Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

[demiurge1138]

Aren't there already snow spiders converted in Frostburn?

Demiurge out.

 

[Shade]

There's the real world horse-sized spider? (And I thought the saw-edged snake was a stretch!)

Yeah, some of these are a real stretch. That's why I put "real world" in quotes as an escape clause.

Aren't there already snow spiders converted in Frostburn?

D'oh! Sure enough. They even have the tremorsense I suggested.

This might be different enough to warrant conversion. Its venom sounds more like Con damage than the snow spider's Dex/paralysis venom. It also doesn't seem to possess the leap ability given to the snow spider, and if we add the icewalking, it could further differentiate itself.

What do you guys think?

 

[freyar]

But these are polar spiders, not snow spiders!

Abilities? The large monstrous spider has Str 15, Dex 17, Con 12, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 2. However, the polar spider has two more HD. I'd probably say bump the Strength up to 21 or so. What do you think?

 

[Shade]

But these are polar spiders, not snow spiders!

Abilities? The large monstrous spider has Str 15, Dex 17, Con 12, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 2. However, the polar spider has two more HD. I'd probably say bump the Strength up to 21 or so. What do you think?

Don't make me bust out the artic spiders and rime spiders.

I'm assuming that's a "yes" from you on continuing the conversion!

FWIW, the Large snow spider's stats are Str 15, Dex 18, Con 14, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 2.

If me make it a bull-rusher, the greater Str you suggested would make sense.

 

[GrayLinnorm]

If you really wanted to differentiate polar and snow spiders, you could let the polar spider keep its intelligence (it had low intelligence in the original) and make it a magical beast.

In any case, the description says polar spiders are exceptionally clever, so it should probably have a higher wisdom than 10 (exceptional intelligence is 15-16).

 

[Shade]

Excellent point, and further proving that I shouldn't have put them in the "real world" thread.

What say the rest of you...magical beast?

 

[demiurge1138]

I think we should let polar spiders keep their wits and be magical beasts. Helps to further differentiate them.

Agree on low intelligence, Wisdom of 15-17. I approve of making them stronger, for the Bull's Rushing.

Demiurge out.

 

[Shade]

Magical beast it is!

How about Str 21, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 6, Wis 17, Cha 12?

 

[demiurge1138]

Looks good to me.

Demiurge out.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

Cold subtype or just immunity to cold?

This spider's bite is fatally poisonous, and all saves vs. poison are at -2 against it.

Con damage and Ability Focus/racial bonus to save DC?