Converting original D&D and Mystara monsters

[freyar]

Looks good! We should let Whitemouse know...

 

[Shade]

Vampire, Lesser
AC: 3
Level: 5+3
THAC0: 14
Actions: 1
Damage: 1d4+2
Alt. Attack: Drain (target loses 1 point of Constitution per round)
Sp. Defense: None
Saving Throw: 14
Move: 12, Fly 12
Intelligence: High
Attitude: Hostile
Size: 6' tall
Experience: 3,000

This undead beast looks human until it attacks; then its true form is revealed. It casts no reflection, moves silently, and is destroyed by sunlight. Its powerful fists cause 1d4+2 damage. If it uses a weapon, it receives a +1 to hit and +2 to damage. Most fearsome is its ability to drain Constitution points. It must hit successfully to drain Constitution. A target reduced to 0 Constitution dies and becomes a lesser vampire.

Originally appeared in Dungeons and Dragons Adventure Game Rules Book (1999).

 

[Shade]

A lesser version of vampire spawn?

 

[demiurge1138]

I think this is a precursor to the vampire spawn we know and love today; as such, I don't know if it needs converting.

 

[Echohawk]

That's entirely possible. That 1999 D&D set has some odd hybrid rules and creatures (particularly the lesser vampire and deadly pudding) which almost-but-not-quite match earlier or later creatures.

 

[freyar]

Well, I could go either way, but maybe we should convert it for "horror month." We can play up the "looks almost human" bit as a difference perhaps.

 

[Shade]

I could go either way on it as well.

It does appear to lack the spawn's domination, energy drain, fast healing, gaseous form, and spider climb, so it could fill a niche as "low-level vampire brute".

 

[freyar]

Probably quite low level. It has more HD than vampire spawn, if I read that correctly, but it should be quite a bit less powerful.

Copying from the vampire spawn, we have something like:
Medium Undead
Hit Dice: 5d12+3 (35 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 15 (+2 Dex, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+5
Attack: Slam +5 melee (1d6+4 plus energy drain)
Full Attack: Slam +5 melee (1d6+4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Blood drain
Special Qualities: +2 turn resistance, damage reduction 5/silver, darkvision 60 ft., resistance to cold 10 and electricity 10, undead traits
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +5
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 14, Con —, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 14
Skills: Bluff +6, Climb +8, Craft or Profession (any one) +4, Diplomacy +4, Hide +10, Jump +8, Listen +11, Move Silently +10, Search +8, Sense Motive +11, Spot +11 (+5 ranks)
Feats: AlertnessB, Improved InitiativeB, Lightning ReflexesB, Skill Focus (selected Craft or Profession skill), Toughness
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary or pack (2–5)
Challenge Rating: X
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always evil (any)
Advancement: —
Level Adjustment: —

If we're aiming for lower level, I say we drop the resistances (at least to electricity) and remove or reduce the DR. We may also want to reduce some of the abilities (which could affect the skill rank calculation). I'd probably give them a racial bonus on Disguise checks to appear as living humanoids, and we could give them Imp Grab to make the blood drain a little easier for them. If we make them a different type of vampire (rather than just a weaker vamp), we could justify some advancement, too.

 

[Shade]

OK, then modifying it further...

Lesser Vampire
Medium Undead
Hit Dice: 5d12 (32 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 15 (+2 Dex, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+5
Attack: Slam +5 melee (1d6+4)
Full Attack: Slam +5 melee (1d6+4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Blood drain
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., undead traits
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +5
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 14, Con —, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 14
Skills: 40
Feats: 2
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary or pack (2–5)
Challenge Rating: X
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always evil (any)
Advancement: —
Level Adjustment: —

Blood Drain (Ex): A lesser vampire can suck blood from a living victim with its fangs by making a successful grapple check. If it pins the foe, it drains blood, dealing 1d4 points of Constitution drain each round. On each such successful drain attack, the lesser vampire gains 5 temporary hit points.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a lesser vampire must hit a Large or smaller opponent with a slam 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 attempt to drain blood.

Skills: *A lesser vampire gains a +X racial bonus on Disguise checks made to impersonate a living humanoid.


Also, note that the stat block has a fly speed. I'm guessing some sort of supernatural flight?

 

[freyar]

Yes on the Su flight. The original AC is also higher. Want to increase Dex and reduce Str? Maybe Str 14, Dex 16? And add 1 to natural armor.

Let's make the disguise bonus +4.