Converting prehistoric creatures

[freyar]

I believe the monstrous spider and tojanida have nonstandard advancement. I just looked through these stats quickly, but I think these are all just advanced in a standard way. If we're going to spell out all the stats, precedent is for nonstandard advancement. So is there some fudging of the abilities you want to do? Like not decrease Dex quite so much or something?

 

[Cleon]

I believe the monstrous spider and tojanida have nonstandard advancement. I just looked through these stats quickly, but I think these are all just advanced in a standard way. If we're going to spell out all the stats, precedent is for nonstandard advancement. So is there some fudging of the abilities you want to do? Like not decrease Dex quite so much or something?

I was going to increase the NA advancement above standard rates and see what I fancy after that.

The Liopleurodon has +20 NA, 4 more than standard advancement, so I'm thinking another +1 at Huge (AC 17), +2 at Gargantuan (AC 19) and +4 at Colossal (AC 22)?

EDIT: Although I'm also tempted by +3 (AC 21) at Colossal, although it doesn't match the Dragon #318 Liopleurodon. It just seems more symmetrical.

 

[freyar]

Why not change the ability advancement a bit too? Changing NA doesn't seem like very much.

 

[Cleon]

Why not change the ability advancement a bit too? Changing NA doesn't seem like very much.

What ability changes do you suggest?

The Dragon #318 Liopleurodon has Con 34, so +2 Con at Gargantuan, +4 Con at Colossal?

I'd also limit each size's Advancement so it doesn't spill up into the next category - e.g. Large Pliosaur has Advancement 6-9 HD (Large) - so they match the format of Monstrous Vermin.

Oh, and were the previously proposed feats OK by you?

 

[freyar]

I think the feats are fine.

I'll agree to the Con changes and definitely to the advancement limits. That'll work.

 

[Cleon]

I think the feats are fine.

I'll agree to the Con changes and definitely to the advancement limits. That'll work.

Updating the Working Draft.

Done?

 

[freyar]

If everyone else checks off on it, sure.

 

[Cleon]

If everyone else checks off on it, sure.

The only thing I'm wondering about is whether to increase the base damage of Gargantuan and Colossal version's Worry special attack so it's in step with the increased bite damage or swap the Improved Natural Attack (bite) feat for something else.

Currently, the Gargantuan/Colossal ones do the same dice damage with Bite as the do Worry.

Might be easier just giving it Cleave instead.

EDIT: Or we could rewrite the Worry to specify the damage is derived from the bite damage, like this:

Worry (Ex): Each round a pliosaur maintains a grapple, it can shake its prey violently, dealing damage equal to its bite attack increased by one damage step, plus double its Strength bonus. For example, a Large pliosaur (1d10 bite, +6 Str bonus) does 2d8+12 when worrying an opponent, a Colossal pliosaur with 6d8+27 bite damage does 8d8+36 worry damage.

 

[Shade]

The working draft looks good to me.

I think Worry implies bite unless otherwise specified.

 

[freyar]

The new worry is fine if you want to spell it out that much.