Converting prehistoric animals

[RavinRay]

Daphoenodon was to Amphicyon as ponies or donkeys are to horses, sort of. We can compare those equine stats to how to extrapolate.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Ehhh..don't stress it. Daphaenodonts were wolf to coyote sized with long, almost weasel like bodies, dog like heads, and tails nearly as long as their bodies. You can see a pic here:

http://www.visitscottsbluff.com/images/bdogscan1.jpg

 

[Shade]

Pony (M): Str 13, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4
Light Horse (L): Str 14, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6

Wolf (M): Str 13, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Hyena (M): Str 14, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6

Amphicyon (L): Str 27, Dex 13, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6

 

[Mortis]

The picture might be misleadin but it doesn't look anywhere near as strong as the Amphicyon, so saying that and also allowing for the decrease in size to Medium I would suggest abilities along the lines of:-

Str 16, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6

Regards
Mortis

 

[Shade]

What do our resident paleontologists think?

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

What do our resident paleontologists think?

I think I'd lower the STR to 14 and increase the WIS to 14. The Miocene Epoch saw a rapid and diverse evolution of mammals, so it's likely there'd have been a lot of competition for food. Being slightly smaller than some of the other apex predators of the time, I think Daphaenodon would've relied on wits as much as muscle to get by.

 

[Shade]

I think I'd lower the STR to 14 and increase the WIS to 14. The Miocene Epoch saw a rapid and diverse evolution of mammals, so it's likely there'd have been a lot of competition for food. Being slightly smaller than some of the other apex predators of the time, I think Daphaenodon would've relied on wits as much as muscle to get by.

It is nice to have subject matter experts in residence.

So ability scores of Str 14, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6.

How many Hit Dice do you suppose? The amphicyon has 7 HD. Maybe 3-4?

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

4 sounds good. Both dogs and bears are pretty tough and can take a lot of punishment. There was a story on the local news tonight about a chocolate lab found wandering around with a bullet lodged in her lower jaw.

 

[Shade]

4 sounds good. Both dogs and bears are pretty tough and can take a lot of punishment. There was a story on the local news tonight about a chocolate lab found wandering around with a bullet lodged in her lower jaw.

Cool. Modifying the amphicyon to adjust for size, HD, and new ability scores yields the following. It will need to lose one feat.

Daphaenodon
Medium Animal
Hit Dice: 4d8+8 (26 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 15 (+2 Dex, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+5
Attack: Claw +5 melee (1d6+2)
Full Attack: 2 claws +5 melee (1d6+2) and bite +0 melee (2d6+1)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Trip
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +3
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6
Skills: Listen +4, Spot +6, Swim +5
Feats: Endurance, Improved Natural Attack (Bite), Run, Track
Environment: Temperate plains
Organization: Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating: x
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5-8 HD (Large), 9-12 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: -

COMBAT

Trip (Ex): A daphaenodon that hits with its bite attack can attempt to trip the opponent (+2 check modifier) as a free action without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip the amphicyon.

Skills: A daphaenodon has a +4 racial bonus on Swim checks.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

That looks awesome!!!! Thanks!!!!!