Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[Cleon]

An excellent question! I think I'd prefer the former, allowing DMs to start them at a larger size if so inclined.

Good suggestion on switching to 0 hp rather than -10.

Updated.

The new "From the Ashes" looks fine. I guess we don't need to explicitly state the reformed Phoenix Spider remains at its larger size.

I notice that the updated stats don't yet have their skills correctly adjusted for their change in Size & Strength. I make it that they should be:

Small Phoenix Spider - Climb +11, Hide +17*, Jump +8
Medium Phoenix Spider - Climb +11, Hide +13*, Jump +10
Large Phoenix Spider - Climb +12, Hide +9*, Jump +12
Huge Phoenix Spider - Climb +14, Hide +5*, Jump +14

 

[Shade]

I had a feeling I'd mess up some of the skills.

Updated.

Ready for the 2 feats?

CR 9-10? They aren't nearly as deadly as a vrock or bebelith, but they have ridiculous staying power.

 

[freyar]

Just thinking: should "Rise From the Ashes" say explicitly that the larger sizes versions retain the same skill ranks and feats as the base Small version?

I'm thinking that Ability Focus (poison may be too nasty). Perhaps Iron Will and Weapon Focus (bite)? Those should be useful at all sizes.

 

[Cleon]

Just thinking: should "Rise From the Ashes" say explicitly that the larger sizes versions retain the same skill ranks and feats as the base Small version?

It wouldn't hurt putting something like "A Phoenix Spider does not gain any skill points or feats if it gains any additional Hit Dice when reforming from its ashes, but retains the skills ranks and feats of its base form."

I'm thinking that Ability Focus (poison may be too nasty). Perhaps Iron Will and Weapon Focus (bite)? Those should be useful at all sizes.

Those work for me.

 

[freyar]

How about the slightly shorter

"At all sizes and HD, a phoenix spider retains the skills ranks and feats of its base form (Small and 3HD for a typical specimen)."

?

 

[Cleon]

How about the slightly shorter

"At all sizes and HD, a phoenix spider retains the skills ranks and feats of its base form (Small and 3HD for a typical specimen)."

?

That'd work for me.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

CR 9-10? They aren't nearly as deadly as a vrock or bebelith, but they have ridiculous staying power.

Organization: Solitary or x (2–10)

 

[freyar]

CR 9 is ok. Solitary or nest?

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Finished?

 

[freyar]

Ok here.