Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[freyar]

Anyone have any thoughts about possible penalties beyond the loss of Wis and Str? The original says it becomes paranoid and loses morale, but that doesn't translate so well into 3.X.

 

[Cleon]

That Wisdom Dependent looks a good start.

Anyone have any thoughts about possible penalties beyond the loss of Wis and Str? The original says it becomes paranoid and loses morale, but that doesn't translate so well into 3.X.

Gains a penalty on saves versus fear effects?

 

[freyar]

That's probably the closest thing we could do mechanically, but it seems too uncommon of a situation compared to morale (ie, morale could come up in almost any battle, right, but fear effects don't). What about that penalty and something like a penalty to attack rolls (making it like the effects of a bane spell)?

 

[Cleon]

That's probably the closest thing we could do mechanically, but it seems too uncommon of a situation compared to morale (ie, morale could come up in almost any battle, right, but fear effects don't). What about that penalty and something like a penalty to attack rolls (making it like the effects of a bane spell)?

Works for me. A -1 morale penalty on fear saves and attack rolls might be enough. After all, its lower Wisdom and Strength bonuses will give it ability penalties on Will saves and Melee attacks.

 

[freyar]

That enough for you, too, Shade?

 

[Cleon]

That enough for you, too, Shade?

Quiet round these parts, isn't it.

Anything else to discuss, while we wait for a Shady head to hove into sight?

 

[Shade]

Quiet round these parts, isn't it.

Yep, sure is.

Anything else to discuss, while we wait for a Shady head to hove into sight?

<hoves>

That enough for you, too, Shade?

Yessir.

 

[Cleon]

Yep, sure is.

<hoves>

Yessir.

Shade Ho!

 

[Shade]

So...

Wisdom Dependent (Su): Every 12 hours, a knight-terror loses one point each of Wisdom and Strength. This is not ability damage or drain and cannot be recovered via spells such as restoration. The knight-terror can only gain Wisdom and Strength by using its will-sapping bolt. When the knight-terror's Wisdom drops below its base ability score, it suffers a -1 morale penalty on attack rolls and saving throws against fear effects.


I'm tempted to change the name to "Erudivore".

 

[Cleon]

So...

Wisdom Dependent (Su): Every 12 hours, a knight-terror loses one point each of Wisdom and Strength. This is not ability damage or drain and cannot be recovered via spells such as restoration. The knight-terror can only gain Wisdom and Strength by using its will-sapping bolt. When the knight-terror's Wisdom drops below its base ability score, it suffers a -1 morale penalty on attack rolls and saving throws against fear effects.

Looks OK, except I'd suggest "The knight-terror can only regain this lost Wisdom and Strength by using its will-sapping bolt" for the third sentence.