Shin Okada
Explorer
Just a random thought. Reading 4e DMG, I found 4e has not only the rule for advancing (increasing levels of) creatures but also has the rule for making weaker version of creatures listed in MM.
Now, can we commit similar approach in 3.5e?
For example, I am running an adventure related to Demogorgon. And Demogorgon himself is a little bit too strong as a foe even if I use the relatively weaker stats in FC1. And I have only Large sized mini of Aspect of Demogorgon (from DDM).
On the other hand, stats of Aspect of Demogorgon (either MH version or FC1 web enhancement version) are too weak.
I can add several outsider levels to the Aspect but it does not really make a well-balanced, say, CR 18-20 creature. Just adding HDs do not make it's attacks strong enough nor make it's AC better. Also, the resulted (say, HD 29) aspect is not versatile enough as a CR 18 fiend.
So I started to consider reverse approach. Can I start from FC1 Demogorgon stats and make a weaker, say, CR 18-20 aspect?
For example, I can reduce it's outsider HDs by 8 (CR-4) and decrease total ability scores by 2 (maybe -2 str?). Remove a feat and lower skill ranks appropriately. Then make it to be Large rather than to be Huge (CR-1) and apply stats changes according to the Table 4-2 in MM P.291 and also decrease the damage dice for it's natural attacks accordingly. Also, maybe reduce SR and Caster Level of Spell-like abilities by 4 (1 per 2 HD) or 5 (1 per CR).
The resulted critter has STR 28, Dex 29, CON 34. Outsider HDs 18 and +26 primally attacks, and +21 secondary attacks. AC 41, HP 313, SR 29 and Caster Level 15th for it's spell-like abilities.
Will it be OK as a CR 18 critter? Or should I shove some more special abilities?
Now, can we commit similar approach in 3.5e?
For example, I am running an adventure related to Demogorgon. And Demogorgon himself is a little bit too strong as a foe even if I use the relatively weaker stats in FC1. And I have only Large sized mini of Aspect of Demogorgon (from DDM).
On the other hand, stats of Aspect of Demogorgon (either MH version or FC1 web enhancement version) are too weak.
I can add several outsider levels to the Aspect but it does not really make a well-balanced, say, CR 18-20 creature. Just adding HDs do not make it's attacks strong enough nor make it's AC better. Also, the resulted (say, HD 29) aspect is not versatile enough as a CR 18 fiend.
So I started to consider reverse approach. Can I start from FC1 Demogorgon stats and make a weaker, say, CR 18-20 aspect?
For example, I can reduce it's outsider HDs by 8 (CR-4) and decrease total ability scores by 2 (maybe -2 str?). Remove a feat and lower skill ranks appropriately. Then make it to be Large rather than to be Huge (CR-1) and apply stats changes according to the Table 4-2 in MM P.291 and also decrease the damage dice for it's natural attacks accordingly. Also, maybe reduce SR and Caster Level of Spell-like abilities by 4 (1 per 2 HD) or 5 (1 per CR).
The resulted critter has STR 28, Dex 29, CON 34. Outsider HDs 18 and +26 primally attacks, and +21 secondary attacks. AC 41, HP 313, SR 29 and Caster Level 15th for it's spell-like abilities.
Will it be OK as a CR 18 critter? Or should I shove some more special abilities?
