Converting Epic Level Creatures

[Shade]

Why did we just have them change shape into animals of their own phenotype again?

All the Animal Generals had shapechange at will in the original version!

Because it seemed more fun and flavorful, and because few monsters have full shapechange in 3.5 post-polymorph errata.

It's not like they need it!

EDIT: Upon reflection, I think I'd rather give it a second Automatic Quicken Spells than Epic Spellcasting.

Agreed with all the feats, and the quoted choice above.

Let's see what freyar thinks before I begin surgery on the stat block.

 

[Cleon]

Because it seemed more fun and flavorful, and because few monsters have full shapechange in 3.5 post-polymorph errata.

It's not like they need it!

I thought it was something like that, I just couldn't remember.

Still, I wouldn't mind giving their change shape a little extra.

Maybe true seeing doesn't reveal they've shapechanged, since their animal forms are "real".

Let's see what freyar thinks before I begin surgery on the stat block.

Fine by me.

 

[Shade]

While we await freyar's blessing/nixing of the feats, shall we tackle the skills?

Skills: 15 at 33 ranks
Concentration, Intimidate, Knowledge (the planes), Knowledge (nobility and royalty), Listen, Spellcraft, Spot, Tumble...

 

[Cleon]

While we await freyar's blessing/nixing of the feats, shall we tackle the skills?

Skills: 15 at 33 ranks
Concentration, Intimidate, Knowledge (the planes), Knowledge (nobility and royalty), Listen, Spellcraft, Spot, Tumble...

Those all look appropriate.

Legendary Tigers have Climb, Hide, Jump, Listen, Move Silently, Spot, Swim, so we could throw those in two - maybe split one "maxed out" skill between Climb and Swim?

Sense Motive and Search to help it find those it's sent to punish?

Knowledge (arcane) so it pick up Epic Spellcasting later?

If everything apart from Climb and Swim are maxed out, its ranks could go like this:

Climb 20, Concentration 33, Hide 33, Jump 33, Intimidate 33, Knowledge (arcane) 33, Knowledge (the planes) 33, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) 33, Listen 33, Move Silently 33, Search 33, Sense Motive 33, Spellcraft 33, Spot 33, Swim 13, Tumble 33,

 

[Shade]

Those look good, and let's just go with our current feat list.

Updated.

EDIT: Wait a sec...it's got Improved Feint, but no Bluff skill! We either need to steal some ranks for Bluff, or replace that feat.

 

[Cleon]

Those look good, and let's just go with our current feat list.

Updated.

EDIT: Wait a sec...it's got Improved Feint, but no Bluff skill! We either need to steal some ranks for Bluff, or replace that feat.

Oops!

I don't think it needs Improved Feint as a prereq for any of its other feats, and it doesn't have sneak attack, so I'd swap it for Improved Sunder rather than reassigning the skills:

 

[Shade]

CR 27? He seems on par with Malkizid, but not quite as good as Eltab or the Demonomicon versions of Malcanthet or Fraz-Urb'luu.

That being the case, his AC is way too good. It shouldn't top 50.

We're currently at 58 (-1 size, +10 Dex, +x natural, +6 amulet of epic natural armor, +9 deflection, +9 insight, +14 armor of the Animal Kings).

His natural armor should be at least as good as General Monkey's (+5), and probably a bit higher (a tiger's is 3 higher than a monkey's).

I'd recommend we drop the amulet of epic natural armor and the insight bonus (which we can explain for monkey from his monklike/ninjalike powers), giving us:

50 (-1 size, +10 Dex, +8 natural, +9 deflection, +14 armor of the Animal Kings)

Look OK?

 

[Cleon]

CR 27? He seems on par with Malkizid, but not quite as good as Eltab or the Demonomicon versions of Malcanthet or Fraz-Urb'luu.

*SNIP*

50 (-1 size, +10 Dex, +8 natural, +9 deflection, +14 armor of the Animal Kings)

Look OK?

Those are both fine by me.

 

[Shade]

Updated. Ready for General Ox?

 

[Cleon]

Updated. Ready for General Ox?

Not quite. He's missing tactics for a start.

We should also change the armor of the animal kings creation entry to reflect the changes from armor of the celestial battalions since it's got a higher enhancement bonus and different powers.

Something like this:

Caster Level: 26th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Epic Magic Arms and Armor, creator must be lawful, magic circle against chaos, freedom of movement; Market Price: 936,300 gp; Cost to Create: 468,300 gp + 19,360 XP.