Aldani (from Jungles of Chult)

[jadrax]

Lobsterfolk from 'Jungles of Chult (1993)', 'Serpent Kingdoms (2004)' and 'Fiend Folio (2003)'. Tried to balance them against a Bugbear, but pretty sure they are not as good right now.

Aldani
Medium humanoid, lawful neutral
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
Speed 30 ft. Swim 20 ft.
STR 14 (+2) DEX 11 (+0) CON 13 (+1) INT 13 (+1) WIS 11 (+0) CHA 8 (-1)
Skills Athletics +4, Stealth +2
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Primordial (Aquan)
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Actions
Multiattack. The aldani makes two attacks, one with a weapon and one with its claws.
Tridant. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20 ft./60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage.

Also known as Yurians, the Aldani are a race of lobster-like humanoids with six limbs. Their faces vaguely resemble men encased in armor, though their eyes extend upon long stalks. While their middle limbs are tipped with small pincers the Aldani use for fine manipulation, the upper arms are thicker and end in heavy claws.
Aldani typically live in deep rivers or coastal caves. Despite their warlike appearance, the aldani are intelligent and quite civilized. They settle disputes with courtly tournaments whenever possible, but when battles occur, they are often to the death.

 

[Cleon]

Hmm, what relationship do these have to the "Crabfolk" from the AD&D, MC14 and 3E Fiend Folios?

Those Fiend Folio crustacean-men only had 3 Hit Dice, didn't wield weapons, and were of slightly below human intelligence.

Going by the description I'm assuming these are a more sophisticated relative of those Crabmen/Yurians, since the latter barely had a hunter-gatherer culture.

Oh, and am I right in suspecting "the upper arms are thocker" is a typo that should be "thicker".

 

[jadrax]

Hmm, what relationship do these have to the "Crabfolk" from the AD&D, MC14 and 3E Fiend Folios?

Going by the description I'm assuming these are a more sophisticated relative of those Crabmen/Yurians, since the latter barely had a hunter-gatherer culture.

Yeah. Basically they are described in Jungles of Chult as these really sophisticated lobster people that fight duels and are generally pretty civilized. And then Serpent Kingdoms says they are the exact same race as the primitive crab-men in the Fiend Folio, because, consistency.

So I am having to fudge a bit here.

Those Fiend Folio crustacean-men only had 3 Hit Dice, didn't wield weapons, and were of slightly below human intelligence.

Yes.

So basically, I took half the Hit Dice as the 5e Challenge, rounding down to 1. I then looked at appropriate Hit Dice for a Challenge 1 Creature and settled on 5. Based on what official creatures we have, I think this is probably the best way to convert, even if it may seem counter-intuitive.

I converted the stats by moving them to 10 + Stat Bonus and then to fit the Aldani description I upped the Int to make them more civilized. I also adjusted them a bit more for balance within their Challenge.

I gave them a weapon because a) It again made them seem more civilized to fit the description and b) it was an easy way of giving them a ranged attack; which again seemed good fro balance within the Challenge.

Although again, I am still not 100% sure they really feel right within their Challenge rating, compared with say the Bugbear.

Oh, and am I right in suspecting "the upper arms are thocker" is a typo that should be "thicker".

It is the authentic Aldani spelling of the word, honest. ;o)


Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Cleon]

Although again, I am still not 100% sure they really feel right within their Challenge rating, compared with say the Hobgoblin.

In your first post it says you're aiming to balance them against a Bugbear, where did the Hobgoblin come from?

What are a Bugbear's stats in 5E? A quick Google only turned up a Table Titans post with the following, but I'm unsure how authentic/up-to-date those are:

Bugbear
Medium Humanoid (Goblin)
Armor Class 14 (leather, shield)
Hit Points 18 (4d8)
Speed 30 ft.
Senses darkvision 60 ft.
Str 15 (+2); Dex 14 (+2); Con 10 (+0)
Int 8 (–1); Wis 11 (+0); Cha 9 (–1)
Alignment neutral evil
Languages Common, Goblin
TRAITS
Burly: The bugbear can wield weapons that are one size category larger than normal without penalty.
Stealthy +5: The bugbear gains a +5 bonus to all checks made to avoid detection.
ACTIONS
Melee Attack—Large Morningstar: +2 to hit (reach 5 ft.; one creature). Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) bludgeoning damage and 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage.
Ranged Attack—Large Javelin: +2 to hit (range 30 ft./120 ft.; one creature). Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage.
ENCOUNTER BUILDING
Level 3; XP 140
Environment: Hills or any underground

It is the authentic Aldani spelling of the word, honest. ;o)

They must find it easier to write an "o" than an "i" with pincers...

Thanks for the feedback!

You're welcome!

 

[jadrax]

In your first post it says you're aiming to balance them against a Bugbear, where did the Hobgoblin come from?

From brainmelt, apparently.

What are a Bugbear's stats in 5E?

BUGBEAR
Medium humanoid (goblinoid), chaotic evil
Armor Class 16 (hide armor, shield)
Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 15 (+2) DEX 14 (+2) CON 13 (+1) INT 8 (-1) WIS 11 (+0) CHA 9 (-1)
Skills Stealth +6, Survival +2
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Goblin
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Brute. When the bugbear hits with a melee weapon attack, the attack deals one extra die of the weapon's damage to the target (included below).
Surprise Attack. If the bugbear surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an extra 7 (2d6) damage from the attack.

ACTIONS
Morningstar. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30 ft./120 ft ., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage, or 9 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage in melee.

 

[Cleon]

BUGBEAR

That looks pretty close to the Table Titans stats I posted, except for having 2 points higher AC and 1 more Hit Dice.

Compared to your Aldani the Bugbear you posted is almost the same defensively (same AC, HP, but slightly better abilities and hence saves) and offensively (same attack modifier and damage is almost identical, with the Aldani's average being half a point higher).

They look like they ought to have the same Challenge Rating to me, so I think you're safe there.

 

[jadrax]

Compared to your Aldani the Bugbear you posted is almost the same defensively (same AC, HP, but slightly better abilities and hence saves) and offensively (same attack modifier and damage is almost identical, with the Aldani's average being half a point higher).

I think the only bit that still worries me is that the Bugbear has 2d6 Surprise Attack, and I am not sure how much of a difference to Challenge that should make. I tend to assume none, because the average combat will not have a surprise round. But it still niggles me a bit.

 

[Cleon]

I think the only bit that still worries me is that the Bugbear has 2d6 Surprise Attack, and I am not sure how much of a difference to Challenge that should make. I tend to assume none, because the average combat will not have a surprise round. But it still niggles me a bit.

Oh I didn't notice that bit, in earlier editions Bugbears were basically just sneakier - well, except for 4th where Bugbears tended to get special attacks that only worked against foes they had combat advantage against.

It would make a difference in some fights, but it's a situational thing - in fights in the water the Aldani would also get a benefit from their swim speed.