Converting prehistoric animals

[demiurge1138]

Elasmosauruses in the MM get neither capsize attacks or fin slaps. I say that the plesiosaurus, for continuity's sake, shouldn't either.

And I caught a typo in my description. Should be "long", not "log".

Demiurge out.

 

[BOZ]

LOL but I thought their necks were made of wood.

One question before I get too heavily involved with comparing the differences:

The various AD&D versions gave them 20 HD and the OD&D version gave them 16 HD. Aren’t we selling them a bit short with 6 HD? The sizes given vary wildly, but I notice that in AD&D the somewhat larger elasmosaurus was actually given fewer HD (15) than the plesiosaurus. Using the same sort of logic that often gets thrown at me, does it make sense for a 20-foot long Huge creature to have only 6 Hit Dice?

Also, wouldn’t the Aquatic subtype make sense?

 

[Shade]

The various AD&D versions gave them 20 HD and the OD&D version gave them 16 HD. Aren’t we selling them a bit short with 6 HD? The sizes given vary wildly, but I notice that in AD&D the somewhat larger elasmosaurus was actually given fewer HD (15) than the plesiosaurus. Using the same sort of logic that often gets thrown at me, does it make sense for a 20-foot long Huge creature to have only 6 Hit Dice?

I'd definitely encourage a HD boost. Believe it or not, that chart that always gets thrown at you lists 4 HD as the minimum for a Huge creature!

Also, wouldn’t the Aquatic subtype make sense?

You would think so, but both the elasmosaurus and the liopleurodon in this month's Dragon lack the subtype, and even say that they breathe air.

 

[BOZ]

I'd definitely encourage a HD boost. Believe it or not, that chart that always gets thrown at you lists 4 HD as the minimum for a Huge creature!

bah! widicuwous!

You would think so, but both the elasmosaurus and the liopleurodon in this month's Dragon lack the subtype, and even say that they breathe air.

yeah, i looked back and saw that. it's cool, if they breathe air.

 

[Shade]

bah! widicuwous!

You're preaching to the choir, brother BOZ.

yeah, i looked back and saw that. it's cool, if they breathe air.

They gave the liopleurodon a "hold breath" ability, though.

 

[BOZ]

now that might be cool.

 

[Shade]

Also worth noting, the liopleurodon doesn't have a "boatcrushing" attack, nor does the elasmosaurus.

 

[Shade]

now that might be cool.

Here it is:

Hold Breath (Ex): A liopleurodon can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to 8 times its Constitution score before it risks drowning.

 

[BOZ]

ok, we can probably take advantage of that ability.

now, did we agree on a HD boost? did 15 HD sound good?

i see that demiurge gave it a land speed - did this thing go on land at all??

i think, after that, i might just be satisfied with this one.

 

[Filby]

Yeah, it's believed that plesiosaurs nested on beaches, much like modern seals. So a land speed is appropriate.