Converting monsters from Second Edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Shade]

Like so?

Sonic Screech (Ex): Once every 1d4 rounds, a lukhorn may emit a horrific screech. All creatures within a 60-foot-radius of the lukhorn must succeed on a DC X Fortitude save or fall prone and writhe in agony. Victims can take no actions while writhing, but is not considered helpless. This is a sonic effect. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Additionally, the screech carries for miles, and may attract nearby creatures that are disposed to investigate it.

 

[freyar]

Make it "but are not considered helpless," and I like it!

Also, just thought of something: let's make Engulf an immediate action.

 

[demiurge1138]

Love the sonic screech... but not sure about the immediate engulf. Care to give an argument for it?

 

[freyar]

Well, perhaps it doesn't matter much if the lukhorn gets surprise on everybody, but I don't really like the idea of someone Spotting it after a party member walks in and then the lukhorn missing a meal because its Initiative stinks (even if we go all out with feats, it's not going to be good, unless we rejigger stats). The immediate action lets it gobble right at the start of the surprise round.

Speaking of, given the likely CR, should we increase the camouflage DC at least to 25 or 30? I suppose lighting might help, but it's not like distance is going to increase the DC for this.

 

[demiurge1138]

Agreed to increasing the camo DC. And with that rationale, engulf makes a certain amount of sense as an immediate. Still, it's a big creature, and its reflexes might not be that good. Think the scene in the asteroid in Empire Strikes Back.

 

[freyar]

Yeah, that makes a point. I just don't want to nerf it too much. Let's see what Shade thinks.

 

[Shade]

Well, it can get Superior Initiative, which will bring its modifier up to +6. That's no so bad for a big critter, right?

Updated.

After being swallowed, however, the prey suffers 4d6 points of damage per round from the lukhorn’s digestive juices. These juices are powerful enough to dissolve wood and cloth in two rounds. Metal, such as that in armor and weapons, dissolves after 4 rounds of exposure to the creature’s digestive acid. Magical items are allowed item saving throws vs. acid.

None of the usual crushing damage for swallow whole?

A swallowed victim may atetempt to cut out of the lukhorn by inflicting 40 points of damage to a concentrated area inside the creature. However, the lukhorn’s malleable body makes it difficult to injure. Though only AC 5, the rubbery interior of the creature suffers no damage from bludgeoning weapons; all other weapons subtract 2 points of damage from their total for each successful attack.

Internal damage reduction?

 

[freyar]

Ok, but let's make sure it gets that feat.

No crushing, but maybe even increase the acid. What do you think?

Don't you already have to use a slashing or piercing weapon? So DR X/slashing or piercing is kind of pointless. I'm not sure about subtracting 2 for any other weapon. What would overcome that DR? Magic again will be pretty commonplace at the likely CR, and nothing else sensible springs to mind.

 

[Shade]

4d6 isn't bad, but I could be persuaded to increase it.

Correct on the need for a slashing or piercing weapon. If we went with the DR, I was thinking it would be 2/-.

 

[freyar]

DR 2/- is fine. Unusual, but interesting and fun!

Let's stick to 4d6 acid, since the DR is going to help keep victims inside longer, unless someone has a really good argument to increase it.