Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[Cleon]

That's how I see my job here.

I can go with that kind of racial bonus. I see that you've added a feat selection to it, too. But, truthfully, I'd prefer something like Snatch or Awesome Blow to both of those feats.

There's nothing in the original description to suggest that Super-Eels are COMBAT MONSTERS!, but I'll give you Snatch and Awesome Blow if we increase the racial bonus to Stealth skills.

Say, +4 to MS and +8 to Hide (with +12 in weeds)?

 

[freyar]

There's not much to suggest these are much of anything.

Anyway, we can't add Awesome Blow without Improved Bull Rush. Tell you what, I'll give you the +8 Hide (+12 in weeds) and Stealthy if you'll use Snatch for the last feat.

 

[Cleon]

There's not much to suggest these are much of anything.

Anyway, we can't add Awesome Blow without Improved Bull Rush. Tell you what, I'll give you the +8 Hide (+12 in weeds) and Stealthy if you'll use Snatch for the last feat.

Erm, what's the point in Snatch when they have all Constrict, Chew and Improved Grab special attacks?

 

[freyar]

You can throw things for damage if you have Snatch! But if you don't like that, what about a save booster like Iron Will?

 

[Cleon]

You can throw things for damage if you have Snatch! But if you don't like that, what about a save booster like Iron Will?

Neither of those seem terribly eel-like, but I find the Iron Will the less objectionable of those two.

 

[freyar]

Would you prefer Lightning Reflexes? That seems sort of eelish.

 

[Cleon]

Would you prefer Lightning Reflexes? That seems sort of eelish.

Yeah, and it'd go well with the Improved Initiative.

So, we're talking something like:

Feats: Alertness, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Lightning Reflexes, Stealthy
Racial Bonuses: +4 Move Silently, +8 Hide (+12 Hide in weeds)
Skills Ranks: Hide 4, Listen 4, Move Silently 4, Spot 4
Skills: Hide +7 (+11 in weeds), Listen 7, Move Silently +7, Spot +7

 

[freyar]

Yes, let's do that.

CR 6 seems a bit low compared to the giant squid or giant constrictor snake. Or the remorhaz. Shouldn't we boost it a bit; it has a lot of hp and decent special attacks.

 

[Cleon]

Yes, let's do that.

Updating the Super Eel Working Draft.

CR 6 seems a bit low compared to the giant squid or giant constrictor snake. Or the remorhaz. Shouldn't we boost it a bit; it has a lot of hp and decent special attacks.

Well I am game for making it CR 7 but wouldn't admit anything higher than that. The CR 6 was just an initial rough estimate.

The Giant Constrictor snake is CR 5, and the Super-Eel isn't that much better, so I wouldn't consider more than 1-2 CR higher. It's special attacks are pretty much the same. Sure it's got lots of hit points, but its superior saves are as strong an argument for a better CR. That good Will save for being Dire can make a significant difference.

A Giant Squid tends to be a lot nastier in a fight due to its multiple attacks and long reach giving it an impressive damage capacity. The Remorhaz is a better comparison - it may have less HPs, but its heat aura gives it a better damage output and an impressive weapon-melting special defense.

Hmm, shall we make it CR 7 then?

 

[freyar]

I'd go with CR 7. Crush ship isn't so bad itself.