Brainstealer Dragon

[Knight Otu]

First of all, rewriting these to fit the current mind flayer setup (let me know if you had something different in mind):

Indeed I had. I had in mind that it could grapple more than one creature, but could not instantly extract (it would be extremely deadly otherwise), just as the ability was written. (not that it could not use a rewrite...)

Mind Blast (Sp): This psionic attack is a cone 30 feet long. Anyone caught in the cone must succeed on a Will save or be stunned for 1d4+3 rounds. The save DC is Charisma-based. Once the dragon uses this ability, it cannot use it again for 1d4 rounds.

Mind Blast (Sp): This psionic attack is a cone with a length appropriate for the dragon's size. Anyone caught in the cone must succeed on a Will save or be stunned for 1d4 rounds plus the dragon's age category. The save DC is Charisma-based. Once the dragon uses this ability, it cannot use it again for 1d4 rounds.

eliminating id insinuation and thought shield?

Yep.

 

[Shade]

A small change on the flavor text (emphasis mine)...

Brainstealer dragons tend to be manipulate and scheming, using other underworld races to further their ends.

Change to "manipulative".

 

[BOZ]

I had in mind that it could grapple more than one creature, but could not instantly extract (it would be extremely deadly otherwise), just as the ability was written. (not that it could not use a rewrite...)

it wouldn’t be any more deadly than a mind flayer, except for the higher attack values and grapple checks of course. Now, requiring it to maintain a hold for 5 rounds plus the victim’s Con mod could be a very long time, meaning it could extract perhaps the brain of one victim at most during a combat (unless it is fighting foes much weaker than itself).

Trying it again, more like the way it was:

Extract (Ex): A brainstealer dragon that maintains a hold with a tentacle for a number of rounds equal to 5 plus the victim’s Constitution modifier extracts the opponent’s brain, instantly killing that creature. This power is useless against constructs, elementals, oozes, plants, and undead. It is not instantly fatal to foes with multiple heads, such as ettins and hydras.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a brainstealer dragon must hit a creature within one size category of itself with a tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and begins to extract the opponent’s brain. A successful grapple check each round furthers the extraction process and deals automatic tentacle damage. A brainstealer dragon can grab a creature more than one size category larger or smaller than itself, but only if it can somehow reach the foe’s head. A brainstealer dragon can hold one creature in each tentacle, but cannot grapple an opponent with more than one tentacle. An opponent can escape with a single successful grapple check or an Escape Artist check.

Also, do you want to keep this range?:
Telepathy (Su): Brainstealer dragons can communicate telepathically with any creature within 100 feet times it's age category that has a language.

 

[Shade]

While I like the attempt to differentiate it from mind flayers, I think its extract ability is too limiting currently. I'd go with either a flat 5 rounds, or the victim's Con modifier, but not both. I've got some fighters in my party that'll last 15 rounds!

 

[BOZ]

that's the sort of thing that i was concerned about.

 

[Knight Otu]

I guess 5 rounds it is, then (Shade's fighter would still last 10 rounds if we go by Con ).

I do want to keep the telepathy range, but in keeping with the 3.5 dragon sense shuffle, a flat 100 ft. might be better.

I'd keep the Improved Grapple at "Own size or smaller." I don't see the brainstealer dragon having the same troubles reachng a victim's head as a mind flayer has.

 

[Shade]

I guess 5 rounds it is, then (Shade's fighter would still last 10 rounds if we go by Con ).

I wish it was my fighter. I just DM 'em. My character would last exactly one round if we went solely by Con.

 

[Knight Otu]

I wish it was my fighter. I just DM 'em. My character would last exactly one round if we went solely by Con.

I know, but I did not want to type all of "The fighter that Shade mentioned".



See what you made me do?

 

[BOZ]

I do want to keep the telepathy range, but in keeping with the 3.5 dragon sense shuffle, a flat 100 ft. might be better.

probably wise. do true dragons have telepathy, because I don’t see it listed?

I'd keep the Improved Grapple at "Own size or smaller." I don't see the brainstealer dragon having the same troubles reachng a victim's head as a mind flayer has.

so no on one size larger then?

And is this line in addition to skills that are normally class skills for dragons or are they the only ones?
Skills: Bluff, Gather Information and Survival are considered class skills for brainstealer dragons.

 

[Knight Otu]

probably wise. do true dragons have telepathy, because I don’t see it listed?

No, they do not.

so no on one size larger then?

Actually, that still could work.

And is this line in addition to skills that are normally class skills for dragons or are they the only ones?

In addition, as with the identical line for True Dragons.