Converting original D&D and Mystara monsters

[Orius]

Wow, 4 pages on just the Rakasta. They really must be popular.

Anyway, I'll make a quick suggestion. How about using the Mystara MC Appendix as the baseline wherever possible? That converted a lot of old D&D monsters up to 2e stats, so it would give us less to flesh out.

 

[BOZ]

that's what i tend to prefer, yes. but i don't want to ingore the original source material, as that can provide clues which were left out (intentionally or not) of later material. this is why i often provide more than one source for particular monsters.

and yes, i agree they're popular... i hope to have 'em done soon so we can share the fun!

 

[BOZ]

so are the above stats cool? because i think that's one of the few things keeping me from calling the rakasta "done".


also, reposting the combat section for comment:

COMBAT
A rakasta fights fiercely, expecting its opponent to do the same. Though rakasta can use normal weapons, they disdain such equipment and prefer to rely on their own natural weapons. Rakasta are often armed with a special set of metal war claws that they call kasas, which are worn on the paw like a glove.

Rakasta that ride saber-toothed tigers use special saddles that enable them to fight unhindered while mounted. These saddles allows them maintain control of their mount by controlling the tigers with knee pressure, and do not hinder the mount’s combat capabilities. These saddles also allow them to leap and attack in the same round.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a rakasta must hit either with both claw attacks or both kasa attacks. 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 make two rake attacks with its rear claws.

Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +X melee, damage 1d3+1.

Mounted Leap (Ex): A rakasta can leap up to 20 feet from its mount and still make its full attack in the same round.


and when that is settled, i'll need to work up a "rakasta as characters" bit.

 

[Zaster]

so are the above stats cool?

I vote Yes.
Can't wait to see the complete write-up.

 

[Shade]

so are the above stats cool? because i think that's one of the few things keeping me from calling the rakasta "done".

Sorry, BOZ. I'd sort of been reserving further comments until it ended up in Homebrews, because (even with the doc file) I'm having hard time keeping up with this thread.

Anyway, I'd definitely give it 1 rank in Tumble, because otherwise it can't use that skill (it is Trained only).

I'd also find a way to preserve the one rank in Craft, since that way it will always be a class skill for a rakasta character.

also, reposting the combat section for comment:

COMBAT
A rakasta fights fiercely, expecting its opponent to do the same. Though rakasta can use normal weapons, they disdain such equipment and prefer to rely on their own natural weapons. Rakasta are often armed with a special set of metal war claws that they call kasas, which are worn on the paw like a glove.

Rakasta that ride saber-toothed tigers use special saddles that enable them to fight unhindered while mounted. These saddles allows them maintain control of their mount by controlling the tigers with knee pressure, and do not hinder the mount’s combat capabilities. These saddles also allow them to leap and attack in the same round.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a rakasta must hit either with both claw attacks or both kasa attacks. 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 make two rake attacks with its rear claws.

Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +X melee, damage 1d3+1.

Mounted Leap (Ex): A rakasta can leap up to 20 feet from its mount and still make its full attack in the same round.

and when that is settled, i'll need to work up a "rakasta as characters" bit.

This all looks good.

 

[BOZ]

look again; what's listed above are the skill ranks.

 

[Shade]

I told you I was having a hard time following the thread.

 

[BOZ]

ok, posting this one in homebrews finally. keep in mind on craft, if i haven't already pointed this out, dwarves have two craft skills at +2 so this is not unprecedented.

how we lookin?

 

[Zaster]

I continue to wonder whether Improved Grab and Rake justify either an LA of only +1 or the Humanoid type. As written, this thing is clearly more capable than a gnoll or lizard-man, for example. I'm not complaining -- just wondering out loud and hoping somebody else has some thoughts on this.

Over-all though, it looks great and I'll definitely enjoy using it.

 

[Zaster]

Something else I noticed -- the environment for the Rakasta is listed as Warm Plains & Deserts, while the environment for the CC Smilodon is listed as Any Forest. Due to the close association between the two creatures, shouldn't there be some overlap?