Converting Planescape monsters

[Cleon]

Seems like it.

I think the AC needs some work. The original converts to AC 15, which is +5 NA, unless we're giving it a deflection bonus. That does sound appropriate, actually. If it's Con based (from an SQ), that would reduce the NA to +4, or we could bump Con a little more.

The AC is just a copy-paste carry over from the Demarax which we haven't got around to changing.

I'm fine with +5 natural for AC 15 (+5 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 15.

Don't see any justification for giving it a deflection bonus. There isn't any mention of them deflecting attacks (presumably via gravity-manipulation) in the original description.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Str or Str-and-a-half for tail slap?

Skills: 8 ranks
Feats: 2

Ni’iaths resemble wolves in mentality. They prefer to hunt in packs, bringing down their chosen prey as a group. Ni’iaths also purposefully hound their prey, tiring it out by chasing it until it is too tired to run or fight.

Borrow skills and feats from wolves?

Skills: Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Spot
Feats: Alertness, Weapon Focus (bite)

If we want to mix it up a bit, I could see replacing the Hide with Tumble and Alertness with Dodge.

 

[freyar]

Hmmm, Str seems about right, but I won't argue against 1-1/2 Str. However, it should really be a "tail-barb" that does piercing damage.

Tumble and Dodge sound right to me.

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

Str or Str-and-a-half for tail slap?

Hold on a sec, where are its bite and claws attacks?

The original monster had a 1d3/1d3/1d4+1 claw/claw/bite as well as a 1d6 + special tail-slap.

Skills: 8 ranks
Feats: 2

Borrow skills and feats from wolves?

Skills: Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Spot
Feats: Alertness, Weapon Focus (bite)

If we want to mix it up a bit, I could see replacing the Hide with Tumble and Alertness with Dodge.

Shouldn't the Weapon Focus be in tail-slap?

I like the idea of Tumble, but would prefer Flyby Attack to Dodge.

 

[Shade]

Hold on a sec, where are its bite and claws attacks?

Probably a holdover from the demarax. Easily correct.

Shouldn't the Weapon Focus be in tail-slap?

Sure.

I like the idea of Tumble, but would prefer Flyby Attack to Dodge.

Sounds good. That's more useful.

 

[Cleon]

Probably a holdover from the demarax. Easily correct.

So are we doing the full attack claw/claw/bite OR tail like the original or claw/claw/bite/tail?

Sounds good. That's more useful.

I'm beginning to think we should increase the Dexterity and lower the natural armour accordingly. These things sound like they might be pretty agile.

Could we give them Dex 15 (like a Shark, Eagle or Monitor Lizard) or 17 (like a Viper or Giant Owl)?

 

[freyar]

The tail should be primary, but I don't mind giving it tail/claw/claw/bite all together. And, darn it, I'm not giving up on the piercing damage.

I'd been thinking the same thing about the Dex but just thought we'd had a real reason to agree on the lower value. I'm happy with Dex 17. And I'm ok with increasing the AC, too, so it compares better to CR 3/4 flying critters (see eagle, giant). So maybe only decrease natural to +4.

 

[Cleon]

The tail should be primary, but I don't mind giving it tail/claw/claw/bite all together. And, darn it, I'm not giving up on the piercing damage.

Well you could call it a tail-sting, that's a piercing attack...

I'd been thinking the same thing about the Dex but just thought we'd had a real reason to agree on the lower value. I'm happy with Dex 17. And I'm ok with increasing the AC, too, so it compares better to CR 3/4 flying critters (see eagle, giant). So maybe only decrease natural to +4.

I can go for that.

 

[freyar]

Sting would be fine, if that's what you want to call it.

Ok, then, Dex 17, +4 natural.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Suggested damage for the various natural attacks?