Creature Catalogue Overhaul Project Revisited

[Cleon]

That's probably fine, though I don't really need the severing bit for the tail. I guess we might as well keep it from the 3.0 version, though.

I was wondering about cutting the severing too, but came to the same conclusion as you.

 

[freyar]

I guess the original monster did allow a severed tail to regrow.

Want to revise this from 3.0?

Trip (Sp): When a scythetail touches a long object (such as a rope, vine, or tree branch), it imbues that object with the ability to trip opponents for that day. At will, the scythetail may cause this object to rise slightly off the ground to trip any creatures passing by once per round, up to three times per day. Any creatures moving past this object will be subject a normal trip attack. Running creatures are also subject to a trip attack, and suffer 1d6 points of damage in addition to being stunned for 1d4 rounds. Creatures of Huge size or larger are immune to this attack.

I don't know if the original 1e trip spell did damage to running critters or not (and the stunning!). And it does seem a little weird that they can trip with magic but not their tail. Maybe the magic is a bit of Lamarckian evolution to make up for that lack?

 

[Shade]

Trip
Level: 2nd (Dru)
Range: Touch
Duration: 1 turn/level
Area of Effect: 1 10' long object
Saving Throw: Negation
The caster must use a length of vine, stick, pole or similar object of up to 10' in length to use as the target for the spell. The Trip spell causes the object to rise slightly off the ground and trip up creatures crossing it unless they make their saving throw against magic. Creatures moving rapidly, e.g. running, will take 1 d6 damage when they fall and be stunned for 1 d4+1 rounds. Large creatures such as elephants cannot be affected by Trip. The object will trip all creatures passing over it, including the caster, for the duration of the spell, but creatures who are aware of it gain +4 to their saving throw. The object is 80% undetectable by mundane means.

 

[freyar]

Well, that explains it. Thta Sp ability is pretty much just out of the spell. Should we just add "This ability is the equivalent of a 2nd level spell. Caster level 2nd."?

 

[Shade]

Yeah, good idea.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

A few things:

First, I think its Dex should be higher. Most lizards of its size have Dex 15, and it is noted to dart around and make agile hit-and-run attacks.

I also think it should have a climb speed, probably equal to its land speed. I believe the "#" on its movement line indicates climbing. Plus, normal lizards have a climb speed equal to their land speed.

The current Skills line seems to imply a racial bonus on Hide and/or Listen and Spot checks.

I think the "trip" ability should be renamed to avoid confusion with the common (Ex) trip attack. Maybe "trip trap" or "tripping vine"?

Finally, since it has a "trip" ability anyway, I suggest we remove the "cannot trip" from the tail scythe writeup.

 

[Cleon]

Well, that explains it. Thta Sp ability is pretty much just out of the spell. Should we just add "This ability is the equivalent of a 2nd level spell. Caster level 2nd."?

I'm fine with quoting the spell, but I'd rather it be a (Su) ability.

 

[freyar]

The DC is better for a typical scythetail as an Sp. Why do you want to switch to Su? I guess that's a little more consistent with other critters.

Let's let them trip with their tails but take AoOs as usual, which is I guess how you've got it now.

I'm on board for a climb speed.

 

[Shade]

I'm fine with quoting the spell, but I'd rather it be a (Su) ability.

The DC is better for a typical scythetail as an Sp. Why do you want to switch to Su? I guess that's a little more consistent with other critters.

Honestly, it works either way. On the one hand, it doesn't have any other Sp abilities, so Su seems a bit better choice. OTOH, it functions just like a spell, so Sp makes sense. Don't sweat the DC...we can always give it a racial bonus or Ability Focus as bonus feat.

You know, since we borrowed so much from the original spell (and we've seen it arise before), we might just want to add a "New Spell" underbar and list it there.

Let's let them trip with their tails but take AoOs as usual, which is I guess how you've got it now.

Actually, I was proposing dropping the "but it cannot be used to make trip attacks" from the way it is now.

 

[Cleon]

Honestly, it works either way. On the one hand, it doesn't have any other Sp abilities, so Su seems a bit better choice. OTOH, it functions just like a spell, so Sp makes sense. Don't sweat the DC...we can always give it a racial bonus or Ability Focus as bonus feat.

You know, since we borrowed so much from the original spell (and we've seen it arise before), we might just want to add a "New Spell" underbar and list it there.

I don't mind making it Sp if you prefer it, it's just not my first choice.

Actually, I was proposing dropping the "but it cannot be used to make trip attacks" from the way it is now.

I think it needs a little more than that, something like:

Tail Scythe (Ex): A scythetail's tail ends in a razor sharp length of bone like the blade of a scythe. This tail scythe does 2d4 piercing and slashing damage with a ×4 critical multiplier and can be used to make melee attack trip attacks without provoking an attack of opportunity, just like a normal scythe, except the scythetail cannot "drop its weapon" to avoid being tripped if it fails a trip attempt. An opponent can attack a scythetail's tail with a sunder attempt as if it were a weapon, the tail has AC 17 and 9 hit points (18 hit points for a Large scythetail). A scythetail can regrow a severed tail in 9 days. The severed tail can be used as a weapon, but not a farming implement.