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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cleon" data-source="post: 8878394" data-attributes="member: 57383">The original Dragon Magazine #254 version of the Cairn couldn't catch rocks, so I'd like at least one of our Cairns to reflect that.Might consider giving it Rock as a ranged weapon, if only so it doesn't get slaughtered before closing to melee range.That is a way more damaging attack than a Greatclub or Slam though, which makes the Cairn Zombie a lot worse in melee than at range.Guess you could give the thrown Rocks a recharge 4-6 so is only remembers to use them half the time?Either that or reduce the damage, but that doesn't feel right.Anyhow, getting back to the <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/2531089-stone-giant-zombie" target="_blank">Stone Giant Zombie</a> (SGZ).Armor Class, Hit Points and Speed are all fine, although the Hit Points might get some tweaking (see below).Would consider AC 15 instead since the standard Zombie (AC 8) is two lower than a bog standard human (AC 10) and a Stone Giant is AC 17 in 5E, but AC 14 is fine.Let's talk Ability Scores.A regular <a href="https://www.5esrd.com/database/creature/zombie-common" target="_blank">Zombie</a> is STR 13, DEX 6, CON 16, INT 3, WIS 6, CHA 5.A Commoner is STR 10, DEX 10, CON 10, INT 10, WIS 10, CHA 10.The current SGZ is STR 23, DEX 8, CON 22, INT 3, WIS 10, CHA 7.A Stone Giant with STR 23, DEX 15, CON 20, INT 10, WIS 12, CHA 9.So a Zombie is somewhat stronger (STR +2), much less coordinated (DEX –4), far tougher (CON +6) and has very low mental stats (INT –8, WIS –4, CHA –6).I'm not bothered by the difference in Strength: A 2E Cairn has the same Strength as a Stone Giant, so it's a homage!That said, if but you wanted to increase it to STR 25 I likely wouldn't object.Its Constitution is only 2 points better rather than 6, which is quite a difference.I'd fancy giving it a bit higher CON and fewer HD for the same HP, such as:Hit Points 174 (12d12 + 96) [CON 26 (+8)]Hit Points 175 (13d12 + 91) [CON 24 (+7)]Of those, the CON 24 version appeals.For Mental Stats, why are its WIS and CHA higher than a regular Zombie? The Charisma in particular is weird since Stone Giants have lower CHA than a standard humanoid.I'm OK with WIS 10 but I'd lower the CHA to 5 or lower, like 3 or 1.The DEX and WIS in its Saving Throws don't meet my favour. Zombies are not noted for their reflexes or insight.Damage Resistances and Condition Immunities are very basic, but I guess will do.Why does Languages include Common? Regular Stone Giants only speak Giant!The Challenge of 10 seems extraordinarily high. I ran those numbers through the CR Calculator and it came to CR 7 (including Undead Fortitude and three Save Proficiencies).Even if I put a tick in Resistances (despite it only being resistant to poison) it was CR 9, no 10.</blockquote>

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