Converting Planescape monsters

[Shade]

Updated.

A wastrel can be acquired as a familiar by a xth-level arcane spellcaster of neutral evil alignment with the Improved Familiar feat.

7th level like imp and quasit?

 

[freyar]

Seems right. For tactics, they make hit-and-run attacks to establish a life-link and then stay as close as possible without risking attack.

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

A wastrel can be acquired as a familiar by a xth-level arcane spellcaster of neutral evil alignment with the Improved Familiar feat.

7th level like imp and quasit?

I think an Imp/Quasit's a lot more useful overall, what with their having SLAs, hands and human-level intelligence.

I'd prefer 5th level for a Wastrel.

The Life Leeching is of limited effectiveness when there's just one Wastrel, but their ability to locate a creature they're blood-linked to has its advantages...

Seems right. For tactics, they make hit-and-run attacks to establish a life-link and then stay as close as possible without risking attack.

So something like this?

Combat
Wastrels attack with their beaks until they wound an opponent, then retreat and use their life leeching power to wear their victim down. A group of wastrels divides its numbers to try to wound as many opponents as possible. Wastrels will retreat after a few rounds of combat if they are unable to draw blood, but often return to attack later, especially if their prey appear to be disadvantaged.

 

[Shade]

I think an Imp/Quasit's a lot more useful overall, what with their having SLAs, hands and human-level intelligence.

I'd prefer 5th level for a Wastrel.

The Life Leeching is of limited effectiveness when there's just one Wastrel, but their ability to locate a creature they're blood-linked to has its advantages...

It's a tough call. A stirge is 5th-level, and these are hardier, have spell resistance right off the bat (rather than waiting until the caster is 11th-12th level), and can speak a language or two.

The tactics look good.

 

[freyar]

Can we compromise on 6th CL for Imp Familiar?

 

[Shade]

Can we compromise on 6th CL for Imp Familiar?

All but one of the Improved Familiars have odd-numbered level requirements. However, the lone exception (the starsnake from Shining South at 12th-level) is probably enough of a precedent to allow it.

 

[freyar]

Whew, avoided an argument.

 

[Shade]

Updated. Are we done here?

 

[freyar]

I'd be happy if we are.

 

[Cleon]

Updated. Are we done here?

There's something funny in the Hit Dice:

Hit Dice: 1d10+4 (9 hp)

Where did that +4 come from? They only have Con 10 and don't have Toughness.

Surely it should be 1d10 (5 hp)?

As a 1 Hit Dice Magical Beast it should have a +1 BAB, and hence a Grapple of -12.

Its bite should also be +5 melee: +1 BAB +2 size +2 Dex (Finesse)

Also, its Spot ought to be +12, not +16.

4 skill ranks plus 2 Wisdom bonus plus 6 racial = 4 + 2 + 6 = 6 + 6 = 12!

We discussed putting some points in Tumble. Maybe put 2 points apiece in Spot and Tumble for Spot +10, Tumble +4? We could even put all 4 ranks in Tumble, which would drop Spot to +8 and give them +6 Tumble.

However, they're "clumsy fliers" so I currently prefer just sticking to their current skills plus Flyby Attack and Mobility.

That would make the following changes:

Hit Dice: 1d10+4 (9 hp)
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/–12
Attack: Bite +5 melee (1d3–5)
Full Attack: Bite +5 melee (1d3–5)
Skills: Spot +12