Converting Planescape monsters

[Shade]

Let's go with magical beast, but increase Int to 1 (like the ankheg) to avoid the concerns expressed upthread.

Yeah, an individual is pretty pointless unless we make it more of an individual threat. I could see it as a good Improved Familiar.

 

[Cleon]

Let's go with magical beast, but increase Int to 1 (like the ankheg) to avoid the concerns expressed upthread.

Yeah, an individual is pretty pointless unless we make it more of an individual threat. I could see it as a good Improved Familiar.

Magical Beast and Int 1 is alright by me.

If we want the individual ones to be a credible low-level threat I'd allow them to advance to Small or Medium size?

Something like:

Batfly
Tiny Magical Beast (Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: ½d10+X
Advancement: 1-2 HD (Small); 3-6 HD (Medium) ?

 

[Shade]

Sounds reasonable.

Since we've decided to make the swarm Tiny, rather than Diminutive, apply the usual size change modifiers to the bat swarm's scores (Str 3, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 4), resulting in Str 5, Dex 13, Con 10, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 4? Or do we want to just keep the scores the same (barring Int, of course).

 

[freyar]

Let's apply the modifiers, I think.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

 

[freyar]

Hmm, since we're proposing a single batfly at 1/2 HD and regular bats have 1/4 HD, can we bump the swarm to 6HD (twice the bat swarm)? Then let's give them DR 5/magic for their iron bodies (if the high NA isn't enough; it might be).

 

[Shade]

Sounds good. Updated.

With the increased HD, should we increase the swarm damage?

That also gives us one more feat. Wanna change any of the other feats?

 

[freyar]

Yeah, we should probably go to 2d6.

Improved Initiative?

You know, I just noticed that rat swarms in 3.5 have Weapon Focus as a bonus feat.

 

[Cleon]

Yeah, we should probably go to 2d6.

Improved Initiative?

Looking good so far!

I agree about increasing the swarm damage to 2d6.

As for their remaining feat, I was thinking Iron Will (they are made of iron, after all ). However, Improved Initiative would be my second choice.

Oh, and shouldn't they have the Extraplanar subtype?

You know, I just noticed that rat swarms in 3.5 have Weapon Focus as a bonus feat.

Yes, it's the Weapon Finesse bonus feat that individual SRD rats get, shame it's useless to a Swarm.

 

[Shade]

Unsurprisingly, I prefer Improved Initiative to Iron Will.

However, I'd be game for swapping Lightning Reflexes for Iron Will, as they already have a decent Ref save.

CR 4? They are quite a bit deadlier and more durable than a CR 3 locust swarm.

Anything else?