Dragon #354

[Sammael]

They should be outsiders, not constructs.

 

[Razz]

They should be outsiders, not constructs.

But they're also constructs...

And they're also living...

It's hard to really pinpoint what creature type the Modrons should be. Currently, with the Tertian modron, it's type is Construct (Extraplanar, Lawful).

This makes sense except for these problems:

1) Lack of weapon proficiencies
2) Medium base attack as opposed to High
3) Good Fortitude saves only instead of all good saves
4) 2 skill points/HD as opposed to 8

So I can see the dilemma. Problems 2 and 4 were offset thanks to a huge increase in HD with the Tertian and a huge increase in its Intelligence score. The increase in Intelligence actually suits them perfectly since they are a highly methodical and logical extraplanar race. It barely counters Problem 3, however, and doesn't solve Problem 1 but that's only a minor inconvenience.

The easiest route would've been Outsider type with construct traits. Dunno why it didn't go that route.

 

[Shroomy]

But they're also constructs...

And they're also living...

It's hard to really pinpoint what creature type the Modrons should be. Currently, with the Tertian modron, it's type is Construct (Extraplanar, Lawful).

This makes sense except for these problems:

1) Lack of weapon proficiencies
2) Medium base attack as opposed to High
3) Good Fortitude saves only instead of all good saves
4) 2 skill points/HD as opposed to 8

So I can see the dilemma. Problems 2 and 4 were offset thanks to a huge increase in HD with the Tertian and a huge increase in its Intelligence score. The increase in Intelligence actually suits them perfectly since they are a highly methodical and logical extraplanar race. It barely counters Problem 3, however, and doesn't solve Problem 1 but that's only a minor inconvenience.

The easiest route would've been Outsider type with construct traits. Dunno why it didn't go that route.

I think that the laundry list of immunities that a construct possesses kind of mitigates Problem 3. Add in SR, DR, and additional resistances for the more powerful versions (I don't have Dungeon 144 in front of me, so I'm not sure what the Tertian actually has)....

 

[Pants]

It's hard to really pinpoint what creature type the Modrons should be. Currently, with the Tertian modron, it's type is Construct (Extraplanar, Lawful).

No, it's really easy.

They embody the concept of utter Law, thus they should be outsiders. Give 'em a bunch of construct-like immunities if you need that, but they should be outsiders.

 

[Particle_Man]

Question about the modrons in the article. Are they now Constructs or Living Constructs? I am assuming Constructs because of the way the Tertian was revamped in Dungeon #144, though I would have to say it'd make more sense to have had them as Living Constructs.

I am not sure if Dungeon 144 is a reliable guide, as I heard that the Tertian was put in at the last minute to replace an inevitable. That being the case, the "construct" stuff may be a hold-over, and thus a typo.

 

[qstor]

I hope WOTC adds the modrons to an upcoming Monster Manual

Whats in the preview for the issue after this one?

I haven't gotten mine yet. My last one was very late. I got it from customer Service last week.

Mike

 

[Shemeska]

They embody the concept of utter Law, thus they should be outsiders. Give 'em a bunch of construct-like immunities if you need that, but they should be outsiders.

Bingo. That's my perspective on them as well.

The only rationalization I might suggest for them being made constructs in Dragon and Dungeon is that what is described as their animating force or energy from the Energy Pool of Regulus that returns there when a modron is killed is what is actually the outsider. The modrons themselves are the immaterial animating force, an outsider, and the corporeal shell of a construct that it manipulates to interact with the world.

That might be one way to look at it (though again I still greatly prefer them being outsiders with some or all the traits of constructs).

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

Shield Lands, Knights of Holy Shielding, uh oh.

Does the article on Heironeous at least acknowledge that there was a prior article on the Knights of Holy Shielding in Dungeon, August 2004, with a PrC for the KoHS?

 

[Pants]

I hope WOTC adds the modrons to an upcoming Monster Manual

Prolly too late for that :\

 

[Mouseferatu]

Well, put me down as a "construct" vote.

No matter how hard I try, I cannot get my mind around living polygons as actual creatures, the alignments of the planes notwithstanding. But as constructs created by some greater force to embody law, that way I can at least vaguely accept them.

But then, I much prefer inevitables, myself.