Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[Shade]

Yeah, we might be able to make this work.

Let's try to get the basics down.

12 HD or more? The similar helmed horror is 13 HD, and the battle horror is 20 HD.

Helmed Horror: Str 20, Dex 15, Con -, Int 13, Wis 16, Cha 16
Battle Horror: Str 26, Dex 15, Con -, Int 13, Wis 16, Cha 16

 

[Cleon]

Yeah, we might be able to make this work.

Let's try to get the basics down.

12 HD or more? The similar helmed horror is 13 HD, and the battle horror is 20 HD.

Helmed Horror: Str 20, Dex 15, Con -, Int 13, Wis 16, Cha 16
Battle Horror: Str 26, Dex 15, Con -, Int 13, Wis 16, Cha 16

I'd stick to 12 Hit Dice and modify the Helmed Horror's stats. They're mindless so we can drop Int to 0, but I'd leave the Wis at 16, since these are guardians. The Charisma ought to be a lot lower - maybe 5-8 or so? They don't need Cha, since they don't have any Su powers, but I feel they should have more presence that a Cha 1 Zombie or Skeleton.

Gu'armori: Str 20, Dex 15, Con -, Int -, Wis 16, Cha 5 ?

 

[Cleon]

Shrug Off Magic (Su): A gu'armori makes a saving throw against any spell or spell-like ability that affects it, even spells that normally do not allow saving throws. Furthermore, it uses its Will save when making saving throws against all spells, spell-like abilities and supernatural powers.

This first draft didn't come out right. I was wanting it to say something to the effect of "use Will save if no save type is stated" in that last sentence. It should also have the "no damage if save made" added.

Revising...

Shrug Off Magic (Su): A gu'armori can attempt a saving throw whenever it is affected by a spell, spell-like ability or supernatural power, even if the effect normally does not allow a saving throw. The gu'armori uses its Will save if the effect does not specify a saving throw type. If the gu'armori successfully saves it is completely unaffected by the effect, taking no damage.

 

[Shade]

Sounds good.

Added to Homebrews.

I toned down the slam damage, as 2d8 was way too much for a Medium construct.

I propose we give it fighter bonus feats. A 12th-level fighter gains 7 bonus feats. I'd propose giving it Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, and Greater Weapon Specialization at the very least.

 

[freyar]

I'll agree to the bonus feats; we can just add them to martial memories. Give it also Imp Init, Improved Critical, and Dodge (or maybe Power Attack for the last one).

 

[Cleon]

Sounds good.

Added to Homebrews.

I toned down the slam damage, as 2d8 was way too much for a Medium construct.

I propose we give it fighter bonus feats. A 12th-level fighter gains 7 bonus feats. I'd propose giving it Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, and Greater Weapon Specialization at the very least.

That all sounds good.

Since it's a fighter-type creature how about we give it Wield Oversize Weapon and a Large Heavy Flail or Large Greatclub, then it can do 2d8 bludgeoning with its attacks.

Now what are we doing about its Explosive Instability?

Oh, and it still needs Spell Resistance.

 

[freyar]

Err, why do we want to give it Wield Oversized Weapon other than a desire just to boost damage output? I don't get that vibe on these particularly. Besides, I like the greatsword.

For the explosion, I like your approach:

Explosive Instability (Ex): Whenever a gu'armori takes damage or fails a saving throw against a spell or spell-like ability it must make a Fortitude save (DC equals spell DC or hit points of damage taken) or it will explode, destroying the gu'armori and doing [LOTS] of damage to everything with a [BIG] ft. radius burst (DC X Reflex save for half damage). The save DC is Strength-based.

I'd actually think the DC should be 10+hp damage taken.

 

[Cleon]

Err, why do we want to give it Wield Oversized Weapon other than a desire just to boost damage output? I don't get that vibe on these particularly. Besides, I like the greatsword.

But I want it to do 2d8 damage like the original does.

We could meet halfway and make it an Oversized Greatsword.

For the explosion, I like your approach:

I'd actually think the DC should be 10+hp damage taken.

I'd be OK increasing the DC.

How much damage should it do and over what area? It should certainly be more than the measly 12 hit points of the original. 12 dice seems more appropriate. I'm thinking something like a widened fireball - 12d6 damage in a 40 ft. burst. Shouldn't be fire though, since its a mixture of unleashed magical energy and razor shards of metal. Half force, half slashing?

Revising...

Explosive Instability (Ex): Whenever a gu'armori takes damage or fails a saving throw against a spell, spell-like ability or supernatural attack it must make a Fortitude save (DC equals 10 plus the hit points of damage taken or the DC of the spell or power, whichever is higher) or it will explode, destroying the gu'armori and doing 12d6 damage (half slashing and half force) to everything with a 40 ft. radius burst (DC 21 Reflex save for half damage). The save DC is Strength-based.

I'd consider increasing the damage to 12d8 and/or making one dice per Hit Dice of the gu'armori.

 

[freyar]

Well, I guess I don't have a strong opinion on the oversized weapon, as long as it's a greatsword.

12d6 seems ok if it's half-slashing and half-force. That'd be better than a fireball from a similar CR sorc/wiz. And I think we can let the DM figure out how to advance it, like usual, right?

 

[Cleon]

Well, I guess I don't have a strong opinion on the oversized weapon, as long as it's a greatsword.

I just fancied making the weapon 2d8 damage like the original. It could be a Large Halberd, Heavy Flail or Greataxe just as easily.

But never let it be said I never oblige. Large greatsword it is. It's an extra 1.5 points of average damage, so I guess I can't complain.

Full Attack: Greatsword +17/+12/+7 melee (3d6+7/19-20) or 2 slams +17 melee (1d10+6)

Is this ridiculously oversized sword an ordinary weapon, masterwork or magic? A 12th level fighter would normally have a fairly nasty magic weapon, so I think our new friend needs one too.

12d6 seems ok if it's half-slashing and half-force. That'd be better than a fireball from a similar CR sorc/wiz. And I think we can let the DM figure out how to advance it, like usual, right?

OK we'll leave it as is then.