MM4's Bluespawn Godslayer

[MerricB]

Is this the way all of the Monster entries are in this book? All of the special abilities burried in the text where it is hard to see them?

It say "Bluespawn godslayers possess little skill with ranged weapons, and their melee attacks explode with electricity, ", but nowhere does it say to add +XdX Electrical damage to all melee attacks, except under melee attacks and then only in parenthesis.

That is very easy to miss.

I'm sorry?

A Bluespawn Godslayer has the following attack:
Melee +2 bastard sword +23/+18/+13 (3d8+12/17-20 plus 2d6 electricity) and
bite +15 (2d6+5 plus 2d6 electricity)

How is it possible to miss it does electricity damage? It's in exactly the right spot: the damage it does with its weapons.

Cheers!

 

[Cam Banks]

Why on earth did they call it Godslayer? It doesn't slay gods. That's a cardinal rule when naming monsters: use words that fit.

They should have just thought of something else that was cool and appropriate.

Like "arcaniss"?

Cheers,
Cam

 

[MerricB]

Like "arcaniss"?

Cheers,
Cam

They're dragons, which are akin to reptiles. They hiss a lot. It's quite obvious.

Yes, I have no idea what they were thinking. I think Godslayer sounds cool, but I also think it should be on a more appropriate monster.

Cheers!

 

[MerricB]

There's also the slight issue that the godslayer is not in fact scary enough to pose a threat to your average celestial or metallic dragon. Especially not when they can fly and the 'slayer can't. Minor I know, but perhaps significant.

What's nice:

Sample Encounters
Bluespawn godslayers are often encountered in small groups or with blue dragons, who protect the spawn from flying enemies. They guard blue dragon lairs or work with other spawn of Tiamat, serving as heavy hitters and anchor points in an army.

Cheers!

 

[Kunimatyu]

Does every race need to be common? Seriously, it's a fair monster to begin with, and it is especially appropriate in a draconic-themed campaign.

Hey, if you like it, use it. I still contend that it's not only niche(not always a bad thing; aboleths are niche in their way and I love them), but bland and poorly put-together. For the same CR, it doesn't bring anything new to the table that the Mountain Troll doesn't, especially not if you gave said troll a shockng bane weapon.

And honestly, it's the combo of ridiculous appearance + bland mechanics + 12th Huge mini that really does it for me. Niche monsters don't deserve Huge slots, much as I'd adore an odopi miniature.

 

[MerricB]

Actually, I'm really looking forward to using a few of these things in my Greyhawk game. I used the Redspawn Arcaniss a few sessions ago, and it proved a memorable opponent (and the spur for a good adventure).

Enough so that it's detracting from the actual main plotline of the adventure. Grr. I hate it when subplots become more entertaining than they should be!

Ouch - I just noticed the godslayer has DR 10/chaotic. That's really nasty.

One thing I really like about it is its Dex of 6. It has a weakness.

Cheers!

 

[Kunimatyu]

Here's a cooler weakness.

Horn Vulnerability(Ex): The godslayer's single horn generates a charge that gives all of its melee attacks +2d6 electricity. However, the electricity can be disrupted by a successful attack on the horn with a metal weapon. If a character strikes the horn (AC 27, touch 10, flatfooted 27) with a weapon made of metal, or ammunition with a metal head, the godslayer must make a Fortitude save equal to the damage delt, or be dazed for one round and lose its electricity for 1d4+1 rounds. Further strikes upon the horn in the same encounter can increase the duration electricity is lost, but will not cause the godslayer to be dazed again.

Incidentally, this is the sort of thing that would have made the godslayer cool in my eyes, an interesting ability that makes it seem like more than a Huge humanoid with a shocking bane weapon and the standard brute feats.

 

[Kunimatyu]

Added a bit to the main post about WotC forgetting the Exotic Weapon Prof(bastard sword) in its feat list. I'm wrong -- see Hyp's post.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Added a bit to the main post about WotC forgetting the Exotic Weapon Prof(bastard sword) in its feat list.

Notice they don't mention "Simple Weapon Proficiency" in the feat list either.

As a monstrous humanoid, it is proficient with all simple weapons, and any weapons mentioned in its entry. ... like the bastard sword.

-Hyp.

 

[Kunimatyu]

Huh. Well, I guess you learn something new every day. Posts amended.

::starts creating a race of spiked-chain wielding lizardfolk::