5E: Fifth Edition Monster Variants Inspired by Fourth Edition Sources

[Casimir Liber]

I like the combined (#3)

 

[Cleon]

I like the combined (#3)

Same here, although I'm having second thoughts about the "and the scarlet death regains hit points equal to that amount" for a couple of reasons. Namely (1) it's not something the original monster had and (2) it makes it a bit trickier to figure out the Challenge Rating.

Might be better without that bit, i.e.:

Tendril #4 (Revised): Melee Weapon Attack: +# to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: # (#d# + #) necrotic damage, and the target is attached, the attached creature can free itself as if escaping from a grapple (escape DC ##). While attached, the death cannot make attacks with the attached tendril and its melee attacks can only target the attached creature. At the start of each of the scarlet death's turns, the target takes # (#d# + #) necrotic damage for each tendril the death has attached to them. The scarlet death can detach itself by spending 5 feet of its movement. The scarlet death has two tendrils, both of which can attach to the same target.

Every time a tendril inflicts necrotic damage, the target must succeed on a DC ## Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.​

 

[Casimir Liber]

ok I can live with #4

 

[Cleon]

ok I can live with #4

Works for me.

Shall we make the escape DEX-based, so DC 16, with the save vs. HP reduction CON-based for DC 15?

That just leaves damage and to hit. I reckon its tendrils will also be DEX-based, for +8 to hit and #d# + 5 damage, although I can see an argument for making the damage CON-based too for #d# + 4 but in either case we'll need to set a dice amount.

For that it we could decide on a Challenge Rating and use the rest of the stats to reverse-calculate what DPR it'd need to hit that CR.

If we're using a +3 Proficiency Bonus, the CR must be in the range 5 to 8.

So according to the CR Calculator, we're talking:

Challenge Rating	DPR ("Immunities")	DPR ("Resistances")
5 (1,800 XP)​	15 to 20​	21 to 38​
6 (2,300 XP)​	21 to 38​	39 to 56​
7 (2,900 XP)​	39 to 56​	57 to 68​
8 (3,900 XP)​	57 to 68​	68 to 80​

That's ignoring how the "reduce maximum hit points" trait would affect the CR though.

I could make an estimate by running a Wraith's numbers through the Calculator since that's a mechanically similar creature…

…hmm, according the CR calculator has a 5E SRD Wraith coming out as Challenge Rating 3 regardless of whether it has Immunities or Resistances checked. So at CR 5 it has a +2 CR modifier for having Life Drain.

That's pretty hefty, but it's a nasty ability for parties that have a long adventure day so I can see why the game developers decided on it.

So if we follow that example and put the DPR in the 21 in 38 range then a Scarlet Death should be CR 7.

So how about aiming for the centre of that range and make it 15 (3d6 + 5) necrotic damage for each tendril, for a total DPR of 30?

 

[Casimir Liber]

ok sounds good

 

[Cleon]

ok sounds good

Updating the Scarlet Death Working Draft.

Come to think of it, two 3d6+5 tendrils is 31 DPR not 30, not that it makes much difference.

 

[Cleon]

So do you still want to add a necrotic area-of-effect attack for them?

I'm fine with Shifting Mists but am not bothered about inventing an ability the original didn't have.

Would be more inclined to give something akin to Wave of Lethargy to the high CR interpretation of the Crimson Death Mist.

 

[Casimir Liber]

ok sounds good

 

[Cleon]

ok sounds good

Okay…

Updating the Scarlet Death Working Draft.

In that case that's the mechanics done, so we just need a Description.

 

[Casimir Liber]

"The Scarlet Death is an incorporeal undead being that inhabits locales that are frequently misty or foggy such as marshes or moors. Appearing as a roughly humanoid-shaped coalescence of fog with eyes like whitish beacons, it hunts and waylays travellers, using the weather to conceal its tracks."

(given we are aligning it with the 3e monster...should we just call it Crimson Death...?)