Gelatinous Cube Damage, possible error?

[Cor Azer]

I noticed this in both the MM and in the SRD. The slam attack for a Gelatinous Cube is listed as being 1d6+4 and 1d6 acid. A cube only has a Str of 10, so I was wondering if anybody knew where the +4 damage was coming from?

When I threw a cube against my players a few weeks ago, it managed to kill one of them. I sat and thought for a second, and since I couldn't figure out where that extra damage was from, I rescinded those 4 points, which keep him alive.

So, basically, I'm wondering, was the Gelatinous Cube ever corrected for damage or Str (more likely damage, since everything based off Str seems to work with a Str of 10)?

 

[Voadam]

Not sure

With a ten strength it should be +0 damage but I'm not sure what a base slam damage for a huge ooze is. The huge size is the only thing that jumps out at me.

 

[Cor Azer]

Anyone else with ideas?

 

[The Kender]

I don't have my books with me, but Size might have something to do with it.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

No. Size is measured in the damage die, not in bonus. (If at all).
Hmm.
A gray ooze (medium size ooze) has a Strength score of 12, and inflicts 1d6+1 points of damage. Here, everything seems to be okay.

An Ochre Jelley (Large Ooze) has a strength score of 15, and inflicts 2d4+3 points of damage. 1 point of damage to much.

A Black Pudding (Huge Ooze, same size as Gelatinous Cube) has a strength score of 17, and inflcts 2d6+4 points of damage. Once again, 1 point to much.

I tend to believe that these are calculation errors - perhaps someone thought that a score of 17 gives already a +3 bonus.

The Gelatinous Cube seems a bit weak for a Huge Creature, especially compared to smaller oozes. On the other hand, its CR is lower than the Gray Ooze. I think you made it right with your ruling...

 

[Darklone]

Mustrum...

Those slam attacks do get 1 and a half STR bonus?

 

[Archer]

Yeah, those slam attacks get 1.5x str bonus. I think the cube was supposed to have 17 str as it would have negative strength if you shrank it down to medium size but its attack bonus is figured as if it had 10 str. The cube has had 1d6+4 damage since before the monster manual was printed and the whole system was finalized so maybe the stats have just been carried forward inadvertently.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

2Darklone: I knew I missed something. Thanks...

 

[Cor Azer]

I think the cube was supposed to have 17 str as it would have negative strength if you shrank it down to medium size but its attack bonus is figured as if it had 10 str. The cube has had 1d6+4 damage since before the monster manual was printed and the whole system was finalized so maybe the stats have just been carried forward inadvertently.

Huh? I don't quite get why the stats for a particular monster would be set to avoid problems happening if it is shrunk.

 

[hong]

Huh? I don't quite get why the stats for a particular monster would be set to avoid problems happening if it is shrunk.

For consistency's sake more than anything. Big things tend to be strong; most monsters in the MM that are size L or bigger have 20 Str or thereabouts. There's nothing stopping you from making up a big monster that's weak, but that would be an unusual creature.