MM excerpt: phane

[Dalamar]

We've known for a while that the stat modifier listed next to the ability scores in the stat block (which are not the actual modifier, but the bonus it uses for things such as ability checks) are the old modifier (score/2-5) plus ½ the creature's level.

 

[malcolm_n]

We've known for a while that the stat modifier listed next to the ability scores in the stat block (which are not the actual modifier, but the bonus it uses for things such as ability checks) are the old modifier (score/2-5) plus ½ the creature's level.

I actually didn't know that; hence the question. Thank you, though, for pointing that out.

 

[humble minion]

I dunno. It's nice seeing a stat block for an epic monster that isn't 17 pages long, but it just seems so uninspiring and bland.

It's a living weapon created for the war between the gods and primordials. It can manipulate time itself. And what does it DO, in game terms? Wander around inflicting damage plus a short-lived after-effect. And that's it. Can't project itself into the future or alter the past or stop/speed up time or summon the shades of its previous victims from temporal limbo anything. There's not much flavour about it that screams 'fear me, for I am the primeval personification of time itself!' It just hits people. And unless it's been taken down below half hit points, it hits people one at a time.

I do hope this is unrepresentative and that other epic monsters will have more imaginative power sets.

 

[Hussar]

The problem with summoning mirror shades to fight the party is that the prep work required for that is substantial. It's just too long.

As far as not doing a lot of damage, remember, this is a controller, not a brute. So, it's not there to be laying down the smack, it's there to help the others that come with it lay down the smack.

Heck, considering it's a controller, there's how you flavour the mirror doubles thing. The sample encounter creatures use the stats for those creatures but look like the PC's. Done.

 

[Stalker0]

I do hope this is unrepresentative and that other epic monsters will have more imaginative power sets.

Nope, I definitely think this is what you should get used to for epic monsters. I remember reading the phane in the epic handbook, and I didn't have a clue how to use those abilities. This creature is a lot more straightforward, but I agree its a bit dry.

The big thing to note is, as a minor action it can remove any conditions affecting it. That's pretty huge. Its damage is paltry, but as a controller its job is to stun and weaken. While I agree by itself its not that scary, when you have other things bashing at you and your continuously weakened, stunned, and dazed...I'm sure that adds in the fear factor.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Also it becomes more menacing/interesting with how you describe it.

"The Phane dropped to its knees, its form beginning to flicker and ooze away into nothingness. When it vanished; all that could be seen or heard was the creak or armour and shuffling of feet as the party stood there alone.

What seemed like seconds passed, when the Phane appeared out of thin-air. Its form and shape restored to its previous form; the magical glyphs that were traced over its surface by the Cleric gone.

It swiped out with its shadowy claws, knocking down the Fighter as it seemed like days had passed without rest. It then instantly appeared behind the Wizard where its cloudy form engulfed him. As it settled away the Wizard lay on the ground ashen-faced and withered.

The Phane quickly moved away from the rest of the decimated party, its green eyes studying them; knowing what they will do next."

All that is within the rules of the Phane with using an action point.

 

[Zweischneid]

Also it becomes more menacing/interesting with how you describe it.

"The Phane dropped to its knees, its form beginning to flicker and ooze away into nothingness. When it vanished; all that could be seen or heard was the creak or armour and shuffling of feet as the party stood there alone.

What seemed like seconds passed, when the Phane appeared out of thin-air. Its form and shape restored to its previous form; the magical glyphs that were traced over its surface by the Cleric gone.

It swiped out with its shadowy claws, knocking down the Fighter as it seemed like days had passed without rest. It then instantly appeared behind the Wizard where its cloudy form engulfed him. As it settled away the Wizard lay on the ground ashen-faced and withered.

The Phane quickly moved away from the rest of the decimated party, its green eyes studying them; knowing what they will do next."

All that is within the rules of the Phane with using an action point.

Now, if they start putting fluff examples like that with every monster, power and character option, I just might buy the game after all

 

[Nymrohd]

Well it is not really their job to give such fluff; your DM is supposed to do it.

 

[Deep Blue 9000]

I think his job is to slow and stun the PCs, and let his brutes do the actual killing.

Right, but every monster we've seen so far deals similarly small damage. I think it's more likely that damage output has just been significantly reduced in 4e compared to 3e.

 

[med stud]

Well it is not really their job to give such fluff; your DM is supposed to do it.

I agree. Since there are so many opinions on what is good fluff anyway, I think WotC should focus on the objective stuff. Besides, I think a bare bones description can be more evocative and suggestive than a long description. A short description sparks questions which gets the imagination going.

On the damage front: As these guys are elite, they are meant to have allies. Two phanes cooperating could bring down most PCs in not too long time and they are fast and flying, so escape may not be an option when facing them. They have low one-shot potential but OTOH they don't have a glass jaw either.