter: 13
Move: 60' (20')
Morale: 11
Attacks: 2 claws, bite + special
Treasure Type: E
Damage: 1-10/1-10/1-6
Alignment: Chaotic

In combat, a malfera attacks with pincers and bites. If both pincers
hit the same target, the victim is dragged to the chest of the malfera
on the next round. The tentacles then automatically trap the
victim. These tentacles are coated with an acid slime and do 2-12
points of damage each round. The victim may be freed only when
the malfera is killed.

In addition, the breath of a malfera is
poisonous: each time it hits with a bite, its victim must save vs.
Poison (at +3 ) or die.

A malfera is immune to acid and may only be
struck by magical weapons.

Aside from its combat abilities, a malfera can detect invisible and
open all doors as if it had a knock spell. Because of its tough
constitution and highly magical nature, it saves as a 13th level
fighter.

OK, Here's a start at a 3.5e version: (It's just a rough start so far)

Malfera
Large Outsider

HD: 9d8
Initiative:
Speed: 20'
Armor Class: 17 (-1 size, +8 Natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+18
Attack: Bite +13 (d6+5 +poison)
Full Attack: Bite +13 Melee (d6+5 +poison) and 2 pincers +8 melee (d10+5)
Special Attacks: Poisonous Bite, tentacles, Improved Grab
Special Qualities: Detect Invisible, spell-like abilities
Saves: All good saves
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 10, Con 29, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 18
Skills: Max in Hide, Spot, Listen, and Move
Feats: Alertness, ??
CR: 10

I'm interested in how the tentatle attack would work. Would it be a good idea to give the Malfera Improved Grab, then allow the Malfera to inflict 2d12 points of damage per round if it succeeds the grapple check? Should hte victem be allowed to free themselves (the original module says it can't)

Also, what's the best way to convert a Poison 'Save or Die'save? Any thoughts on what sort of poison it would be?

 

Last edited: Jun 3, 2004

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johnsemlak

First Post

• Jun 3, 2004

• #2

Ok, here's a revision:


Malfera
Large Outsider (Extra-Planar)

HD: 9d8+81 (122 hp)
Initiative:+0
Speed: 30'
Armor Class: 17 (-1 size, +8 Natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+18
Attack: Bite +16 (d6+8 +poison)
Full Attack: Bite +16 Melee (d6+8 +poison) and 2 pincers +11 melee (d10+5)
Special Attacks: Poisonous Bite, tentacles, Improved Grab
Special Qualities: Detect Invisible, spell-like abilities
Saves: Fort: +15 Ref: +6 Will: +9
Abilities: Str 24, Dex 10, Con 29, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 12
Skills: Hide: +8, Move Silently +12, Spot: +15, Listen +15
Feats: Alertness, Weapon Focus (Bite), Weapon Focus (Pincers)
CR: 10

Improved Grab (Ex) If both pincers hit, the Malfera may make a free grapple attack with it's tentacles, not provoking an attack of opportunity. If the Malfera suceeds its grapple check, then it inflicts 2d6 points of damage every round it holds it's victem.

Poisonous Bite (Ex) The its bite hits, the victem must make a Fort save (DC 20) or loose 2d6 points of Constitution. Secondary Damage is also 2d6 points of Constituion.

Detect Invisibility (Sp) At will (as a free action), a Malfera can Detect Invisibility as per the spell.

Knock (Sp) A Malfera can open doors using the Knock spell as a standard action.

 

johnsemlak

First Post

• Jun 3, 2004

• #3

Oh, forgot to add Damage Reduction: 10/Magic. That sound right?

Would spell resisitance also be appropriate?

 

Shade

Monster Junkie

• Jun 3, 2004

• #4

Lookin' good so far. Here's a few suggestions:

Speed was listed as 60 feet, so I'd stick with that speed in the conversion.

I'd do the pincers/tentacles as follows:

Improved Grab (Ex): If a malfera hits an opponent of its size category or smaller with both pincer attacks, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity (grapple bonus +X). If it gets a hold, it draws the grappled character towards its tentacles, where it can immediately attempt to transfer the opponent to its tentacles (with a successful grapple check). Thereafter, the malfera can simply use its tentacles to hold the opponent, dealing acidic tentacles damage.

Acidic Tentacles (Ex): A creature grappled by the malfera's tentacles takes 2d6 points of acid each round until it breaks free.

The DR looks good.

For the poison, Con damage is the usual replacement for "save or die".

 

johnsemlak

First Post

• Jun 4, 2004

• #5

Thanks.

Do you think 2d6 primary and secondary CON damage is about right for the poison? It seems high compared to other poisons, but I want to to be appropriate to a CR 9-10 creature.

 

Shade

Monster Junkie

• Jun 4, 2004

• #6

I think that sounds reasonable for its CR.

 

L

LizardWizard

Explorer

• Jun 5, 2004

• #7

A very nice conversion. However, although it is not written in the original description, I would replace the knock spell-like ability with dream haunting a la the night hag. As I recall, the malfera was supposed to torment sleepers with nightmarish sights, so this ability would be reasonable. The old D&D game is rather simplistic at times

 

johnsemlak

First Post

• Jun 6, 2004

• #8

I agree that might be a nice touch.

Converting Basic D&D stuff often requires adding such details, I agree.

OT: A Moscovite! Wow, small world

 

frankthedm

First Post

• Jun 6, 2004

• #9

Were not bites of humans poisonous to the nightmare world critters?

 

IanB

First Post

• Jun 6, 2004

• #10

I would definitely NOT keep the speed at 60'; that would be a large increase in the speed, since the Basic D&D equivalent to 30' speed in 3.5 is 120'(40'). 60' is the same speed a character in plate mail would have, so a speed of 20 is a very appropriate conversion.