Converting monsters from the second edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Shade]

Here's something that might help. The death hurler, from Dragon #309, is basically a giant siege tower. It has no melee attacks (or appendages). However, if anyone tries to climb it, they have to make an opposed grapple check or be thrown off. So there is precedent for a creature with no melee attacks making opposed grapple checks.

So, the spanner could make a touch attack (almost guaranteed success) to initiate a grapple. If it succeeds, it could make throw the creature off. Perhaps a Reflex save, with failure resulting in going over the edge, and success indicating the character is prone in its square on the spanner? I'd also state that because it lacks appendages, the spanner cannot maintain a grapple.

 

[BOZ]

hey! see, i was right the first time.

 

[BOZ]

updating in homebrews.

 

[BOZ]

about feats. because of the spanner's physical limitations, there are really only so many feats it can take. how about these (or at least some of them): Alertness, Endurance, Improved Initiative, Investigator, Iron Will, Negotiator, Persuasive

 

[Orius]

about feats. because of the spanner's physical limitations, there are really only so many feats it can take. how about these (or at least some of them): Alertness, Endurance, Improved Initiative, Investigator, Iron Will, Negotiator, Persuasive

Well, it's basically a big bridge, right? I'd say no to Improved Init, because to my mind it seems like something very big and ponderous. Some big like that would probobly be kind of slow, and Improved Init doesn't really seem to fit it. Alertness, Endurance and Iron Will sound good. It seems like something big and really tough, so how about Great Fortitude and/or Toughness?

 

[Shade]

Actually, it is not uncommon for large, cumbersome creatures to take Improved Initiative. In fact, it is suggested to give monsters Improved Initiative to account for being very alert and not easily surprised. Therefore, I think it is appropriate for the spanner.

As for Toughness, I'd never give this to a high level creature. 3 hp are a drop in the bucket for a 20 HD creature.

I do like Great Fortitude and the other saving throw feats. The spanner has relatively poor saves for its HD, so I'd vote we give it Lightning Reflexes and Iron Will as well.

I like Negotiator better than the other "+2 to two skills" feats, since it would seem to use Diplomacy and Sense Motive much more frequently than Search or Intimidate.

So to summarize, I'd recommend Alertness, Endurance, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Negotiator. If one of its abilities ends up with a low DC, I'd swap Ability Focus for one of the saving throw boost feats.

 

[BOZ]

would great fortitude be appropriate for something without a Con score?

 

[Shade]

Yes, there is precedence. Both the hunefer (ELH) and ulgurstasta (FF) are undead and have the Great Fortitude feat.

I see the "+2 to X save" feats as being most appropriate for the critters lacking in those areas. Lightning Reflexes seems to be a way to explain the "very alert, ponderous creature". Iron Will explains the "so dumb they are hard to mind control" creatures, and Great Fortitude explains the "lacks health, but is unnaturally hardy" creatures. Obviously, they can benefit any creature, though.

 

[BOZ]

well i'll be.

i'm going with this set for feats then: Ability Focus (either create opening or throw), Alertness, Endurance, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Negotiator.

for skill ranks, how about: Bluff 5, Climb 2, Diplomacy 6, Disguise 6, Gather Information 5, Handle Animal 4, Knowledge (any two) 4, Listen 4, Sense Motive 5

 

[Shade]

for skill ranks, how about: Bluff 5, Climb 2, Diplomacy 6, Disguise 6, Gather Information 5, Handle Animal 4, Knowledge (any two) 4, Listen 4, Sense Motive 5

I think you are short 1 skill rank. I'd recommend adding it to Sense Motive.

Based on these ranks and its ability scores, feats, synergy and racial bonuses, its skills line would look like...

Bluff +8, Climb +16, Diplomacy +11, Disguise +15 (+17 acting), Gather Information +8, Handle Animal +8, Hide -19, Intimidate +5, Knowledge (any two) +4, Listen +6, Sense Motive +10, Spot +4

Upon further review, I'd remove Endurance from the feat list. Since its a construct, its immune to everything the Endurance feat provides bonuses against (nonlethal damage, suffocation, etc.) So I suppose add Persuasive back in, or give it Ability Focus in both abilities.