Converting Monsters from Polyhedron Magazine

[Cleon]

Sounds fine to me, and the 11 ranks are right, too.

I just wanted to check the SRD Doppelganger had its ranks correctly figured before adding 11 SPs to them. Some of the SRD monsters have minor stat errors.

...

The SRD Doppelganger's OK, so my proposal would make it:

Skills #1: Bluff +13*, Diplomacy +8, Disguise +12* (+14 acting), Intimidate +6, Listen +8, Sense Motive +8, Spot +8.

It has 5 ranks in Sense Motive, so it gets an extra +2 synergy on Diplomacy.

Hmm, speaking of Synergy, Bluff gives a +2 synergy with Sense Motive. That'd be a handy skill for a doppelganger, so how about shifting a point from Diplomacy or Bluff into Sense Motive so it's a trained skill.

So, Sense Motive +5 and either Bluff +12* or Diplomacy +7:

Skills #2: Bluff +13*, Diplomacy +7, Disguise +12* (+14 acting), Intimidate +6, Listen +8, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +5, Spot +8

Skills #3: Bluff +12*, Diplomacy +8, Disguise +12* (+14 acting), Intimidate +6, Listen +8, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +5, Spot +8

I'm not decided which of the above I prefer, but am leaning towards #3 with the Bluff +12.

 

[freyar]

Either #2 or #3 works for me.

 

[Cleon]

Either #2 or #3 works for me.

In that case we might as well make it #3.

Skills: Bluff +12*, Diplomacy +8, Disguise +12* (+14 acting), Intimidate +6, Listen +8, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +5, Spot +8

 

[Shade]

Updated.

I figure the added abilities are worth at least another CR and LA, possibly +2 LA.

CR: 4?
LA: +5 or +6?

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

I figure the added abilities are worth at least another CR and LA, possibly +2 LA.

Well, we should consider that Challenge Rating is a measure of how nasty they are in a fight. A lot of its power will come from social finagling.

That said, its ability to Alternate Form into a powerful humanoid, monstrous humanoid or giant and use their extraordinary special attacks is potentially very powerful. An Uran Doppelganger in the shape of, say, an Annis Hag would be quite nasty.

Of course, it's very dependent on what forms it has in its "vocabulary". If it's only copied halflings and goblins it's not going to be so hot in a melee.

It is probably worth a higher LA - a PC version of this will be going out of their way to find as many creatures with potent abilities to copy as it can.

 

[freyar]

The social finagling could help set it up pretty well in a fight, though. CR 4 is probably ok.

 

[Cleon]

The social finagling could help set it up pretty well in a fight, though. CR 4 is probably ok.

Well the Alternate Form alone is likely enough for CR 4, so I'm OK with that.

Not 100% decided what to do about the LA, but 2 more than a regular Doppelganger ought to do.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Feel free to work up some tactics, and to expand on flavor text if desired.

 

[freyar]

Nothing springing to mind here.

 

[Cleon]

Nothing springing to mind here.

How's this...

Uran doppelganger are a stronger and more cunning variety of doppelganger. Their powers of mimicry are superior to a normal doppleganger, allowing them to mimic the physical abilities and mundane equipment of another creature, not just its appearance. Once an uran mimics a creature's form it can assume their form whenever it desires.

An uran doppelganger's habits are no different from other doppelgangers. They prefer the comfortable existence of urban life, where they can steal victims' identities with less chance of discovery. Common doppelgangers hold urans in great esteem, considering them closer to the revered form of the ultimate shapechanger.

In its natural form a uran doppelganger is identical to a common doppelganger. It stands about 5½ feet tall and weighs about 150 pounds.

COMBAT
An uran doppelganger usually fights like whatever creature it is currently mimicking. In its natural form, it strikes with its powerful fists. A hard pressed uran doppelganger will assume whatever form in its repertoire is most suitable for fight or flight, usually either a heavily armed and armoured humanoid warrior or a fleet-footed youth. If the uran has survived an encounter with a powerful monster, such as an ogre, annis hag or gargoyle, it is likely to have learned that monster's form to use in combat.