Converting monsters from Dragon magazine (Part Two)

[Shade]

Did you mean the flytrap? Now that you mention it, we should put in a line about how a sunder attempt could injure a creature trapped by the jaws. And allow for an extra grappler to open currently closed jaws. Shade, what do you think?

Yeah, good suggestions guys!

Well, I was actually thinking of replacing it with entangle, but as an Ex instead of Sp ability. The -4 Dex penalty would provide the loss of AC to the thorn attack.

How about the effect of Briar Web instead ? It does the same as entangle but does 1d4 points of damage per round.

The original didn't deal any damage, but I don't mind "jazzing them up" a bit.

 

[freyar]

I'm ok with going for the 1d4 per round from the root-entangle, sure!

 

[Shade]

Updated the fly-trap.

Does that sufficiently cover the suggested mechanics?

 

[JiCi]

The original didn't deal any damage, but I don't mind "jazzing them up" a bit.

Well, I'm kinda comparing to other plants whose grapple-like abilities deal damage. Sure the spell entangle ensnares targets only, but being a tree, it would probably crush its victims to pulp with its roots so it can absorb them with these.

It's like the octopus and squid deal no initial damage with their arms, but their giant versions do. See my point ?

Huh, aside from launching thorns, root grabbing and poisonous fruits, what does the bohun tree has up its arsenal ? Does it have a slam attack like a treant or something ?

 

[freyar]

On the flytrap: how about we say "a 50% chance of dealing 1/2 the damage to the trapped victim"? Then I like it.

The bohun really seems like a tree with few mobile parts. So I'd say no to a slam, or at most a very weak slam from the branches that might whip around to launch thorns (maybe 1d4+1/2 Str as a secondary natural attack).

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

It does not appear to have any melee attacks (other than the roots).

Speaking of the roots, after re-reading the original text, I'm wondering if the roots shouldn't function more like a squid's tentacles, with improved grab and constrict...

 

[freyar]

I could see Imp Grab and constrict. Minor damage on the root attack or just a touch attack to set up the Grab?

 

[JiCi]

You might want to add this:

Attack: Thorn + ranged (xdx+x) or fruit + ranged (xdx+x)
Full Attack: 6 thorns + ranged (xdx+x) or x fruits + ranged (xdx+x)

As for the roots, how about using the Crystal Sunflower ability to treat targets as "unaware of an unseen attacker" when the tree attacks with its roots ?

 

[freyar]

If we go with the attack, imp grab, constrict for the roots, I'd agree to the unseen attack rule.

 

[Shade]

I agree with all that.

Updating...

Attack: Root +15 melee (2d6+12) or 6 thorns +3 ranged (1d4+12) or fruit +3 ranged (see text)
Full Attack: 8 roots +15 melee (2d6+12) or 6 thorns +3 ranged (1d4+12) or x fruits +3 ranged (see text)

An opponent can attack a bohun tree's roots with a sunder attempt as if they were weapons. A bohun tree's roots have 10 hit points each. If a bohun tree is currently grappling a target with the root that is being attacked, it usually uses another root to make its attack of opportunity against the opponent making the sunder attempt. Severing one of a bohun tree's roots deals 5 points of damage to the creature. The creature regrows severed limbs in 1d10+10 days.

Burrowing Roots (Ex): The bohun tree sends its roots burrowing through the ground, bursting forth to grab prey. Unless the target has a means of seeing through the ground or has the tremorsense special quality, treat this attack as if the attacker is unseen. The target loses its Dexterity bonus (if any) to Armor Class, and the bohun tree gains a +2 bonus on the attack roll.

Constrict (Ex): A bohun treat deals 2d6+12 points of damage with a successful grapple check.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a bohun treat must hit an opponent of any size with a root 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.