I'm thinking of playing the "Brain in a Jar" monster from Libris Mortis for an upcoming Planescape game. This monster was never intended as a playable race, but I'm sure it can be done. Eventually my plan would be to embed myself in some sort of golem or other construct. Think 'Krang' from the TMNT cartoon. It has no ECL modifier listed, so I was wondering what would be suitable given this creatures unique powers.
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Brain in a Jar ECL
- Thread starter jRocket
- Start date
Well, it has 3HD and a bunch of psionic powers.
Its a tiny undead, it can fly, and has blindsight and telepathy.
+6 int and cha, +4 dex, +2 wis
Naturally, since it has no real body, it has no attacks whatsoever and has no str or con. The only way it can manipulate objects is thought telekenesis. Thats a major drawback there that should be taken into account.
It has a "mind thrust" which does 2d10 damage to anyone that fails a will save.
It's "Madness" ability drains Wisdom from anyone that tries to use thought detection or mind control against it.
It has a suggestion and telekenesis 3x/day and dominate person 1x/day
It can also rebuke or command undead as a cleric.
Overall, its not too tough. It's mind thrust only does 2d10 and nothing on a save, although there is no limitation to its usage. The contruct part isnt something that is built with the character, but rather something that could be obtained later by a golem manual perhaps. I was thinking a +4 LA would be fair. Too much, too little?
Its a tiny undead, it can fly, and has blindsight and telepathy.
+6 int and cha, +4 dex, +2 wis
Naturally, since it has no real body, it has no attacks whatsoever and has no str or con. The only way it can manipulate objects is thought telekenesis. Thats a major drawback there that should be taken into account.
It has a "mind thrust" which does 2d10 damage to anyone that fails a will save.
It's "Madness" ability drains Wisdom from anyone that tries to use thought detection or mind control against it.
It has a suggestion and telekenesis 3x/day and dominate person 1x/day
It can also rebuke or command undead as a cleric.
Overall, its not too tough. It's mind thrust only does 2d10 and nothing on a save, although there is no limitation to its usage. The contruct part isnt something that is built with the character, but rather something that could be obtained later by a golem manual perhaps. I was thinking a +4 LA would be fair. Too much, too little?
SpiralBound
Explorer
jRocket said:
LOL!!
The "disadvantages" you list pale in comparison to it's numerous other abilities, so much so that I personally wouldn't even consider them. an ECL of +4 is the absolute lowest I'd even consider. More of a place to leap off from in calculating it's rating as a pc race. Still, I guess it's all relative to what the other players are using... None the less, you're definitely not playing the same game I play. Is this a M&M style of game?Nope. Planescape.
Maybe a +5 would be more suitable. You still have to consider that no being able to manipulate objects and having no attacks are pretty major drawbacks. It also can't carry or wear objects that weigh anything because it has no strength score. This means that it can't even wear most magic items! I still think +4 is a good number - A starting Brain in a Jar would be about the equivalent of a 7th level character.
Maybe a +5 would be more suitable. You still have to consider that no being able to manipulate objects and having no attacks are pretty major drawbacks. It also can't carry or wear objects that weigh anything because it has no strength score. This means that it can't even wear most magic items! I still think +4 is a good number - A starting Brain in a Jar would be about the equivalent of a 7th level character.
the Jester
Legend
Hmm, let's look at it piece by piece.
Bam! Good start! I give this +3 LA right here- according to Savage Species, flight with good maneuverability is worth +2, and blindsight is worth another +1. Undead immunities, imho, is almost worth another +1 but we'll pass that one for now.
Another +1 LA. We're up to +4 at this point.
This is roughly the equivalent to a weapon attack for a BiaJ. And it's a pretty darn big weapon. Yes, a target might make its save; this is analogous to missing on your attack roll. I give this another +1. We're at +5.
Another +1 here for spell-like abilities, total +6.
Now, let's compare a brain in a jar wizard 1 (total ECL 10) with a 10th-level human wizard.
HP: the wizard averages 25; the BiaJ averages 22. Pretty much a wash here- minor advantage to the wizard.
Spells: the wizard has a lot more spells. The BiaJ's best abilities are telekinesis and dominate person- 5th level tops, iirc. But it has less of 'em- advantage wizard. However, all things being equal, the BiaJ tops the wizard in save DCs (+6 int!).
BAB: wizard +5, BiaJ irrelevent. The only thing that matters is your Will save. Hmm. I'd say this is a wash- but the BiaJ does more damage with its 'standard attack mode' than the wizard with a weapon. Of course the wizard's got tons of low-level spells, too...
Saves: Wizard has +7 Will, +3 Fort and Ref (base). BiaJ has +5 Will, +1 Fort and Ref for base saves. Advantage to the wizard.
Seems like +6 is too high, but not by much. I'd go with +5.
jRocket said:
Bam! Good start! I give this +3 LA right here- according to Savage Species, flight with good maneuverability is worth +2, and blindsight is worth another +1. Undead immunities, imho, is almost worth another +1 but we'll pass that one for now.
jRocket said:
Another +1 LA. We're up to +4 at this point.
jRocket said:
This is roughly the equivalent to a weapon attack for a BiaJ. And it's a pretty darn big weapon. Yes, a target might make its save; this is analogous to missing on your attack roll. I give this another +1. We're at +5.
jRocket said:
Another +1 here for spell-like abilities, total +6.
Now, let's compare a brain in a jar wizard 1 (total ECL 10) with a 10th-level human wizard.
HP: the wizard averages 25; the BiaJ averages 22. Pretty much a wash here- minor advantage to the wizard.
Spells: the wizard has a lot more spells. The BiaJ's best abilities are telekinesis and dominate person- 5th level tops, iirc. But it has less of 'em- advantage wizard. However, all things being equal, the BiaJ tops the wizard in save DCs (+6 int!).
BAB: wizard +5, BiaJ irrelevent. The only thing that matters is your Will save. Hmm. I'd say this is a wash- but the BiaJ does more damage with its 'standard attack mode' than the wizard with a weapon. Of course the wizard's got tons of low-level spells, too...
Saves: Wizard has +7 Will, +3 Fort and Ref (base). BiaJ has +5 Will, +1 Fort and Ref for base saves. Advantage to the wizard.
Seems like +6 is too high, but not by much. I'd go with +5.
How's a Brain in a Jar going to be a Wiz1? It can't use verbal, somatic, and probably material components. It would easier to make it a psion. Isn't there at least some negative ECL adjustment for lack of hands or body? I don't have Savage Species to check. I recall there being an online calculator somewhere.
The Mind Thrust is pretty nice, but it's only a 1st level power... and can't be augmented, so at higher levels, its not going to be that great.
It would easier to make it a psion. Isn't there at least some negative ECL adjustment for lack of hands or body? I don't have Savage Species to check. I recall there being an online calculator somewhere.The Mind Thrust is pretty nice, but it's only a 1st level power... and can't be augmented, so at higher levels, its not going to be that great.
the Jester
Legend
jRocket said:
Right.
A BiaJ has 3 HD. If we assign it one wizard (or psion, or whatever) level, that's 4 HD. Then you add the +6 LA and get ECL 10, then compare against a wizard (or psion, or whatever) of that level (10th).
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