Converting monsters from the second edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Shade]

Text is quite flavorful, almost savory.

Weight: 1 to 3 pounds? (A grig weighs 1 pound at 1-1/2 feet tall).

 

[BOZ]

hmm, let's see, what remains...

should the SR be fine at 21? the original text gave them 100% MR, which essentially made them immune to all magic. i want to make sure this is compatable with the aura too.

CR? LA?

 

[LegacyKing]

Magic Resistance of 100%?
Per the conversion manual you Divide the Magic Resistance by 5 and add the result to 11.

100 / 5 = 20 + 11 = 31

So the SR should equal 31

Hope that helps <img>

 

[BOZ]

d'oh, right, that would be 31 then. but my previous question still stands...

 

[LegacyKing]

LA are the trickiest because it is based upon GM judgement.

I'd have to call the creature "Multiple Threat" (3/4 of HD to +2 HD). So HD is 4 +2 would be a 6 CR. Using a sample creature "Ogre Mage" they have a LA of 1 less than the CR.

Forgive me if my calcs are off, I'm new at this...

I'd say an effective LA should be 6 or 7 (This assumes that the creature in a campaign setting would fall under the "Very Hard" category of getting him/her in).

HD 4
SR 31 (+2?) Drow has SR 11+1 each Level and has a base LA of +2
Spell Caster/Special Abilities +1

Does that makes sense?

So I'd say a +6 or +7 is reasonable based upon the above. What do you think?

 

[Shade]

Using the Savage Species method...

+1 for unbalanced ability scores
-1 for size
+1 for spell-like abilities
+1 for "spellcasting ability" beyond its level

So, +3 LA.

You were on the right track for ECL of +6 to +7, LegacyKing. Note that LA doesn't account for Hit Dice, but ECL does (LA + HD).

 

[BOZ]

Just about done with this guy now.

What I was wonder is, since it had a 100% MR in 2E, should we account for that with more than just the standard sort of spell resistance (even if bumped up a lot)? Maybe something like what golems have?

 

[Shade]

SR 31 is probably good enough. A 20th-level caster (which is probably never going to encounter a creature this weak) only has a 50% chance of beating its spell resistance.

However, the golem's immunity to magic is also a valid option.

 

[BOZ]

actually, your assurance above is good enough for me.

updating in homebrews...

 

[Shade]

I'm thinking CR 6 might be too high. The creature cannot actually do much harm intentionally, so I think it is more around the CR 4-5 range. While it can stand up to spellcasters, melee types will slice it to ribbons without breaking a sweat.

Speaking of that...should it have DR 5/cold iron?