Converting monsters from Second Edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Shade]

Caster level equals HD, or better? I've noticed quite a few "sensory" SLAs on critters with caster levels much higher than their HD.

 

[Cleon]

Caster level equals HD, or better? I've noticed quite a few "sensory" SLAs on critters with caster levels much higher than their HD.

Good idea. A nice, round, caster level 10?

 

[freyar]

Go for CL 10 on the always active ones, but maybe stick closer to HD for the others. CL 10 is probably too high for shout in particular.

 

[Cleon]

Go for CL 10 on the always active ones, but maybe stick closer to HD for the others. CL 10 is probably too high for shout in particular.

Apart from its damage to crystalline creatures, shout doesn't have any significant CL-dependent variables so I'm OK with making that CL 10.

Alternatively, we could make all the SLAs caster level 8, which is the minimum CL for a sorcerer to use shout and is also twice the starting HD of the suwyze.

Hmm, I like that solution.

 

[Shade]

Apart from its damage to crystalline creatures, shout doesn't have any significant CL-dependent variables so I'm OK with making that CL 10.

Alternatively, we could make all the SLAs caster level 8, which is the minimum CL for a sorcerer to use shout and is also twice the starting HD of the suwyze.

Hmm, I like that solution.

Yeah, me too.

 

[Cleon]

Yeah, me too.

Good, once we put in CL 8th and some DCs are we done with the SLAs?

 

[freyar]

Yup.

Do we need an ability for this? "A suwyze can use rings and bracers on its tendrils, and a favored beast may be granted these items by a gracious master." It's not exactly standard. I know I've seen beholders given this ability, but it may have been in Lords of Madness rather than the MM.

Shall we work on the "seeing double" ability?

 

[Cleon]

Yup.

Do we need an ability for this? "A suwyze can use rings and bracers on its tendrils, and a favored beast may be granted these items by a gracious master." It's not exactly standard. I know I've seen beholders given this ability, but it may have been in Lords of Madness rather than the MM.

I lean towards either not bothering or mentioning it in flavour text. It doesn't really need an SQ.

Shall we work on the "seeing double" ability?

Go ahead, be my guest.

 

[Shade]

Flavor text note appeals.

Updated.

 

[Cleon]

Flavor text note appeals.

Updated.

Hmm, I'd expand it a little.

A suwyze can use magic rings and bracers worn on its tendrils, and a favored beast may be granted these items by a gracious master.

Also, its Skills entry could do with some expansion. I'd suggest the following:

Skills: Suwyze have a [+4 or +6?] racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks, and a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks. A suwyze uses its Dexterity modifier instead of its Strength modifier for Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.