Converting "generic setting" Second Edition monsters

[Cleon]

Once again, can you summarize the difference between these and regular 2e kobolds?

They're basically the same.

If we're going to justify a conversion I think we'd have to jazz up the differences. Give them a special overbearing attack (copy the Saluqi's?) and increase the number and power of the spellcasters. Maybe stat up a "witch doctor" with spells or SLAs from the proposed tactics (e.g. web, silence, charm person, hold person).

 

[freyar]

Frankly, it seems like the shamans, witch doctors, etc, are just kobolds with class levels. Do you agree? I don't mind statting those up, though that's more of an NPC conversion than a monster conversion.

 

[Shade]

Frankly, it seems like the shamans, witch doctors, etc, are just kobolds with class levels. Do you agree? I don't mind statting those up, though that's more of an NPC conversion than a monster conversion.

I agree. And I also don't mind statting them up as kobolds with slightly different equipment, feat, and skill selection.

 

[freyar]

I agree. And I also don't mind statting them up as kobolds with slightly different equipment, feat, and skill selection.

Make the shamans into adept 5 and the witchdoctors into adept 3/sorc 2 or something?

 

[Cleon]

I agree. And I also don't mind statting them up as kobolds with slightly different equipment, feat, and skill selection.

I agree the Shamans and Witchdoctors read as Kobolds with class levels, but thought we need something unusual to make them worth our time. Maybe make them Half-Dragons?

What about the "Overbearing" Special Attack proposal for Dragon Mountain Kobolds?

 

[freyar]

There's a draconic template in the Draconomicon IIRC that would work better than half-dragon, I'd think. I'm not sure half-dragon really quite fits.

Overbearing is possible, though it could just be tactics (ie, they use aid another actions when one tries to overbear).

The real question is if these are really different monsters than normal kobolds. I'm not sure they are.

 

[Cleon]

There's a draconic template in the Draconomicon IIRC that would work better than half-dragon, I'd think. I'm not sure half-dragon really quite fits.

Overbearing is possible, though it could just be tactics (ie, they use aid another actions when one tries to overbear).

The real question is if these are really different monsters than normal kobolds. I'm not sure they are.

As written, they're definitely ordinary kobolds with different flavour.

If we're not going to give them something different mechanically I see little point in converting them.

 

[freyar]

Just statting some of them out as NPCs. But we could consider them converted as normal kobolds.

 

[Cleon]

Just statting some of them out as NPCs. But we could consider them converted as normal kobolds.

Well if you insist, although vanilla kobold NPCs don't seem that good a use of our time.

Since these are "uber kobolds" I'd be tempted to give them all adventurer classes rather than NPC classes.

So, what sample NPCs shall we go for?

Trooper - 1st level ranger with favoured enemy (human)?
Scout/Trapmaker - low-mid level rogue?
Chief - low-mid level level ranger?
Witchdoctor - 6th level sorcerer with web?
Shaman - 6th level cleric?

The 'King' appears to be a Chief or Witchdoctor, since he doesn't seem to be personally powerful.

 

[Shade]

Just statting some of them out as NPCs. But we could consider them converted as normal kobolds.

I'd be fine with just calling 'em converted and moving on. But if not...

Well if you insist, although vanilla kobold NPCs don't seem that good a use of our time.

Since these are "uber kobolds" I'd be tempted to give them all adventurer classes rather than NPC classes.

So, what sample NPCs shall we go for?

Trooper - 1st level ranger with favoured enemy (human)?
Scout/Trapmaker - low-mid level rogue?
Chief - low-mid level level ranger?
Witchdoctor - 6th level sorcerer with web?
Shaman - 6th level cleric?

The 'King' appears to be a Chief or Witchdoctor, since he doesn't seem to be personally powerful.

...those look about right.