Converting original D&D and Mystara monsters

[freyar]

Care to write that up as a line?

 

[Shade]

First, I thought we'd settled on +3 sizes, so it should be Colossal, not Gargantuan.

Did we? I'm not opposed, but I think things got confused with the two different versions being updated in tandem.

We didn't lose it, the table's still there.

The table says 4d8 trample for a base size of Large. 4d8+21 isn't too shabby.

Look over the Homebrews version and let me know what is missing from your working draft.

I still think we need a carp.

Absolutely! Ditto for the troll and gargoyle (and whatever other gargantua remain unconverted).

EDIT: if we're really worried about the name, why not just change to Mystaran Gargantua Carcass Crawler or something obvious but not trademarked?

I'm not worried.

 

[Cleon]

Look over the Homebrews version and let me know what is missing from your working draft.

My proposed changes aren't in my Working Draft 'cause you asked me not to update it to avoid confusion, they're in posts 946, 953 and 960.

...told you I was creating new ways to confuse you.

Putting them all together, they are:

Size and Type
The base creature's type remains the same.

Increase the base creature's size according to the following table:

Mystaran Gargantua Size Table
Base Size. . . New Size . Space/Reach (tall) . Space/Reach (long)
Fine to Small . Huge . . . 15 ft./15 ft . . 15 ft./10 ft.
Medium . . . Gargantuan .. 20 ft./20 ft . . 20 ft./15 ft.
Large . . . . Colossal . . 30 ft./30 ft . . 30 ft./20 ft.
Huge . .. . . Colossal . . 40 ft./40 ft . . 40 ft./30 ft.
Gargantuan .. Colossal . . 50 ft./50 ft . . 50 ft./40 ft.
Colossal . .. Colossal .. +30 ft./+30 ft . +30 ft./+20 ft.*
*If the base creature is Colossal, increase its Space by 30 ft. and increase its Reach by 30 ft. (for tall) or 20 ft. (for long).

Hit Dice
If the base creature has 2 or more HD, multiply the base creature's Hit Dice by 8. For mystaran gargantua with fewer than 2 HD, the gargantua will have 12 HD if the base creature has 1 HD and 8 HD if the base creature has less than 1 HD.

Damage
A mystaran gargantua retains all the natural weapons, manufactured weapons and weapon proficiencies of the base creature. The damage values of these attacks increase according to the following table (this includes improvement for increased size).

Mystaran Gargantua Damage
Old Damage . . New Damage by Base Creature's Size
(Each) . . . . Fine . . Diminutive . . Tiny or larger
. 0 . . .. . . 1d8* . . . 1d6* . . . .. . . 1d4*
. 1 . . . . . 1d10 . .. . 1d8 . . . . . . . 1d6
.1d2. . . . . 1d12 . . . 1d10 . . . . . . . 1d8
.1d3 . . . . . 3d6. . . . 2d8 . . . . . . . 2d6
.1d4 . . . . . 3d8. . . . 3d6 . . . . . . . 3d6
.1d6 . . . . . 4d8. . . . 4d6 . . . . . . . 4d6
.1d8 . . . . . 4d8. . . . 4d8 . . . . . . . 4d8
.1d10 . . . . 4d10 . . . 4d10 . . . .. . . 4d10
.1d12 . . . . 4d12 . . . 4d12 . . . .. . . 4d12
.2d6 . . . . . 8d6. . . . 8d6 . . . . . . . 8d6
.2d8 . . . . . 8d8. . . . 8d8 . . . . . . . 8d8
*If the base creature has an attack that deals no damage (such as a roper's strands), the attack does damage according to the "0" old damage row plus half the mystaran gargantua's damage Str bonus.

If the base creature has no attacks listed (such as a bat), it gains a single attack with the damage given in the "0" old damage row plus 1½ the mystaran gargantua's damage Str bonus. Use whichever type of natural attack seems most appropriate; it is usually a bite, slam or kick.

Mystaran Gargantua Modifiers Table
Size of. . . . Natural . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ability. Trample
Base Creature . Armour . Str . Dex . Con . Area . Damage . Damage
Fine . . . . . . Same .. +30 .. -2 . +12 .. ×6 .. +1d10 . . . 2d8
Diminutive . . . Same .. +28 .. -2 . +12 .. ×5 . . +2d4 . . . 2d8
Tiny . . . . . . +2NA .. +24 .. -2 . +10 .. ×5 . . +1d8 . . . 2d8
Small. . . . . . +5NA .. +20 .. -2 . +10 .. ×4 . . +1d6 . . . 2d8
Medium . . . . . +9NA .. +24 .. -2 . +12 .. ×4 . . +1d8 . . . 3d8
Large . . . . . +12NA .. +24 .. -- . +12 .. ×3 .. +1d10 . . . 4d8
Huge. . . . . . +16NA .. +24 .. -- . +12 .. ×3 .. +1d12 . . . 6d8
Gargantuan. . . +20NA .. +24 .. -- . +12 .. ×2 . . +2d6 . . . 8d8
Colossal. . . . +25NA .. +24 .. -- . +12 .. ×2 . . +2d6 . .. 12d8

Challenge Rating
Update the base creature's challenge rating according to the following table:

Mystaran Gargantua Challenge Rating Table
Old CR . . . New CR
up to 1/4 . . CR 5
1/3 or 1/2 .. CR 6
. . 1 . . . . CR 8
. . 2 . . . . CR 10
. . 3 . . . . CR 13
. . 4 . . . . CR 16
. . 5 . . . . CR 18
. . 6 . . . . CR 21
. . 7 . . . . CR 24
each +1 . . . CR +3

Absolutely! Ditto for the troll and gargoyle (and whatever other gargantua remain unconverted).

Do you mind if I have a shot at the Gargoyle and Troll?

 

[Shade]

Do you mind if I have a shot at the Gargoyle and Troll?

I figure they'll be part of the usual "group conversion", but feel free to get the ball rolling (assuming we're done with the carrion crawler).

 

[Cleon]

Care to write that up as a line?

Something like this...

Windstorm (Ex): A Gargantuan-sized or larger Mystaran gargantua that has a fly speed can create tornado-force windstorms. A flying gargantua can create a storm by hovering in place and taking a full-round action. Once started, it can maintain the windstorm with a move action each round. The windstorm can affect a cone 12 times longer than the gargantua's Space or a cylinder with a radius and height 4 times larger than the gargantua's Space (e.g. a gargantua with a 30 ft. Space could create a 360 ft. cone or a 120 ft. cylinder). It can choose a different area each round.

All flames in the region are extinguished. Ranged attacks are impossible to make while the windstorm is in effect (except for siege weapons or kaiju ranged attacks, which suffer a -8 penalty to attack). Listen checks are impossible.

Creatures on the ground that are smaller than the gargantua's base creature (max Large) must succeed on a Fort save (DC 10 + 1/2 HD + Str modifier) or be knocked prone and roll 1d10×10 feet, sustaining 1d6 points of nonlethal damage per 10 feet. Creatures on the ground that are the same size as the gargantua's base creature (max Huge) must succeed on the same saving throw or be knocked prone, while creatures on the ground a size larger than the gargantua's base creature (max Gargantuan) are checked if they fail this save. Bigger creatures are not damaged or impaired by the windstorm. The save DC is Strength-based.

Flying creatures smaller than the gargantua's base creature (max Large) are blown back 2d10×10 feet and sustain 3d6 points of nonlethal damage if they fail the same saving throw. Flying creatures the same size as the gargantua's base creature (max Huge) are blown back 1d6×10 feet and Flying creatures a size larger than the gargantua's base creature (max Gargantuan) are blown back 1d6×5 feet, but neither take any damage.

***

Waterblast (Ex): A Mystaran gargantua with a swim speed can create a powerful blast of water as a standard action. The gargantua must be in water at least 20 feet deep to use this special attack. A waterblast can affect a line 20 times longer than the gargantua's Space or a cone 10 times larger than the gargantua's Space (e.g. a gargantua with a 20 ft. Space could create a 400 ft. line or a 200 ft. cylinder). All flames in the area of the waterblast are extinguished. Creatures within the area of the waterblast are affected as follows:

Any creature smaller than the gargantua's base creature (max Large) must succeed on a Fort save (DC 10 + 1/2 HD + Str modifier) or be knocked prone and washed 1d10×10 feet away from the gargantua, if this forced movement causes them to strike something solid, they take 1d6 points of damage per 10 feet traveled (nonlethal for landing in mud or earth, lethal damage for rocks). Creatures the same size as the gargantua's base creature (max Huge) must succeed on the same saving throw or be knocked prone and swept back 1d6×10 feet, taking damage as above. Creatures larger than the gargantua's base creature are affected as by a Bull Rush attempt (the gargantua uses its Strength modifier plus 4 points per size larger than Huge), these larger water-blasted victims take damage as above but are not knocked prone.

 

[Cleon]

I figure they'll be part of the usual "group conversion", but feel free to get the ball rolling (assuming we're done with the carrion crawler).

I'll make a start on the T & G then.

We're not quite done with the Crawler, we've got the extra feats to do.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

We'll need CR adjustments for the two variant abilities you posted earlier. Probably +1 for each.

For the carrion crawler...
Feats: Alertness (B), Combat Reflexes, Snatch (B), Track, 7 more (2 can be epic)

Epic Prowess, Epic Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Improved Multiattack, Multiattack...

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

We'll need CR adjustments for the two variant abilities you posted earlier. Probably +1 for each.

I suppose that'll do.

For the carrion crawler...
Feats: Alertness (B), Combat Reflexes, Snatch (B), Track, 7 more (2 can be epic)

Epic Prowess, Epic Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Improved Multiattack, Multiattack...

That's a good start. How about Knock-Down and Stand Still for the other two?

The crawler's swallow whole should do 12 acid damage according to our template.

Oh, and I've finished a first draft of the Gargoyle and Troll, will post 'em next.

 

[Cleon]

Mystaran Gargantua Gargoyle Working Draft

Mystaran Gargantua Gargoyle
Gargantuan Monstrous Humanoid (Earth)
Hit Dice: 32d8+350 (496 hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 80 ft. (16 squares), fly 120 ft. (clumsy)
Armor Class: 20 (-4 size, +1 Dex, +13 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 19
Base Attack/Grapple: +32/+58
Attack: Claw +42 melee (4d6+14)
Full Attack: 2 claws +42 melee (4d6+14) and bite +40 melee (6d6+7) and gore +40 melee (6d6+7)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./20 ft.
Special Attacks: Swallow whole, trample 4d8+21
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/magic, darkvision 60 ft., freeze
Saves: Fort +28, Ref +19, Will +14
Abilities: Str 39, Dex 12, Con 30, Int 6, Wis 11, Cha 7
Skills: Hide +22* [+28 against stone], Listen +11, Spot +11
Feats: Alertness, Dire Charge, Epic Skill Focus (Hide), Epic Toughness, Epic Will, Hover (B), Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Improved Natural Attack (claw), Improved Natural Attack (gore), Multiattack, Power Attack, Snatch (B)
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 16
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Advancement: 33-48 HD (Gargantuan); 49-96 HD (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: +5

Freeze (Ex): A gargoyle can hold itself so still it appears to be a statue. An observer must succeed on a DC 20 Spot check to notice the gargoyle is really alive.

Swallow Whole (Ex): A Mystaran gargantua gargoyle 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 gargoyle's interior can hold 2 Medium opponents, 8 Small opponents, and 32 Tiny or smaller opponents.

Trample (Ex): Reflex half DC 40. The save DC is Strength-based.

Skills: Gargoyles have a +2 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, and Spot checks.

*The Hide bonus increases by +8 when a gargoyle is concealed against a background of stone.

 

[Cleon]

Mystaran Gargantua Troll Working Draft

Mystaran Gargantua Troll
Colossal Giant
Hit Dice: 48d8+576 (792 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armor Class: 21 (-8 size, +2 Dex, +17 natural), touch 4, flat-footed 19
Base Attack/Grapple: +36/+66
Attack: Claw +47 melee (6d6+18/19-20 13d8+36 plus DC 52 Fort save or instant death)
Full Attack: 2 claws +47 melee (6d6+18/19-20 13d8+36 plus DC 52 Fort save or instant death) and bite +45 melee (6d6+18/19-20 13d8+36 plus DC 52 Fort save or instant death)
Space/Reach: 30 ft./30 ft.
Special Attacks: Rend 8d6+27, swallow whole, trample 6d8+27
Special Qualities: Darkvision 90 ft., low-light vision, regeneration 10, scent
Saves: Fort +39, Ref +18, Will +19
Abilities: Str 47, Dex 14, Con 35, Int 6, Wis 9, Cha 6
Skills: Listen +34, Spot +35
Feats: Cleave, Devastating Critical (bite), Devastating Critical (claw), Dire Charge, Epic Skill Focus (Listen), Epic Skill Focus (Spot), Epic Will, Great Cleave, Improved Critical (bite), Improved Critical (claw), Multiattack, Overwhelming Critical (bite), Overwhelming Critical (claw), Power Attack, Track, Weapon Focus (bite), Weapon Focus (claw)
Environment: Cold mountains
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 18
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +5

Swallow Whole (Ex): A Mystaran gargantua troll 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 12 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 18). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Mystaran gargantua troll's interior can hold 2 Large opponents, 8 Medium opponents, and 32 Small or smaller opponents.

Rend (Ex): If a Mystaran gargantua troll hits with both claw attacks, it latches onto the opponent’s body and tears the flesh. This attack automatically deals an additional 8d6+27 points of damage.

Regeneration (Ex): Fire and acid deal normal damage to a troll. If a troll loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.

Trample (Ex): Reflex half DC 52. The save DC is Strength-based.