Berbalang?

[keterys]

If you want a quick version, I'd say make it cost 50 hp from the Berbalang to make a duplicate (and they have 50 hp) and as an immediate interrupt when they die it does a sacrifice at no hp cost to itself. If you want to mix it up just a bit further, make it a free action to divert attacks to them instead. Those changes ought to make it much more of a real fight.

 

[DarkLord Of DForce]

Our DM did an interesting thing with these creatures in one encounter.

He had a room with artillery, minions, and one sorcerous type. She had a kind of vault behind her open when we entered the room. The vault was filled with spheres. (they beat us there, it was part of the storyline).

Each time her turn came up, she would grab a sphere, hurl it in our direction (really funny moment, our ranger tried to shoot one mid-air!), and when it broke, a Berbalang would materialize. A couple of us knew their stats so we were very concerned, but the DM had downgraded them so they didn't duplicate and they de-materialized after 2 rounds. Still, she had 4 of them up before we killed her. Good fun, good stuff.

 

[Mithreinmaethor]

I am not sure how many times that this has been stated. But a SOLO monster is not supposed to be used SOLO.

Here is the recommended encounter group for a Berbalang:

Level 12 Encounter (XP 3,500)
1 berbalang (level 10 solo skirmisher)
1 gibbering mouther (level 10 controller)
1 skeletal tomb guardian (level 10 brute)

 

[keterys]

True, the gibbering mouther will be good at dazing some of those duplicates that get in the way and/or hedging off some of the battlefield so that flanking is a little trickier. A sacrifice will help the gibbering mouther, though... admittedly at a harsh cost, and probably help it doesn't really need, but... some synergy.

More seriously: We all know that, Mith. That doesn't settle whether the Berbalang is actually a good solo or not. It has core design failures and an overwhelming lack of damage output or tricks. It _does_ have a really damn nifty concept though.

Have you run one and found it to be a good threat for its level? Did you overlook its setup of damaging itself for little gain, inability to get the proper number of duplicates, and low number of options and damage? Or did it work despite any of that?

 

[ogre]

Level 12 Encounter (XP 3,500)
1 berbalang (level 10 solo skirmisher)
1 gibbering mouther (level 10 controller)
1 skeletal tomb guardian (level 10 brute)

I DM'd this exact encounter for my new group at 11th level. It was in a crypt, the berbalang was buying dead bodies that were supposed to be buried so he could eat their memories. Then he wrote books about them.
Anyway, the encounter was very fun. I like the duplicates, it really challenged the players, especially with the gibberling messing up the terrain.
He almost escaped too, but a choice saved encounter power of a spear in the back finished him just before he fled up the stairs and out into the night.
Only downside was calculating the hit points of the dupes, especially after he lost some hit points. That, and his lack of ranged attack (if I remember right).

 

[keterys]

the berbalang was buying dead bodies that were supposed to be buried so he could eat their memories. Then he wrote books about them.

Wicked cool.

 

[CapnZapp]

Agreed. How inconsiderate of the adventurers to upset a sweet gig like that!