Converting monsters from the second edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Shade]

It looks like these guys should be Gargantuan.

Ability scores of existing linnorms:

Corpse Tearer: Str 36, Dex 9, Con 26, Int 17, Wis 20, Cha 19
Dread: Str 40, Dex 8, Con 31, Int 15, Wis 22, Cha 21
Gray: Str 24, Dex 11, Con 20, Int 14, Wis 19, Cha 17
Swamp: Str 32, Dex 10, Con 27, Int 15, Wis 20, Cha 18
Flame: Str 35, Dex 10, Con 25, Int 17, Wis 20, Cha 20

I'd suggest Str 32-36, Dex 10, Con 26-27, Int 18-19, Wis 20, Cha 19-20.

 

[Shade]

Breath Weapon (Su): A frost linnorm may use its breath weapon once every 1d4 rounds. This weapon manifests as a 60-foot cone of ice particles. This attack deals X points of cold damage, half on a successful Reflex save (DC X). The save DC is Constitution-based.

Crush (Ex): A flying frost linnorm can land on opponents three or more sizes smaller than itself as a standard action, using its whole body to crush them. A crush attack affects as many creatures as can fit under the frost linnorm's body. Each creature in the affected area must succeed at a Reflex save (DC X) or be pinned, automatically taking X+X points of bludgeoning damage. The save DC is Constitution-based. Thereafter, if the frost linnorm chooses to maintain the pin, treat it as a normal grapple attack. While pinned, the opponent takes crush damage each round.

Tail Sweep (Ex): A frost linnorm can sweep with its tail as a standard action. The sweep affects creatures four or more size categories smaller than the linnorm within a 30-foot-radius half-circle centered on the linnorm's rear. Each affected creature that fails a Reflex save (DC X half) takes X+X points of damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Keen Senses (Ex): A frost linnorm sees four times as well as a human in low-light conditions and twice as well in normal light. It also has darkvision with a range of 120 feet.

 

[Shade]

These creatures speak their own language and those of other Norse dragons. Hatchlings have a 25% chance to magically communicate with any creature with an Intelligence of 2 or higher, and that chance increases by 15% per age category.

Give 'em telepathy?

They often attempt to confront their foes, on ice, as they never lose their balance, timing, or orientation on slippery terrain.

They also attempt to keep their foes fighting on ice, increasing their chances of keeping the opponents off-balance. Frost linnorms are themselves incapable of losing their balance, timing, or orientation due to slippery terrain.

One of these abilities, or something else?

Icewalking (Ex): This ability works like the spider climb spell, but the surfaces the linnorm climbs must be icy. It is always in effect.

Cold Adaptation (Ex): Frost linnorms suffer no ill effects (such as penalties on Spot checks) from snow or sleet and can walk across icy surfaces without needing to make a Balance check.

 

[BOZ]

Will respond soon – I’m being “watched” so I’ll have to do most of my reading/thinking later in the afternoon.

 

[Shade]

The spell-like abilities are gonna be tough. Here's what they get, and my best guess on what current spells are similar:

meld into ice (as meld into stone)
phantasmal force - ?
ice shape (as stone shape)
improved phantasmal force - ?
control temperature 40' radius - ?
spectral force - ?
transmute rock to ice (as transmute rock to mud)
heal - duh
advanced illusion - major image?
transport via ice - (as transport via plants)
transmute wood to ice - (as transmute metal to wood, reversed?)
programmed illusion - ?
transmute metal to ice - (as transmute metal to wood)

 

[BOZ]

bout time i posted something in this thread...

Linnorm, Frost Linnorm
Gargantuan Dragon (Cold)
Hit Dice: 15d12+120 (217 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 30 ft (6 squares), swim 50 ft
Armor Class: 24 (+4 size, +18 natural), touch 6, flat-footed 24
Base Attack/Grapple: +15/+38
Attack:
Full Attack: Bite?? +X melee (2d8+X), tail slap
Space/Reach: 20 ft/15 ft (20 with bite)
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, crush, spell-like abilities, spells, tail sweep
Special Qualities: Blindsense 60 ft, damage reduction 10?/magic?, keen senses, spell resistance X, telepathy?
Saves: Fort +17 Ref +9 Will +14
Abilities: Str 32, Dex 10, Con 26, Int 18, Wis 20, Cha 19
Skills: 180
Feats: 6

Environment: Any cold land
Organization: Solitary or family (2-8)
Challenge Rating: X
Treasure: Double Standard?
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 16-45 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: ---

 

[Shade]

Excellent. She's a cold mistress to keep waiting.

 

[Shade]

The standard full attack for linnorms is bite and 2 claws and tail slap. Attack is just bite.

 

[BOZ]

this one didn't have claw attacks before, wonder why?

 

[Shade]

Here's why:

frost linnorms have small forelegs with manipulative claws, though the forelegs are too weak to be used for combat.

I should read that earlier. So I guess we dump claw attacks for them, and just go bite or tail slap?