Converting First Edition monsters from DRAGON magazine

[Shade]

The dharculus from Planar Handbook may offer some insight...

Dualplanar (Ex): The bulk of a dharculus's body resides on the Ethereal Plane, but the monster possesses the capacity to insert or remove its mawed tentacle ends into or out of the Material Plane as a standard action. Creatures that are stuck on the Material Plane find it difficult but not impossible to target the dharculus. Because the monster is dual-planar and therefore exists partially on the Material Plane while its tentacles are inserted, its foes on the Material Plane can attack the creature as if it had cover, and so it gains a +4 bonus to Armor Class and a +2 bonus on Reflex saves. A dharculus can take a standard action to remove its tentacles from the Material Plane, allowing it to effectively retreat completely into the Ethereal Plane.

 

[BOZ]

cool!

 

[BOZ]

how about:

Dualplanar (Ex): The bulk of a creeping pit's body resides on the Astral Plane, but the outer edge of its opening exists on the Material Plane. Creatures that are stuck on the Material Plane find it difficult but not impossible to target the creeping pit. Because the monster is dual-planar and therefore exists partially on the Material Plane, its foes on the Material Plane can attack the creature as if it had cover, and so it gains a +4 bonus to Armor Class and a +2 bonus on Reflex saves.

 

[Shade]

Yep, that'll do it, methinks.

 

[BOZ]

what next: ability scores? HD?

 

[Shade]

Both. Looking at other Large oozes...

White Pudding: 9 HD, Str 15, Dex 2, Con 20, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1
Creeping Stone: 6 HD, Str 18, Dex 1, Con 22, Int -, Wis 1, Cha 1
Shadow Jelly: 6 HD, Str 15, Dex 1, Con 18, Int -, Wis 1, Cha 1
Lava Ooze: 8 HD, Str 19, Dex 1, Con 24, Int -, Wis 1, Cha 1
Ochre Jelly: 6 HD, Str 15, Dex 1, Con 22, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1

That would put it at about CR 5-6 pefore accounting for wacky powers.

6-9 HD, Str 15-19, Dex 1-2, Con 18-24, Int -, Wis 1, Cha 1

 

[BOZ]

were we going with ooze? i forgot, i thought it was aberration.

 

[Shade]

We thought either. But an ooze by any other name...

 

[BOZ]

sure, this will be a rather unique ooze. that gives it more automatic immunities anyway.

is Large appropriate? the part that is attacking is a 6-foot wide 2-D hole in the ground. the 10-foot deep part is on another plane (although you can interact with that part, so...)

If we do keep it at Large (it is not truly Large as a target, but its "body" is Large nonetheless, I'd go with 6-HD, and Str 17, Dex 1, and Con 20.

 

[Shade]

I'd go with Large, just because it is designed to swallow Medium sized creatures, and usually things that swallow are at least one size bigger.

The ability scores and HD look good.