Do you miss the piercer?

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

In 3E, the darkmantle replaced the piercer, with flavor text in the Monster Manual alluding that it was the evolution of another death-from-above monster/trap. And, so far, it seems like most people like the darkmantle better.

How about you? Do you miss the piercer? Why or why not?

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

No, I never used the piercer in 2nd edition. I never used the darkmantle in 2nd or 3rd edition.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The darkmantle was in 2E? I didn't grab every possible monster book in the 2E era (sorry, giant space hamsters!), but I thought it was new in 3E, replacing the piercer (and to an extent the lurker above).

 

[Kestrel]

Our party in 2e carried one around as a pet and camp guard. We got it after it dropped on us and missed. They are so cute and helpless on the ground

Mr. Pointy the Piercer.

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

The darkmantle was in 2E? I didn't grab every possible monster book in the 2E era (sorry, giant space hamsters!), but I thought it was new in 3E, replacing the piercer (and to an extent the lurker above).

I want to say that it was a Forgotten Realms monster in 2e. I don't have my books with me at work, but that is what I remember.

 

[Prince of Happiness]

I thought piercers were "money-shot" monsters. They fall/attack once, and then if any PCs survive, then they're free XP.

The "ecology" section hinted that they're tasty like snails. I think that the darkmantle is a poor replacement from an epicurean standpoint.

 

[Kestrel]

I thought piercers were "money-shot" monsters. They fall/attack once, and then if any PCs survive, then they're free XP.

The "ecology" section hinted that they're tasty like snails. I think that the darkmantle is a poor replacement from an epicurean standpoint.

Unless you like Paella (sp?)

 

[Prince of Happiness]

Unless you like Paella (sp?)

Hmm, I wonder...maybe since they are still cephalopod-ish enough, maybe at least their tentacles are good in a garlic/wine braise. I think it's all the eyeballs that darkmantles have that put me off.

 

[Ripzerai]

Darkmantles are without a doubt new to 3e. There are sketches on the WotC site showing how Sam Wood first conceived of them (originally, the ethereal marauder was going to be the "new piercer").

No, I don't miss the piercer.

 

[Shade]

Yes, but mostly for nostalgia's sake. I think they'd be best as a hazard nowadays, or be retconned into a more versatile monster (not the darkmantle, though). In the Ecology of the Piercer, it was suggested that they are a form of mollusk. I think someone could run with that idea and make them no less interesting that 90% of the dragonspawn.