Converting monsters from Second Edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Cleon]

Hmmm, I had been thinking standard, but I like making it part of a full attack.

Maybe boost the DC for the Concentration check. That's the check that makes sense to use.

Dazzling Display (Su): As a standard action or part of a full attack action, an undead dragon slayer may make a series of complicated motions with its weapons which befuddles any dragon that sees it. A dragon within 30 ft that views the display (as a gaze attack) must make a Fortitude save or become dazzled for X rounds. In addition, the dragon must make a Concentration check at XX DC to cast any spell, use a spell-like ability, or maintain a spell that requires Concentration.

That looks OK apart from the first sentence. I was thinking the Undead Dragon Slayer has to give up the first iterative attack of a full attack to use a Dazzling Display, or make some other sacrifice.

I suppose we could give it some sort of attack penalty (-2?) instead of giving up an attack?

 

[freyar]

That starts to get about as complicated as a character class ability, requiring more choice about when to use it. This is a monster, so let's keep it simple and let the DM just use it.

 

[Cleon]

That starts to get about as complicated as a character class ability, requiring more choice about when to use it. This is a monster, so let's keep it simple and let the DM just use it.

Well I suspect it was a character class ability originally - one from the "Dragon Slayer" class.

I'd like it to be limited in some fashion. If you don't like a penalty or subtracting an attack we could make it X/day.

 

[Shade]

Of those, I'd prefer a flat -2 penalty like Rapid Shot or TWF.

 

[Cleon]

Of those, I'd prefer a flat -2 penalty like Rapid Shot or TWF.

No objections to that.

 

[Shade]

No objections to that.

freyar, are you OK with this?

 

[Cleon]

freyar, are you OK with this?

Quiet round these parts, ain't it?

 

[freyar]

Quiet round these parts, ain't it?

Heh, been a nutty week for me.

No, no objection. So, something like this?

Dazzling Display (Su): As a standard action or part of a full attack action, an undead dragon slayer may make a series of complicated motions with its weapons which befuddles any dragon that sees it. A dragon within 30 ft that views the display (as a gaze attack) must make a Fortitude save or become dazzled for X rounds. In addition, the dragon must make a Concentration check at XX DC to cast any spell, use a spell-like ability, or maintain a spell that requires Concentration. If the Dazzling Display is part of a full attack action, all attacks take a -2 attack penalty.

 

[Cleon]

Heh, been a nutty week for me.

No, no objection. So, something like this?

Dazzling Display (Su): As a standard action or part of a full attack action, an undead dragon slayer may make a series of complicated motions with its weapons which befuddles any dragon that sees it. A dragon within 30 ft that views the display (as a gaze attack) must make a Fortitude save or become dazzled for X rounds. In addition, the dragon must make a Concentration check at XX DC to cast any spell, use a spell-like ability, or maintain a spell that requires Concentration. If the Dazzling Display is part of a full attack action, all attacks take a -2 attack penalty.

I'm thinking the range should be much longer - 30 feet is almost melee range, and the Slayer's trying to prevent the dragon spell-blasting from a distance. Also, shouldn't it be targeted at a specific dragon, since the original description says "the dragon", not "any dragon"?

 

[Shade]

I'm thinking the range should be much longer - 30 feet is almost melee range, and the Slayer's trying to prevent the dragon spell-blasting from a distance. Also, shouldn't it be targeted at a specific dragon, since the original description says "the dragon", not "any dragon"?

120 feet?

I'm not bothered by it affecting more than one dragon (it being a visual display, after all), but if you think it's unbalanced, we can make it targeted.