Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[Shade]

Let's not go the oversized weapon route. Other than the base damage, nothing in the original text or artwork implied a giant sword. If we want to get closer to the original damage, we can simply boost Str, give it Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat, add plusses on the weapon, or all of the above.

 

[Cleon]

Let's not go the oversized weapon route. Other than the base damage, nothing in the original text or artwork implied a giant sword. If we want to get closer to the original damage, we can simply boost Str, give it Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat, add plusses on the weapon, or all of the above.

I want my 2d8 damage!

That's what the AD&D writeup says it does.

We could give its slam attacks Improved Natural Attack. That'd change its 1d10s to 2d8s, which is better on average than Weapon Specialization's +2 damage.

Of course I just suggested that because I know what Shade thinks of Improved Natural Attack on base monsters.

 

[Shade]

I want my 2d8 damage!

That's what the AD&D writeup says it does.

The base damage rarely (or at least "uncommonly") matches the original damage, since Str bonuses are so much higher in 3e.

We could give its slam attacks Improved Natural Attack. That'd change its 1d10s to 2d8s, which is better on average than Weapon Specialization's +2 damage.

Of course I just suggested that because I know what Shade thinks of Improved Natural Attack on base monsters.

On the bright side, you've got another opportunity for a Cleon Special (TM).

 

[freyar]

You guys crack me up.

I'm tempted to say go with Weapon Spec as a bonus feat since that'd be unusual, but then I think the entire "race" of these is stuck with greatswords the way bonus feats work. Going with enhancement appeals, though.

 

[Cleon]

You guys crack me up.

I'm tempted to say go with Weapon Spec as a bonus feat since that'd be unusual, but then I think the entire "race" of these is stuck with greatswords the way bonus feats work. Going with enhancement appeals, though.

So, give it a SA ability to wield its greatsword as an enchanted weapon of some kind? A +2 keen greatsword, for the sake of argument?

 

[freyar]

Well, I was just thinking of a normal +1 enhancement, but we could go with something like you suggest. +2 keen might be a little much, though, given it's likely CR 6 or 7.

 

[Shade]

+1 keen or flat +2?

Rather than give 'em all Weapon Spec (greatsword), we could note in the "magical weapon" ability that they are treated as having Weapon Specialization when wielding their chosen weapon. Something like...

Magic Weapon (Su): Any manufactured weapon wielded by a gu'armoru is treated as a +2/+1 keen weapon. If the weapon already has a magical enhancement bonus, use that bonus instead. Additionally, the gu'armor gains Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat for any weapon it wields.

 

[freyar]

That seems fine with me! Let's go with +2, I guess, since it might not always carry a slashing weapon.

 

[Shade]

Cool. Let's see if Cleon approves.

 

[Cleon]

+1 keen or flat +2?

Rather than give 'em all Weapon Spec (greatsword), we could note in the "magical weapon" ability that they are treated as having Weapon Specialization when wielding their chosen weapon. Something like...

Magic Weapon (Su): Any manufactured weapon wielded by a gu'armoru is treated as a +2/+1 keen weapon. If the weapon already has a magical enhancement bonus, use that bonus instead. Additionally, the gu'armor gains Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat for any weapon it wields.

Now that's more or less what I was thinking of.

If you don't like keen how about a +2 ghost touch weapon?