Converting Epic Level Creatures

[Shade]

I believe this is different enough from the thunderbird in Sandstorm to warrant its own conversion.

Using the "divide by 4.5" rule, it would have 44 Hit Dice.

 

[freyar]

Cool, like an electrical phoenix. Magical beast or outsider? I lean toward Outsider.

 

[Shade]

Since the phoenix is a magical beast, I'm leaning that way.

 

[demiurge1138]

Outsider (native), I think.

 

[freyar]

I think the Outsider bit may be due to some of the Pathfinder divine heralds (I'm looking at the night monarch). Given the phoenix and this

This creature is never invoked. It always comes of its own will and does not leave until the battle is done.

I think I'll go back toward Magical Beast.

 

[demiurge1138]

I still like native outsider, because it conveys that the thunder bird is "special" compared to other monsters of its ilk (think Pathfinder's wendigo). Also, there's very few native outsiders, so I kind of want to rectify that.

 

[Shade]

Let's try it out as outsider and see where it goes. That will help further differentiate it from the "lesser" thunderbirds.

Let's move on to ability scores....

Thunderbird (H): Str 28, Dex 17, Con 22, Int 12, Wis 19, Cha 17
Phoenix (L): Str 18, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 18, Wis 17, Cha 21

It looks like this fellow is Large, so downsizing the thunderbird stats to Large yields...

Str 20, Dex 19, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 19, Cha 17

That puts it more in-line with the phoenix stats. We know its Int is Genius (17-18), so how about...

Str 20, Dex 19, Con 18, Int 18, Wis 19, Cha 19?

 

[demiurge1138]

Those stats are pretty low for something with 44 HD, don't you think?

 

[Shade]

Yeah, probably so.

Here is a sampling of other high-HD critters:

Brachyurus (38 HD): Str 30, Dex 38, Con 47, Int 18, Wis 32, Cha 19 = 184 points
Sirrush (40 HD): Str 42, Dex 40, Con 44, Int 21, Wis 38, Cha 28 = 213 points
Tayellah (34 HD): Str 32, Dex 48, Con 34, Int 14, Wis 32, Cha 19 = 179 points
Tarrasque (48 HD): Str 45, Dex 16, Con 35, Int 3, Wis 14, Cha 14 = 259 points

Perhaps its ability scores should at least add up to 200 points?

Looking at it again, it appears like Con should probably be its highest stat, since its lightning attack will probably be a breath weapon, and thus Con-based. It doesn't appear to be incredibly strong for its size, but I could see a high Dex. Any of the mental stats could be good, due to its genius intellect, superb senses, and apparent courage and willpower.

 

[demiurge1138]

Agree to crazy Con, high Dex, not stellar Str (only in the ~30 range). The 200 point sum seems like a good thing to shoot for.