Counter-intuitive monsters

[ColonelHardisson]

Its a monster that hunts by concealing itself as a chest in a dungeon.

Since when? Even in 1e, it was clear that the illustration of the mimic as a chest was just an example of what it could mimic. It can mimic just about any inanimate object as long as it fits within the limits of the creature's basic dimensions.

 

[Faerl'Elghinn]

You would prefer that a human could walk up to an elephant (a huge animal, two sizes above medium), wrap his arms around it, and somehow win the fight?

Hercules could. Why not a PC with like 40 strength?

 

[painandgreed]

Since when? Even in 1e, it was clear that the illustration of the mimic as a chest was just an example of what it could mimic. It can mimic just about any inanimate object as long as it fits within the limits of the creature's basic dimensions.

Ya, I always figured they could be a tree or rock or just about anything else in nature. They are intelligent, so they can form anything that makes sence to take the form of so long as the volume is correct. Besides, they're another one of those "are not natural creatures but were created long ago by a now-forgotten wizard...to guard treasure" monsters.

So, when making these monsters, do wizards need a spell to do it, or is there a "Craft Creature" feat that hasn't been expanded yet?

 

[Umbran]

Hercules could. Why not a PC with like 40 strength?

I recall Herc wrestling the Nemean lion and winning, but I don't recall an elephant in the picture. You got a cite?

Grappling is about controlling the movements of the target. As a human-sized beast, Herc (or anyone else) has got an armspan of perhaps 6 feet. Herc may have strength, but he can only apply it over a small area within his reach. That area is too much smaller than the elephant to control it's movement. Rather like your kid brother clinging to your leg as you walk around. It is a nuisance, but it doesn't stop you from doing anything.

Herc might be able to beath the animal to death with his bare hands - he can do hefty amounts of unarmed combat damage. But he can't keep his hands on enough of the beast to keep it from taking actions - so he cannot effectively grapple an elephant.

 

[ValhallaGH]

Grappling is about controlling the movements of the target. As a human-sized beast, Herc (or anyone else) has got an armspan of perhaps 6 feet. Herc may have strength, but he can only apply it over a small area within his reach. That area is too much smaller than the elephant to control it's movement. Rather like your kid brother clinging to your leg as you walk around. It is a nuisance, but it doesn't stop you from doing anything.

Herc might be able to beath the animal to death with his bare hands - he can do hefty amounts of unarmed combat damage. But he can't keep his hands on enough of the beast to keep it from taking actions - so he cannot effectively grapple an elephant.

Yet I have no doubt at all that Herc could strangle an elephant, using pressure on the carotid arteries if nothing else, and the mechanics for strangulation are under grappling. Hence my problem with the lack of offensive grappling of creatures two or more sizes bigger than you.

 

[pawsplay]

I recall Herc wrestling the Nemean lion and winning, but I don't recall an elephant in the picture. You got a cite?

Dude, Hercules succesfully grappled a river. And as an infant, he strangled a serpent sent to kill him. He also lifted a giant off the ground and strangled him.

 

[pawsplay]

Yes it is.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#breathWeapon

"A creature is immune to its own breath weapon unless otherwise noted."

Oh, ok. Well, the breath weapon of another chimera of the same type, then.

 

[pawsplay]

I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you mean by "moves the original with the body". Could you explain it?

If you disturb a ghost's remains and take its stuff, it's ghostly equipment fades.

 

[The Grackle]

20th level commoner.

I think I read the Monster Manual too early in my childhood for D&D monsters to counter my intuition. Rust monsters, piercers, gelatinous cubes? Those are what monsters should be like.