[3.5e] Barbed Devil stats

[coyote6]

I would guess we're getting peeks at the "most changed" monsters. After all, a preview of a monster that hasn't changed at all would be kind of boring.

True.

But it might be wise to show something that's different, but not a lot more/less powerful (say, something with several HD to show off the new Feat & skill point rules for monsters, or perhaps something that's got a new type, like a griffon or doppleganger), if nothing else to reassure the excitable parts of their customer base that it is as compatible as they claim and not all "bigger! buffer! badder!".

<shrug> They did say part of the reason for 3.5e was "customer feedback"; some people are giving negative feedback about their promotional hints.

Here's that link for Boz. And that Eric already posted.

One other tidbit: a spell called scorching ray, that can produce more than one ray. No save against it, either. Is this a new spell, or a renamed (and revised) searing light or other spell?

 

[mmu1]

I have to say I'm very dissapointed to see that CR doesn't seem to be getting any more meaningful. Any system that insists this thing and an 11th level fighter represent the same level of challenge has major problems...

 

[EricNoah]

But that 11th level fighter has tons of magic loot.

(Or are you suggesting the fighter is more powerful?)

CR isn't anything more than a rough estimate.

 

[Valiantheart]

I think he is suggesting an 11th level fighter would be splattered by that thing. Also, that devil is supposed to be able to carry around some magic too. If he owns it he should be wearing it.

 

[coyote6]

But that 11th level fighter has tons of magic loot.

Not quite "tons", with the NPC wealth chart, but more than the the barbed devil should have, yeah.

Even so, though, IME, the "CR == PC class levels" formula does not work very well (nor does "CR == NPC class levels - 1" work real well for NPCs). It also doesn't seem to match the CR guesstimate formulas from the "How to design a monster" articles.

It's really tough to do as a linear formula; the difference in capabilities between a Clr17 and a Clr16 is very likely greater than the difference between Clr16 and Clr15, by simple virtue of access to spells like miracle. I certainly haven't thought of an alternate formula that works significantly better. Right now, I use CR==levels-1 for PC classes & levels-2 for NPC classes; that better matches what I've observed from playing. However, that's not involved any 18th level characters slugging it out, so I'm not sure how it will hold up.

 

[Staffan]

I have to say I'm very dissapointed to see that CR doesn't seem to be getting any more meaningful. Any system that insists this thing and an 11th level fighter represent the same level of challenge has major problems...

The other possibility would be that they no longer claim that an xth level NPC has CR x.

 

[mmu1]

But that 11th level fighter has tons of magic loot.

(Or are you suggesting the fighter is more powerful?)

CR isn't anything more than a rough estimate.

I've DMed over newly-made 10th/11th level characters recently, and there's absolutely no way an 11th level fighter has enough money to be able to afford:

1. SR 23
2. 29 AC
3. Four stats at 18+
4. Two saves at +14, one save at +12

He might be able to match it in terms of HP and attack bonus, but he certainly won't be getting two attacks at +18 without Haste.

And that's just scratching the surface, and ignoring DR, special abilities and immunities...

There's a difference between a "rough estimate" and the kind of wild disparity that exists between enemies that supposedly have the same CR.

 

[takyris]

Yes, but that Fighter doesn't have to worry about not being able to hit anyone because a Protection From Evil spell rendered him effectively useless, barring hopeful SR checks.

If you played the 11th level fighter well and bought feats in a make-him-useful way, he could be just as much of a threat as this devil.

 

[Remathilis]

Scorching Ray:This works like the spell, dealing 4d6 points of fire damage (no save). A gauth creates only one fiery ray per use of this ability.

New Spell? Hmmmm....

 

[Schmoe]

One other tidbit: a spell called scorching ray, that can produce more than one ray. No save against it, either. Is this a new spell, or a renamed (and revised) searing light or other spell?

This looks an awful lot like Flame Arrow without the save, which it never should have had in the first place, IMO.