What Does Io Breathe?

[MarkB]

Random Rod of Wonder effects.

All of them. From every table in every game version and every homebrew.

 

[Alzrius]

I'm surprised there's ambiguity on this, page 104 of 2E's Monster Mythology clearly states (at least as far as his avatar goes) what Io's breath weapon is:

Breath Weapons: The avatar uses the breath weapon capabilities of the functional form the avatar has. If the avatar is pure neutral, it can use cone of cold, cloud of fire, and lightning bolt forms of breath weapon. All breath weapon ranges and areas of effect are increased by 50% above those normally used. Saves versus the avatar's breath weapon are made with a -6 penalty. Base breath weapon damage is 24d20+24.

Adjust for the edition of your choice, and voila! Debate settled.

 

[RangerWickett]

He breathes time. Great to use on his dragon allies. Age 'em a few centuries and all's well. Against humans, it's a bit more unpleasant.

 

[Umbran]

If you want to be nasty, though, you could make him exhale a swarm of ancient dragons.

Which just brought this image to mind:

*cough, hack, ptui*

Sorry. Got a froghemoth in my throat. Now, where were we? Ah, yes, destroying you...

 

[Hand of Evil]

Minty Freshness - I think a "charm" type breath weapon is long over due.

 

[steeldragons]

As noted, he's a god.

So why the option of "Anything he wants" isn't on the voting ballot, I don't understand.

Pick a breath weapon, any breath weapon. He's got it.

Pure positive or negative energy. Got it.

Charm, Haste, Petrification, Silence. Got it, Got it, Got it, (stole it from Scorponox) but he's got that too.

Any ole spell effect you can think of, he can breathe a gas or cone of energy or...stream of bubbles if he wants to, that will duplicate that spell effect. Got that too.

I especially like howandwhy99's "breathing reality" idea. I'd totally use that too. *lazily exhales a cloud of purple haze and when the smoke clears there's 2 dozen frenzied dragonborn berserkers standing before you.* Love it! Or a half dozen ancient dragons of assorted pigments and shinyness. Ya know, whatever strikes your fancy.

--Steel Dragons

 

[korjik]

Molten Sulfur.

At least that is what Io breathes in real life

 

[Saracenus]

Io breathes ions, of course... He is the Ionic Breeze of the magic world.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

Minty Freshness - I think a "charm" type breath weapon is long over due.

I like the way you think, Evil.

If I do this, Io will be a 4e solo monster, and I'll stat him as a multi-stage solo. Like Lolth, except more. More stages, and each stage will be a different role and a higher level.

The minty fresh breath of domination will be his weapon in the controller stage. Now I just have to relate at least three more silly weapons with a cool game effect!

 

[tuxgeo]

Io breathes ions, of course... He is the Ionic Breeze of the magic world.

Of course that includes Iron ions, so he is the Ironic Iconic Breeze, etc.

(I was going to try to say he breathes pretzels, based on some of the twisted replies to this thread; but that would be exacerbating the problem, so I won't.)

On a slightly different topic:
In the Forgotten Realms, does lord AO breathe "the Schwartz?" (Cue Mel Brooks voice.)