Converting original D&D and Mystara monsters

[Mortis]

A few thoughts (in no particular order)

First a question is this just a yeth hound with a different name? That's what I assumed when I was doing the Consolidated Creature Index.

That said

Magical Beast seems a given.

Str 16, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 3, Wis 13, Cha 8
(Mostly an average of wolf and worg with a couple of tweaks).

Given the maximum penalty to the save vs the bay a pack may have a maximum of 15 adult yowlers - unless of course any additional yowlers don't have an affect.

I would assume that we would use the standard rules for panicked character.

As it stands they only seem to take 1-5 pts damage (the weapon's magical enhancement). Not sure how silver works here as it doesn't give a magical bonus in fact IIRC silver weapons have a -1 damage penalty.

Should we just stick to standard 3.5 DR or give 'em something a bit special? If standard I would suggest Magic AND Silver rather than OR. It's a bit powerful for their probable CR but still...

If we go for something more in keeping with the original - they should be vulnerable to favored enemy and bane (magical beast).

That's all for now.

Mortis

 

[Shade]

First a question is this just a yeth hound with a different name? That's what I assumed when I was doing the Consolidated Creature Index.

They are quite similar, but different enough to deserve conversion. For starters, like you I see these as magical beasts, while yeths are outsiders. They are also less intelligent.

Str 16, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 3, Wis 13, Cha 8
(Mostly an average of wolf and worg with a couple of tweaks).

I like it, and it helps differentiate them further from yeth hounds.

Given the maximum penalty to the save vs the bay a pack may have a maximum of 15 adult yowlers - unless of course any additional yowlers don't have an affect.

I like the idea of the pack increasing the save DC, for further differentiation from yeths.

I would assume that we would use the standard rules for panicked character.

I agree.

As it stands they only seem to take 1-5 pts damage (the weapon's magical enhancement). Not sure how silver works here as it doesn't give a magical bonus in fact IIRC silver weapons have a -1 damage penalty.

Should we just stick to standard 3.5 DR or give 'em something a bit special? If standard I would suggest Magic AND Silver rather than OR. It's a bit powerful for their probable CR but still...

DR/magic and silver appeals. I definitely don't want to use the original mechanic...besides being fiddly, it runs counter to 3.5 design, where they got rid of varying benefits of enhancement bonuses vs. DR.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

They have outstanding AC for their HD. Should we boost Dex a bit, so natural armor isn't ridiculously high? Or perhaps give them a deflection bonus?

We might need to increase Cha to at least 10, since the howl is Cha-based. Either that, or remove the "at least 5" bit to allow the save DC to begin increasing for each additional yowler. I think I prefer this method, and Homebrews currently reflects it.

Their flying abilities enable them to dart in for swooping attacks while remaining out of their foes' reach most of the time.

Flyby Attack?

 

[Mortis]

They have outstanding AC for their HD. Should we boost Dex a bit, so natural armor isn't ridiculously high? Or perhaps give them a deflection bonus?

Not really sure about a deflection bonus, I am willing to go to Dex 18.

We might need to increase Cha to at least 10, since the howl is Cha-based. Either that, or remove the "at least 5" bit to allow the save DC to begin increasing for each additional yowler. I think I prefer this method, and Homebrews currently reflects it.

I see the bay as more of a pack ability than an effective tactic for a lone yowler. as it stands the DC against a full pack is 20.

Another point, given my view perhaps change the bit about a successful save to read '... an affected creature is immune to the same pack's bay for 24 hours.'

Flyby Attack?

Given the quoted tactics absolutely.

Second feat (as a compromise for keeping the low Cha) Ability Focus (Bay)

Regards
Mortis

 

[Shade]

Sounds good! Updated.

Give 'em scent and the usual "tracking by scent" bonus of canines?

Listen 3 and Spot 3 for skills?

Should they have speech, like worgs?

 

[Mortis]

Give 'em scent and the usual "tracking by scent" bonus of canines?

I don't see why not.

Listen 3 and Spot 3 for skills?

Looks good - I was going to suggest Fly 3 and Perception 3 - I guess I'm playing to much Pathfinder

Should they have speech, like worgs?

<edit>I'd say no, but they can understand Common</edit>

2 ft. high 80 lbs weight?
Advancement 4-6HD (Medium)

Regards
Mortis

 

[Shade]

All sounds good.

Updated.

 

[Cleon]

This is all looking pretty good so far.

Challenge Rating is probably 4 or so considering their bay attack, flight and impressive DR & AC.

 

[Shade]

It's got a few more hp, is slightly faster, and has "and magic" on its DR, but otherwise isn't better than a yeth hound. Plus, the yeth's got better maneuverability and the trip ability, so I'd say they're about dead even at CR 3.

 

[Mortis]

Just noticed that we have the pack organisation as 2-8, given the Max DC bonus to Bay it should be 2-11 (or 15 if the minimum is 5 yowlers).

How about a compromise of 2-12 plus young?

I'll leave the Desc/Combat Tactics etc to those more capable ;-)

Regards
Mortis