Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[Cleon]

I guess I'll go with swift and 1d8+Con. At least it only gets one swift action per round.

Ah, but it can make a swift action with a move action if it acts quickly enough.

I guess I could live with Swift and 1d8+Con.

 

[freyar]

You really want this thing to be strong, don't you?

CR 5? Compares reasonably to 6-headed hydra.

 

[Cleon]

You really want this thing to be strong, don't you?

CR 5? Compares reasonably to 6-headed hydra.

I'd think a 6-headed Hydra is nastier, since it can make six 1d10+3 bites as a standard action and has fast healing 16.

It's pretty similar to a Giant Octopus, which is CR 8 in the SRD. It does have a weaker Constrict attack though, which makes a considerable difference.

Still, I have a feeling the hydra is under-CR'd and the octopus it over-CR'd.

CR5 feels about right.

 

[freyar]

I was surprised to see that hydra at CR 5!

 

[Shade]

CR 5 and the skills appeal. Definitely Blind-Fight over Iron Will. I grow weary of the overuse of Iron Will. Not every critter needs to be mentally hardy.

Updated.

Alignment: Usually lawful neutral?

Advancement: 8-12 HD (Large) 13-21 HD (Huge)?

A vampire squid's body is x feet long with 20-foot tentacles.

Should they understand Undercommon so their illithid masters can communicate with them telepathically?

 

[freyar]

I'll say yes to all the questions and maybe 10 ft long for the body?

 

[Shade]

That works for me, but I'll hold judgement until our resident "sizeologist" checks in.

 

[Cleon]

CR 5 and the skills appeal. Definitely Blind-Fight over Iron Will. I grow weary of the overuse of Iron Will. Not every critter needs to be mentally hardy.

I think you need to increase your Will saves to resist mental fatigue. Unfortunately I can't think of a feat that would help you.

Alignment: Usually lawful neutral?

Advancement: 8-12 HD (Large) 13-21 HD (Huge)?

A vampire squid's body is x feet long with 20-foot tentacles.

Should they understand Undercommon so their illithid masters can communicate with them telepathically?

The alignment and comprehending Undercommon is good.

I'd fancy having the Huge size category start at 12 HD, since that's when the SRD Giant Squid becomes Huge.

Advancement: 8-11 HD (Large) 12-21 HD (Huge)?

I'll say yes to all the questions and maybe 10 ft long for the body?

That works for me, but I'll hold judgement until our resident "sizeologist" checks in.

10 feet suits me, since it's half the body length of a Huge Giant Squid.

A typical vampire squid has a body 10 feet long and 20-foot tentacles. ?

 

[Shade]

All sounds good.

It has lambent blue-green eyes and can see up to 150 yards through dark water; this sight, combined with its ability to reach an underwater “sprint” of up to 33 make it a deadly predator.

I'm wondering if we shouldn't give it murkvision and/or superior darkvision?

Murkvision (Ex): A shark-kin's vision is not limited in dark or murky water. It treats all water as clear water for purposes of determining vision.

 

[Cleon]

All sounds good.

I'm wondering if we shouldn't give it murkvision and/or superior darkvision?

Murkvision (Ex): A shark-kin's vision is not limited in dark or murky water. It treats all water as clear water for purposes of determining vision.

Looks like a great idea.

I'd also suggest giving it superior low-light vision, like a giant owl.

Superior Low-Light Vision (Ex): A giant owl can see five times as far as a human can in dim light.

(I think Giant Squid should have that too, since they've got enormous eyes for peering through the abyssalpelagic darkness):