D&D 5E 5e Updates: Monstrous Compendium

[dave2008]

Cheetah
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)

So quick napkin math check on the CR and I am getting a CR 2, which is assuming that the creature is doing the claw + bite bonus action combo.... and considering that basically all of your PCs at this level or medium or small.... its effectively a DC 18 saving throw....very high for that CR range, so proning the PC should absolutely be expected.

If you made it where every party member had two cheetahs attack them (which at CR 1/4 is honestly still pretty low), I could see a TPK very quickly.

Also Feline Agility is a little confusing. Are you saying that the Dash Action provides 120 speed (instead of a normal dash of 40). Does that mean the cheetahs top speed is 40 move + 120 dash action + 120 bonus action dash = 280 feet?

Error in the stat block (I didn't have the attack damage correctly noted), that is fixed. However, I still get CR 1/2, so I moved it back to 1/2.

I also cleaned up feline speed. Let me know what you think.

Thank you for the help!

 

[dave2008]

Yes I have that. I have everything

Have you checked out @AuldDragon 's wonderful update to 2e's Monster Mythology? Really great stuff, even if it is 2e. I used some of it for the fluff on Annam (and the original too). At some point soon I am going to get around to backing his/her patreon.

I assume you are familiar with Dice Freaks as well? It is bit of wasteland now, but it was quite the thing back in 3e. Really OP Archdevils and Demon Lords.

Also, @Upper_Krust has some pretty influential work in the 3e and 4e immortal tier that is worth checking out if your not familiar.

 

[dave2008]

My only note here, 5e really tries to avoid stat adjustments that are not "quasi-permanent" whenever possible. One idea would be to just give the creature the higher dex, but not in the Aquatic Area: If the aboleth is out of water, it has disadvantage on all dexterity checks and saving throws. That covers a lot of what you are looking for in a more "5e ish way". I would honestly expect to encounter an aboleth in water most of the time.

Updated - thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Protonicmass]

Have you checked out @AuldDragon 's wonderful update to 2e's Monster Mythology? Really great stuff, even if it is 2e. I used some of it for the fluff on Annam (and the original too). At some point soon I am going to get around to backing his/her patreon.

I assume you are familiar with Dice Freaks as well? It is bit of wasteland now, but it was quite the thing back in 3e. Really OP Archdevils and Demon Lords.

Also, @Upper_Krust has some pretty influential work in the 3e and 4e immortal tier that is worth checking out if your not familiar.

Well, maybe not everything.
I do have the Eternity Publishing books and am familiar with their site.

 

[dave2008]

Most of the time Badooga stuck to the original, and thus didn't create stats for godlike beings such as Atropus. That makes sense. But I will do it.

Well the aspect gets you most of the way there was my point.

 

[dave2008]

Well, maybe not everything.

I will qualify my statement a bit as well, I am not familiar with PF1 / PF2 contributions to the field. But I think I am otherwise pretty well versed in D&D products, official and 3PP (but there is so many that I am sure I've missed a few).

 

[Stalker0]

In real life I would expect a cheetah to TPK normal people.

I've got no issue with that, but the CR doesn't really reflect that at the moment.

 

[Stalker0]

However, I still get CR 1/2, so I moved it back to 1/2.

What offensive and defensive CR are you getting?

 

[Protonicmass]

When I say dragon I mean the monster type "Dragon." Just as a Wyvern, or drake, or dragon turtle, or linworm, are dragons without being "true dragons." From the 5e MM dragons entry:
View attachment 126861
And per the 3e Elder Evils:
View attachment 126862
Since sea serpents are typically associated with dragons, I think it makes sense to put in the Dragon Type (even if it was an aberration in 3e).

Please do! The more help the better.

Alright here is an absolutely badass ability for Atropus. It's not just a TPK, it's a TWK (Total-World-Kill). Think of it as the thing that the PC's least want Atropus to accomplish.
WIP.
Atropal Mass Ejection (1/500 years).
Ranged Spell Attack: +18 to hit, range 15/8d10,000,000 mi., all targets. Hit: 84 (8d20) fire damage plus 126 (12d20) necrotic damage plus 63 (6d20) lightning damage plus 31 (3d20) force damage. On its second turn a toxic cloud forms within the radius. All targets within that range with less than 30 hit dice die instantly. Targets with more than 30 hit dice must make a DC 37 Constitution saving throw or suffer the blinded, exhausted (stage 2) and poisoned (10d20 damage each round) conditions, regardless of whether they are immune to them. They also suffer a random short-term and random long-term madness, along with Atropus' random madness effects. The cloud remains for 1d20 years and can not be dispersed.
On its third turn, 1d100 Atropals spawn in random points within the cloud. They are completely loyal to Atropus and fight to the death.

 

[dave2008]

What offensive and defensive CR are you getting?

Defensive CR: 1/8
HP 26 = 1/8, no adjustment for AC
Offensive CR: 1
DPR 13 = 1, no adjustment for attack bonus

I just realized I misread my spreadsheet and that is between 1/4 and 1/2, so that is why I went with 1/4 previously. I usually round down.

 

[dave2008]

Alright here is an absolutely badass ability for Atropus. It's not just a TPK, it's a TWK (Total-World-Kill). Think of it as the thing that the PC's least want Atropus to accomplish.
WIP.
Atropal Mass Ejection (1/500 years).
Ranged Spell Attack: +18 to hit, range 15/8d10,000,000 mi., all targets. Hit: 84 (8d20) fire damage plus 126 (12d20) necrotic damage plus 63 (6d20) lightning damage plus 31 (3d20) force damage. On its second turn a toxic cloud forms within the radius. All targets within that range with less than 30 hit dice die instantly. Targets with more than 30 hit dice must make a DC 37 Constitution saving throw or suffer the blinded, exhausted (stage 2) and poisoned (10d20 damage each round) conditions, regardless of whether they are immune to them. They also suffer a random short-term and random long-term madness, along with Atropus' random madness effects. The cloud remains for 1d20 years and can not be dispersed.
On its third turn, 1d100 Atropals spawn in random points within the cloud. They are completely loyal to Atropus and fight to the death.

Cool, but not really useful for a stat block as their is no way apply a DPR to that. Also, this is probably better as an AoE spell rather than a ranged attack spell. I would simplify it and make it more usable.

 

[Protonicmass]

Cool, but not really useful for a stat block as their is no way apply a DPR to that. Also, this is probably better as an AoE spell rather than a ranged attack spell. I would simplify it and make it more usable.

What is the format for an AoE?

 

[dave2008]

What is the format for an AoE?

I'm heading out - I send an example in the morning

 

[Protonicmass]

I'm heading out - I send an example in the morning

I thank you.

 

[Stalker0]

Defensive CR: 1/8
HP 26 = 1/8, no adjustment for AC
Offensive CR: 1
DPR 13 = 1, no adjustment for attack bonus

I just realized I misread my spreadsheet and that is between 1/4 and 1/2, so that is why I went with 1/4 previously. I usually round down.

I think as written it will be very common for the cheetah to get in that bonus action attack, so I valued the offensive CR higher as a result.

 

[Protonicmass]

I think as written it will be very common for the cheetah to get in that bonus action attack, so I valued the offensive CR higher as a result.

Shh! He's sleeping.

 

[dave2008]

I think as written it will be very common for the cheetah to get in that bonus action attack, so I valued the offensive CR higher as a result.

The DPR includes the bonus action bite. However, I actually figured it wrong again! Corrected now. Claw (5) + Bite (6) = 11 DPR.

 

[dave2008]

What is the format for an AoE?

A typical AoE is like a dragon's breath weapon or a fireball or the meteor swarm spell. However, you are going for cloud effect so I would look at the Vrock's Spores attack. Using that as a template, I would write something like this:

Atropal Mass Ejection (1/500 Years).
A 240-foot-radius cloud of toxic fumes extends out from Atropus. The fumes spread around corners. Each creature in that area must make a DC 26 Constitution saving throw, taking 55 (10d10) poison damage plus 55 (10d10) necrotic damage and becoming poisoned on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. While poisoned in this way, a target suffers one level of exhaustion at the start of each of its turns. A target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

The range of the cloud doubles at the start of Atropus' turn and the cloud persists until Atropus dies or it stops releasing toxic fumes (no action), then it disperses in 1d10 days. Additionally, a creature that starts is turn in the cloud must make a DC 26 Constitution saving throw or suffer the same damage and effects as the initial attack.

At the start of each of Atropus' turns after the cloud has expanded for three rounds, 1d10 atropals coalesce at random locations within the cloud. The atropals act on their own initiative and remain until killed or the cloud is dispersed. They are loyal to Atropus and follow its commands.

Design Notes:
Range and damage are just place holders as I don't know enough about what your making. However, I would suggest smaller numbers that keep hitting you. So rather than wipe everyone out in the first go, this builds the terror each round as it gets more and more deadly.

Also, I would be careful about making this attack to strong as it will completely wreck your CR budget. Also, simply saying "I win" is generally no fun.

PS I used a DC of 26 because your attack was +18. The DC for a +18 attack would be 26 (not sure where 37 came from).

 

[Protonicmass]

A typical AoE is like a dragon's breath weapon or a fireball or the meteor swarm spell. However, you are going for cloud effect so I would look at the Vrock's Spores attack. Using that as a template, I would write something like this:

Atropal Mass Ejection (1/500 Years).
A 240-foot-radius cloud of toxic fumes extends out from Atropus. The fumes spread around corners. Each creature in that area must make a DC 26 Constitution saving throw, taking 55 (10d10) poison damage plus 55 (10d10) necrotic damage and becoming poisoned on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. While poisoned in this way, a target suffers one level of exhaustion at the start of each of its turns. A target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

The range of the cloud doubles at the start of Atropus' turn and the cloud persists until Atropus dies or it stops releasing toxic fumes (no action), then it disperses in 1d10 days. Additionally, a creature that starts is turn in the cloud must make a DC 26 Constitution saving throw or suffer the same damage and effects as the initial attack.

At the start of each of Atropus' turns after the cloud has expanded for three rounds, 1d10 atropals coalesce at random locations within the cloud. The atropals act on their own initiative and remain until killed or the cloud is dispersed. They are loyal to Atropus and follow its commands.

Design Notes:
Range and damage are just place holders as I don't know enough about what your making. However, I would suggest smaller numbers that keep hitting you. So rather than wipe everyone out in the first go, this builds the terror each round as it gets more and more deadly.

Also, I would be careful about making this attack to strong as it will completely wreck your CR budget. Also, simply saying "I win" is generally no fun.

PS I used a DC of 26 because your attack was +18. The DC for a +18 attack would be 26 (not sure where 37 came from).

Well, Atropus is the size of a small moon (several thousand miles), that's where I get the range.
I figured the DC wrong, the attack bonus was +22.
CR budget is early 40s.

 

[dave2008]

Well, Atropus is the size of a small moon (several thousand miles), that's where I get the range.
I figured the DC wrong, the attack bonus was +22.
CR budget is early 40s.

You may have to adjust that - the largest size established by this project is 2000x2000 feet, see Epic Damage by Size table. You can get around that, but you need to be careful with it. The question to ask, what does the larger size get me? I developed the colossal (titanic) parts to address titanic creatures, but even that doesn't really makes sense for a planet sized monster. It becomes more terrain than monster, which some doo, but I am not personally fond of.

Also, just being of titanic size doesn't mean your effects and attacks are all equally titanic. They way I worded it the cloud increases to grow and grow and can get to the size you mention (with enough time), but it is not instantaneous. Personally I find the idea that a cloud can cover millions of miles in 6 seconds a bit ridiculous. That is essentially a super nova type of effect, which maybe what you want I guess. I just find it less interesting.

Personally, when it comes to these Elder Evils I take the size to be a myth and use what makes sense. So Leviathan wrapping the world of Atropus being the size of a planet are just mortal legends. In reality they are indeed titanic, but not so grand as the myths of mortals. I take the general stance with all aspects if myth, legend, and lore for deities, archfiends, and other epic monsters.