Converting monsters from Second Edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Cleon]

Updated, finally!

I think the SAs' wording needs some slight tweaking:

Anti-Dragon Casting (Ex): Undead dragon slayers gain a bonus equal to half their favored enemy bonus on caster level checks to overcome the spell resistance of dragons (this does not stack with other bonuses, such as from the feat Spell Penetration) as well as the benefits of the Spell Focus feat for all spells cast against dragons. At caster level 17th, an undead dragon slayer also gains the benefits of the Greater Spell Focus feat for all spells cast against dragons.

Favored Enemy (Dragon) (Ex): Undead dragon slayers have dragons as favored enemies, as per the ranger class ability. The bonus is equal to the maximum bonus achieved by a ranger of the dragon slayer's HD. An undead dragon slayers' favored enemy (dragon) ability does not stack with any other favored enemy ability.

The current Smite Dragon is very weedy (just compare it to the Improved Weapon Throwing) and still has a "paladin" in it.

Indeed, the damage is very weak compared to the Favored Enemy bonus of +1 per HD.

I suggest making this a "Dragon Strike" ability with some different bonuses, such as an improvement to hit. Then add Improved Dragon Strike as an optional extra.

e.g.:

Dragon Strike (Ex?): X times a day, as a standard action, an undead dragon slayer can make a single attack against a dragon with an insight bonus to the attack and damage rolls equal to the slayer's Hit Dice (maximum +20). Additionally, a dragon strike attack is not affected by the miss chance that applies to attackers trying to strike a concealed target (provided the target is a dragon).

Improved Dragon Strike (Ex?): 3 times a day, as a swift action, an undead dragon slayer can add an insight bonus equal to their Hit Dice (maximum +20) to the attack and damage rolls of their next attack against a dragon (if it is made before the end of the next round). Additionally, a dragon strike attack is not affected by the miss chance that applies to attackers trying to strike a concealed target (provided the target is a dragon).

 

[freyar]

Those edits are ok with me.

So you want to change Smite Dragon (and presumably True Strike) into Dragon Strike? I suppose that would be ok, but I'm not sure I'd go with two versions. Just drop the "Improved" off the second one and make it a menu item.

How do we want Wingbind to work? Just a 1/day SLA like the Draconomicon spell?

 

[Cleon]

Those edits are ok with me.

So you want to change Smite Dragon (and presumably True Strike) into Dragon Strike? I suppose that would be ok, but I'm not sure I'd go with two versions. Just drop the "Improved" off the second one and make it a menu item.

How do we want Wingbind to work? Just a 1/day SLA like the Draconomicon spell?

The wingbind spell isn't OGL though, is it? Shouldn't we make it a SA.

Besides, I was imagining it more of a "crippling blow" from a weapon than a spell.

Hmm, or we could make it an effect an Undead Dragon Slayer can add to any attack that uses an attack roll. So you can have an UDS wingbind a dragon using an arrow, axe, or scorching ray.

 

[Shade]

The wingbind spell isn't OGL though, is it? Shouldn't we make it a SA.

Besides, I was imagining it more of a "crippling blow" from a weapon than a spell.

Hmm, or we could make it an effect an Undead Dragon Slayer can add to any attack that uses an attack roll. So you can have an UDS wingbind a dragon using an arrow, axe, or scorching ray.

Don't forget we're applying this template to spellcasters, too. I was thinking the more traditional wingbind was a better fit for those guys.

 

[Cleon]

Don't forget we're applying this template to spellcasters, too. I was thinking the more traditional wingbind was a better fit for those guys.

Well if we let them combine it with one of their ranged attacks then both martial and magical UDS get too use it.

 

[freyar]

Well, I was thinking of it as a unique SLA, actually, with maybe tiny variations from the non-OGC spell. But I don't mind adding it as an effect on a ranged attack. Do you want to write that up?

 

[Cleon]

Well, I was thinking of it as a unique SLA, actually, with maybe tiny variations from the non-OGC spell. But I don't mind adding it as an effect on a ranged attack. Do you want to write that up?

No, I'd rather let someone else do some work for a change.

 

[freyar]

No books with me, but maybe we can fill in as needed later....

Bind Wings (Su): X/day, an undead dragon slayer may spend a full attack action to imbue a single ranged attack (including spells) with the ability to bind a dragon's wings. If the attack hits a creature with the dragon subtype, bands of force wrap around the dragon, preventing flight for XdX rounds. If the dragon is in flight at the time that this ability takes effect, the dragon falls immediately, taking falling damage (unless prevented by a feather fall spell or similar ability).

 

[Shade]

That looks pretty good!

The spell allows Reflex negates. Also...

An entangled creature can escape with a successful Escape Artist check against a DC equal to the saving throw DC of the spell. Like a wall of force, the web of force is impervious to most attacks: It is immune to damage of all kinds, cannot be burst with a Strength check, and is unaffected by most spells, including dispel magic. Also like wall of force, the web is immediately destroyed by disintegrate, a rod of cancellation, a sphere of annihilation, or Mordenkainen's disjunction.

 

[Cleon]

No books with me, but maybe we can fill in as needed later....

Bind Wings (Su): X/day, an undead dragon slayer may spend a full attack action to imbue a single ranged attack (including spells) with the ability to bind a dragon's wings. If the attack hits a creature with the dragon subtype, bands of force wrap around the dragon, preventing flight for XdX rounds. If the dragon is in flight at the time that this ability takes effect, the dragon falls immediately, taking falling damage (unless prevented by a feather fall spell or similar ability).

Does this full attack action imbue an attack that takes place in a subsequent round?

Upon reflection, does it have to be a ranged attack. Wouldn't an UDS benefit from being able to cripple a dragon's flight with a melee attack to stop it taking off and escaping / outmaneuvering him?

Maybe make it any single attack?