Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

[Shade]

If we give them +6 in both its overall Jump modifier will only be 1 lower than the SRD Leopard, since it has a higher Strength.

Sounds good.

Well, what Challenge Rating are we aiming for them? Do we want to keep them CR 2 like a Leopard or make them CR 3 like a Lion? If the latter, it'll be a low-end CR3 unless we give them a little 'kick' upwards. Maybe the Multiattack feat?

Let's give 'em the kick.

 

[freyar]

Multiattack sounds good.

 

[Cleon]

Sounds good.

Let's give 'em the kick.

Multiattack sounds good.

Updating Working Draft.

I'll put its extra Skill Point in Jump, so it has the same Jump skill as the SRD Leopard.

EDIT: Forgot to adjust the bite damage, it's fixed now.

 

[Shade]

So we just need a sentence or two of simple flavor and some tactics and we're done?

 

[Cleon]

So we just need a sentence or two of simple flavor and some tactics and we're done?

Arguably we don't even need the Tactics, since the SRD cats don't have it.

Anyhow, how's this for the background.

These jungle cats resemble leopards, but are somewhat larger and more heavily built. A jaguar's fur has fewer and larger spots than a leopard. They prefer to hunt at dawn or dusk. A jaguar has very powerful jaws for tackling large or tough animals such as tapir, deer, turtles, or constrictor snakes, but will catch prey as tiny as mice if nothing better is available.

Jaguars are about 5 feet long and weigh about 180 pounds.

 

[freyar]

Tactics: Jaguars prefer to pounce upon their prey from hiding.

Short but sweet?

 

[Shade]

Works for me.

 

[Cleon]

Works for me.

Updating Working Draft.

Done?

 

[freyar]

Looks like it.

 

[Cleon]

Looks like it.

So, any interest in doing the Mountain Lion?

Its AD&D stats are almost identical to a Leopard, and a Cougar is pretty much the same weight as a Leopard (~60-200 pounds), averaging about 120 pounds.

Pumas might be better at leaping long distances than leopards, having long, flexible bodies and powerful hind legs. However, I had trouble finding reliable figures for their leaping ability. Some of them quote distances of 15-18 feet vertically and 30-60 feet horizontally. The latter seems way too much, since from what I've read, Snow Leopards are among the best long-jumpers among the Great Cats and they can jump distances of 40-50 feet.

A 30 ft. horizontal or 15 ft. vertical jump is achievable on a high roll with the SRD Leopard's +11 Jump, but if we want an average of 30 feet it'll need a higher racial bonus of +12 or so. (Maybe +20 for a Snow Leopard?)