Planescape Converting Planescape monsters

[Knight Otu]

I agree with Shade.

 

[BOZ]

You don't need to include this anymore, unless you are going to add in additional details regarding discern lies. Usually it just shows up on the SQ line now, like darkvision.

even if the range is 1 mile? I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that in the stat block yet.

I think a bonus on Listen checks should cover it.

would that cover quadruple range hearing? What is the maximum distance on Listen checks anyway, or is there theoretically no maximum?

Uncanny Dodge is a good idea.

and, Alertness and the other skill bonuses should keep it aware of its surroundings at all times. Should we add a note about it being able to make Listen (and Spot?) checks while sleeping, as the text suggests?

 

[Shade]

even if the range is 1 mile? I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that in the stat block yet.

Hmmm...good point. It doesn't hurt to leave it.

would that cover quadruple range hearing? What is the maximum distance on Listen checks anyway, or is there theoretically no maximum?

I honestly have no idea. The Listen skill description doesn't say anything. The DMG has info on encounter distances based on Spot, but nothing to do with Listen, as far as I can tell.

and, Alertness and the other skill bonuses should keep it aware of its surroundings at all times. Should we add a note about it being able to make Listen (and Spot?) checks while sleeping, as the text suggests?

Yeah, that note would be worthwhile.

 

[Knight Otu]

If we can trust the Listen skill description, a +1 modifier adds about 10 feet to hearing range (ok, every ten feet add +1 to the Listen DC, but its more or less the same, isn't it?).

 

[Shade]

Nice catch! Yes, that makes perfect sense. So we could either:

A) Give it a bonus to Listen checks to guarantee the range

-or-

B) Every forty feet adds +1 to the Listen DC for these guys.

-or-

C) Do something entirely different.

 

[BOZ]

well, we had already given it a +8 bonus to listen...

Yeah, that note would be worthwhile.

Uncanny Alertness (Ex): During the time from sunset to sunrise, noctrals are never caught flat-footed and cannot be flanked. When sleeping, a noctral may make Listen and Spot checks just as it would when awake.

 

[Shade]

Oooh...nice.

 

[BOZ]

I’m wondering… it’s as tall as a human, but it has more girth and a wingspan of 20 feet. Is that still Medium or does it become Large?

Ability scores…
Well, for comparison, a giant owl has Str 18, Dex 17, and Con 12. It has Int 10, Wis 14, and Cha 10.

Physical ability scores for the noctral should be at least that high. Since a noctral has Int 20, we should raise the Wis to at least that high, and Cha should go up as well.

 

[Shade]

I'd be tempted to make it Large. The giant owl has the same wingspan (albeit it is 2-3 feet taller) and is Large.

The owl archon is Large and has the following stats:
Str 16, Dex 20, Con 18, Int 17, Wis 25, Cha 15

The noctral is smarter than the owl archon, so I'm not sure if that should impact its Wis and Cha.

 

[BOZ]

I'd be tempted to make it Large. The giant owl has the same wingspan (albeit it is 2-3 feet taller) and is Large.

it is tempting isn't it? it is clearly larger than a human. However, one of the main problems is that the noctral is "much lighter than a human of the same height - like all birds, their bones are hollow." IF we can look past that, then I could see it being Large. Discuss!

The owl archon is Large and has the following stats:
Str 16, Dex 20, Con 18, Int 17, Wis 25, Cha 15

The noctral is smarter than the owl archon, so I'm not sure if that should impact its Wis and Cha.

how aboot:

Str 18, Dex 20, Con 14*, Int 20, Wis 20, Cha 15

If we decide to make it Large, I would raise the Con to 18, but I think the Str is fine as is.


Edit: as a side note, check out this thread! http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=307692