Mearls, please give the mind flayer a makeover!

[Spatula]

Not sure I agree.
They are certainly more potent than the MM version. But the MM version seems a little weak for its CR if anything.

I wouldn't argue a CR of 9, but 8 seems close enough.

Huh? The XPH flayer is a 9th level telepath on top of its normal abilities. A 9th lvl telepath is CR 9. A 9th lvl telepath + d8 hp, mind blast, brain sucking, etc. etc. has got to be at least a CR 10.

 

[pawsplay]

It will be interesting to see what he does with one of my favorite, as-written, monsters.

 

[Felon]

That's actually a fairly simple and effective fix, Sejs.

Yep, I'd suggested it earlier myself. Would still be cool to some other tricks in the ol' bag.

 

[blargney the second]

I agree, Felon. The confusion one upthread was quite nice as well.

 

[Felon]

I think whatever ability the mind flayer gets, it should make for a good boss. Right now, the mind flayer has the same problem a beholder has: it's all offense. But if you're a boss, you gotta have some staying power. They're not very scary if one beater can just charge up and go "THWACK! 48 points of damage! That's that!"

How about the flayer being able to set up some kind of deterrent effect around himself? Maybe a charm monster or confusion aura, or a simple repulsion effect that keeps opponents away? Is there any psionic power that would effect this?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Huh? The XPH flayer is a 9th level telepath on top of its normal abilities. A 9th lvl telepath is CR 9. A 9th lvl telepath + d8 hp, mind blast, brain sucking, etc. etc. has got to be at least a CR 10.

In some ways, it might be the same.
The XPH flayer might have all the power than the 9th level telepath + bonus, but on the other hand, he doesn't have more actions per round. He might be more flexible (since he can use powers or attempt to mind blast and suck brains in addition to manifesting powers), but during the encounter, he won't be more powerful than the telepath. His bigger hd might be offset by a "real" telepath better constitution score - even if not, it might not be enough to really award a +1 CR.

 

[ssampier]

Weren't they supposed to be mauve? Mauve is MILES away from purple!!!

Huh, I always thought they were green.

 

[BryonD]

Huh? The XPH flayer is a 9th level telepath on top of its normal abilities. A 9th lvl telepath is CR 9. A 9th lvl telepath + d8 hp, mind blast, brain sucking, etc. etc. has got to be at least a CR 10.

Already answered above.

Without disputing the points you made, the in practice reality has been that they just are NOT that potent.
Is there a great solid line between CR9 and CR10? No.
Is there a big deal to this? No.
Can a party of 4 9th level characters take one out fairly reliably when other factors are neutral? Yes.

 

[mhensley]

Now we just have to wait to see how mr. mearls handles it.