Converting prehistoric animals

[BOZ]

OK, that makes sense. But, is 20 too fast for a creature that only nested on beaches?

This is the last time I will bring this issue up, but I want to settle it for good, in my own mind at the very least.

Elasmosaurus
HIT DICE: 15
SIZE: L (50’ long)

Plesiosaurus
HIT DICE: 20
SIZE: L (50’ long)

Elasmosaurus
HIT DICE: 15
SIZE: G (50’ long)

Plesiosaurus
HIT DICE: 20
SIZE: L (8’ + long)

Plesiosaurus
HIT DICE: 20
SIZE: H (18' + long)

Plesiosaurus
Hit Dice: 16
“…usually about 30'-50' long.”

OK, there is an obviously inconsistency with size, as is common enough in D&D dinos. However, one thing that is not inconsistent is that, while the elasmosaurus is usually represented as larger than (or no larger than) the plesiosaurus, the plesiosaurus always has more HD. So, since the elasmosaurus was reduced to 10 HD in 3.5, I will go with an equal reduction for the plesiosaurus, making it 15 HD.

If no one has a better argument for this issue, I’m going with 15.

 

[BOZ]

ok, went with my gut feeling and gave it 15 HD. i only adjusted its HD, and anything else directly affected by that. posted in homebrews, have a look.

 

[BOZ]

no comments on this one?

have we lost the dino-fans completely?

 

[Shade]

I'm a dino-fan, but no dino-expert, but I agree with the 15 HD you proposed.

 

[BOZ]

oh well, no sense in keeping these guys waiting. let's finish em up.

Skills: Hide -3*, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +14 (plus 9 more ranks)
Feats: Alertness, Endurance, Toughness (need 3 more)

any suggestions? for one thing, hide could stand to be buffed up...

 

[Shade]

Yeah, buff up Hide.

Power Attack, Diehard and Combat Reflexes (take advantage of that long neck). Speaking of which, how about giving it 15 ft. reach with its ridiculously-long neck?

 

[BOZ]

can't really post in HB at the moment (but i will later today), so how about a new CR based on this stat block?

Dinosaur, Plesiosaurus
Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 15d8+75 (142 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 20 ft (4 squares), swim 50 ft
Armor Class: 13 (-2 size, +2 Dex, +3 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple: +11/+25
Attack: Bite +15 melee (2d6+9)
Full Attack: Bite +15 melee (2d6+9)
Space/Reach: 15 ft/10 ft (15 ft with bite)
Special Qualities: Hold breath, low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +14, Ref +11, Will +6
Abilities: Str 23, Dex 15, Con 20, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 7
Skills: Hide +6*, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +14
Feats: Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Diehard, Endurance, Power Attack, Toughness

 

[Shade]

CR 8? It is better than elasmo at CR 7, but not better than T-Rex at CR 8.

 

[BOZ]

tough call! we can go for 8 then, i think.

 

[BOZ]

and updated in homebrews.