Converting monsters from First Edition modules

[BOZ]

posted a version in homebrews, check it out.

 

[Shade]

The base saves for a 12 HD magical beast are Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +4.

For stats, I'd recommend the following:

Str 2 Dex 19 Con 14 Int 5 Wis 14 Chr 4

The Dex 19 is derived from another agile swarm, the centipede swarm.
The other physical stats I based off the cranium rat swarm, which would seem to be about the closest sized magical beast swarm.

 

[BOZ]

sounds good to me.

 

[Shade]

Based on those ability scores, here are some updates:

Hit Dice: 12d10+24 (90 hp)
Initiative: +4
Armor Class: 16 (+2 size, +4 Dex), touch 16, flat-footed 12
Saves: Fort +8 Ref +12 Will +6
Abilities: Str 2 Dex 19 Con 14 Int 5 Wis 14 Chr 4

 

[BOZ]

let's get to finishing these fishy fishy fish up:

Skills: Listen, Spot, and Swim should do.

Feats, maybe: Alertness and Improved Initiative are good staples for feats, and fit these monsters well. Lightning Reflexes also makes sense. For the rest, maybe an Ability or Skill focus, perhaps Iron Will or Endurance?

 

[Shade]

Agreed on the skills. They get a +8 to swim checks due to swim speed, of course.

I like Ability Focus (heat), Alertness, Endurance, Improved Initiative, and Lightning Reflexes.

 

[BOZ]

but wait, doesn't the heat damage have no saving throw? would ability focus still work?

 

[Shade]

but wait, doesn't the heat damage have no saving throw? would ability focus still work?

It would work for the weapon melting portion of the ability (as you have it in Homebrews right now). If you don't think that is enough to warrant the feat, go ahead and swap it out for another.

I just figured it would help it melt those annoying fishing hooks that keep hitting it.

 

[BOZ]

well, lacking a better idea of what to replace it with, i might just leave it.

updated the stats, check out the numbers and everything for me.

 

[Shade]

I believe you still have 2 skill ranks left to spend (15 total, right?)

Listen +7 (3 ranks, +2 Wis, +2 Alertness), Spot +7 (3 ranks, +2 Wis, +2 Alertness), Swim +11 (7 ranks, -4 Str, +8 racial)

Otherwise, it looks ready to publish.