Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[demiurge1138]

I agree with freyar. One level of sorcerer automatically, and advance by character class.

 

[Cleon]

That was very emphatic! I agree, just throwing out options.

Sorry about that, my internet connection kept on cutting out last night and from my end it looked like my first two attempts at the post failed to get through.

Oh well, such things happen.

As for their sorcery, I suggested sorcery level = HD because (a) it means the top end (5th level sorcerer) matches up fairly well to the original, with its multiple 1st & 2nd level spells, and (b) many spellcasting creatures do so at a level around their HD - i.e. the 3HD aranea is a 3rd level sorcerer. Admittedly the original starts out at the bottom, with one 1st level spell, which argues for making them 1st level sorcerers.

So, I'm fine with making them 1st level sorcerers and gaining 1 level per level of Dragon, plus being able to gain sorcerer levels with class advancement.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

 

[freyar]

Looking good.

Spells:
0 - dancing lights, daze, ghost sound, prestidigitation ?
1 - color spray, ?

 

[demiurge1138]

Hypnotism for the second spell?

 

[Cleon]

Hypnotism for the second spell?

I prefer something defensive. Mirror image could be amusing combined with its phasing. Failing that, protection from arrows or hideous laughter?

 

[Shade]

Cleon, the spells you suggested are 2nd-level, so beyond its ability.

Updated.

Skills: 36
Appraise, Concentration, Hide, Listen, Spellcraft, Spot? Maybe work Knowledge (arcana) in there?

Feats: Weapon Finesse (B), 2 more

 

[freyar]

Those are all 2nd level, unfortunately. I like hypnotism, or we could go with obscuring mist if wew want something like mirror image.

 

[demiurge1138]

I avoided defensive spells because its AC is already 18. Adding the +4 from mage armor or shiled would be unreasonably high for a critter of this CR, especially because the party won't yet have dispelling access. Obscuring mist might be interesting, as would ventriloquism, but I still like hypnotism.

 

[Cleon]

Cleon, the spells you suggested are 2nd-level, so beyond its ability.

Oh sorry, I misread the "second" with a level behind it for some reason.

Obscuring mist is OK, but it can just phase out if it wants to avoid a fight. I think grease has more versatility and repeat value, There's always true strike, which would allow it to pop out of the ether with a +20 bonus on bite attack, or burning hands if we feel it needs some Area-of-Effect punch.

As for feats, I'd go for Flyby Attack for the first one. Not so sure about t'other. How about Spell Penetration, since I'm guessing it will often have to deal with other Tiny magic-resistant dragons?

I'd was thinking of Diplomacy instead of Appraise, since pseudodragons have that skill, but it does say they covet treasure. Diplomacy is probably a bit more useful, though.

So, if we give it Knowledge (arcana) which of its other skills shall we take points from? Hide seems the obvious one, since (a) it can use ethereal jaunt to avoid attention and (b) it not having good conventional stealth will help differentiate it from a pseudodragon.