Converting monsters from Second Edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Shade]

I think the point was to emphasize weapon use. It's an interesting tradeoff: greater weapon damage vs. potential to constrict.

 

[freyar]

Well, do you think 1d6 is ok, or do you want to cut to 1d4?

 

[Cleon]

I'm inclined to go to 1d8, but I guess the low damage of the original monster means something. We should probably stick to 1d6. At least it can get a lot of attacks!

Since they're basically oversized humanoid fists making the slams do the 1d6 damage of Huge unarmed strikes suits me.

As for the weapons, I'm fancying Huge sickles, at 2d6 damage apiece.

 

[Shade]

Sounds good. Updated.

 

[Cleon]

Sounds good. Updated.

So what constrict damage should they do. 1d6+9 like the slams?

Hmm, looking at the damage I'm wondering whether the all-sickle attacks aren't worse than the all-slams. The damage is the same and they get Constrict.

Oh well, the sickles don't have to be optimal and I like the idea of them.

Besides, we can always change it to Huge morningstars (3d6) if we decide they need a weapon upgrade.

 

[Shade]

The sickles deal an additional 1d6 over each slam, right? Isn't that better?

You know, the constriction was originally quite strong and tied to its tail. I think we should keep it high damage, and use one of those "transfer to the tail" mechanics I've seen used before. The search begins...

 

[Shade]

...and quickly ends...

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a chuul must hit with a claw attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict or on its next turn transfer a grabbed opponent to its tentacles.

Paralytic Tentacles (Ex): A chuul can transfer grabbed victims from a claw to its tentacles as a move action. The tentacles grapple with the same strength as the claw but deal no damage. However, they exude a paralytic secretion. Anyone held in the tentacles must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude save each round on the chuul’s turn or be paralyzed for 6 rounds. The save DC is Constitution-based. While held in the tentacles, paralyzed or not, a victim automatically takes 1d8+2 points of damage each round from the creature’s mandibles.

...so...

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a marl must hit with a slam attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and on its next turn can transfer a grabbed opponent to its constricting tail.

Constricting Tail (Ex): A marl can transfer grabbed victims from a slam to its tail as a move action. Although it lacks a tail slap attack, it can constrict with its powerful tail, dealing 6d6(?) points of damage with a successful grapple check.

 

[freyar]

I think that looks pretty good. And 6d6 on the constrict is close enough to the extra damage from the sickles (plus almost automatic) to make it an interesting option.

 

[Cleon]

The sickles deal an additional 1d6 over each slam, right? Isn't that better?

You know, the constriction was originally quite strong and tied to its tail. I think we should keep it high damage, and use one of those "transfer to the tail" mechanics I've seen used before. The search begins...

They deal an extra d6 sure, but the offhand sickles also get half Strength bonus (2d6+4) while ALL its slams get full Strength bonus (1d6+9).

That extra +5 damage bonus is worth more than an extra 1d6.

 

[Cleon]

*SNIP*

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a marl must hit with a slam attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and on its next turn can transfer a grabbed opponent to its constricting tail.

Constricting Tail (Ex): A marl can transfer grabbed victims from a slam to its tail as a move action. Although it lacks a tail slap attack, it can constrict with its powerful tail, dealing 6d6(?) points of damage with a successful grapple check.

That'd work, although I'd rather the constriction damage included a Str bonus - maybe 2d8+13?