Converting First Edition monsters from DRAGON magazine

[BOZ]

Crush (Ex): A jumping (need specifics?) elder great wyrm can land on opponents three or more sizes smaller than itself as a standard action, using its whole body to crush them. A crush attack affects as many creatures as can fit under the elder great wyrm's body. Each creature in the affected area must succeed at a Reflex save (DC X) or be pinned, automatically taking X+X points of bludgeoning damage. The save DC is Constitution-based. Thereafter, if the elder great wyrm chooses to maintain the pin, treat it as a normal grapple attack. While pinned, the opponent takes crush damage each round.

Tail Sweep (Ex): An elder great wyrm can sweep with its tail as a standard action. The sweep affects creatures four or more size categories smaller than the elder within a X-foot-radius half-circle centered on the elder's rear. Each affected creature that fails a Reflex save (DC X half) takes X+X points of damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Keen Senses (Ex): An elder great wyrm sees four times as well as a human in low-light conditions and twice as well in normal light. It also has darkvision with a range of 120 feet.

 

[Shade]

working on this fella now... how does this sound?

Advancement: 33-64 HD (Gargantuan); 65-96 HD (Colossal)

This sounds wonderful...and terrifying!

As for the other abilities, they all look good so far.

 

[BOZ]

While they cannot rebond severed limbs, they can heal wounds at a rate of…

should this be implicitly stated under regen?

[They] can detect hidden or invisible creatures within a 1” range per age level.

should this range matter or should we go with a standard see invisibility?

All wyrms possess the fear aura of dragons, but regardless of their age, the wyrms have the aura effect operate without bonuses to the victims’ saving throws.

and that?

 

[BOZ]

and, regarding subduing a dragon, did some research in the old MM.

It probably did. I don't know how that was converted for the true dragons, if at all.

“An attack on a dragon to subdue, and thus capture it may be opted for… Silver, gold, chromatic and platinum dragons cannot be subdued. Note that it is impossible for creatures with less than average intelligence to attack to subdue…”

essentially, a subdual attack is exactly that… subdual damage only with all attacks. The more such damage one does, the greater % chance it will be considered subdued. The text suggests that you almost have to catch a dragon asleep with a good-sized number of attackers for this tactic to work, or it will kill you first.

Basically, subduing a dragon makes it your b**ch. alternatively, you can try to sell it or something.

“A dragon remains subdued for an indefinite period, but if the creature is not strongly held, well treated, given ample treasure, and allowed ample freedom, it will seek to kill its captor and/or escape. The older and more powerful the dragon, the less the likelihood of it remaining subdued…”

naturally. I don’t think these rules have any place in a modern D&D game. However, if you want me to give it Iron Will as a non-bonus feat, I will gladly do so, but I don’t think even that is necessary.

 

[BOZ]

one more thing for the moment:

i'll post the "weak spot" thing in the rules forum. we'll see how much of a response i get.

and, should we say something to the effect of they "speak only Draconic, but can understand X languages"

Great wyrms speak their own tongue and no other, though they apparently understand many languages and will answer questions put to them in a variety of dialects and tongues.

 

[Shade]

should this be implicitly stated under regen?

I don't think its necessary. It appears that the 3.5 norm is "no reattachment", but those that can (like the troll) specifically mention that they can.

Compare troll to pit fiend to see where I'm coming from.

should this range matter or should we go with a standard see invisibility?

I figured blindsense would cover this. Did all dragons used to have this? If not, standard see invisibility would probabl work.

and that?

Frightful presence, and possibly, Ability Focus (frightful presence)?

 

[Shade]

naturally. I don’t think these rules have any place in a modern D&D game. However, if you want me to give it Iron Will as a non-bonus feat, I will gladly do so, but I don’t think even that is necessary.

Agreed, and I also don't think it's necessary.

 

[BOZ]

I don't think its necessary. It appears that the 3.5 norm is "no reattachment", but those that can (like the troll) specifically mention that they can.

Compare troll to pit fiend to see where I'm coming from.

maybe so, but you might want to have a look at p314 – that seems to suggest otherwise.

I think all dragons used to see invisibility, but maybe not. But, if all other dragons have blindsense in lieu of see invisibility, we might as well go with the standard and nix that.

Standard frightful presence it is (did we do a write-up of this somewhere already so I don’t have to retype it?) and I don’t think ability focus will be necessary.

And, regarding my third (though less important) post…?

 

[Shade]

and, should we say something to the effect of they "speak only Draconic, but can understand X languages"

Hmmm...that would probably be best. I was thinking of a continuous comprehend languages effect, but they don't use spells or spell-likes. Then I thought we could give 'em the Polyglot feat, but that would allow them to speak all languages as well as understand them. So I guess it is best to leave it as flavor text.

 

[BOZ]

i think these guys are ready to be posted in homebrews.