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5e Updates: Monstrous Compendium
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<blockquote data-quote="Stalker0" data-source="post: 8098178" data-attributes="member: 5889"><p>Alright here is my review:</p><p></p><p>My first note, I'm not sure how much you are putting into the statblock directly vs leaving as like dragon intro text, so I'll make notes of what I think should go in the statblock.</p><p></p><p><strong>True Dragon Flavor</strong></p><p></p><p>Initial flavor text is good and solid.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dragon Fear</strong></p><p>I think we can tighten this up to more normal 5e language, we can probably take out the special notes about flying overhead and just make the dragon's fear effect has a large radius (because why not, dragon fear is a key ability of the creature). So here's a version below:</p><p></p><p><em>Aura of Menace </em></p><p>This ability effects all creatures within 150 feet (this value increases depending on the specific statblock) that have CR/level equal or less than half the dragon's CR. Such creatures are automatically frightened. While frightened, the creature must use the dash action and spend all of its movement to move away from the dragon. After 1 minute the creature must make a DC X Wisdom saving throw to end the effect, repeating the save every minute until successful. This save is made at disadvantage if the creature can see, hear, or smell the dragon. Once the save is made, the creature is immune to the ability for 24 hours.</p><p></p><p>The dragon may choose creatures to be immune from this effect (this is to allow for dragon servants)</p><p></p><p><em>Frightful Prescence </em></p><p>The dragon can apply its Aura of Menace against creatures whose CR/level is equal or less its CR. These creatures get an immediate saving throw, and may make a new one at the end of each turn until successful.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dragon Armor</strong></p><p></p><p>I like this block a lot because its such a common question whenever my players kill a dragon. I do want to check if the armors are supposed to allow a dex bonus....they are noted as medium armor which normally does allow it. I do think the higher shields are really good, +3 is basically a legendary shield...and shield bonuses when stacked with magical armor as well tend to create ACs some consider outside bounded accuracy.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dragon Hoard</strong></p><p>I don't know if the values are "good" (I don't usually use treasure tables myself), but I really like this note and inclusion.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dragon Tactics</strong></p><p>Shaped Breath: Its a good ability, but its not that strong for what seems to be the capstone of dragon tactics.</p><p></p><p>Strafing: So we need to add some language to handle cones. I would say something like. For cone breaths, the width is equal to the normal length of the breath.</p><p></p><p>Sustained Breath: I think you can go a few ways with this. The simplest way is to simply say "3 Legendary Actions: The dragon automatically recharges its breath weapon". However, if you want this to be more of a sustain, I think its got to have some kind of "lingering effect".</p><p></p><p>Snatch and Throw: So it seems I am giving up my claw attacks for an auto throw if I get in my bite. The damage tradeoff doesn't seem that great, I guess there is the benefit that many creatures wouldn't be able to get in a melee attack routine afterwards....so maybe, I'd have to see it in play.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dragon Flight</strong></p><p>Ultimately I think this is way too fiddly and complicated. I think we can greatly simplify this.</p><p></p><p><em>Overland Flight</em>: If a dragon is not engaged in an encounter and is moving in a straight line, they can move 10 times their normal fly speed. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Multiclaws: Solid, I like it.</p><p></p><p>Crush: Is the intention that this would be your action?</p><p></p><p>Dive: This one seems needless with the other fly options.</p><p></p><p>Stall: A bit too complicated. First I think we just add this into the multiattack options instead of limiting its specific attacks. And then simplify the effect:</p><p></p><p>"Wing Buffet: The dragon must be flying and this action consumes X amount of movement. All attacks against the dragon are at disadvantage, and the dragon gains +5 AC against ranged attacks. If the dragon is within 10 feet of the ground containing loose dirt and debris, than all creatures within 150 feet (scaled based on fear aura) make a DC X con save or become blinded. All effects last until the start of the dragon's next turn."</p><p></p><p><strong>Lair Actions</strong></p><p>I really like the clairvoyance idea, simple and cool.</p><p></p><p>Red Dragon: Magma Eruption - The effect is fine but the flavor is a little off. If its a pillar of "fire", than the damage is fine. But the damage is too low for "lava"... so I would just update the flavor text slightly to be more in line with the damage.</p><p></p><p>Blue Dragon: They are described to live in deserts not caves, so cave in is ann odd ability. </p><p></p><p>Green Dragon: The wall of thorns may be really strong at the mid CRS when mobility is still a bit limited.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Stalker0, post: 8098178, member: 5889"] Alright here is my review: My first note, I'm not sure how much you are putting into the statblock directly vs leaving as like dragon intro text, so I'll make notes of what I think should go in the statblock. [B]True Dragon Flavor[/B] Initial flavor text is good and solid. [B]Dragon Fear[/B] I think we can tighten this up to more normal 5e language, we can probably take out the special notes about flying overhead and just make the dragon's fear effect has a large radius (because why not, dragon fear is a key ability of the creature). So here's a version below: [I]Aura of Menace [/I] This ability effects all creatures within 150 feet (this value increases depending on the specific statblock) that have CR/level equal or less than half the dragon's CR. Such creatures are automatically frightened. While frightened, the creature must use the dash action and spend all of its movement to move away from the dragon. After 1 minute the creature must make a DC X Wisdom saving throw to end the effect, repeating the save every minute until successful. This save is made at disadvantage if the creature can see, hear, or smell the dragon. Once the save is made, the creature is immune to the ability for 24 hours. The dragon may choose creatures to be immune from this effect (this is to allow for dragon servants) [I]Frightful Prescence [/I] The dragon can apply its Aura of Menace against creatures whose CR/level is equal or less its CR. These creatures get an immediate saving throw, and may make a new one at the end of each turn until successful. [B]Dragon Armor[/B] I like this block a lot because its such a common question whenever my players kill a dragon. I do want to check if the armors are supposed to allow a dex bonus....they are noted as medium armor which normally does allow it. I do think the higher shields are really good, +3 is basically a legendary shield...and shield bonuses when stacked with magical armor as well tend to create ACs some consider outside bounded accuracy. [B]Dragon Hoard[/B] I don't know if the values are "good" (I don't usually use treasure tables myself), but I really like this note and inclusion. [B]Dragon Tactics[/B] Shaped Breath: Its a good ability, but its not that strong for what seems to be the capstone of dragon tactics. Strafing: So we need to add some language to handle cones. I would say something like. For cone breaths, the width is equal to the normal length of the breath. Sustained Breath: I think you can go a few ways with this. The simplest way is to simply say "3 Legendary Actions: The dragon automatically recharges its breath weapon". However, if you want this to be more of a sustain, I think its got to have some kind of "lingering effect". Snatch and Throw: So it seems I am giving up my claw attacks for an auto throw if I get in my bite. The damage tradeoff doesn't seem that great, I guess there is the benefit that many creatures wouldn't be able to get in a melee attack routine afterwards....so maybe, I'd have to see it in play. [B]Dragon Flight[/B] Ultimately I think this is way too fiddly and complicated. I think we can greatly simplify this. [I]Overland Flight[/I]: If a dragon is not engaged in an encounter and is moving in a straight line, they can move 10 times their normal fly speed. Multiclaws: Solid, I like it. Crush: Is the intention that this would be your action? Dive: This one seems needless with the other fly options. Stall: A bit too complicated. First I think we just add this into the multiattack options instead of limiting its specific attacks. And then simplify the effect: "Wing Buffet: The dragon must be flying and this action consumes X amount of movement. All attacks against the dragon are at disadvantage, and the dragon gains +5 AC against ranged attacks. If the dragon is within 10 feet of the ground containing loose dirt and debris, than all creatures within 150 feet (scaled based on fear aura) make a DC X con save or become blinded. All effects last until the start of the dragon's next turn." [B]Lair Actions[/B] I really like the clairvoyance idea, simple and cool. Red Dragon: Magma Eruption - The effect is fine but the flavor is a little off. If its a pillar of "fire", than the damage is fine. But the damage is too low for "lava"... so I would just update the flavor text slightly to be more in line with the damage. Blue Dragon: They are described to live in deserts not caves, so cave in is ann odd ability. Green Dragon: The wall of thorns may be really strong at the mid CRS when mobility is still a bit limited. [/QUOTE]
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