Converting original D&D and Mystara monsters
- Thread starter Shade
- Start date
- Status
Shade
Monster Junkie
The Homebrews entry currently includes the carrion crawler, gargoyle, and troll.
Mortis whipped up a spectre, which led to the tinkering with the template for incorporeal creatures.
We discussed a carp upthread.
Echohawks index also lists mummy, skeleton, wight, wraith, zombie, treant, and a bunch of snakes and lizards!
Mortis whipped up a spectre, which led to the tinkering with the template for incorporeal creatures.
We discussed a carp upthread.
Echohawks index also lists mummy, skeleton, wight, wraith, zombie, treant, and a bunch of snakes and lizards!
Cleon
Legend
Well we've just done a conversion of the MC6 Giant Carp, so we can now Gargantualise it!
Here's the stats for the Master's set Gargantuas:
Chameleon: AC: 2; HD: 40**; MV: 240’; THACO: 3; AT: 2 bites; Dmg: 4d8/4d6; XP: 3,250
Cobra:AC: 7; HD: 8**; MV: 180’; THACO: 12; AT: 1 bite; Dmg: 3d4 + poison; XP: 20,750
Gecko: AC: 5; HD: 25*; MV: 240’; THACO: 3; AT: 1 bite; Dmg: 4d8; XP: 1,750
Ghoul: AC: 6; HD: 16**; MV: 180’; THACO: 7; AT: 2 claw/1 bite; Dmg: 3d4/3d4/3d4 + paralysis; XP: 9,500
Mummy: AC: 3; HD: 41***; MV: 120’; THACO: 2; AT: 1 touch; Dmg: 4d12 + disease; XP: 20,750
Pit Viper: AC: 6; HD: 16**; MV: 180’; THACO: 7; AT: 1 bite; Dmg: 2d8 + poison; XP: 28,500
Python: AC: 6; HD: 40**; MV: 180’; THACO: 2; AT: 1 bite/1 squeeze; Dmg: 2d8/4d8; XP: 3,250
Rattler: AC: 5; HD: 32**; MV: 240’; THACO: 2; AT: 2 bites; Dmg: 2d8/2d8 + poison; XP: 14,750
Skeleton: AC: 7; HD: 8*; MV: 120’; THACO: 12; AT: 1 weapon; Dmg: 4d6; XP: 1,200
Spectre: AC: 2; HD: 48***; MV: 300’; THACO: 2; AT: 1 touch; Dmg: 4d8 + energy drain (2); XP: 35,500
Tuatara: AC: 4; HD: 48*; MV: 180’; THACO: 2; AT: 2 claw/1 bite; Dmg: 2d8/2d8/6d8; XP: 26,750
Wight: AC: 5; HD: 24**; MV: 180’; THACO: 3; AT: 1 touch; Dmg: 1d4 + energy drain (1); XP: 8,750
Wraith: AC: 3; HD: 32***; MV: 240’; THACO: 2; AT: 1 touch; Dmg: 4d6 + energy drain (1); XP: 19,500
Zombie: AC: 8; HD: 16*; MV: 180’; THACO: 7; AT: 1 claw; Dmg: 4d8; XP: 2,300
I would rather do a bit more work on the Undead sub-template before doing those samples, but I'm game to start on the other beasties.
Of the SRD monsters, the Monitor Lizard is closest to the Giant Chameleon/Gecko/Tuatara, so I'll gargantualise that.
The Cobra/Pit Viper/Rattler are basically Gargantua versions of three different sizes of Viper Snake in 3E terms. I'll just Gargantualise a Tiny Viper and leave it at that.
The Python's a 5 HD Constrictor Snake, but I'd rather Gargantualise a standard 3 HD constrictor.
Give me a while and I'll stat them up...
Shade
Monster Junkie
I think you may have just reinvented the "Super Size It" slogan.
That's a good approach, and I think we should do a treant as well, as freyar mentioned upthread.
Cleon
Legend
I think you may have just reinvented the "Super Size It" slogan.
I'm over-brimming with creativity, me.
I changed the Tiny Viper to a Small Viper, since I liked them better with 12 HD. I'll post the stats next.
EDIT: Oh, and I like the Treant too. Let's have a shot at that later. What's the source of the Gargantua Treant again? It's not in the Companion or Masters Sets.
Cleon
Legend
Mystaran Gargantua Lizard, Monitor
Gargantua Animal
Hit Dice: 24d8+216 (324 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares), swim 60 ft.
Armor Class: 21 (-4 size, +1 Dex, +12 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 20
Base Attack/Grapple: +18/+45
Attack: Bite +30 melee (4d8+22/19-20)
Full Attack: Bite +30 melee (4d8+22/19-20)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Trample 4d8+22, swallow whole
Special Qualities: Fast healing 3, low-light vision
Saves: Fort +27, Ref +16, Will +9
Abilities: Str 41, Dex 13, Con 29, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Climb +19, Hide +6*, Listen +9, Move Silently +10, Spot +9, Swim +23
Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Epic Fortitude, Fast Healing, Improved Critical (bite), Power Attack, Skill Focus (Hide), Stealthy, Weapon Focus (bite)
Environment: Warm forests
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 10
Advancement: 25-40 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: —
Swallow Whole (Ex): A Mystaran gargantua monitor lizard can swallow opponents up to three size smaller than itself by making a successful grapple check. Once inside, an opponent takes takes crushing damage equal to the creature's bite attack plus 8 points of acid damage from the creature's gizzard. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 25 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 16). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Mystaran gargantua monitor lizard's interior can hold 2 Medium opponents, 8 Small opponents, and 32 Tiny or smaller opponents.
Trample (Ex): Reflex half DC 37. The save DC is Strength-based.
Skills: A monitor lizard has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line. Monitor lizards have a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks. *In forested or overgrown areas, the Hide bonus improves to +8.
Mystaran Gargantua Snake, Constrictor
Gargantuan Animal
Hit Dice: 24d8+228 (336 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 40 ft., swim 40 ft.
Armor Class: 19 (-4 size, +2 Dex, +11 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +18/+45
Attack: Bite +5 melee (3d6+22)
Full Attack: Bite +5 melee (3d6+22)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Constrict 2d6+22, improved grab, trample 4d8+22, swallow whole
Special Qualities: Scent
Saves: Fort +21, Ref +16, Will +11
Abilities: Str 41, Dex 15, Con 25, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +10, Climb +26, Hide +18, Listen +10, Move Silently +4, Spot +10, Swim +23
Feats: Alertness, Endurance, Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Epic Toughness×2, Skill Focus (Hide), Stealthy, Weapon Focus (bite)
Environment: Warm forests
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 10
Advancement: 4-5 HD (Medium); 6-10 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: —
Constrict (Ex): On a successful grapple check, a Mystaran gargantua constrictor snake deals 2d6+22 points of damage.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a Mystaran gargantua constrictor snake must hit with its bite 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.
Swallow Whole (Ex): A Mystaran gargantua constrictor snake can swallow opponents up to three size smaller than itself by making a successful grapple check. Once inside, an opponent takes takes crushing damage equal to the creature's bite attack plus 8 points of acid damage from the creature's gizzard. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 25 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 15). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Mystaran gargantua constrictor snake's interior can hold 2 Medium opponents, 8 Small opponents, and 32 Tiny or smaller opponents.
Trample (Ex): Reflex half DC 37. The save DC is Strength-based.
Skills: Snakes have a +4 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, and Spot checks and a +8 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. A snake can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened. Snakes use either their Strength modifier or Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher. A snake has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
Mystaran Gargantua Snake, Viper
Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 12d8+60 (114 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 40 ft., swim 40 ft.
Armor Class: 18 (-2 size, +2 Dex, +8 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+25
Attack: Bite +16 melee (1d8+12 plus poison)
Full Attack: Bite +16 melee (1d8+12 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison, trample 3d8+12
Special Qualities: Scent
Saves: Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +5
Abilities: Str 26, Dex 15, Con 21, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +10, Climb +21, Hide +13, Listen +8, Move Silently +7, Spot +8, Swim +16
Feats: Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Hide), Run, Stealthy, Weapon Focus (bite)
Environment: Temperate marshes
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 6
Advancement: —
Level Adjustment: —
Poison (Ex): A Mystaran gargantua viper snake has a poisonous bite that deals initial and secondary damage of 2d6 Con with a DC21 Fortitude save. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Trample (Ex): Reflex half DC 24. The save DC is Strength-based.
Note: based on the Snake, Small Viper.
Gargantua Animal
Hit Dice: 24d8+216 (324 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares), swim 60 ft.
Armor Class: 21 (-4 size, +1 Dex, +12 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 20
Base Attack/Grapple: +18/+45
Attack: Bite +30 melee (4d8+22/19-20)
Full Attack: Bite +30 melee (4d8+22/19-20)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Trample 4d8+22, swallow whole
Special Qualities: Fast healing 3, low-light vision
Saves: Fort +27, Ref +16, Will +9
Abilities: Str 41, Dex 13, Con 29, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Climb +19, Hide +6*, Listen +9, Move Silently +10, Spot +9, Swim +23
Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Epic Fortitude, Fast Healing, Improved Critical (bite), Power Attack, Skill Focus (Hide), Stealthy, Weapon Focus (bite)
Environment: Warm forests
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 10
Advancement: 25-40 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: —
Swallow Whole (Ex): A Mystaran gargantua monitor lizard can swallow opponents up to three size smaller than itself by making a successful grapple check. Once inside, an opponent takes takes crushing damage equal to the creature's bite attack plus 8 points of acid damage from the creature's gizzard. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 25 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 16). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Mystaran gargantua monitor lizard's interior can hold 2 Medium opponents, 8 Small opponents, and 32 Tiny or smaller opponents.
Trample (Ex): Reflex half DC 37. The save DC is Strength-based.
Skills: A monitor lizard has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line. Monitor lizards have a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks. *In forested or overgrown areas, the Hide bonus improves to +8.
Mystaran Gargantua Snake, Constrictor
Gargantuan Animal
Hit Dice: 24d8+228 (336 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 40 ft., swim 40 ft.
Armor Class: 19 (-4 size, +2 Dex, +11 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +18/+45
Attack: Bite +5 melee (3d6+22)
Full Attack: Bite +5 melee (3d6+22)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Constrict 2d6+22, improved grab, trample 4d8+22, swallow whole
Special Qualities: Scent
Saves: Fort +21, Ref +16, Will +11
Abilities: Str 41, Dex 15, Con 25, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +10, Climb +26, Hide +18, Listen +10, Move Silently +4, Spot +10, Swim +23
Feats: Alertness, Endurance, Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Epic Toughness×2, Skill Focus (Hide), Stealthy, Weapon Focus (bite)
Environment: Warm forests
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 10
Advancement: 4-5 HD (Medium); 6-10 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: —
Constrict (Ex): On a successful grapple check, a Mystaran gargantua constrictor snake deals 2d6+22 points of damage.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a Mystaran gargantua constrictor snake must hit with its bite 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.
Swallow Whole (Ex): A Mystaran gargantua constrictor snake can swallow opponents up to three size smaller than itself by making a successful grapple check. Once inside, an opponent takes takes crushing damage equal to the creature's bite attack plus 8 points of acid damage from the creature's gizzard. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 25 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 15). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Mystaran gargantua constrictor snake's interior can hold 2 Medium opponents, 8 Small opponents, and 32 Tiny or smaller opponents.
Trample (Ex): Reflex half DC 37. The save DC is Strength-based.
Skills: Snakes have a +4 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, and Spot checks and a +8 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. A snake can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened. Snakes use either their Strength modifier or Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher. A snake has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
Mystaran Gargantua Snake, Viper
Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 12d8+60 (114 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 40 ft., swim 40 ft.
Armor Class: 18 (-2 size, +2 Dex, +8 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+25
Attack: Bite +16 melee (1d8+12 plus poison)
Full Attack: Bite +16 melee (1d8+12 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison, trample 3d8+12
Special Qualities: Scent
Saves: Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +5
Abilities: Str 26, Dex 15, Con 21, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Balance +10, Climb +21, Hide +13, Listen +8, Move Silently +7, Spot +8, Swim +16
Feats: Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Hide), Run, Stealthy, Weapon Focus (bite)
Environment: Temperate marshes
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 6
Advancement: —
Level Adjustment: —
Poison (Ex): A Mystaran gargantua viper snake has a poisonous bite that deals initial and secondary damage of 2d6 Con with a DC21 Fortitude save. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Trample (Ex): Reflex half DC 24. The save DC is Strength-based.
Note: based on the Snake, Small Viper.
Shade
Monster Junkie
Those look good. I was a bit confused on the epic feats (why not Epic Skill Focus (Hide), for example), but I see the ranks don't let it qualify. Do you think DMs might find that confusing?
Perhaps the following clarification?
Feats: A Mystaran gargantua retains the feats of the base creature and gains additional feats according to its increased hit dice. If it gains epic feats, it can substitute epic equivalents of the base creature's feats instead of retaining the base creature's feats, assuming it meets the prerequisites. For example, the Mystaran gargantua constrictor snake below may replace its Toughness feat with Epic Toughness, but cannot replace Alertness with Epic Skill Focus (Listen) and Epic Skill Focus (Spot), because it lacks the 20 rank prerequisite in those skills.
In addition, it gains Snatch as a bonus feat. If the Mystaran gargantua has a fly speed it also gains Hover as a bonus feat.
Perhaps the following clarification?
Feats: A Mystaran gargantua retains the feats of the base creature and gains additional feats according to its increased hit dice. If it gains epic feats, it can substitute epic equivalents of the base creature's feats instead of retaining the base creature's feats, assuming it meets the prerequisites. For example, the Mystaran gargantua constrictor snake below may replace its Toughness feat with Epic Toughness, but cannot replace Alertness with Epic Skill Focus (Listen) and Epic Skill Focus (Spot), because it lacks the 20 rank prerequisite in those skills.
In addition, it gains Snatch as a bonus feat. If the Mystaran gargantua has a fly speed it also gains Hover as a bonus feat.
Cleon
Legend
It's not much for three beasties. I've written more for one critter!
- Status
Similar Threads
