Converting monsters from the second edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Filby]

Yep. Here's a hypertext version of the 2E MM, you can scroll down and see them.

EDIT: I've checked some of the non-chromatic/gem/metallic dragons and not all of them have it. Still, it's a generally outdated thing.

 

[BOZ]

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)

according to the 3.0 conversion book:
phantasmal force – silent image
improved phantasmal force – minor image
spectral force – major image
advanced illusion – not listed, I’ll get a description of it up soon for comparison
programmed illusion – programmed image

control temperature 40' radius – didn’t we do some work on this for the shatjan or am I mistaken?

As for the “icy” spell-like abilities, rather than reinvent the wheel… I’m thinking of listing them with a *, and explaining with a blurb that “these spells replace the commonly-used element with ice” or something to that effect. Skip transmute wood to metal, as this is no longer a used spell (but keep metal to wood, as it is!)

 

[Shade]

I forgot that the 3.0 coversion guide mentioned the spell changes. Woo-hoo!

I think we did do something like that with the shatjan.

Good call on the handling of the "icy" abilities.

 

[BOZ]

we should write up the control temperatures as a separate ability, the way we did with the shatjan.

does this one sound anything like a current spell? sounds like a dirivative of spectral force/major image.

Advanced Illusion
(Illusion/Phantasm)

Range: 60 yds. + 10 yds./level
Duration: 1 rd./level
Area of Effect: One 40-ft. cube + one 10-ft. cube/level
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 rd.
Saving Throw: Special

This spell is essentially a spectral force spell that operates through a program (similar to a programmed illusion spell) determined by the caster. It is thus unnecessary for the wizard to concentrate on the spell for longer than the round of casting it, as the program has then started and will continue without supervision. The illusion has visual, audio, olfactory, and thermal components. If any viewer actively attempts to disbelieve the spell, he gains a saving throw vs. spell. If any viewer successfully disbelieves and communicates this fact to other viewers, each such viewer gains a saving throw vs. spell with a +4 bonus.
The material components are a bit of fleece and several grains of sand.

 

[BOZ]

keeping that in mind, voila...

Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day - heal, major image, meld into stone*, minor image, programmed image, silent image, stone shape*, transmute metal to wood*, transmute rock to mud*, transport via plants*. Caster level Xth. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

*A frost linnorm is able to replace the element commonly used as the focus for these spells with ice. As such, these spells effectively become meld into ice, ice shape, transmute metal to ice, transmute rock to ice, and transport via ice when used by a frost linnorm.

i'm thinking maybe some of them should be at will instead of all 3/day - but only a few of them.

 

[Shade]

I think advanced illusion is essentially persistent image.

Of those abilities, I'd vote for meld into ice and ice shape as "at will" abilities.

 

[BOZ]

only those two?

 

[Shade]

You said only a few.

I could also see minor image and maybe one of the other illusion spells as "at wills" as well.

 

[BOZ]

Standard linnorm skills (180 ranks):
Bluff, Concentration, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Knowledge (arcana), Listen, Search, Sense Motive, Spellcraft, Spot, Swim

Standard linnorm feats (frosty gets 6):
Alertness, Flyby Attack, Multiattack, Snatch
Other feats: Ability Focus, Cleave, Power Attack, metamagic feats

 

[Shade]

I'd recommend skill ranks of: Bluff 18, Concentration 18, Diplomacy 18, Intimidate 18, Knowledge (arcana) 18, Listen 18, Search 18, Sense Motive 18, Spellcraft 18, Spot 18, Swim 0

For Feats: Alertness, Flyby Attack, Multiattack, Power Attack, Snatch, and either Ability Focus (breath weapon) or Quicken Spell-Like Ability (ice shape).