Converting First Edition monsters from DRAGON magazine

[Mortis]

We also have a third option: remain vague like so...

I like vague - leaves it up to the DM.

Regards
Mortis

 

[Shade]

I like vague - leaves it up to the DM.

So be it.

 

[Shade]

Updated in Homebrews.

Does it look complete?

 

[dhaga]

Gore +24 melee

Should be +21 melee, no? +20 + Weapon Focus?

Otherwise, looks good! A nice encounter for PCs who take to the high seas for adventure

 

[Shade]

Should be +21 melee, no? +20 + Weapon Focus?

Otherwise, looks good! A nice encounter for PCs who take to the high seas for adventure

We made the horn a +3 weapon, so it gained the bonus on attack rolls.

 

[dhaga]

We made the horn a +3 weapon, so it gained the bonus on attack rolls.

Oh, right, so we did! That would be +24 then, just like you said

Looks complete to me

 

[Shade]

Here's a relatively simple one off the requests list.

YALE
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
NO. APPEARING: 1-8
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVE: 24"
HIT DICE: 3 + 3
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 horns or 2 hooves
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-8 or 1-4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: III/60 + 4/hp

The yale is a horse-sized herbivore of rather bizarre form. Built like a stag, it has the head of a boar, with tusks (not used in combat) and a pair of 4'-long horns growing out of it. The head is colored like that of a normal boar; the horns are as white as ivory (though they are not this substance), and the body, neck, limbs, and tail are a solid, dull black.

Yale graze in small herds and will aggressively defend themselves if threatened. The animal can manipulate its horns, pivoting head so as-to be able to attack two opponents at the same time (1-8 hp damage per strike). The yale can also concentrate both horn attacks against a single foe, and can change the configuration of its horns from round to round if so desired. Against a small-sized opponent or one which is downed, the yale will prefer to attack with strikes from its front hooves, doing 1-4 hp damage on each hit. The animal cannot use both modes of attack in the same round.

Despite their ferocity, yale are sought after in the areas they frequent, since the flesh is considered a delicacy (particularely by elves). In some elven societies, a young warrior's skill is tested by having him go up against a solitary yale with long sword in hand, instead of using a bow, which is seen as a fair test of the warrior's ability since the Yale's prowess with its horns is roughly equivalent to that of the warrior's handling of the sword.

Source: Dragon #101 (1985).

 

[freyar]

Interesting. Just to get started, I'd say Str 14-17, Con 12-13, Dex 10-11, and +4 natural armor. Any other ideas?

 

[Shade]

The animal can manipulate its horns, pivoting head so as-to be able to attack two opponents at the same time (1-8 hp damage per strike). The yale can also concentrate both horn attacks against a single foe, and can change the configuration of its horns from round to round if so desired. Against a small-sized opponent or one which is downed, the yale will prefer to attack with strikes from its front hooves, doing 1-4 hp damage on each hit. The animal cannot use both modes of attack in the same round.

How's this?

"Pivot Gore" (Ex): The yale is able to pivot its head to bring its horns to bear against multiple opponents. As an attack action, it can strike a single opponent with both horns or two adjacent opponents with a single horn. Either way, make a single attack roll. If a single opponent is hit, it takes damage from both horns. If a critical hit is threatened, only one confirmation roll is made.

 

[Mortis]

How's this?

"Pivot Gore" (Ex): The yale is able to pivot its head to bring its horns to bear against multiple opponents. As an attack action, it can strike a single opponent with both horns or two adjacent opponents with a single horn. Either way, make a single attack roll. If a single opponent is hit, it takes damage from both horns. If a critical hit is threatened, only one confirmation roll is made.

Looks good. I would call it Pivoting Gore which IMHO sounds better than Pivot Gore.

<edit> On second thoughts I would make it a Full Attack action - it sounds like it takes more time than a normal attack and I'm not sure that the yale should be able to move and use its gore attack.

Regards
Mortis