Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

[Cleon]

That works for me. Let's go with 2d10.

2d10 it is then!

The note is unnecessary:

You know me, I often prefer a "belt and braces" approach.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

I'm wondering if we shouldn't give it a "slip through tight spaces" ability, as well, since mice are notorious for being able to flatten their skeletons to slip through tight areas.

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

I'm wondering if we shouldn't give it a "slip through tight spaces" ability, as well, since mice are notorious for being able to flatten their skeletons to slip through tight areas.

I wouldn't bother. The official stats for mice & rats can't do it.

Besides, a mouse the size of an elephant likely needs a more solidly built skeleton than a regular-sized one.

 

[freyar]

Well, I've seen mice dig through wood to nest, so I'm not sure their burrow speed needs to be that slow. But I'm not going to press the issue.

I think Cleon's right about the squeezing bit, unfortunately. It would've been fun.

Split ranks between Hide, Listen, Spot (at 5 each)?

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

Looking at its stats, it should have a +0 Dex bonus from its Dex 11.

Would you like to drop the Initiative to +0 and make the AC 15 (-2 size, +7 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 15?

I remember thinking of proposing a Dex increase to 13, which is probably why there's a +1 Dex in Initiative and AC, but I didn't follow through. If you prefer a higher Dex its Reflex save needs to be +9.

Also, I don't much like its trample doing more damage than its bite. Can we just use 1*Str mod. in trample, for 2d10+8. That way its bite and trample have the same average damage.

 

[freyar]

I don't mind which way on Dex.

Trample damage is "supposed" to be slam damage plus 1-1/2 Str per the SRD, but of course there are many critters with no slam but trample. If there's a precedent, I don't mind using just Str; otherwise, perhaps we can just reduce the base trample damage some.

 

[Cleon]

I don't mind which way on Dex.

Trample damage is "supposed" to be slam damage plus 1-1/2 Str per the SRD, but of course there are many critters with no slam but trample. If there's a precedent, I don't mind using just Str; otherwise, perhaps we can just reduce the base trample damage some.

The SRD writeup of trample also says "The creature's descriptive text gives the exact amount", so we just need to list a non-standard "exact amount" of damage.

Astral Constructs do 1d8 + Str with the trample attack in their "Option B" menu.

The Elder Treant has an 8d20+40 damage trample but only has a +19 Strength bonus. That's plus 2.06 times its Strength bonus!

 

[Shade]

I'm fine with the nonstandard trample damage, and would like to bump Dex to 13.

Updated.

Are we keeping them timid, or making them aggressive? That will factor into the feat selection greatly. I think I'd prefer them as simply "mice of unusual size".

 

[freyar]

Timid sounds right to me, too.

 

[Shade]

In that case...

Skills: 15
Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Spot?

Feats: 5
Alertness, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Run, Stealthy?

Having seen mice run, I wanted to give it Fleet of Foot, but it's Dex is too low. Bonus feat?