How many Hit Dice should the Berbalang have?

[BOZ]

discussion taken from here

The original Fiend Factory version had 1d8 HD and the Fiend Folio 1d8+1 HD. The Berbalang write up in Second Edition assigns the creature 4d8+1 hit dice. The Creature Catalog version were are discussing here does the same. This is an error in my estimation. The reason for this opinion lies in the fact that no other factors regarding the creature changed in 2E including the XP awarded for defeating it...still 65...a pretty poor reward for defeating a 4HD creature with a high intelligence, special abilities and 3 attacks per round. Even an ogre (also 4d8+1 HD) earned 175 XP. By way of comparison, other creatures earning 65 XP in 2E included: war dog, gnoll leader/guard, hobgoblin sub-chief, mule, hyena, lizard man, orc chief/bodyguard, common owl, 2HD piercer, skeleton, wolf, zombie, etc.

Whether or not you want to perpetuate a possible error or recalc a bunch of skills and feats is your can of worms, not mine. I just open them up and pass 'em around.

 

[Conaill]

Just copying some more argument from the other thread...

Keep it 4HD and increase the CR IMHO.

I will argue in favor of 1d8+1 for HD. The advancement rules can always be used to make the monster tougher.

1 HD please. Too few cool monsters for very low (~1st) level parties - the level I usually DM for.

I'd prefer to minimize the change with respect to the version people are most familiar with. I.e. stick to the 4HD version from 2nd edition and the 3.0 Creature Catalog.

Besides, keep in mind that, as written, its favorite prey is humans, and it needs to be able to take one out without taking any damage itself (or it immediately flees back to its original body). For this creature to work as planned, it has to be fairly capable.

 

[Arnwyn]

4 HD. That's what I used when I updated the berbalang for my home campaign.

 

[Conaill]

So far, the consensus seems to be... 2.9 HD.

 

[BOZ]

LOL i'm not averaging - it's 1 or 4. if the majority vote holds up for another hour or two, i'll keep it at 4.

 

[Krishnath]

I have voted.

 

[the Jester]

It's easy enough to do both, give it a 'basic' 1 HD and also include an advanced version with 4 HD! The new MM is great that way; I vote all future monster books or sites include advanced versions...

 

[BOZ]

actually, jester's idea is not half bad...

 

[Krishnath]

Hmm... After thinking it over, I agree.

Jester: Does this include all monsters, or just some like the MM?

 

[the Jester]

Hmm... After thinking it over, I agree.

Jester: Does this include all monsters, or just some like the MM?

Like the MM; giving all monsters advanced version stats would just eat up too much space. And who cares about the extra 2 HD on the baboon, right? But the half-slaad 10th-level fighter yeti lord....