Converting Dark*Matter Creatures

[Cleon]

I'm partial to the Magical Beast form, but I can see the appeal for it being a Behemoth Bear as well. And it's not unprecedented for it to be able to shift dimensions (given that several of the "Strangers" are classed as extradimensionals rather than extraterrestrials).

The only snag I can see is that it would infer the previously suggested boosting of intellect, which parts a bit from Ikuya; he's cunning, but not the brightest bulb in the box. He's more of a supernatural uber-predator than the animalian equivalent of a demon lord of archangel.

I don't see that as being a problem. A Behemoth Gorilla is Int 6, and it's already smarter than that!

The ability to shift dimensions does not require it to be supersmart either - there are plenty of examples of Extraplanar creatures with mediocre to low Ints that can do it (e.g. Ethereal Filchers, Ethereal Marauders and Phase Spiders, all of which have Int 7 like the current Ikuya).

I'll agree we're not aiming for a demon lord / archangel type creature - if I was I'd be piling on the SLAs!

 

[freyar]

Eh, it seems like the majority is aiming at magical beast, so let's do that and then decide if we want an outsider version also.

 

[Rappy]

Yeah, I agree. While it's certaintly tempting, Ikuya isn't listed amongst the Extradimensionals in Dark*Matter: Xenoforms, and Magical Beast gives us a heftier hit die. I did, however, give it the suggested increased natural armor.

Before we move on, I was wondering if we should give it the ability to command bears. I could go either way on that matter.

 

[freyar]

I can't say I'm getting that from the original text, though it's a fun idea.

 

[Cleon]

Eh, it seems like the majority is aiming at magical beast, so let's do that and then decide if we want an outsider version also.

That seems a reasonable compromise.

Yeah, I agree. While it's certaintly tempting, Ikuya isn't listed amongst the Extradimensionals in Dark*Matter: Xenoforms, and Magical Beast gives us a heftier hit die. I did, however, give it the suggested increased natural armor.

Before we move on, I was wondering if we should give it the ability to command bears. I could go either way on that matter.

Well I wouldn't bother with bear-talking, since it doesn't appear to have any special command over or interest in ursines.

 

[Rappy]

Alright then, onward to skills and feats. I was thinking of dividing ranks between Hide (with a bonus in snowy regions), Intimidate, Move Silently, and Spot.

As for feats, other than Endurance and Track, I'm not sure what to grant. Any suggestions?

 

[freyar]

Skills look good. I'd make Track a bonus feat and go for Awesome Blow (requires Power Attack and Imp Bull Rush). Someone enterprising might check the dire bear and polar bear like monsters (there's a were-version we did not long ago). If it can get Dire Charge with one of its epic feats, that might be a good idea too.

 

[Cleon]

Alright then, onward to skills and feats. I was thinking of dividing ranks between Hide (with a bonus in snowy regions), Intimidate, Move Silently, and Spot.

As for feats, other than Endurance and Track, I'm not sure what to grant. Any suggestions?

I would drop the Intimidate since it doesn't have the skill ranks or Charisma to be very effective.

That leaves three skills and 27 SP. Nine ranks apiece in Hide, Move Silently and Spot, with a +4 racial bonus to all three skills, plus a +12 racial bonus to Hide when in snowy environments?

We might as well give it a bonus to scent-tracking too.

That would make:

Skills: Hide +5* (+17 in snow), Move Silently +13, Spot +17, Survival +4* (+8 scent tracking)

Skills
Ikuya has a +4 racial bonus to Hide, Move Silently and Spot checks. It has a +4 racial bonus to Survival checks made to follow a scent.

*In snow and ice environments, Ikuya's racial bonus to Hide checks increases to +12.

Skills look good. I'd make Track a bonus feat and go for Awesome Blow (requires Power Attack and Imp Bull Rush). Someone enterprising might check the dire bear and polar bear like monsters (there's a were-version we did not long ago). If it can get Dire Charge with one of its epic feats, that might be a good idea too.

Sounds good so far! It will need Improved Initiative to get Dire Charge.

So that gives us:

Awesome Blow, Dire Charge, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Multiattack, Power Attack, Track (B)

That leaves three feats, one of which can be epic.

Maybe some more feats from the Power Attack chain? Improved Overrun and Cleave? Cleave and Great Cleave?

Epic Reflexes or Epic Will to help its weaker saves?

 

[freyar]

I'm happy with Cleon's skill revisions. Feats also look good, and I think I'd go for Cleave, Great Cleave, and Epic Reflexes.

 

[Rappy]

Agreed and updated.

If we're all in agreement, all we need now is a challenge rating and any desired adjustments to the fluff and we can move on to either an Outsider Ikuya or a new creature.