Converting Monsters from Polyhedron Magazine

[freyar]

I think I'd go with 120 ft darkvision, but this maybe suggests see in darkness (of even the magical variety). For tracking, I'd maybe give them a Survival bonus or even just a bunch of ranks.

 

[Cleon]

Agreed with freyar here. The leaders with that ability can still improve their Cha through normal ability score increases every 4 levels.

Updated.

Ah, but in the original stats the plane-shifters seem to be no stronger in combat then the regular ranks, but were still respected commanders.

 

[Cleon]

Only this...

This suggests superior low-light vision and/or darkvision as far as 200 ft. (Although I wouldn't go beyond 120 ft. like drow).

Do we want to do anything with the "night tracking"?

That ability was a standard feature of infravision in AD&D that was lost in the edition upgrade (just look in the 1E Dungeon Master's Guide).

So, if you give it to kobalts I'll start arguing you should add it to every 3E critter with darkvision.

Easier to just drop it. If you want tracking you can just have a kobalt with the Big Nose mutation.

 

[freyar]

Ah, but in the original stats the plane-shifters seem to be no stronger in combat then the regular ranks, but were still respected commanders.

I'm fine with a bonus on Diplomacy (or all Cha-based checks) against kobalts, just not a flat-out bonus to Cha itself.

That ability was a standard feature of infravision in AD&D that was lost in the edition upgrade (just look in the 1E Dungeon Master's Guide).

So, if you give it to kobalts I'll start arguing you should add it to every 3E critter with darkvision.

Easier to just drop it. If you want tracking you can just have a kobalt with the Big Nose mutation.

Good to know. Let's drop the tracking bit, then.

 

[Cleon]

I'm fine with a bonus on Diplomacy (or all Cha-based checks) against kobalts, just not a flat-out bonus to Cha itself.

Well I guess I'd accept a bonus on Diplomacy checks (and maybe their Leadership score) regarding kobalts.

Good to know. Let's drop the tracking bit, then.

Suits me.

 

[Shade]

I can live with a +2 bonus on Cha-based checks with other kobalts.

Updated.

Caster level for mass planar travel?

Skills: 24

Feats: 2

 

[freyar]

Why don't we make it Su, since nothing in plane shift seems to depend on CL? If we go Sp, then we need to decide an equivalent spell level, too.

How about 2 ranks each in the four skills they have racial bonuses in and also Hide, Listen, Move Silently, and Spot? Ambush skills always seem good for kobold-types.

Point Blank Shot, ?

 

[Cleon]

Why don't we make it Su, since nothing in plane shift seems to depend on CL? If we go Sp, then we need to decide an equivalent spell level, too.

How about 2 ranks each in the four skills they have racial bonuses in and also Hide, Listen, Move Silently, and Spot? Ambush skills always seem good for kobold-types.

Sounds good. Divide the non-racial bonus skills' points evenly? That would make it:

Skill Ranks: Craft (trapmaking) 2, Hide 4, Listen 4, Move Silently 4, Profession (miner) 2, Search 2, Spot 4, Use Magic Device 2

Point Blank Shot, ?

Hmm, Kobolds have Alertness but these fellows have Wisdom 14 so don't need that feat so badly.

They have to survive in very nasty conditions, so I'm thinking Great Fortitude to boost that +1 Fort save.

 

[Shade]

All good. Updated.

 

[freyar]

CR 1.
Did the original text suggest an org line?