Yesterday I got my copy of the Monster Manual for D&D 2024 (alternate cover). I had pre-ordered it back in September and I was told by the store manager that I was lucky, because their distributor had delivered far less copies than the amount that was ordered by the store.
My reading is that, in order to activate the trigger, the pudding must fulfill the first two conditions (being medium or large and having 10+ HPs), and either one of the last two (being bloodiend or struck by lightning).
I've watched this great documentary only relatively recently and I immediately bought it on BR. If Jodorowsky had managed to create his movie (an actual impossibility, I think) it would have been completely crazy but also awesome, IMO.
The "Dollars Trilogy" by Sergio Leone with Clint Eastwood as "The Man With No Name".
A Fistful of Dollars
For a Few Dollars More
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Nice, I didn't know that. Personally, when I re-started playing AD&D (about 20 years ago, now), I "smoothed out" the attack and saving throw tables and, later, I did the same for OSE.
Even though I feel that there are many things that could be improved, I find it an incredibly useful tool both as a player and as a DM. Furthermore, as you note, with less engaged players it is even more precious.
I think that it is actutally an oversight or an errata. Naturally, if instead the text reflects correctly the intent of the designers, that I agree with you.
I'm a bit dubious that they wanted to override the general rule about dex saves in this instance, but of course it is a possibility. In any event, as I prefer a con save to end the effect, that's what I will personally go with.
Your general point is well-taken, but I think it likely that ghasts were inspired by the lovecraftian creatures found in The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath.