Elementals vs. Outsiders

[Spectrum Rider]

No, not a "hoo'd win?" thread.

When creating a new monster, how do you (or TPTB, or anyone) decide whether it should be an outsider or an elemental?

In particular, in MM II, why is the firebat (from the elemental plane of fire) an elemental, while the sylph (from the elemental plane of air) is an outsider?

And what about planes other than the Four Biggies, such as what used to be referred to as quasielemental planes and the like? Are there elementals who aren't strictly E/W/F/A? I would have thought mephits would be elementals, but they're outsiders.

The Spectrum Rider

 

[Crothian]

Okay, I view it as Elementals are not only from an elemental plane (and it can be any of them, the normal ones, the para ones, the Quisi ones), but made from that element. Now, I'd have to go through the books to see if this actually holds up with all the creatures, but I think it would work okay.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

If you cut open the monster, what comes out? If it's fire, then it's probably not an outsider.

If the monster has SR, spell-like abilities, and good mental stats, it's probably not an elemental. As always, there are exceptions.

The only monster I've seen done wrong is the xorn, IMO.

 

[Staffan]

The only monster I've seen done wrong is the xorn, IMO.

The Xorn is an outsider because of symmetry with salamanders, arrowhawks and tojanidas.

 

[Grazzt]

I asked SKR this question one day (quite a while ago) and he said the monster is an elemental if it is formed of the very stuff from the plane it comes from (i.e., a creature from the Plane of Fire would be an elemental if it was formed of magma, lava, fire, etc.).

 

[Crothian]

Wow, I can't believe I was actually right on this one