Converting "generic setting" second edition monsters

[Gothenem]

Well, without the Shapechanger type, I'm thinking of Aberration (Shapechanger) for Type. With Ooze traits as a quality.

Instead of Darkvision 60, we should give it Blindsight 60ft. And its entire body acts like a sensory organ.

 

[BOZ]

either Aberration or Ooze for the type, i would think, and Shapechanger subtype.

 

[Shade]

I like Aberration (shapechanger), as it most closely resembles the Ghaunadan, which has that type/subtype.

 

[Fish Priest]

Also, Oozes have no intelligence. And the Mimic, another similar creature, is Aberration (Shapechanger).

 

[BOZ]

OK, you've swung me in the right direction. Aberration (Shapechanger) it is.

mind you, oozes *can* have an intelligence score (just like undead, constructs, vermin, and plants can), but as a rule they usually do not.

now, if we ever get around to converting the mustard jelly i will prove it to you...

 

[BOZ]

now that that's settled, i've 3.5-ed Erica's original stat block:

Protein Polymorph
Large Aberration (Shapechanger)
Hit Dice: 6d8+6 (33 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 20 ft (4 squares)
Armor Class: 18 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +7 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+8
Attack: Slam +3 melee (1d6)
Full Attack: Slam +3 melee (1d6)
Space/Reach: 10 ft/10 ft
Special Attacks: Improved multi-weapon fighting, engulf, crush 6d6
Special Qualities: True polymorph, darkvision 60 ft., ooze qualities
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +8
Abilities: Str 11, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 12
Skills: 18
Feats: 3

Environment: Any temperate land and underground
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Often chaotic neutral
Advancement: 7-12 HD (Large); 13-18 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: ---

Shade mentioned the ghauanadan, and Gothenem mentioned switching darkvision for blindsight, which we could do as so:

Blindsight (Ex): As an oozelike creature, a protein polymorph has no eyes, but its whole body acts as a sensory organ, allowing it to perceive its environment out to a range of 60 feet.

rather than giving it "ooze qualities", i'd rather borrow something else from the gibbering mouther:

Amorphous (Ex): A protein polymorph is not subject to critical hits. It cannot be flanked.

i think upping that Str score and/or the slam damage is a good idea, since it is Large and in 1E/2E it could do 6d6 damage!

Protein polymorphs are intelligent cellular colonies with the ability to assume any form they choose. They may take the form of inanimate objects or animate creatures of 8 or fewer hit dice (depending on the size of the protein polymorph – 6, 7, or 8 hit dice). The form assumed may actually be that of several forms connected by a near-invisible (10% chance of detection) cord or film of protoplasm. The cells of the protein polymorph may specialize or de-specialize at will, taking on different textures and colours, changing completely in only one round.

These 'creatures' are extremely versatile. They may imitate anything from a pile of treasure to a small-sized room, to a party of half a dozen humans or a dozen kobolds. They will, in general, assume any form likely to draw prey, for they feed on humans and animals with little regard for type and size. They may even mix inanimate objects within their structure to add authenticity - a room or a corridor may, for instance, be part stone and part protein polymorph. Imitated creatures may wear real clothing and wield real weapons (often acquired from previous victims).

There are limits to the protein polymorph's degree of cellular control - it cannot accurately copy facial expressions, nor can it effectively duplicate the sound of speech. These limitations may lead to the exposure of the imposture as animate creatures. similarly, if a protein polymorph disguises itself as an inanimate object, there is a base chance of detecting the imposture from a distance of 10' away, but upon touch the animate nature of the cells is instantly revealed.

When in the form of weapon-wielding creatures, multiple or single, it will attack as the creatures themselves would normally attack, doing damage by weapon-type as appropriate.

Protein polymorphs possess the normal strengths of imitated creatures but not those creatures' special abilities.

A protein polymorph can assume the form of any inanimate object or animate creature with hit dice equal to or fewer than its own (depending on the size of the protein polymorph -- 6, 7, or 8 Hit Dice). The form assumed may actually be that of several forms connected by a near-invisible (10% chance of detection) cord or film of protoplasm. The cells of the protein polymorph may specialize or despecialize at will, taking on different textures and colors, changing completely in one round. Protein polymorphs retain their own hit dice, hit points, and THAC0 while adapting the imitated creatures' armor class, number of attacks, and damage per attack. They possess the normal strengths of imitated creatures, but not those creatures' special abilities. Thus, a polymorph assuming the form of a giant bird cannot fly, and one assuming the form of a giant spider cannot inject poison or spin webs.

The polymorph is extremely versatile. It can imitate anything from a pile of treasure to a small-sized room, to a party of half a dozen humans or a dozen kobolds. The polymorph will, in general, assume a form likely to draw prey; it feeds on humans and animals with little regard for type and size. A polymorph might even mix inanimate objects within its structure to add authenticity -- a room or a corridor may, for instance, be part-stone and part protein polymorph. Imitated creatures may wear real clothing and wield real weapons (often acquired from previous victims).

When assuming the form of weapon-wielding creatures, multiple or single, it inflicts damage by weapon type, as appropriate.

There are limits to the protein polymorph's degree of cellular control. It cannot accurately copy facial expressions, nor can it effectively duplicate the sound of speech. These limitations may lead to the exposure of the imposture as animate creatures. Similarly, if a protein polymorph disguises itself as an inanimate object, there is a 10% base chance of detecting the imposture from a distance of 10 feet away, but upon touch the animate nature of the cells is instantly revealed.

for erica's writeup, this yields the following. this ability will probably require a ton of work.

True Polymorph (Ex): A protein polymorph can assume the appearance of nearly anything roughly approximating its own size. It can flatten itself out to a thickness of 1 inch and cover a square with sides 3 times its Face in length. It can also form multiple creatures and objects, each connected by a barely visible thread of protoplasm. When it is using this tactic, it requires a Spot check (DC 25) to detect the thread. When it forms multiple objects, each must remain within a number of feet equal to three times its face. It can form 1 object of its own size, or 1 object of one size category less than itself for every two hit dice it possesses. If it forms objects two size categories less than itself or smaller, it can make two such objects per hit die. For example, a 6 HD protein polymorph can make one Large object, up to six Medium-size objects, and up to 12 Small or smaller objects. Regardless of the appearance the multiple objects, the protein polymorph can only deal slam damage and its armor class does not change. Thus, even if the protein polymorph transforms into six human warriors in plate mail wielding greatswords, its armor class does not change and it still deals only slam damage.

When it is in the form of an inanimate object, a Search or Spot check (DC 20) is required to detect the ruse. Any intelligent creature that touches a protein polymorph in any form automatically detects the ruse, as the protein polymorph cannot truly emulate texture and hardness. A protein polymorph that adopts the form of a living creature cannot accurately emulate emotions or voices, and with only a few rounds of interaction a Sense Motive check (DC 15) will detect the ruse.

A protein polymorph can only assume the appearance of creatures and objects; it does not gain any of the special abilities of the emulated creature.

Improved Multi-Weapon Fighting (Ex): Because any part the cellular mass that makes up a protein polymorph can act more or less independently, a protein polymorph that takes on the form of multiple objects can strike with its full melee bonus for each form.

The normal attack of a protein polymorph is to bludgeon its prey and then enfold and crush it, inflicting 6-36 hit points of damage per round.

The normal attack of a protein polymorph in its natural state is to bludgeon its prey and then enfold and crush it, inflicting 6-36 hp damage per round.

this is how Erica handled the creature's main attack form - basically a modified version of i think the gelatinous cube's attack. i'm thinking the creature would have to change back into ooze form to use it, though. also, the crush attack is probably better as a constrict. thoughts?

Engulf (Ex): A protein polymorph can simply mow down Large or smaller creatures as a standard action. It cannot make a slam attack during a round in which it engulfs. The protein polymorph merely has to move over the opponents, affecting as many as it can cover. Opponents can make opportunity attacks against the protein polymorph, but if they do so they are not entitled to a saving throw. Those who do not attempt opportunity attacks must succeed at a Reflex save (DC 14) or be engulfed; on a success, they are pushed back or aside (opponent’s choice) as the protein polymorph moves forward. Engulfed creatures are subject to the protein polymorph’s crush attack, and are considered to be grappled and trapped within its body.

A protein polymorph that has engulfed an opponent cannot change its shape in any way for as long as it holds the opponent inside.

Crush (Ex): A protein polymorph deals 6d6 points of damage per round to engulfed opponents.

 

[Shade]

Shade mentioned the ghauanadan, and Gothenem mentioned switching darkvision for blindsight, which we could do as so:

Blindsight (Ex): As an oozelike creature, a protein polymorph has no eyes, but its whole body acts as a sensory organ, allowing it to perceive its environment out to a range of 60 feet.

Perfecto!

rather than giving it "ooze qualities", i'd rather borrow something else from the gibbering mouther:

Amorphous (Ex): A protein polymorph is not subject to critical hits. It cannot be flanked.

Here's how the new Juiblex handles it:

Amorphous (Ex): Bludgeoning weapons and impact damage deal no damage to Juiblex. He is able to slip through spaces that otherwise could accommodate a creature no larger than Tiny because of his jellylike substance.

Ooze Traits: Although Juiblex is not technically an ooze, he has all of the traits common to oozes (MM 313).

i think upping that Str score and/or the slam damage is a good idea, since it is Large and in 1E/2E it could do 6d6 damage!

Agreed. Here's the Str of some similar Large creatures for comparison:

Mimic - 19
Lava ooze - 19
Ochre jelly - 15
Shadow jelly - 15
Creeping stone - 18
White pudding - 15
Conflagration ooze - 23
Void ooze - 20
Obsidian ooze - 20

I'd suggest somewhere in the 20-22 range.

for erica's writeup, this yields the following. this ability will probably require a ton of work.

Too much work to wrap my mind around this early.

 

[Aspect of BOZ]

Here's how the new Juiblex handles it:

Amorphous (Ex): Bludgeoning weapons and impact damage deal no damage to Juiblex. He is able to slip through spaces that otherwise could accommodate a creature no larger than Tiny because of his jellylike substance.

Ooze Traits: Although Juiblex is not technically an ooze, he has all of the traits common to oozes (MM 313).

eh, we can work with that...

I'd suggest somewhere in the 20-22 range.

i can go with 20. it's definitely going to need some Strength, especially if its main attack is by grappling!

Too much work to wrap my mind around this early.

you said it. we'll work on that aspect last.

speaking of the grappling though, how does the comparison hold out above?

 

[Shade]

Rereading the original info, I'd say that improved grab/constrict definitely workes better in this case than engulf/crush.

 

[Aspect of BOZ]

i'm trying to make something out of this. i'm not so sure i want the PP to be immune to bludgeoning/impact damage. i don't think i saw anything in the old text that contradicts the "slipping through small spaces" asepct. as for the ooze traits, if we're going with that i'd rather spell it out than just say "see the MM".

Amorphous (Ex): A protein polymorph is not subject to critical hits. It cannot be flanked.

Amorphous (Ex): Bludgeoning weapons and impact damage deal no damage to Juiblex. He is able to slip through spaces that otherwise could accommodate a creature no larger than Tiny because of his jellylike substance.

Ooze Traits: Although a protein polymorph is not technically an ooze, it has all of the traits common to oozes, including immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, polymorph, and stunning.

Rereading the original info, I'd say that improved grab/constrict definitely workes better in this case than engulf/crush.

probably true. now, the question is, how much damage should the slam/constrict do? it was originally 6-36 (6d6), so that was plenty. the Str of 19 with the 1 1/2 damage gives it a +7 to damage, so that shaves some of it off. would 5d6+7 be too much?

Constrict (Ex): A protein polymorph deals automatic slam damage with a successful grapple check.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a protein polymorph must hit with its slam attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.