Converting Monsters from D&D Official Video Games

[Krishnath]

Better go with CR 6 due to it's abilities.

 

[Shade]

6 it is.

On to the next one...


From the Pools of Darkness Adventure Journal:

Gaze Spider
AC:4 HD:5 Mv:12 Int: Low Size: L
Align: CE THAC0/:15 Att:1 Dmg:2d4
Spec Att: Paralyzation gaze XP:420

A common denizen of Kalistes dimension are the fierce gaze spiders.
Any creature who meets their gaze must save versus paralyzation or
become paralyzed. Mirrors and other reflective surfaces can be used
to turn their gazes against them.


This one should be fairly easy, since its stats are nearly identical to the electric spider.

 

[Shade]

Here's a starting stat block:

Gaze Spider
Large Magical Beast (Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 5d10+20 (47 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 20 ft.
AC: 16 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +5 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+12
Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d8+4)
Full Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d8+4)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Paralyzing gaze
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +4
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 5, Wis 13, Cha 10
Skills: Climb +11, Hide -2, Listen +5, Move Silently +6
Feats: Ability Focus (gaze), Iron Will
Environment: Infinite Layers of the Abyss
Organization: Solitary, pair, or pack (5-8)
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: 6–8 HD (Large); 9–15 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: -

This eight-foot long arachnid has short legs and a bulbous abdomen. Its eight eyes are much larger than normal for a spider of its size.

A common denizen of Kalistes' dimension are the fierce gaze spiders.

A typical gaze spider’s body is 8 feet long. It weighs about 900 pounds.

Gaze spiders cannot speak.

COMBAT

Gaze spiders attempt to paralyze foes with their gaze, then close to finish the others with their bite.

Paralyzing Gaze (Su): Paralysis 1d6 rounds, 30 feet, Fortitude DC 14 negates. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Skills: A gaze spider has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened.

The gaze spider first appeared in the SSI computer game Pools of Darkness, (1991).

 

[Krishnath]

I suggest the following, give the gaze spider the same abilities as the electric spider, but increase it's Dex by two, and reduce the con by the same amount. I suggest giving it a natural armor of +6.

 

[Shade]

I like the ability scores suggestion. I made the natural armor lower to keep its converted AC inline with the original AC.

I updated the stat block above. The save DC for its gaze is pretty weak, so I'm thinking Ability Focus (gaze) will be one of its feats. Any suggestions for the other feat?

 

[Shade]

Also, for skills, shall we use the same as the electric spider...Listen (4), Move Silently (4)?

 

[Krishnath]

Lightning Reflexes, and yes.

 

[Shade]

Thanks, Krishnath. I looked at the Adventure Journal for the game last night, and realized I'd mixed up the appearances of the gaze spider and the stone spider, which is up next. The stone spider is actually long-legged and thinner than the electric spider, while the gaze spider is fatter and has short legs. So, I think I'll save the ability score mods you suggested for the stone spider, and reverse them for the gaze spider (-2 Dex, +2 Con). I'll update the stat block to reflect the changes.

 

[Shade]

Stat block has been updated. Do you want to stick with Lightning Reflexes for this critter?

CR 5 or 6?

 

[Krishnath]

Exchange Lightning Reflexes with Great Fortitude or Iron Will. CR 6