D&D 4E 4E Devils

[Skyscraper]

I think your take on the devil is as good as mine at this point. It looks good generally and has a nice feel to it. I admit that it probably has too many powers for a standard creature.

Sky

 

[AumShantih]

Abishai

Thanks for starting this thread. Your work looks pretty good so far.
I've worked a bit on converting my favorite devil/dragon/Tiamat servitor, the Abishai to 4th edition.

It can be found here:
http://www.aumshantih.org/tiki/tiki-index.php?page=Monster+-+Abishai

It's a work in progress, and I'll probably playtest them in my weekly Planescape tabletop soon enough and make modifications.

 

[Dunamin]

Nice ones!

A few suggestions:

Though devils had loads of immunities and resistances in 3E, it seems the baseline is just resist fire 20 in 4E. I’m thinking abishais ought to have that as well as resist 10 with regards to their respective element. Not that I’m particularly traditionalist-minded but why use non-natural weapons, by the way?

I think I like your Infernal Strength power at the end more than the dragon breath; the latter does emphasize their allegiance to Tiamat, but regeneration seems a staple trait from previous editions.
If you're set on making regeneration only appear as a situation-dependent power, I'd note it to only last until end of encounter. I'd also bump the value up - regeneration 1 is fairly insignificant when the critter has 55-79 hp.

 

[AumShantih]

Thanks a lot for the advice! Abishai are unlikely to make an appearance in my campaign for another few weeks or so, so I'll have time to make a revision before then.

The weaponry is a nod to the 1st Edition Abishai from Monster Manual II, where each abishai had its own traditional fighting style. (Yes, I'm one of those old skool gamers..)

 

[Dunamin]

Alright, so here's a loose draft on the hamatula. I think I put down the basics of what I want in such a 4E version, though it's missing something... Probably another power. I'm also unsure about how it balances out - feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Barbed Devil (Hamatula) Level 18 Soldier
Medium immortal humanoid (devil) XP 2000
Initiative +15 Senses Perception +16; darkvision
HP 175; Bloodied 87
AC 34; Fortitude 32, Reflex 32; Will 30
Resist 20 fire
Speed 6
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Claw (standard; at-will) * Fear
+25 vs. AC; 2d8+7 damage, and the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls (save ends).
Impale (standard; recharge )
+25 vs. AC; 3d10+6 damage, and the target is grabbed; see also piercing embrace.
Barbed Defense
When an adjacent creature hits the devil with a melee attack, the creature takes 1d10 damage.
Piercing Embrace
When a creature is grabbed or starts its turn grabbed by the devil, it takes 10 damage and receives a -2 penalty to escape the grab.
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Alignment Evil Languages Common, Supernal
Skills Endurance +20, Intimidate +18, Stealth +21
Str 25 (+16) Dex 25 (+16) Wis 14 (+11)
Con 23 (+15) Int 12 (+10) Cha 19 (+13)

 

[Dunamin]

Bump. Hoping for some thoughts on the hamatula.

 

[Mentat55]

The hamatula looks good. A few thoughts:

1. Perhaps separate out the fear attack from the basic claw attack? Have a solid damage melee attack, and then a lower damage attack with the fear keyword, that imposes an attack penalty.
2. Since the hamatula has infamously wicked barbs, I might make the check to escape the grab have a -2 penalty.
3. The barbed defense damage seems a bit steep. Maybe a lower, static value, like 7 damage, or just the 1d10 damage? Otherwise it seems like melee attacks aren't just a suboptimal strategy, they are downright suicidal. Do other monsters have similar reflexive damage abilities?
4. I'd take a look at the ice devil (similar level and role) to make sure your hamatula separates itself. Maybe it could be a brute? Devils seem to be more controllers/soldiers than brutes, but the in-your-face style of the barbed devil, with all the grabbing and impaling, seems to fit.

 

[Dunamin]

The hamatula looks good. A few thoughts:

1. Perhaps separate out the fear attack from the basic claw attack? Have a solid damage melee attack, and then a lower damage attack with the fear keyword, that imposes an attack penalty.
2. Since the hamatula has infamously wicked barbs, I might make the check to escape the grab have a -2 penalty.
3. The barbed defense damage seems a bit steep. Maybe a lower, static value, like 7 damage, or just the 1d10 damage? Otherwise it seems like melee attacks aren't just a suboptimal strategy, they are downright suicidal. Do other monsters have similar reflexive damage abilities?
4. I'd take a look at the ice devil (similar level and role) to make sure your hamatula separates itself. Maybe it could be a brute? Devils seem to be more controllers/soldiers than brutes, but the in-your-face style of the barbed devil, with all the grabbing and impaling, seems to fit.

Thanks for the input and sorry for taking so long to reply!

1. This is mostly out of traditional sense. Hamatulas have always imparted fear with their main attack, so it seemed appropriate in this instance (if I remember correctly, there are monsters in the MM who have similar basic attacks).
2. Good idea, I’ll implement that in Piercing Embrace and instead make the damage a static 10 points.
3. You’re right, it does seem too much. There are many monsters who get a free reactive attack – perhaps I ought to require an attack roll for barbed defense as well? For now, I’ll lower it to 1d10 while considering what to do.
4. That’s an interesting idea. The societal roles of hamatulas seem very soldier-like, but the mechanical combat role might not be… I’ll give it some thought.

Thanks again!