Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[Cleon]

All the Ngojama proposals look very nice, the only suggestions I can think of are increasing the spell resistance a bit (10+CR would probably be closer to the 20% of the original) and that I'm tempted to increase its critical multiplier to ×4 like a light pick.

 

[Shade]

All the Ngojama proposals look very nice, the only suggestions I can think of are increasing the spell resistance a bit (10+CR would probably be closer to the 20% of the original) and that I'm tempted to increase its critical multiplier to ×4 like a light pick.

Demons always have CR+8.

I'm fine with the x4 multiplier, though, since it only has that one gimmick.

I'll boost the getiet's Hide bonus in undergrowth to +8, as you suggested.

 

[freyar]

Wow, so ready for skills and feats so soon?

 

[demiurge1138]

I like the pick-like claws, but I think we should drop the crit range down to 19-20 or even 20 in that case.

Weapon Focus (claws) and Dodge for the feats? They've only got the one attack, and their AC is pretty sad for the amount of hurt they can put out.

As for skills... hm. I'm getting a straight bruiser feeling from them, so Hide and Move Silently don't seem right. Listen, Spot, Search, Intimidate... and then it comes up blank.

 

[Shade]

Good point on the threat range. Let's go with 19-20/x4.

Those feat and skill suggestions sound good. We could also improve the natural armor, as it is a tad low.

Climb, Jump, and Tumble seem like decent fits, too, since they are fairly dextrous and we know they are good climbers. Speaking of which, I need to add the climb bits to the skills entry...

 

[freyar]

Yes, let's bump natural to +4.

Ok, so let's add Climb, Jump, Tumble, and maybe Balance or Bluff.

 

[Shade]

Sounds good.

Updated.

Challenge Rating: 4?

Advancement: 5-12 HD (Medium)?

A ngojama is about x feet tall and weighs about x pounds.

 

[demiurge1138]

CR 4 looks right. I think they should be able to advance to Large at... 9 HD?

 

[Cleon]

Demons always have CR+8.

Bloody Chaotic outsiders and their stat consistency.

I agree with the 19-20/×4 critical for their claws and improving their NA.

Skills look good, as does giving them 20 ft. Climb.

Add my vote to Advancing to Large at 9 Hit Dice.

I'm imagining these things as about as tall as a man but with a heavy, almost apelike build.

5½ to 6 feet tall and 250-300 pounds?
​

 

[Cleon]

Sounds good.

Updated.

Shouldn't we take out the "as well as any weapons it wields" bit from the Combat entry, especially as it says they can't wield arms in the previous sentence!

Ngojamas are aggressive, straightforward combatants that take wicked delight in impaling other creatures with their claws. Ngojamas never wield weapons, for their palm-claws make it impossible to do so effectively.

A ngojama's natural weapons, as well as any weapons it wields, are treated as chaotic-aligned and evil-aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
​