Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

[Cleon]

Updated. Finished?

Seems fine.

The only thing I'd be prepared to kick up a fuss about is adding "warm forest" to the Environment.

 

[freyar]

I'd be fine with adding "warm" to the environment.

I think increasing both the "damage" and DC against creatures with scent is a little complicated and probably too much extra penalty. Let's leave the DC the same.

 

[Shade]

Updated with "and warm" on the org line.

Next!

Beetle, Giant, Tiger
Armor Class: 3
Hit Dice: 3+1 (M)
Move: 150’ (50’)
Attacks: 1 bite
Damage: 2d6
No. Appearing:1d6
Save As: F2
Morale: 9
Treasure Type: U
Intelligence: 0
Alignment:Neutral
XP Value: 50

Tiger beetles are 4'-long giant beetles with a striped carapace that looks like a tiger's skin. They are carnivores and usually prey on robber flies.
Terrain: Cavern, Plain, Ruins, Woods.

Originally appered in Basic Set (magenta box) (1981). This is the Rules Cyclopedia version.

Tiger beetle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[freyar]

Advance a bombadier beetle and drop the acid spray, maybe add a conditional Hide bonus? The wikipedia article suggests giving them a really high speed (I guess the original stats do, too!).

 

[Cleon]

Advance a bombadier beetle and drop the acid spray, maybe add a conditional Hide bonus? The wikipedia article suggests giving them a really high speed (I guess the original stats do, too!).

Yes, real-world tiger beetles can be very fast. I'd suggest speed 40 or 50 ft. plus Run as a bonus feat.

If they're fast, we could give them a higher Dex to help explain why they have an impressive AC for a Medium 3HD beetle.

I'm thinking something like the following, based on the Giant Stink Beetle we just did:

Tiger Beetle, Giant
Medium Vermin
Hit Dice: 3d8+3 (16 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 40-50 ft. ?
Armor Class: 17 (+5 natural, +2 Dex), touch 12, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+4
Attack: Bite +4 melee (2d6+3)
Full Attack: Bite +4 melee (2d6+3)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: -
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., vermin traits
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 14, Con 13, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 0
Feats: Run (B)

Many Tiger Beetles also have well-developed eyes, so maybe a racial bonus on Spot checks?

 

[Cleon]

Beetle, Giant, Tiger
Move: 150’ (50’)

Does the (50') signify a burrow speed - it does in 1st edition AD&D, but I'm not so sure about the monster notation for the Rules Cyclopedia version of BECMI?

If so, do we want to add a 10 or 20 ft. burrow speed (earth only). It's not unheard of for Tiger Beetles to be burrowers.

If that's the case, I'd rather have the standard version non-burrowing like most tiger beetles, and maybe add a slower, burrowing sub-variety without a Spot bonus (since the species that burrow generally lack the big eyes characteristic of the family).

 

[demiurge1138]

Should we give them sprint, and/or an ability to make turns when charging?

 

[freyar]

Adding a burrow speed one way or the other sounds good.

I also like the ability to turn when charging. Not sure about sprint, since they're so fast already, but it could work!

 

[Cleon]

Adding a burrow speed one way or the other sounds good.

That's okay by me, but I wouldn't want it to be that good.

10 ft. burrow through soft earth only?

I also like the ability to turn when charging. Not sure about sprint, since they're so fast already, but it could work!

I don't mind either, maybe something like:

Agile Runner (Ex): A giant tiger beetle does not have to run in a straight line like most creatures. It can make one or two turns of up to 90 degrees each while taking a Run or Charge action.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.